Neko Case @ The Prince

Ok, here is the promised review...

Neko Case @ The Prince
Fri 2nd Feb, 2007

by Aussie Rock Chick

Neko Case emerged on stage at the sold out Prince Bandroom without much fanfare, her signature ginger hair in two braids down her back topped with a beret. Sporting a grey t-shirt and black pedal pushers with chuck taylors, she looked casual and comfortable, but funky.

The rest of the band were suited up and they commenced the set with barely a word. They didn’t need an introduction – the music was enough. After three breathtaking opening numbers they paused, Neko taking the opportunity to introduce a key member of her band.

Kelly Hogan was Neko’s backing singer, gorgeously voluptuous in a black suit jacket & skirt, red heels and a hint of red lace at the bosom. Dark, wavy hair swept back in a graceful knot with a few wisps framing her face, but those eyes… oh those eyes… big, dark, moist, dreamy eyes, gazing out into the crowd. From the opening bars, I had a complete crush on Kelly Hogan.

“Ms Hogan is playing the part of the Executive Secretary tonight,” Neko quipped. “And I’m the bicycle messenger. Well, either that or Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas. Except these are my real tits!”

Throughout the show, the pair enacted their secretary/courier fantasies, the band joining in at one point with “banjo porn music”. Which was hilarious. I hadn’t expected a comedy act!

But the highlight of the show was certainly not the comedy; we were all there for the music. And they delivered!

The voice was what got you right in the chest. Truly lungs of steel, Neko’s voice has an almost bell-like quality which cuts straight through to your heart. According to my singing teacher friend, her technique is all wrong, but somehow, it works. When I first heard Neko’s voice on record, I thought “now that’s a real voice. I bet she sounds great live.” I was right. When she switches unexpectedly from chest voice to head voice it makes you melt. And with such confidence, control and command of the stage, her voice, and the guitar, she really is a born performer.

Kelly’s backing vocals made the show for me personally though. Being a backing singer myself, I am often disappointed when all those wonderful harmonies on an album don’t translate to the live show. Tonight, not only were there harmonies, but there was a dedicated backing singer with the sweetest, most divine voice, to really do it justice. I got the feeling no-one in the world could have delivered those harmonies so beautifully and blended so well with Neko Case as Kelly Hogan. Wow.

The rhythm section consisted of electric guitar, upright bass and drums, with Neko joining in on her acoustic tenor guitar in most songs.

John Rauhouse, the banjo & lap steel guitar player was also amazing. He had an incredible sense of time and pitch, bending and stretching both liberally – giving the songs movement, colour and feeling. There was certainly plenty of feeling.

Each and every “sad animal song” was infused with that melancholy mixed with hope, leaving you with the bittersweet feeling that even if your heart gets broken a thousand times it would be ok with this music.

Die-hard fans squealed to the opening strains of each and every song, but a special roar was given for Deep Red Bells, John The Baptist, Hold On Hold On and That Teenage Feeling amongst others. I was impressed that songs from her latest album, Fox Confessor Brings The Flood, received as strong a reception as old favourites.

Being the final night of the tour, Neko graced us with four encores, and never once did I think “Oh, no, not another one!!”. This was one incredible show and I will certainly be lining up for tickets the next time Neko Case brings her band to town.

Uncanny... no? (sorry couldn't find a pic of Neko with braids to freak you out even more...)