Concert Review: Dave Dobbyn at Spark Cauldron, 1 November 2020

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When Dave Dobbyn walks onto the stage there is a mood of triumph in the Spark Cauldron. The opening song, the old DD Smash anthem Outlook for Thursday. The band immediately locks in and rocks out. Horns, and the  keyboards sounding like bagpipes.

Otherwise fine/ Otherwise it’s dandy/ Otherwise it’s over the top.

The triumph of being in a large tribal gathering to celebrate with a great artist. You can only be in New Zealand as the slaughter of the sacrificial Australian rugby lambs the previous night raises a cheer.

Says Dave. It’s too early to understand the madness virus. Look at where we are. Look at what we can send out. I believe I have a song that will save the whole world/ Everybody needs somebody to love. Words by Solomon Burke.

Milly and the Miltones are on first and stoke the fire of that perfect Sunday evening. A great show to launch their new album Honest Woman a few weeks ago at the tuning Fork next door.  It takes a few songs to adjust to the bigger space of the Arena.

Innocence has Milly picking up the tone of sexy and defiant Southern Country Belle on this song of empowerment. The drummer leads this and fires up alongside the singer.

With Hey Sister the sound has come together. A highlight of the album and stands out on stage. Country Gospel and Milly takes this to the stars and the blue moon above. Great harmony from the backing singers. Some spirit of Dolly Parton lurking in the background.

Roam is the perfect vehicle for everyone to contribute their considerable chops. Southern Swamp Blues guitar. A lament in a sweet Emmylou style and then the music revs up and races off to the honky-tonk bars. Milly can swoop to the high tones and sustain.

Honest Woman does the same. Doobie Brothers guitar riff introduces the song and it has the slow burn with the gospel roots of great Country music.

The inspiration continues with Dave Dobbyn and never wavers all night.

One of the finest New Zealand artists who has sustained his creativity over a long haul. Writes acutely observed and generally optimistic lyrics matched to upbeat Rock’n’Roll chords. Which are tailormade to bigger arena music.

Sounds like Springsteen but with better pipes and can sustain on high tenor notes. So, more like Mellencamp. A signature voice with an invented persona like Fogerty and Jagger. Others may be technically better but cannot replicate that mysterious ingredient of inspiration.

Match a great artist to the right band and you have alchemy. Stand-out performers on stage are Mark Vanilau keyboards and vocals, Jo Barus electric bass, Ross Burge drums and Victoria Girling-Butcher on guitars. The horn section is JY Lee from Yoko Zuna on saxophone and Guy Harrison of the Miltones on trumpet.

Guilty Through Neglect is a perfect showcase for his blue-eyed Soul. In fact, he can screeeeam like Mick Hucknall. The band slow burns on this one as we are taken on an emotional roller-coaster.

A lot of familiar favourites tonight. Be Mine Tonight the signature smash from Th’ Dudes. Ringing bells from the guitars. Kiwi Spector. The band work this up as celestial drone music.

Bliss is a stadium anthem. Simple elements but it’s not overdone. Instantly recognisable cycling riffs and a Rock mantra. Drink yourself more Bliss/ Forget about the last one get yourself another. Cool, and they smoke it tonight. With songs like this why did the referendum fail? Need more bliss.

Loyal is just one of several which get the close to capacity audience rising up in voice as well. Americana in tone and feel. Repeated ringing guitars. A balance of sadness and swing like a Buddy Holly raver.

Slice of Heaven and Chris the drummer from Six60 is up there to help out on tambourine. The Rhythm’n’Blues roots are revealed on this favourite. Up steps the the horn section. Rhythm is king as the bass takes a solo before the guitars lock back in and shake it all around.

Welcome raises the roof as a singalong. Melodic and inspired. As is the whole evening.

This great New Zealand artist seems to have gathered energy from the confinement we have all gone through. Can’t recall hearing him sound any better. Let the Dude roll on.

Rev Orange Peel  

Click any image to view a full size gallery of each band. All photos by Rachel Webb.

Dave Dobbyn

Milly & the Miltones

Rev Orange Peel
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