February 08, 2010

THE Song List Rat approached me as the members of WASO were taking the stage before performing with Antony and the Johnsons. He said that as my seats were closer to the stage it was my job to get the list. I told him I was too scared. During the show I did not observe a list, only the music on the WASO stands. But the Rat found it: “i have zee documents u zee words,” he ordered...

WELL... Antony was great at the Perth Concert Hall on Friday 5 February and even better on Saturday. We know about his voice and it was pure and powerful and gentle and I’m long past suggesting he sounds a bit like Nina Simone – he does, sometimes, but comparisons are not enough.
He spoke too: of his allergies (to everything but concrete); of the Pope, who should be putting his mind and power to things other than the way people live their lives; of politicians, who should just get on with doing something about climate change and of David Attenborough, the man we can trust.
He dressed the same both nights. That was a surprise. Like a stylish middle aged woman of traditional build (as Alexander McCall Smith would say).
The songs came from all parts of Antony’s collection though only one was from the celebrated I Am A Bird album – For Today I Am A Boy. A new album Swanlight is coming out later this year and three new songs were part of the WASO shows. A cover of Beyonce’s Crazy In Love was presented in a more tremulous fashion on Saturday night. The encore River of Sorrow was preceded by the story of Marsha P Johnson, an African American transgender activist and inspiration for the band name, on Friday night but not Saturday.
What you get at an Antony and The Johnsons performance is total honesty – not a note is wasted, no tricks, no bullshit.

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