Concert Review: Milly & the Miltones – Tuning Fork, Auckland  October 16, 2020

They say the joint was rockin’, going ‘round and ‘round/ Yeah reeling and a rocking, what a crazy sound.

From the opening song Innocence, to closing with the already classic Honest Woman. Cooked and burned for the whole set with great singer-songwriter Milly Tabak and her fabulous band The Miltones. Wang dang doodle all night long.

A belated album launch for Honest Woman. Helping to break the Fear virus.

Support act BEING also get a warm reception from a fast-filling Tuning Fork.  This is the project of Jasmine Balmer singer-songwriter and guitarist. At the core she performs Indie-Pop. Straight up and not too far from old-school New Wave. But demonstrates a broader palette as the set progresses.

It is a relatively new band tonight. Simon Cavanagh-Vincent guitar, Maria Hodgson electric bass and Tom Broome subbing from the Miltones on drums.

High in Mind begins with chiming guitars and is in fact a nice Power-Pop song. A little thin on vocals at start but whips it into shape as the band stretch out around the bright riffing.

A lot of the songs are brand-new and just-worked-out for tonight. So, it brings an effervescent energy to the stage which we pick up. Like I Don’t Believe in Love. A bedsit inspired lyric with New Wave sound. Old Wave now.

Count Me In is more Alt Country with a nice toned guitar. Setting off Jasmine in a sweet singing style which then builds in passion with the fire inside/Count me in. Twin Peaks instrumental atmospherics. Emotions high as everything resolves in fire.

Speak Softly is so new it is evolving. Skeletal Folk sound. Shines with a measured vocal performance and is not too far from the recent Beth’s sound.

Fold in the Sea is a break-up song. Opens with the Velvet Underground’s Waiting for the Man riff and continues in that loose shambolic-but-tight vein.

Will be welcome where ever we may catch them again.

Milly Tabak comes on stage looking ready to slay the crowd with sensual female energy. One of many album highlights Innocence opens the set and sets off audience sparks. A strutting playful voice which conceals the dark themes inside. On stage tonight the singer brings a bit more Rock’n’Roll energy and power in the vocals. In contrast to the album.

A shout out now to the sound desk who again excel tonight.

Cognac is playful, sexy and sly like Stevie Nicks.

Why Don’t You Love It and the great band step forward with Country Rock merging into Soul. Liam Pratt lead guitar, Guy Harrison keyboards, Chip Matthews bass and Tom Broome drums. Joining them are Sandy Mill and Michael Murphy on backing vocals. Saxophone and trumpet standing in for the Memphis Horns (sorry guys for not having names) Gives this the Southern accent amidst the Rock’n’Roll.

Part of Me is more Funk with great bass bottom and horn accents. The Voice is Country Soul.

Glory, off the previous album is Southern Gothic. Ominous drums and a funeral march. Then swirling keyboards lead the song to a nice Blues Rock workout. Milly sounding spooky and powerful in a witchy way.

Roam addresses depression and fallout from Milly’s Dad’s death. But it is upbeat. A nice country sounding vocal which the band use to rev up the energy and cook. Tasty guitar break. Gonna drive my blues away!

Hey Sister is a stand-out on the album and on stage tonight. An aunt who was a gay, cricket-playing prison matron. I’ve never had the love of a man. Starts slow and takes it to church with superb Gospel style singing as the harmony singers come in. It is a lament but Milly sustains the emotion quietly and then with power in the best Emmylou Harris style.

Running Your Mouth has sultry sexy Country Soul singing. The band stretch out and get to display their Jazz chops with keyboard solos and horn licks. Energy builds and everything is kept swinging and it’s time for the hip shake, baby.

Pursed Lips is just as good. The Rolling Stones of Sticky Finger. Stax horns, Southern boogie rhythms, honky-tonk keyboards. All the players seem to keep feeding off the energy and we end up with a Blues Brothers Band ensemble finish.

The band have been flying for a while now and are not letting up at the end. Gypsy Queen is a wind-blown Western with a lone trumpet and Riders on the Storm piano. Milly goes full Mac with great Stevie-style sweet but tough singing. And sexy it goes without saying.

Honest Woman. To close the evening and old-timers like myself will recognise the Doobie Brothers Listen to the Music opening riff. But the Miltones and Milly have crafted a Country Rock classic here and take the evening out.

A celebration of better times coming and also of a great band which has shifted up several levels of inspiration. Expect great things.

Rev Orange Peel

Click on any image to view a photo gallery by Ivan Karczewski: