Live Review: Jonathan Wilson

Spiegeltent is the perfect setting to see Laurel Canyon revivalist Jonathan Wilson and his accomplished band play their first ever set in these parts, the rows of seats and ornate booths around the perimeter emitting a perfectly relaxed vibe that augments his wonderfully smooth music perfectly. There's a gorgeous purple wash of light through the tent as they kick off with the exquisite Can We Really Party Today?, Wilson dragging us back to his native North Carolina in the lyrics while the band lay down a soft bed for him to riff over. The band's sounds and textures are lush and soothing – able and willing to shift tones and feel on a dime mid-song – but it's the songs that shine, tracks like Magic Everywhere sounding polished and pristine. Wilson sports a string-haired, tousled hippy vibe while the rest of his bandmates look like '70s troubadour throwbacks, but it's the music itself which demands attention, laidback and carefree but with depth and an attention to detail, the songs sprawling and jammy but with nary a note out of place. The cascading melodies of Desert Raven are intoxicating, all beautiful post-AOR bliss, while Ballad Of The Pines unveils a whole new dimension in the live setting. These Brisbane gigs are the final shows of a world tour supporting Wilson's debut album Gentle Spirit, which has stretched out longer than a year, and the band are both in great form and high spirits, loving the unique environment and unbridled support but also happy that there's respite in sight and that they'll soon be home for a decent stint with their loved ones. Wilson unleashes a new song, Moses Pain, a beautiful country-infused number not far removed from his previous aesthetic but showing a clear progression in scope and craftsmanship, before finishing with a stunning version of Valley Of The Silver Moon, the cosmic '70s vibe stretched far beyond the parameters of its recorded counterpart. It's all over far too quickly but no one's complaining: Wilson is an absolutely delightful soul, and his music reflects this to the core. What a beautiful and serene world to sink into for an hour or so...