Live Review: Tex, Don & Charlie

Tex Perkins is no stranger to Adelaide. The enigmatic singer paid a sneaky visit to Adelaide four months ago, performing with pal Murray Paterson at the Grace Emily Hotel, and while that set was a jovial night of tunes, stories and covers, tonight was a more sombre affair. It's not often that Perkins tours with fellow luminaries Don Walker and Charlie Owen, but when he does, it's all but guaranteed to be special.

This was a rare opportunity to see Tex, Don & Charlie perform - their recording output seems to come at regular, but lengthy intervals. Their recently released third album, You Don't Know Lonely, comes 12 years after its predecessor All Is Forgiven and 24 years after their debut Sad But True.

Tonight's sold out show was the first of two nights at The Gov and the venue was in intimate mode - much of the mostly elderly crowd sat comfortably at tables placed strategically to ensure that standing room was strictly at the rear.

With darkly humorous lyrics, openers Redheads, Gold Cards And Long Black Limousines and A Man In Conflict With Nature, quickly set the scene for a night that would be rarely upbeat, but lyrically dense and saturated with emotion.

Lighter moments came when Perkins took over keyboard duties (complete with stool jokes) on Harry Was A Bad Bugger and also later when jibes aimed at Walker's floral shirt led to an impromptu, but brief, songwriting session about drinking cocktails, which we assume will be on the next album and be titled Cocktailin.

Musically, the iconic trio complement each other's talents perfectly. Perkins clearly revels in the frontman role, while Walker has quiet confidence and a dedicated base, no doubt retained from his days in Cold Chisel many moons ago. For my money, however, it is Charlie Owen who makes this outfit gel. His guitar work is masterful and tonight was complemented by additional guitarist Garrett Costigan (who himself seemed to exit the stage more than necessary - if he was under the weather it wasn't reflected in his sublime pedal steel work).

Two encores ensured the Wednesday night crowd went home more than satisfied.