Cassandra Wilson @ the Sydney Opera House on 15 June 2013
Surrounded by five long-time friends and musical compatriots, Cassandra Wilson cast a spell over the concert hall at The Sydney Opera House on Saturday 15th June. The opening piece ‘Secret life of plants’ was led by Wilson’s musical director, Gregoire Maret, whose harmonica combined well with the twang of Brandon Ross’s Guitar to take the willing listener to the deserts of the Deep South before Wilson herself emerged.
At times it felt as though old family friends had been reunited on stage to share travel stories. The second piece took us to the Markets of Mali while Charlie Burnham’s glistening violin solo on the third piece had us out on the ocean with sails full of Asian whisper. With her magnetic presence, Wilson has the power to dissolve the compass of consciousness, as demonstrated in ‘Love is Blindness’ with its moving mandolin and lonely mood.
One of the highlights of the set was a cover of a Monkey’s song ‘Last Train to Clarksville’, in which a joyously sincere solo from Maret seemed to lift the music and the atmosphere. The train in our ear was en-route to South America where possibly the nights brightest light was about to shine. In the Percussion corner was Mino Cinelu, who was responsible for the delicious chilli-infused groove which oiled the pan for Lonnie Plaxico’s bass and the seared strum of Brandon Ross’s guitars. In fact he threatened to steal the show with his relentless stoking of the fire under the next piece, ‘Voodoo Reprise’, which was baked in the spice of Cumbia. The extended percussion solo was exuberant and a turning point in the set, at one point Cinelu even left the drum chair, choosing to express himself through dance rather than sound.
For the encore Wilson pleased the crowd with her famous cover of Time after Time followed by the darker toned ‘Death Letter’ where the band was joined by Australian didgeridoo player Charlie McMahon.
For all the charisma and magnetism that Wilson boasts, vocally this was a slightly reserved performance. The band did a splendid job of supporting with high energy solos and infectious grooves and the room was full of satisfied listeners but the band took a long time to relax into the set, the first few pieces being quite introverted and perhaps even a little self conscious.
Cassandra Wilson (vocals ) Brandon Ross (guitars), Charlie Burnham (violin), Lonnie Plaxico (bass), Mino Cinelu (percussion) and Gregoire Maret (harmonica)
1. Secret Life of Plants (instrumental)
(Stevie Wonder cover)
2. Children of the Night
3. Saddle Up My Pony
(Charlie Patton cover)
4. Love Is Blindness
(U2 cover)
5. Last Train to Clarksville
(The Monkees cover)
6. VooDoo Reprise
7. Wichita Lineman
(Jimmy Webb cover)
8. A Little Warm Death
9. Encore:
9. Time After Time
(Cyndi Lauper cover)
10. Death Letter
(Son House cover) (with Charlie McMahon)
Thanks to Shane Rozario for the image taken at the Sydney Opera House
