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The Go-Betweens |
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Knitting Factory
New York City
11.30.00 |
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review
Judging by the beatific smiles on the sea of expectant faces, the return of The Go-Betweens after a decade's break is viewed as a religious experience. This reviewer's ignorance, at first, was a terrifying feeling. What if the believers found this heretic in their midst? Maybe they'd turn loose songwriter Robert Forster and his razor sharp wit!
As Forster and fellow songsmith Grant McLennan's fellow Aussies would say, "No worries!" By the end of this show, any objectivity arising from lack of knowledge was long gone. Armed only with acoustic guitars, and joined by savvy bassist/backing singer Adele, these two artists showed their unity with many beautiful songs. As ever, they took turns delivering heartbreaking, heartfelt, and hearty missives on love and life, like an alternative Lennon and McCartney. Forster sang the witty, surreal numbers, Grant McLennan the bittersweet, dreamy counterparts. It's a heady mix, and it's plain to see why they reformed, after lack of recognition and weariness forced them to record separately during the '90s.
They're like the Odd Couple, too. McLennan, balding and stocky, took the stage in blokey jeans and sweatshirt (albeit with the word "Princess" on it), while the lanky Forster sported a candy-striped suit and came across like a campy college professor. Their different demeanors never got in the way of each other's songs, however, allowing old favorites "Head Full Of Steam," "Right Here," and "Was There Anything I Could Do?" to sound evergreen. The only problem early on was the audience's awe—such has the duo's legend grown in their time away. Where impressive openers Clem Snide inspired loud applause, the crowd started out overly respectful for The Go-Betweens. This made the band a wee bit nervy until Forster's funny introduction to "He Lives My Life," from new LP The Friends Of Rachel Worth. Suddenly, it was like a room full of old friends getting over their initial awkwardness at a long overdue reunion.
Things got so comfortable that The Go-Betweens played three encores, two songs in each. All six tunes were tremendous, from the gorgeous unison singing of "Clouds," to Forster's scolding Patti Smith tribute "When She Sang About Angels" and show-stopping, Vaudevillean rendition of "Danger In The Past." It was a great night. So hear the believers: "Praise be the return of The Go-Betweens!"
by Andrew Montgomery
Set-list:
Orpheus Beach; German Farmhouse; Head Full Of Steam; Right Here; Magic In Here; He Lives My Life; The Spirit; Haunted House; Baby Stones; The Circle; Going Blind; The Clock; Surfing Magazines.
Encores: Clouds; Was There Anything I Could Do?; When She Sang About Angels; Bye Bye Pride; Danger In The Past; This Girl, Black Girl.
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