Charles Jenkins mentioned ( maybe sardonically), as he glanced at the 80 pairs of eyes watching him perform, that he felt a bit remiss of not bringing his band The Zhivagos to Sydney more often.
With three bands on the bill, Sean McMahon’s Western Union and Jo Meares and The Honeyriders joining The Zhivagos for their album launch, it was a feast for lovers of Australian roots music.
Be it apathy, little publicity, or the silly season, the poor turnout was only an issue for those not in attendance. They missed out.
Leading his Honeyriders, Meares’ gravelly deep voice and the sweet fiddle playing of Michael Bridges made “I Loved You More That Day” one of the best moments of his set.
Mike Anderson, from underneath his fedora, was first-rate on guitar and the music was haunting and building and akin to something The Triffids might have released.
Towards the end of the set, Meares introduced the next song with a moving tale about a friend he was close to from birth until 16 who had disappeared from his life. Dedicating the song, entitled “Strangers”, to “that long lost friend of mine who is in the audience tonight.” You could feel the sentiment in the room as he felt in the music.
With the main course being the album launch for Love Your Crooked Neighbour With Your Crooked Heart, Charles Jenkins and The Zhivagos strolled out.
Jenkins had his acoustic guitar strapped on, Davey Lane (of You Am I) soloed on his ukulele and guitar, and with Art Starr on bass and Dave Milne beating the drums throughout the night, you had a band that excellently filled the spaces between the lyrically crammed songs.
The new album was featured, along with songs from the 2009 Zhivagos record, Blue Atlas.
Jenkins always had a tale to spin about his songs. Whether it is tongue in cheek when telling the assembled the gorgeous “Trees Of Brisbane” was the national anthem of Queensland; or when introducing “Gun Trouble”, a song about a bushranger caught midstream, who still had time to write the song – you were always being entertained.
Jenkins has a voice that should be marvelled at and captures your ear along with your soul. The driving country beat of “Rich Rich Country” paired with his singing was thrilling and not the most attractive portrait of our sunburnt land.
Later, Lane’s playing was high in the mix of “Pray My Dear Daughter,” a song jam packed with sage advice for anyone’s daughters.
“Across The Nullaboor” and “Rolling Into Houston” from Blue Atlas were charming but one song really seemed to make a mark on all in attendance. “Rare Bird”, from the new release, a sweet love song that truly gives Charles Jenkins’ vocals a chance to shine brightly. A beautiful pop song that should be heard by many more then the few lucky to be in attendance tonight.
Closing with the country/gospel “Went To The Chapel” Jenkins introduced it with a story that said his friends in Nashville always got up and cheered when the key changed in the song.
This was all the audience needed to hear and throughout the numerous key deviations that were encountered, shouts and cheers rained down on The Zhivagos. Come on back soon Charles, please?
