Live Review: CW Stoneking, Fraser A Gorman

Gon’ Boogaloo marks the return of C.W. Stoneking, one of Australia’s finest blues/roots artists. It has been six long years for fans and it showed with an overwhelming sense of anticipation and excitement that many in the audience, made up of young and old, could hardly contain.

Melbourne’s Fraser A Gorman got the night going on the stroke of 9pm, but found it hard to wrestle the attention of the audience away from their enthusiasm, with many people talking as he eased through his set. His similarities to Stoneking shone through during his storytelling and entertaining banter between songs. Gorman’s spruiking of his merchandise was the highlight, telling the audience he had tea towels for sale, but following it up with “why the f*** would you buy a tea towel?” He managed to prise their attention away for his final song, as he retired the guitar and sang with the support of clapping on each beat.

When the seemingly ageless Stoneking took to the stage dressed in his iconic all whites and polka dot bowtie, the audience chatter relented and the adventure began. Stoneking performed a variety of songs from his latest album including On A Desert Isle and Zombie whilst also fitting in crowd favourites Jailhouse Blues and Jungle Blues off the album with the same name. Paul Kelly’s daughters, Memphis and Madeleine, proved that music really does run through their veins with an impressive performance as back-up to Stoneking’s raspy vocals.

The much-anticipated storytelling began halfway through the set with a story concerning scientists, Christian missionaries, a desert island and a banjo made from human skin. It is Stoneking’s ability to take the audience on a journey both musically and in his spoken-word stories that draws the crowd in close and keeps them hanging on his every word.

Stoneking finished the night off with a solo performance, but not before breaking the exciting news that he will be performing at WOMADelaide in 2015.