Live Review: Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen

Jon Cleary & The Absolute​ Monster Gentlemen returned to Australia for the first time since their latest LP, GoGo Juice scored a Grammy win back in 2016. A blues and funk festival favourite, Cleary and band slotted perfectly into the jewel of the otherwise sparse music scene of central Sydney: The Basement.

Born-again on the bayou, Cleary, who originally hails from Kent, England, is undeniably a southern bluesman. He has the charisma and professionalism of a veteran of the industry who honed his craft up and down Frenchmen Street, on French Quarter street corners and all across the world.

Cleary moved from piano, playing classic New Orleans blues arrangements, to guitar, sharing the unmistakably funk-heavy tracks in the style pioneered in the deepest south of the US. "I usually stick to piano," Cleary said in his hybrid UK/US accent, "but I think I'll play a little guitar." This little interlude was followed by Beg Steal Or Borrow from GoGo Juice, a track with a The Meters-esque feel that shone most in the chorus, "You ain't gotta beg, steal or borrow".

The Absolute Monster Gentlemen were true to form, tight like tigers, allowing Cleary to dance up and down on the ebony and ivory. The harmonies oozed like honey, embalming the snooty music-loving crowd in loose joy. Some even threw caution to the wind, rising from their seats and boogieing along.

Songs like Gangster Of Love and Jazz, Funk, Rhythm & Blues And Soul aptly met at the crossroads of all those life-affirming genres, stirring the audience to put down their knives, forks and glasses and clap along.

"We're really having a ball on this tour," Cleary said, modest as always. "Let me tell you everyone loves New Orleans music wherever you go, but this is a special place." Then Cleary took us deep into the heart of New Orleans with C'​mon Second Line. The groove was right and the towels were flying, transporting us away to a sultry Sunday afternoon on the other side of the world.