Simple Gifts

Simple Gifts
Julia Messenger Quintet. Melbourne Recital Centre. Part of the American Songbook series. July 6 and 7, 2012.

Melbourne-born singer-songwriter Julia Messenger, acclaimed around the world for her exquisite voice, had a home-town audience swooning for two nights recently when she performed her personal favourites from the American Songbook. With her stunning vocal range, and accompanied by a fabulous quintet (Luke Howard on piano, Frank Di Sario on bass, Danny Farugga on drums and James Sherlock on guitar), Messenger perfectly showcased a variety of the best music created under the star spangled banner.

American culture gets plenty of criticism, but as Messenger showed, no one can deny its rich musical heritage; so many brilliant songwriters, and incredible voices to make the music and lyrics immortal. Messenger’s gift is her versatility, the warmth and passion that she brings to each song, and ability to convey the emotions. The songs she chose were all quite famous, but it takes a brilliant singer like Messenger to make you hear them as if for the first time. 

Highlights included a heartbreaking rendition of ‘I can’t make you love me’, which was a major hit for Bonnie Raitt and the whimsical and hypnotising ‘Windmills of Your Mind’. Messenger talked about her fascination with Tom Waits’ ‘The Heart of Saturday Night’ album, and launched into the opening song, New Coat of Paint. Messenger’s sweet and soulful voice made Waits’ gritty/romantic lyrics shimmer, as though a whole novel was unfolding on stage.  The musicians gave the song a funky swagger.

Messenger rounded out the show with Natural Woman (written by Carole King for Aretha Franklin) and Me and Bobby McGee (Janis Joplin), with all the power and maturity the songs demand. The musicians were all highly skilled and had the crowd tapping their feet and wanting the music to go on into the night.

A beautiful performance to kick-off the American Songbook series, running until July 28 at Melbourne Recital Centre. Upcoming shows include a tribute to Gershwin, Barbra Streisand and Mercer and Mancini’s ‘Moon River’.  

Sara Bannister

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