[EVENTS ~ SA]
Domain Theatre at Marion Cultural Centre, Fri 1 Mar, 2024.
Tonight at the Marion Cultural centre we are invited into the world of Harry Baulderstone and William Jack for an intimate performance of lesser known songs they have arranged for cello, guitar and close vocal harmonies. Friends since high school, Harry and William work seamlessly together, playing to each other’s strengths, and they know how to entertain in a relaxed manner. Despite being experienced and serious musicians they cannot hide the fun they are having playing their favourite songs.
Tonight’s setlist is not limited to any particular musical era. It opens with a song by current artist Jose Gonzalez (at WOMADelaide in 2024) then immediately leaps to some vintage John Prine. The selection veers somewhat towards Americana music, not a genre that is immediately associated with cello. But such is William Jack’s skill in playing cello in any number of styles it all works amazingly well.
Despite being songwriters there are no original songs tonight, but their reimagining of these songs for guitar and cello to make them their own means we are enjoying a unique experience. The bulk of the vocals is carried by Harry, and his voice is well suited to the material. William adds harmony to many of the songs, but when he does take the lead, as in Leif Vollebekk’s Long Blue Light it is both haunting and memorable.
There are some familiar names in the mix like Willie Nelson, Billy Bragg (even his song is a Woody Guthrie co-write!), but definitely some names that many in the audience will not have heard before. Nick Cave is a brave choice for anyone to cover, but Harry has the voice for it and the cello adds a depth and edge that fits perfectly. (Are You) The One That I’ve Been Waiting For is a standout.
Perhaps a song that best demonstrates their chosen approach is Michigan by the Milk Carton Kids. The close harmonies evoke a modern version of Simon & Garfunkel (Harry is playing elsewhere in the Adelaide Fringe in the Simon & Garfunkel tribute Feelin’ Groovy) and the guitar arrangements are a pleasure to behold.
As the show nears a conclusion we are presented with songs by two artists who are definitely household names. We are told there will be a song by Joni Mitchell, but are we expecting an instrumental version of Both Sides Now played exquisitely by William on acoustic jazz guitar? While we’re in folkie territory, Harry launches into Bob Dylan’s Tangled Up In Blue, but again the arrangement is different enough to make the classic sound fresh and exciting.
A surprising feature of William’s cello playing is saved until almost last. For Jason Isbell’s If We Were Vampires he turns the cello to horizontal and starts playing it like a guitar. This from a classical cellist!
One of their stated aims has been to bring these songs to people’s attention. “Have you heard a song tonight that you liked that you haven’t heard before?” asks Harry at the end of the show. There is a resoundingly positive response.
Harry Baulderstone and William Jack have done similar shows previously in Fringe, and are likely to again. Keep an eye out for the names when looking for some excellent musical entertainment.
4.5 stars
Adrian Miller
#ClotheslineMag
#ADLfringe
The Clothesline Rating...
Adrian Miller
Excellent musical entertainment!!
