SYMPHONIC GURUS: HOODOO GURUS + MSO – SIDNEY MYER MUSIC BOWL, MELBOURNE
Review: Bryget Chrisfield. Pics: Mark Gambino for MSO
Hearing the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nicholas Buc, performing an overture medley of Hoodoo Gurus classics – sweeping strings enlivening Bittersweet, My Girl resplendent with glockenspiel and vibraslap flourishes, Like Wow – Wipeout! with added dramatic impact, a brass-enhanced version of What’s My Scene and sweeping arrangement of Come Anytime – sets the scene for this evening’s celebration of the legendary band’s outstanding song catalog.
Then on saunters the band of the hour, all sporting long-sleeved collared shirts and black trousers befitting the majesty of an orchestral gig. “I made a paper plane and threw it into space, it seemed to float forever…” – they open with The Stars Look Down, which closes 2010’s Purity Of Essence album, and it’s immediately apparent this evening’s setlist will feature a combination of deep cuts and smash hits.
Alex Turley’s orchestral arrangements are magnificent throughout, with Buc later praising this talented young Australian composer for his contribution.
Introducing Chariot Of The Gods, frontman Dave Faulkner says he’ll let us work out what the title track from the band’s latest and tenth album is about before revealing it’s a metaphor. Nik Reith’s thunderous drumming ushers in this driving number with aplomb – a powerful backbone. After Faulkner reminds us we’re standing in Wurundjeri country, he introduces David Bindi Hudson – a didgeridoo player from Cairns – to the stage to elevate the song further. The audience goes wild.
Another rarity, The Wedding Song from 1992’s ‘Gorilla Biscuit’, charmingly concludes with churchy chimes.
The vocal harmonies of guitarist Brad Shepherd and bassist Rick Grossman shine throughout, particularly during Death Defying and Come Anytime.
All bar Faulkner leave the stage prior to I Was The One, from 1987’s ‘Blow Your Cool!’ record, with Shepherd cheekily announcing he’ll take a “trip down to Fitzroy Street” during this break.
We’re then treated to another obscure track, Mind The Spider, which Faulkner explains was originally written with an orchestral treatment in mind. Hoodoo Gurus’ “tribute to the prog-rock genre” was inspired by the likes of Genesis and Jethro Tull, the latter British band a particular favourite of Faulkner’s.
Act I closes out with their banger, the gobsmackingly brilliant Like Wow – Wipeout!, which is further elevated by additional orchestration. How fun is that pre-chorus drum/clapping pattern!? Triumphant is an understatement.
Act II kicks off with Spaghetti Western, an instrumental that originally appeared as a bonus track on 1989’s Magnum Cum Louder record and requires some rapidfire phalange work from Shepherd – Ennio Morricone eat your heart out!
With additional sighing strings, the band’s super-sweet lovesong My Girl was always gonna be an orchestrated highlight. And we agree with Faulkner – My Caravan definitely has the right amount of “exotic flavour” to ensure it’s well suited to an orchestral treatment.
Did anyone amongst us arrive imagining that they might hear Wagner inserted within a Hoodoos Gurus song? Doubtful. But why the hell not? Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman is spliced within Hoodoos’ own similarly inspired Death Ship and it totally works!
Bittersweet wins Arrangement Of The Night as the audience joins in, singing along with the “don’t cry-y-y” BVs at deafening volume.
During Miss Freelove ‘69, a couple of contenders for the title propel from their seats for a boogie in the stalls section. At this song’s conclusion, Buc glances over his shoulder to take his timing from Reith who makes eye contact with the conductor while delightedly pelting the skins. Hoodoo Gurus plus MSO then close proceedings with the lonesome beauty of 1000 Miles Away to rapturous applause.
An encore is never a given at these kinds of shows, so we’re thrilled when Hoodoos return to the stage. Brass augments What’s My Scene’s main chorus melody, which soon becomes a standout singalong moment.
What a night! Would purchase this album, just sayin’.
