‘Something happened on the day he died
Spirit rose a metre then stepped aside
Somebody else took his place, and bravely cried
I’m a blackstar, I’m a blackstar…
For Bowie fans around the world, the period between 8th January (David’s birthday) and the 10th January (David’s date of passing) is now referred to reverently as BOWIEMAS…
It’s been an unbelievable two years since he passed… (seems like yesterday) and these three days are now a time for reflection, not so much on the sadness of David’s passing, but more so, on just how lucky we all are… a time to count our blessings – for the gift of friendship – much of it as a result of our shared love for DB.
Every year for what seems like decades fans down-under heed the Chant Of The Ever Circling Skeletal Bowie Family and we convene to celebrate! This year two of our perennial Bowie favourites in the shape of Adam Rudegeair’s BOWIE PROJECT and the beloved THIN WHITE UKES volunteered their services. The venue was Melbourne’s fabulous Loop Bar at 23 Meyers Place.
It’s fair to say the Bowie Project and the Ukes have played together on more bills than we’ve stolen tins of stewing steak, and with two Bowie bands going head to head, there’s always the looming threat of setlist overlap… so, as you would expect, before anything gets underway, there has to be the obligatory intimidatory stare down… Yep…nobody’s cutting anyone else’s grass here!
Are we all good then?… So… NOBODY does Laughing Gnome then… Deal? Deal!
The Bowie Project delivered a blissful selection of cuts with far too many highlights but culminating in a room rousing ‘Aladdin Sane’ that snaked it’s way effortlessly into ‘Ashes to Ashes’. These freeform jazz maestros just seem to take the music in any direction at any time, and for a moment there ‘Afraid of Americans’ was lit with the Blackstar video clip and amazingly Adam’s improv had a little peppering of that very song! (Adam swears he was completely oblivious to the projections and if it happened at all, it was totally unintentional)
After consultation, Adam Rudegeair has kindly allowed the audio recording of the BOWIE PROJECT’s full set from the Loop Bar to be shared exclusively here for those who couldn’t make it along… Kudos Adam!
Have a listen, and if you like what you hear, visit his page on Bandcamp.com for much more of the same… The band have two stellar Bowie releases which are unmissable…! Be sure to check them out.
https://adamrudegeair.bandcamp.com/
After the PROJECT’s brilliant 40 minute set, the THIN WHITE UKES took to the stage in brand new Blue themed costumes and delivered an equally amazing set that had newbies in the crowd completely smitten. Their opener ‘Lady Stardust’ was perhaps the best interpretation I’ve heard yet.
We were blessed with impromptu requests ‘Secret Life Of Arabia’, a heartfelt version of “Heroes” and ‘Let’s Dance’ to round out what was a fabulous evening.
The Loop Bar’s massive video projections certainly added a further dimension to the performances with DB often chiming in with completely syncopated (but totally unconnected) skittish parodying behind the acts.
Heartfelt thanks again must go to both bands and the Loop Bar for their selfless generosity that allowed us all to celebrate in such style.
With such high calibre entertainment and great company, I can’t wait for the next opportunity to reconvene in David’s name!
