THE INTERVIEW:
Australian Musician Editor Greg Phillips was thrilled to sit down with Bernard Fowler and Tim Ries yesterday at Bird’s Basement for a chat about The Rolling Stones Project and the Stones in general.
THE GIG REVIEW:
March 23, 2017 Birds Basement, Melbourne
The Rolling Stones backing vocalist Bernard Fowler and Sax player Tim Ries are currently in Melbourne playing a residency at Birds Basement as The Rolling Stones Project, playing jazz interpretations of Stones’ songs. Next week they head to Sydney, Perth & Brisbane for more shows. At last night’s show, backed superbly by local musicians Joe Chindamo (piano), Sam Anning (bass), Danny Fisher (drums) and Craig Fermanis (guitar), the band performed stunning jazz-flavoured arrangements of Stones classics such as Lady Jane, Paint It Black, Ruby Tuesday and Miss You. The Project eased into the evening with a shuffle-driven, cruisy version of Honky Tonk Women. Soon after, Fowler’s heartfelt rendition of Wild Horses touched everyone in the room, with Chindamo’s intuitive reading of the work further enhancing the song’s beauty. However it was the ingenious reinvigoration of Jumpin’ Jack Flash, opening up into an extended jam and showcasing the wonderful interplay between the musicians, which drew the loudest praise. At times the dynamic experience created by this outfit defied logic, given that the local musicians were reading from charts they had only seen for the first time days prior and this was only their second performance together. Free from the restraints of their day-job arrangements of the Jagger Richards catalogue, Ries and Fowler clearly relish the opportunity to explore uncharted waters with the material. From the audience’s reaction last night, the feeling was mutual. In reconstructing this music, more than anything The Rolling Stones Project highlights the fact that these aren’t just great rock n roll tunes, they’re timeless, iconic pieces of music.
Remaining tour dates:
24-25 March, Bird’s Basement, Melbourne
www.birdsbasement.com
28 March, Lizottes, Newcastle
29 March, The Basement, Sydney (2 shows)
2 April, Ellington Jazz Club, Perth
8 April, Brisbane River Jazz Festival
bernardfowler.com
timries.com
birdsbasement.com
