The annual Perth Fringe Festival ‘Fringe World’ is in full swing and if you haven’t visited the month-long celebration of the live variety of local, national & international acts performing all around the city, then you really are missing out. Tonight, I ventured to the suburb of Subiaco to watch a band that I have already managed to see a couple of time before, Mama Red & The Dark Blues, who describe themselves as ‘alt-country-pop with a hint of gospel’ but they also ooze plenty of deep dark blues & soul grooves which cut right through the middle of their music. Add a sprinkling of jazz and rock n roll and you have a sometimes unique sound that works so well. The band deliver incredible harmonies throughout the set from the vocal trio of Harry Deluxe, Melaine Bainbridge & Therese Cruise and are backed by the brilliant Gregory Brenton (drums/vocals), Al James (guitar/vocals) & John Wilson (bass).
Tonight’s show is billed as ‘Writing Our Way Back Home’ and the audience are captivated & transfixed throughout the evening, as we find out how each song has been created and the, sometimes heart breaking stories behind the lyrics from the songs that complete this original 18-song set. The show is delivered in two halves with most of the material coming from their fantastic 2016 debut album ‘Wages of Sin’.
But Fringe being Fringe there is always a twist in what would normally be a straight forward gig – the inclusion of extra harmonising vocalists secretly placed around the lounge room to add an incredible ‘surround sound’ experience works brilliantly, along with the addition of sounds from the didgeridoo, played wonderfully by Sanshi, which just gives everything another haunting dimension.
The show takes the audience on a roller coaster ride of emotions and at times you could hear a pin drop between songs, as we hear of relationship break-ups, losing those close to us & the grieving that brings while also trying to put those feelings into words to help with the pain to finding new love and the challenges that brings with it. This isn’t a night of sadness but more a journey, with plenty of up tempo & fun numbers littered throughout the set and this is evident watching the chemistry in front of us. The songs are brilliantly written and the group deliver an outstanding night, not just of excellent music but also with the intimate feel of a lounge bar environment, making this such a personal experience, bringing images of the smoky jazz & blues basement bars of the 40’s & 50’s. Brilliant.
Mama Red & The Dark Blues – ‘Writing Our Way Back Home’ plays again on Friday February 1st at The Stellar Lounge, located upstairs at the Subiaco Hotel & tickets are available from www.fringeworld.com.au
Set List:
Act 1: Lighthouse, Adjusting My Attitude, A Game That Two Can Play, Do it That Way, Down for the Count, Dark Days, Going Down in Flames, Long Way to Redemption, Wages of Sin
Act 2: Keep Her Sleeping, You Were Mine, Sister Circle, Two Inches Too Close, Brought Your Knife to a Gunfight, Tried to Sell My Soul, Fuck It Bucket, Come By Sunday, Fierce & Fearless