Caves Beach Hotel, Newcastle
Friday May 23, 2014 :
Friday night, and the Caves Beach “Mawson Room” has a very familiar ring. The Mawson was home to ’70s up and coming bands Cold Chisel, Midnight Oil and INXS. It was also home to the best live music going around beyond the city. The locals used it as a favourite drinking and entertainment venue, and it was synonymous within the music industry as the place to play and be. That was then, and now on Friday night the rocking sounds of Swanee graced the boards of the the Mawson room.
The anticipation of listening to a guy I have not personally seen for over 20 years had been building since I caught the advert conveniently housed on the side of the road outside Belmont. Appearing with a four piece band, and visually the years had been kind to him. Kicking off with some songs from the new album is always risky, too often punters occupy venues to catch a greatest hits moment, not a new album track. The sound was good, a great venue and a thanks on behalf of the crowd for resuscitating live music in Newcastle.
For me I was looking forward to hearing a hit or two simply because I wanted to see if he could still carry a sound. A fans banquet was on offer during the evening. Starting with ‘Lady Whats Your Name’, moving into ‘Temporary Heartache’ and quickly following up with ‘If I Was A Carpenter’, John Swan’s voice has lost nothing nor has his relationship with the audience. Let’s not forget Swan’s half brother is Jimmy Barnes, and if you watch him closely you cannot miss the similarities on stage. Vocally though, this is where it ends, as Swan has a much better voice, a personal opinion yes, but listen to both and see who has aged better. There was a serious crowd present throughout this gig seeking songs to join in with. The resume continued with Swan’s involvement with the Party Boys – ‘He’s Gonna Step On You Again’, ‘Hold Your Head Up’ were also featured on the set list.
Overall a great gig from a journeyman of Australian rock and roll. May the live music keep coming.
Reviewer and Photographer: David Jackson
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