Queensland Art Gallery - Fri Sep 4

Losing track of the time walking through the gallery, a song drifted around corners and stairs that sounded unfamiliar but also recognisable on an almost genetic level. It was the lyrics of post-war inner turmoil and shellshock of Khe Sanh, stripped down to its bones to further accentuate the sorrowful themes. It’s a bold move from Don Walker as he sits at a grand piano in the middle of the main gallery hall, but a move that the song’s creator is both allowed to do and pulls off admirably. And that’s about all we get to hear from the Cold Chisel side, so those expecting to hear a greatest hits set should probably exit now. The black humour of Angry Women is flavoured with flourishes of bluesy electric guitar from his cumbersome offsider. The sound bounces around the space – particularly during faster paced tracks like the stomping Everybody – and doesn’t do his plaintive voice many favours. But the stories Walker weaves, through song as well as his explanatory notes, more than make up for it. Besides, the road weary traveler angle is his shtick anyway. The acoustics are on his side for Fallen Angel, as a quivering slide guitar part make an already haunting ballad…hauntinger. It’s a word, go with it [Really? – Live Ed]. His two long-time traveling buddies on guitar and lap-steel depart from the stage – did I mention it sits over the Gallery’s artificial pond? Amazing location – and Walker ends the night with The Way You Are Tonight from his 2006 Cutting Back Album. It’s one of the few songs he’s played on his own, and the removal of other instruments pushes forward the impact of this tender ballad. Cultural icon might be a bit of a stretch, but a well-spoken dude with lovely songs is enough for the night.

MITCH ALEXANDER

Be first to comment on this article

Write Comment
Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Poster's IP addresses are logged.
Name:
Comment:
Code:*