Various Artists - Vodafone Live At The Chapel Series Two (DVD)
Every contemporary era has produced its fair share of television programs to promote the music scene of the day. While previously the Australian psyche was ingrained with shows like GTK,Countdown and Recovery, in the new millennium this accolade should now be afforded to the Vodafone Live At The Chapel series. This is a program that acts as the perfect vehicle for showcasing local and international talent, as its featured artists continue to woo intimate audiences of privileged punters and home viewers. Needless to say, the show has adapted since it first screened as Cold Live At The Chapel in the nineties, and the official DVD for the series has been given a makeover and the release now features bonus material of exclusive interview footage by every act, totaling over an hour of bonus material alone. Series two features witty and interesting sound bites from Michael Franti, Bob Evans, Dallas Crane and Eskimo Joe, to name a few. It also goes without saying that the most entertaining of the interviewees is a star who is never shy of a brilliant quote, one Noel Gallagher.
But what of the music, I hear you ask! There are thirteen acts performing a total of twenty-eight songs in outstanding 5.1 surround sound and covering the rock, pop and folk genres brilliantly. Eskimo Joe open with their INXS-inspired 'Black Fingernails, Red Wine', which the crowd fittingly finds impossible to dance to. I think the audience and I accord in saying that 'From The Sea' is a better performance and much easier as a listener to get into.
Next is Michael Franti with his positively gorgeous song, 'Sometimes' and the performance reflects the heart and message underlying its wondrous lyrics. This is not to be beaten by 'Everybody Deserves Music', the first time I have ever seen a musician receive a standing ovation in the opening chords of a song. Personally, I find the performance to be the embodiment of Pete Townshend’s Lifehouse project, in which he envisioned a collaboration between the artist and the audience, in order to create music and for the latter to indeed “join together with the band”.
Meanwhile, Paul Dempsey from Something For Kate becomes a messianic figure as he capitalises on the intimate setting by performing like a towering, religious figure amidst a generous crowd of followers. For want of a better analogy, the performance of 'Electricity' is truly electric, as the excitement onstage is palpable. Also, Dempsey’s stripped back, minimalist cover of David Bowie’s 'Ashes To Ashes' is an absolute highlight. While it is not as good as the original, (and as an aside, how many covers are;) I was especially impressed by this attempt, particularly when I consider Bowie’s massacre of some of my favourite songs on his “Pinups” record.
Some good ol’ pop ditties follow with the likes of Bob Evans and Little Birdy. The former is more folk-pop in approach and the delivery is a pleasing display of stunning love songs, despite a back-up vocalist whose voice is awful. Furthermore, the latter artists are happy to rock out with their hits, 'Bodies' and 'Come On Come On'.
The worst performances were ironically by two of this country’s more popular acts, Jet and Wolfmother. Jet perform 'Are You Gonna Be My Girl' like they’re going through the motions, and are tremendously self-indulgent as they milk out some long pauses, simply to hear cheers from the audience. Plus, Nic Cester looks ill and probably should be lying down rather than attempting to perform.
Wolfmother on the other hand, are lively but sloppy. They flaunt their clichéd rock poses amidst bum notes and solos that often don’t gel, as each member has his turn at being out of time with the others. They should learn from the consummate professional, Noel Gallagher, who performs an atmospheric and convincing, 'Slide Away'. And sadly, this is the only song by Gallagher to appear on this release. Moreover, the placid audience in Dallas Crane’s 'Curiosity' should learn how to dance, because during that feverish number I wanted to drop absolutely everything and dance uninhibited in my lounge room. Yes, a little sad, but I am being brutally honest here.
In all, the Vodafone Live At The Chapel Series Two DVD provides an array of quality acts from the rock, pop and folk genres. The quality of the international and local acts on this release helps ensure that fans of the aforementioned musical types are bound to find something they love on this release. I know I certainly did.
