Summer is good. Sunday afternoon beers are good. The Velvet Underground are very good.
Ben Salter is also very good – surely this afternoon’s effort at recreating The Velvet Underground’s 1969 self-titled album is a match made in musical heaven.
Warming the mellow crowd with a few tunes from his album The Cat, Salter is in a jubilant mood. “How do you find Will Smith in the snow?” he cracks, “you look for the fresh prints.”
While his joke is met with good-natured groans, his songs are significantly better. “Parrot Day” and “The Cat” are enough to whet the collective musical palette as last minute arrivals vie for what little pockets of space are left.
Salter adjourns for a small break, adding “then we all put on our sunglasses.”
Securing a prime spot next to the bar, the sun blessedly disappears behind a cloud as Salter returns to the stage. Joined by Adrian Stoyles on bass and Laura Imbruglia on percussion, who are introduced as Doug Yule and Mo Tucker respectively; with the singer quipping “Stirling couldn’t make it today, he’s driving a tugboat.”
All jokes aside, from the very first note of “Candy Says” Salter and co. have firmly strapped on the Velvet shades and are bent on delivering each track lovingly, with the care that only true fans can.
“Candy Says” is given a wistful vulnerability, the complete opposite of the rollicking “What Goes On” – a shaking, shimmying scene-stealer from start to finish. The song is an early highlight both personally and for the swaying audience.
For the exquisite “Pale Blue Eyes”, Salter captures the gentle morose tone of the original and has most of the audience quietly singing along or dislodging various lumps in throat with small swigs of beer as Stoyles plugs away on bass.
It isn’t long before all lumps are back with the goose bump inducing harmonies of “Jesus”.
Fortunately “Beginning To See The Light” provides some well needed respite from the sombre tone of the previous two tracks.
Salter has the crowd clap in time to begin the song and the entire tune is pure upbeat rock n roll with one inspired punter jumping up to do a Factory ready go-go dance. “That was fun wasn’t it? Bit of a rave up,” smiles the singer.
“I’m Set Free” sees Salter’s vocal talents opened right up, the man even whistles beautifully.
Such is the gathered’s response that he comments “we’re taking this show on the road!” One can only hope.
Imbruglia, who has juggled percussion, tambourine, and vocals, is called on to play the pint glass for “That’s The Story Of My Life”, but the real challenge is about to come in the form of “The Murder Mystery”.
The almost 9 minute monster of a tune, known for its scrambled poetry and overlapping vocals, is approached with humour and lyric sheets in hand. Difficult to play and exhausting to watch, the finished product is welcomed with peals of appreciative applause.
Imbruglia’s quirky vocals on gorgeous closing track “After Hours” bring a refreshing splash of sweetness that gently return the audience to reality. If only someone would close the door, and this night could indeed last forever.
Over the course of Pure Pop Records Summer Of Classic Albums Series, there have been some blissful unions between local up-and-comers and some very well loved albums.
While it is a big call, it needs to be made – Ben Salter’s take on The Velvet Underground is very close to, if not the best so far.
