ED KUEPPER - By Request Tour.

Ed Kuepper

By Request Tour.

Ed Kuepper.

ADELAIDE
The Governor Hindmarsh Hotel.

Friday 8^th August, 2014

Review & Pics by Allison O’Donoghue

It’s been a long time since I’ve witnessed Ed Kuepper in action. I’m ashamed to say almost 10 years. I missed The Saints onslaught, by the time I tuned into them, they had already spilt up. I followed The Laughing Clowns like it was my religion, coz everything else out there was just too samey, pedestrian and mainstream. Besides, it was cool to be apart of The Laughing Clowns cult.  I missed The Aints, and I have no idea why. I caught a New Imperialists gig in Sydney when they formed briefly, and enjoyed them. But like I said, it’s been a while. I know with some certainty that I can count on Ed Kuepper to be different, entertaining and laconic. Tonight is no exception. He is all of the above.

First up we are given a stellar set by singer Snooks La Vie accompanied by Nick Priest. I have to confess, I’ve never heard of Snooks, but by all accounts he is an Adelaide institution and has a big following here. Apparently he can fill The Gov in his own right, so he must be good. Right?

Snooks La Vie & Nick Priest.

Snooks La Vie & Nick Priest.

With his wide sideburns, small Stetson hat, waistcoat and harmonica, Snooks takes a seat next to Priest and they begin a set of slow melodic bluegrass tunes. Snooks has a voice that could charm the birds out of the trees. Simply put, just beautiful. He reminds me of Bonnie "Prince" Billy, whom I saw a couple of years ago at the Adelaide Fringe. And Priest, who accompanies him on guitar and sings a few songs of his own, has a bit of a rasp that reminds me of The Boss. Depending on his influences, that will either be a compliment or insult.

I can’t remember the song titles but they all had mournful - don’t leave me standing at the station all alone, with me suitcase and me phone - type of beautiful lyrics that throw you back to lost loves and missed opportunities. Snooks & Priest play and harmonize well together with the help of Frank the mixer who allowed a little too much reverb thru (get it together Frank!). Regardless, they set a perfect tone for the arrival of Ed Kuepper and did it brilliantly. Must see these guys again.

Ed Kuepper.

Enter Ed Kuepper to a reasonable size audience.  He strolls out centre stage, chooses one of three guitars to start the set. He calls out for requests, and gets bombarded. Realizing he doesn’t have the right guitar for the request, he settles on one and starts the song then instantly breaks a string. “I haven’t done that since a Saints gig,” he says, to rapturous applause.  At which point everyone calls out for Saints songs - Know Your Product. I’m Stranded. Just Like Fire Would (I Burn Up)…”I’m not singing any Saints songs just yet,” he protests. It’s clear he is amongst friendly fans keen to absorb every moment, and I was one of them.

Sometimes (I Can’t Live With Anyone) a Laughing Clowns tune is warmly received and sets the vibe for a chilled out gig. Kuepper is personable and approachable. So much so, people head to the stage to have a conversation with him or make a personal request. “It’s my birthday,” a likely story, but he looks like he’s enjoying every minute of it. Someone calls out for an obscure song, which I didn’t hear but his reply said it all. “You couldn’t possibly know that song. It’s too obscure. You goggled it.”  

Its Lunacy, Serene Machine, Real Wild Life show us his voice his still in great form and so very distinctively – him. His voice is like no other. No comparisons here, maybe because I’m accustomed to his distinctive vocals but there is no mistaking that voice and his sound. He is as distinctive as Paul Kelly or Leonard Cohen, no mistaking who they are and what they sound like. Ed Kuepper is in that category. 

Ed Kuepper.

The smoke from the roaring fireplace practically chokes the room. Ed brushes the smoke away from his face to get a good look at the audience. Chimney sweep anyone? Well, it’s a freezing night, the fire is very needed and all adds to the ambience.

Lovely open fire at The Gov.

Kuepper teases us with a few bars of Venus but doesn’t know the lyrics then launches into Black Ticket Day to get people up and dancing, which encourages the shy ones to do the same for Collapse Board. At this point he asks for audience participation for the horn section of Know Your Product. We sort of suck, but he forgave us and then launches in the much requested, Electrical Storm. Followed by a song that needs no introduction, within the first few bars you know it’s The Way I Make You Feel - his timeless hit.  It goes down well and every knows the words.

Up & dancing to Ed Kuepper.

Kuepper sung a medley of songs from various albums for over 2 hours, got the audience calling out, up dancing and made us feel as if he was singing in our lounge room. It was that relaxed and laid back. He finishes with Everything I’ve Got Belongs To You, a lovely song that has everyone swaying and singing along. And he thinks he’s going to escape without an encore. Not likely. The audience clap him back on stage and he finally gives us an extended version of Eternally Yours.

Eternally Yours - Ed Kuepper.

Like the warm glow of catching up with an old mate you haven’t seen in years and satisfied with the RSL archetype of a very sophticated gig, we pile out with our hearts replete with musical fulfillment and huge smiles. I will not be leaving it so long between gigs. Next time Ed Kuepper pops up again, I’ll be there. Thank you for a great night Mr. Kuepper. It was a corker.  

Snooks La Vie & Nick Priest.

Snooks & Nick.