PaulofMelb

I found this forum as I was looking for the set list of the 2nd show in Melbourne, I was there, just don’t trust my memory for the list. I am not normally one to write gig comments, but with lack of feedback I thought I’d better put something down.
I’ve been a Lucinda fan for a long time, she toured Melbourne I think in 89 & 90 playing at a small venue music fans miss here, called the Continental. If I remember correctly it was only Lucinda & her guitarist the first year, the second tour she could afford to bring the band. It was easy to stand 5 yards from the stage & the rawness of the performance easily outweighed what you heard on record.
So almost a decade on & I’m sitting in plush seats in a Concert Hall, no cigarette smoke in the air, no bourbon in hand, but the anticipation of seeing Lucinda live again. I’d bought tickets for both nights of the 1st & 2nd.
I enjoyed both shows, however the second was easily the better night. Lucinda did seem a little disorientated the first night (jet lag I assume), & the band didn’t seem to gel until about half way through the show. She finished with It’s a Long way.., but the spirit didn’t seem to be there – yet 100 yards down the road was Swanson St where Bon & co were filmed on the back of a flat bed truck bag pipes blaring for the original video.
The second night Lucinda had more presence, explaining the songs in more detail, & the audience whopped & hollered being expressive than the night before . She did Passionate Kisses acoustic which was just fantastic, & 2 songs on the night were dedicated to her friend Duane Jarvis who had passed away. Through the last songs Lucinda was definitely enjoying the band & the sound of the hall, & I think the comment from her went along the lines “if mama’s happy, every bodies happy”. Later she told the story of the Buick 6 t-shirt –yes she does have a sense of humour. There was some (unheard) discussion between her & the band during It’s a Long Way & then they rocked it out harder than the night before. I thought that was finale –but Lucinda came back out solo & had us guessing saying how a famous rock artist was little recognised for some of his great ballads & dedicated Angel (Jimi Hendrix) to Duanne. There was generous applause & probably a third stood from their seats.
As to Buick 6, I think there are mixed feeling towards their style, I stayed for most of their first night’s set, but instrumental covers are not really my scene, & somehow (to me) it just seemed to lack an edge or sense of rawness –one of the reason why we love Lucinda’s music in the first place.
Lucinda, please don’t wait so long for the next return

Regards to all music fans,Paul