Tonight Robert Carbone and I felt super, super privileged… A secret ‘invite-only’ gig of a truly fab Melbourne band that were hugely popular back when I first arrived in Australia in the early 80’s but that haven’t darkened our stages for a massive 30 years… have finally decided the time is right for a little ‘comeback’ of sorts… and tonight was their first live performance before a select audience of hardcore devotees…
From the get-go, we were witness to the absolute pure unbridled joy radiating from BOTH audience AND band… all revelling in the opportunity to hear these gorgeous songs getting another run…
Guitarist Robert Goodge remarked to me afterwards that he had never seen them work so well together… ever!
Kate Ceberano and Zan Abeyratne arrived on stage wearing their period khaki jumpsuits and with a youthful exuberance that totally belied all the time apart, stepped up and reprised all their original syncopated dance moves and mic swapping maneuvers – without falter.
Both were in stellar form, vocals were on point and the girls were totally there in the moment and backing each other up whenever lyrics got a little hard to remember!
Barbara Hogarth absolutely slaughtered her funky bass bits and the two young recruits on drums and sax also impressed. Such a fabulous feel good vibe, it was impossible not to be blown away by the performance…
As the gig took place in the relaxed surroundings of the beautiful Memo Music Hall, I also loved the opportunity I got to speak to the band when they came out afterwards – they all seemed blissed out at how well tonight had gone. Just a matter of weeks now until they open for Bryan Ferry on three dates in late Feb, early March…
After tonight’s epic performance, it’s almost as if I’m Talking have never been away… but like Halley’s comet… it seems they only come around every 30 years… so if you DO get a chance to catch a set this time around, don’t pass it up… Trust me!
