If intimacy is your idea of the perfect gig, then this performance and presentation will be perfect for you. Recorded midway through 2008 at The Studio in the Sydney Opera House, this Max Sessions recording has the feeling of being invited into the pair’s living room.
Naturally, the tracks from Rattlin’ Bones get a good viewing, with standouts being ‘Monkey On A Wire’, ‘Wildflower’ and the title track. The Chamber’s signature tune ‘The Captain’ is included, plus ‘Short Fuse (Part 4)’ from Nicholson’s latest solo release Familiar Ghosts. Features are sparse, with the videos of ‘Rattlin’ Bones’ and ‘Monkey On A Wire’ included, as well as a short interview on the making of the Rattlin’ Bones album.
The quality of music and recording is wonderful. The way that Chamber’s and Nicholson’s voices meld together is a ‘meant to be’ moment. The bottom end of Nicholson has the effect of taking to edge of Chamber’s top end. Hearing this on record was uplifting, to see it occur in front of your eyes is truly magic.
At 54 minutes, it does feel short in length. Though this was recorded for the Max Session 60 minutes TV program, it is understandable, but the question still remains, why was there not a 90 minute performance recorded for the DVD, 60 minutes of which could have been used for TV. My second criticism is that it does feel like a TV program. From the spoken introduction to the performance, to the continuous slow panning of the cameras, there is no getting away from where this footage came from.
Taking into account these minor flaws, this is a gem of a DVD release, highlighting one of the best vocal pairings in the country.
Review By Kevin Bull
Comments on this entry are closed.