Guest Reviewer: Sal M
The Tivoli – Brisbane – 3/3/11
On a wet and blustery Brisbane weeknight a mixed crowd of young & old packed into the elegant Tivoli for a real treat. The multi-ARIA Award winning The Waifs were in town to promote their sixth studio album release in their twenty years of being together.
This West Australian folk rock band’s latest album Temptation was due for Australian release the following day, so Brisbane fans were excited to attend a sneak preview.
It has been two years since this toe tapping Aussie twanged band have played for an Australian audience and the harmonic vocals of sisters Donna Simpson & Vikki Thorn did not disappoint. Of course bringing it all together is the multi talented Josh Cunningham on all things stringed and rhythms section Dave MacDonald (drums) and Ben Franz (bass).
Sending the crowd soaring with favourites such as Bridal Train and London Still & introducing us to soon to be new favourites such as Buffalo & Moses and the Lamb it was a thoroughly enjoyable mixed set. The Tivoli felt as if it was receiving a detox after harmonies and chilled beats vibrated the foundations of the room, soaking up what was oozing out of the stage speakers. An almost gospel feel resonated throughout many songs with several also containing strong religious lyrics. Whether or not the fact that they are now all residing in the USA has had any bearing in this or not I don’t know, however it is a different tone for the band then past albums.
Three amazing talents we have come to love; Vikki barefoot & pregnant, as bold & beautiful as ever; Donna again wowed us with her lyrical story telling & just like that lighthouse Josh stands ‘tall & grand & guides the girls back to land’.
