Meeting the family

by LES EVERETT

THE Handsome Family dropped into Western Australia recently for a performance at Beck's Verandah as part of the Perth International Arts Festival.

The music was, of course, superb. Brett Sparks was suffering from a cold but his voice soon kicked in to its full power. Rennie Sparks contributed vocals to most songs and alternated between banjo, melodica and a headless Steinberger bass. A Mac laptop provided some backing tracks for a full on-stage sound.

It soon became clear that with the Family there's just as much entertainment between songs. Rennie told stories, made observations, chided her husband and gave insights into the origins of her strange lyrics. Meanwhile Brett treated his ailment by drinking beer conveniently stored in an esky on stage. As far as I could see it contained a selection of Australia beers- Brett sipped a Cooper's Pale Ale and a Rogers from Fremantle brewer Little Creatures among others and reverently noted the esky was three things in one. One thing the esky could do was to keep his beer cold, a second was to capture his vomit if required and we're not too clear on the third thing but it might that you could rest things, like stubbies of beer or small musical instruments, on the lid.

What a fine night it was.

If you're new to australianrules.com.au you might like to check out our previous references to The Handsome Family.

Rick Kane's CD review.

Polly Coufos's top 10.

Pat Sedgley's top 10.

Rick Kane's top 10.

Les Everett's top 10.

9 March 2007

australianrules.com.au

handsome list

The set list from The Handsome Family's performance in Perth on 25 February 2007.

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