The Gov, Fri July 25
Winter Secrets is so much more than Clare Bowditch and special guest Adalita singing a bunch of songs on stage. The big-hearted Bowditch wants to bring along her audience with her, to include them at every turn, to have fans do covers, to call up people for interpretive dance chaos; although her caring frequently threatens to spill into over-sharing – it just about works.
While her long-drawn-out stories space out the songs so much, by the end it’s all – and we’re all – connected. At times we just wanted to listen to Bowditch singing her own stuff – especially acoustically – and/or in duet with the haunting Adalita. When she does either it’s magic: she offers up everything, hiding nothing. A particular highlight was her acoustic solo, Divorcee By 23, with low lighting and candles on pillars: it was sumptuous.
Bowditch has a way of making everyone feel special, even in a crowd you can almost believe like she’s your best mate: honest, loving, kind with a killer smile. She draws the audience right into the heart of the show but sometimes we wanted her to push us away and give us more of her.
Then again we may have missed out on such magic as a fan cover from Perth-based Nikola Martino and her cello nailed I Thought You Were God while Bowditch added gentle, appreciative backing. It was a mysterious and powerful version, earning a deserved ovation. Bowditch asked her: “How can we find out more about you?” “You can’t,” a bashful Martini shrugged. She was great!
Bowditch’s fourth Winter Secrets Tour promises a show of danger and risk where the audience are the backing band. “This is kind of like Glee, but better!” she quipped. The audience participation is chaotic to organise but just about worth it: a seven-volunteer interpretative dance extravaganza with scarves; a quartet of back-up singers deliver gospel a cappella; song words on boards – Pump Up The Jam didn’t fit the mood or Bowditch’s style but the audience still loved it. It’s certainly a chaotic way to host a show but it came off, and her natural humour and warmth blends it all together.
While Adalita’s simple presence worked well in Bowditch’s slot, her own set – while typically strong and captivating – was perhaps misjudged order-wise. Better to have had her dark, edgy cool up first then have The Twoks, a zany, quirky, dashy electro-pop duo from Melbourne, uplift us into Clare’s warm and welcoming world.
Yet when Adalita returned as Bowditch’s sidekick, a more relaxed, amusing side emerged – including deadpan memories of working at the council and a penetrating debut of her new song Dazzling. It was lovely and their friendship – while perhaps surprising given their contrasting work but not so when you consider they’re both accomplished, intelligent artists – was clear to see.
Ultimately the generous Bowditch is all about the care and share, but at times we wouldn’t have minded a bit more Clare, a bit less share.
by Jenny Thompson
(Additional material by Kylie Henderson and Jana Bradley)
Image from www.australianmusician.com.au
The Clothesline Rating...
Jenny Thompson
Bowditch has a way of making everyone feel special but, at times, we wanted less stories and more songs.
