17-04-2002 The Drum Media

The launch for the CD 'Club Acoustica: The Basement Showcases Vol 1' opened with Jigzag stepping into their alternative, upbeat and melodic three song set. Only three songs? Yes, well in keeping with the theme of Club Acoustica being a showcase gig, there were nine acts on display, so each performed two or three tracks. I think all of them performed the track of theirs that appears on the CD so it was interesting (and sometimes strange) to hear it twice throughout the night.

Jay Atwill followed, showing in only two songs a diversity that went from a raw, finger picking, almost bluesy number to the Latin feel of the second track. women in docs and their upbeat folk showed off perfect melodies and harmonies within their musical storytelling. Dominique Fraissard emerged with a beautiful solo instrumental, before beguiling us with more beauty with the help of a violinist, back up vocalist and flautist.

King Curly came on with their Western (not quite country and...) stylings, and showed within just two tracks why the group's Steve Appel is a very strong songwriter, so much so that his works have been covered by the likes of Jimmy Little and more. Lyn Bowtell showed she could be part of a new country brigade along with Kasey and Co. with her country tinged pop (or pop tinged country?). Both her tracks were uplifting ballads.

Brett Hunt performs numbers that force you to listen, possessing a wavering intensity that ranges from gentle caresses to wailing emotion. He wound up with a funky tune based on 12 bar blues that almost sounded like a jam. Luke O'Shea & Medicine Wheel were there with their urban country, although I'm not sure the American accent is needed in the vocals. The last one was more 'yee-haw' Cleatus, the slack-jawed yokel kind of country. Glance finished a long but very rewarding night with their pleasant alternative pop/rock, a little REM-ish at times.

Highlights? All the artists performed strongly but there's something to be said for when an audience audibly hushes during certain songs, which is what happened when Dominique Fraissard, Brett Hunt and Lyn Bowtell played.