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Convention Centre - Tue Jan 19
Containing members of Kid Confucius and The John Butler Trio, this may be the oldest crowd The Ray Mann Three have played to, but the guitar-bass-drums trio have the ragged soul chops and nifty fitted vests to win over the sea of veterans. Even so, Mann admits he’s in a little in awe of the man they’re supporting, giggling as he forgets the lyrics.
It’s not too often you get to see a true legend in Brisbane on a Tuesday night, but that’s precisely what The Reverend Al Green is, making his first ever tour of our country. In true soul icon tradition, the 14-or-thereabouts-piece band (including his three daughters as backing singers, and two synchronised dancing dudes) blasts a god-raising fanfare, before the eccentric Green trots onstage. The problem with some touring old-timers is that you’re reminded of just how great they were in their day. Straight up, it’s clear the fresh-faced, wise-cracking, immaculately-suited Green is on his game. You cannot take your eyes off him.
He starts with a couple of pleasant but lesser-known tunes, including a gospel Let’s Get Married, which stretches to include hip-waggling instrumental solos all over the shop. The response is positive but polite, and Green uses this time to hand out long-stemmed red roses to the women who start flocking to the front of the stage, telling each that he loves them. Stay With Me keeps the tempo low as Green gets to stretch his smooth ‘70s soul ballad vocals, but next begins a solid gold run of classic dance hits that doesn’t let up. Security is too late to stop a huge crowd from converging in front of the stage for Take Me To The River, Amazing Grace, the truly astounding Let’s Stay Together, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Here I Am (Come & Take Me) and a ridiculously touching megamix-nod to the heroes that inspired him – Otis, Sam, Levi, The Stylisitcs and co. For all his showmanship, Green’s famous voice is his most spectacular weapon, and it feels like an exclusive treat to witness it, as idiosyncratic and majestic tonight as any record you’ve heard. Looking around, there’s people dancing absolutely everywhere, and not just grins but even appreciative tears. Finishing with the funk-fuelled Love & Happiness, no encore, we leave, all goosebumps and gobsmackery. We just saw one of the Greats, and he is still incredible.
SIMON TOPPER
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