Live Review: Max Savage - Astral Weeks

Max Savage is a prolific guy. He's got plenty of his own music to play, and yet he semi-regularly gathers his exceptionally talented mates to play classic albums like Born To Run, Astral Weeks, and Graceland. Insiders say his MO is to ask players to learn their parts, completely neglect any sort of rehearsal until the eve of the show, and then run through everything together once.

Tonight's opener (as at Savage's previous Astral Weeks performances) was Nick Bastiras doing Songs Of Love And Hate, the seminal album by Leonard Cohen. Cohen's poetic lyrics and delicate instrumentation demand somewhat attentive listening, and at previous shows Bastiras' audience has afforded him such.

But tonight, the euphoria of last night's Springsteen gig carried over and the Jive audience was rowdy. Never was Leonard Cohen augmented by so much chit-chat, laughter, and clinking of beer bottles. Frustration got the better of Bastiras, who snidely quipped, "These songs will strike you better if you shut the fuck up."

After a few embarrassed chuckles the audience piped down, allowing Bastiras to deliver an impeccable Famous Blue Raincoat. But chaos reigned. Some drongo punter opened the venue's fire escape causing an alarm to pierce any sense of intimacy that might've been forged. The door wasn't re-latched properly and the alarm was set off four more times.

At least The False Idols, in a line-up adapted to suit the Van Morrisson material, enjoyed a respectful and hushed crowd. The musicians Savage assembled were of a bewilderingly impressive calibre, and to watch them musically interact was a joy.

Astral Weeks is an anomaly in the rock canon as well as in Morrison's own discography — a kind of folk-free jazz jam of a record with Van's palatable voice weaving in and out of double bass, flute, violas, and other acoustic instruments. Despite the album's improvised nature, The False Idols replicated the title track, Beside You and Sweet Thing with startling accuracy. They then added a groovier, rockier feel to the centrepiece, Cyprus Avenue.

The rest of the night allowed for more improvised playing, which the audience of course lapped up. Of particular note was drummer Kevin van der Zwaag's explorations on flute — is there no instrument this man hasn't mastered? Meanwhile, Savage sang in a much more natural and dynamic lilt than the coarse growl he peppered last night's Springsteen show with.

The show closed with a solo version of Listen To The Lion, and the band returned for Into The Mystic and Domino. Thankfully, there was nary a Brown-Eyed Girl to be heard.