Album Review: Ben Salter - Live At Nancy Bar

Ben Salter moved to Melbourne from Brisbane with the intention of searching out his craft and letting it grow organically. Yet the workhorse found himself playing up to seven shows weekly in no time, and the fruits of such labour are evident on Live At Bar Nancy.

Recorded over three sets on a hot February evening at the titular Northcote haunt, the 26 tracks on offer cover the breadth of Salter's prolific songwriting as well as expertly tracking his influences. Every song from solo record The Cat is present, the plaintive recordings adding resonance to excellent tracks West End Girls, So Tired Tonight and Opportunities in particular. A few Gin Club compositions float to the fore, from obvious additions Drug Flowers and Wylde Bitch to a fun Gas Guzzler. There are a plethora of covers present also – Salter's affinity with DIY masters Guided By Voices is evident from Teenage FBI, whilst rustic renditions of songs by the likes of Sam Cooke, Neil Young, John Prine and The Velvet Underground elevate themselves above the standard corner pub offerings into something of great love, care and affection.

The power of this recording is that it strips away peripheral elements and shines a harsh light on Salter's lyrics – with incredibly affirming results. Evocative, rousing, acerbic and hypnotic, Salter not only has a way with words, but happily and effectively inhabits others'. It's also proof of how strong Salter has become without an engine room behind him to provide the requisite heft and bluster. His voice soars, especially on Wylde Bitch and staple Smokey Robinson ode Tracks Of My Tears, which has never sounded stronger or more impassioned.