Tremendous night, that was. The Red Rattler which in addition to having admirable social and artistic aims is a cute little space in the inner west rust belt. The bar service was super friendly and the drinks reasonably priced (one schooner and two reds for $12.50). I had something from the tap they were calling Rat's Piss and it was tasty. The attendance only numbered about 30 which is a disgrace Sydney although there was a show at the Raval the night before which might have split the ticket. But still. Those that were there were into it though and the performers were gracious and didn't pull back.

Chris's album Que Paso (also the name of his band) has got a lot of play round my place since I checked it out a month or so ago when I saw he was opening for Joe Pug. The name in Spanish means "what happened" which is a reference to (I gather) this country rekkid being a departure from his usual rock sound so it may be a oncer but I really hope not, he has the voice and lyrics to really do a lot of interesting things in the genre. The band on Que Paso provides a very full sounds including banjos, fiddlers steel guitar etc so I wasn't sure how it would translate to solo acoustic but it did, excellently. Apart from the lyrics, the songs have such strong melodies inside them you can strip out all the instruments and still have a cohesive thing. So, that was great.

Here's Hume Highway Blues, and I've also got a vid of Love Like This.

Joe Pug apart from being one of the best songwriters going around has done some innovative and cool things to engage with fans and not-yet-fans in the modern era, from giving away as many sampler CDs as you ask for to give to your friends and doing a tour of North America this year where tickets were $10 with no extra fees, of the handling kind you usually get slugged, Joe seems like a exceptional stand up guy and while that's not necessary to want to back his music, it doesn't hurt.

Here's a performance/interview he did with ABC Dig the other day.

So at the gig he ran through a lot of the songs from his LP Messenger, including lots of my faves. Here's "I Do My Father's Drugs". I requested and got my favourite song of his "Bury Me Far (From My Uniform)" in the encore- thanks Joe!

In addition to this, Chris Altmann also came back out and they did three country classics : "Hickory Wind", "Close Up the Honky Tonks" and "Lost Highway" The first and the third are below. How excitement! Burgo who reviewed Brisbane didn't mention this collaboration so I assume it's a new addition, on a back stage discovery they both grew up listening to the same old country stuff.

So that's that - great night! I'm sure he'll come back so then, Australia, you will have no excuse not to get out in droves. I also hope Chris Altmann comes back to Sydney soon with the full band and I'll definitely be harrassing y'all to get along to both when it happens.

So, seeing these guys next week. The tour has already started taking in Brisbane and Melbourne but if you have a chance, go. My ticket was only $22 which is such a steal it's embarrassing. Joe Pug is a Chicago folky singer-songwriter. He's a playwright in his spare time and you can hear that in the poetic nature of his lyrics, but without skimping on the melodies and astute observations. Chris Altmann is apparently well known in Melbourne rock circles, though he didn't hit my radar til his album this year Que Paso? which is 70s style country rock but done brilliantly, avoiding hollow imitation or pastiche. In fact, Que Paso? (promo video here gives you a good taste) is one of my very favourite records this year. He is solo on this tour doing support for Joe so is obviously not going to reproduce the big band sound and I'm keen to see that other side of him. So yeah even if you can't get to a show get Que Paso? for a good Aussie country time. Two gigs in Sydney one at the Raval in Surry Hills and the one I'm going to at the Red Rattler in the People's Republic of Marrickville. I've been intrigued by the latter for a while, it sounds super-cool, so looking forward also to checking it out.

The Burgo Blog has an extensive review of the Brisbane gig this week, including lots of YouTubes. Has certainly whet that small part of my appeitite that wasn't already, er, whet.

If that doesn't convince, here's a final push from none other than Justin Townes Earle:

Boy, been looking forward to this one for ages and it didn't disappoint. Since first seeing Dan Sultan at the Blue Mountains Music Festival in 2008 knowing nothing about him and being converted on the spot, I think I've seen him three or four times in Sydney each time with the full band. Which is great because that band is hot, and I especially love the horn section. A rock band with a horn section will always get my approval. OTOH, solo and/or acoustic is special too. Archie Roach was slated for support until his stroke, I hear he's going to be OK which is the main thing. I guess with this ARIA thing Dan is really breaking through so opportunities like this in small venues will become fewer and far between. So yeah he and Scott were really great - the extra electric guitar provided that full sound without taking away from the intimacy.

Oh and like the set up at Notes is dining tables down the front and standing and a few tables for general admission up the back so as I was GA I wanted to be there when doors opened so I could nab a good possie. And while I was sitting on an upturned milk crate on Enmore Rd at the front doors, out came Dan for a durrie. And I sqeeeed inside (and online). And got a photo. He was extremely lovely.

Here is a wee fillum I nabbed of "Sorrowbound":

With Lech Walensa in Poland, from the brilliant Notes from the Road by road manager Joe Carenza. RSS that puppy STAT.

There were a couple of differences to this show (Monday night) than the two last year. We were up the back which in a dog of a venue like Acer Arena naturally changes dynamics, although everyone around us was thoroughly engaged throughout; I didn't cry until song number 8 and we were privileged to see him dust off "Avalanche" and "A Singer Must Die." Other than that the 2010 United Hearts Touring Co. picked up where 2008 left off and you can see what I thought about that here and here so take the squeee as read.

Another good read is the blog of Dean from Adelaide who is following Len around Oz. Sigh.

And, here's my Varieties of Leonard Cohen 8tracks mix from last year: