Whilst completing his orchestral collection Compassion and performing an extended run of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, acclaimed singer-songwriter Lior somehow also found the time to complete his fourth studio album, Scattered Reflections.
Performing a series of shows around Australia to launch the record, the inimitable performer rounded out the tour in his hometown much to the delight of loyal fans.
Opening the night was New Zealand-born jazz musician, Gerard Masters. The long-haired crooner warmed up the crowd with a mix of blues, jazz, and funk tunes, showcasing his extraordinary keyboard skills with a cover of Ray Charles’ ‘I Got A Woman’.
Up next was Domini Forster, a highly accomplished singer-songwriter who endeared herself to the crowd with a beautiful voice and entertaining repartee. There was a lot of variety to her music; given it was just Forster and her ukelele, the “cathartic songwriter” performed a series of enjoyable, autobiographical tunes.
In a flurry of flashing lights and enthusiasm, Lior jogged on stage, launching headfirst into his new material. “It’s absolutely wonderful to be here, playing at home with family and friends,” he beamed.
For those that are familiar only with Lior’s early work, it can be tempting to pigeonhole the man into the realms of acoustic guitars and gentle lyrics. However, Friday night’s performance at the Corner showcased a musician who is as talented, diverse, and experimental as they come.
‘I Remember Me’ is a great example of this, with its syncopated rhythms, multi-layered percussion, and a melody line that lilts effortlessly between major and minor. The electric guitar riffs and slight reverb are a far cry from 2004’s Autumn Flow, and the inclusion of a full band allowed for a very exciting show.
Switching to a stool and an acoustic guitar, the Israeli-born musician pulled things back slightly for another new offering, ‘Out In The Country’. The track, “inspired by trips out of Melbourne”, showcased his pitch perfect vocals, the gentle rhythm complemented beautifully by light percussion and double bass.
Continuing with the mellow vibe was the sentimental ballad, ‘A Lift In The Morning Fog’. The song, which was one of many debuted at 2013’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, ensured that the virtually unknown musician received five star reviews throughout his string of shows.
The artist’s casual and endearing banter gave way to the heartbreaking ballad ‘Learn To Live’; the packed crowd remained hushed as Lior’s lyrics paid homage to his late mother.
Experimental percussion and some funky electric bass gave ‘Autumn Flow’ a completely new sound, the singer clearly having a lot of fun with this old favourite.
The cheeky persona of the 37-year-old emerged when he earnestly described the moment he knew he had “made it”. Fans erupted into laughter when he went on to reveal that Virgin Australia had chosen one of his songs to be their hold music. One knows they’re a success, Lior smirked, when their “music becomes just some noise between operators”.
Undoubtedly a highlight of the night was the soulful and heartfelt performance of ‘My Grandfather’. The acapella opening gave the tender tune a hymn-like quality; the watery eyed crowd members were transfixed. Not a murmur could be heard as fans showed their upmost respect for the personal story being shared.
Lior introduced his next tune, a cover version of a song “by an artist that I find fucking irritating, so I’m going to perform a better version”. The slow, lilting melody kept fans guessing as the headliner grinned to himself before the familiar favourite ‘Daniel’ was unveiled.
With a glint in his eye and a sly smile, the endearing musician returned for an encore, beginning with a stunning cover of the Joe Hayes and Jack Rhodes classic, ‘Satisfied Mind’. The song “has been made much more famous by those that covered it”, none more so, the musician joked, “than the version performed by Lior on the 28th March 2014”.
An enthusiastic singalong to the song that put him on the map, ‘This Old Love’, was rounded out with the country and western twangs of ‘Diego And The Village Girl’.
Chatting to fans and signing CDs post performance, the fiercely independent Lior continues to transform himself, and continues to be a delight.
