03 May 2013
What backbeat is
They were on the way to the Thredbo Jazz Festival, but they weren’t jazz. Nowhere near. Not blues either, which is what I expect at the Press Club on Thursdays. This was Jeff Duff with Glenn Rhodes and Ben Isaacson and they were a blast. This is rock: heavy backbeat, basic rhythms and simple chords, playing a list from the Rock Top 50. I caught one set: Does anybody really know what time it is, Mr Bojangles, Walk on the wild side (funky), Walking in Memphis, What’s going on, Sorrow. Fabulous. I was enthralled by Ben on drums. Steady with rock solid time, firm sticks, insistent snare and light cymbals and solid mixed with flirting kick; otherwise unembroidered and laid back except for the most delicious of fills ending lines. Glenn was a complex, multifaceted master as keys-players can be, but I missed the oomph of an acoustic instrument. He played three keyboards: two plus one for left hand bass. This was colour and orchestration, solos with all manner of tones beyond piano. Again, steady, firm, knowing and, with his history, I presume the well-rehearsed arrangements were his. And with a decent vocal, for backing, but also for sharing verses on Mr Bojangles. And, out front, Jeff Duff, the lank, waif-like, suited presence of glam rock from the ’70s, through to the Bowie, Deep Purple and Sinatra presence of shows today. He sings with a Soulful voice, oozing vibrato, reaching into falsetto, spelling songs with a performer’s presence but also an interpreter’s sympathy. This was not at all jazz, of course, but that’s not what I expected. This was masterful, mature rock from some of the best, in the lounge-like venue of the National Press Club. Loud but mature and experienced and a glimpse of what rock can be.
Jeff Duff (vocals, percussion) performed with Glenn Rhodes (keys, vocals) and Ben Isaacson (drums) at the National Press Club. Fabulous.
any more duffological revelations or pix to impart? found any canberra-cafe friends who can add to your own critical comments? please go on about it.
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