ed kuepper

i received an email late last year about an upcoming show
ed kuepper was scheduled to appear at the enmore theatre
performing from start to finish his honey steels gold album
mr ed is one performer that demands presence
so i basically worked a return to sydney around this show
don't look back is the name of the concept of the show
dreamed up by a 30-something year old english chap
started in the uk and has found it's way to australia
the idea is simply that a classic album is performed
fully, totally, and in the same running order as recorded
the stooges kick-started the idea with funhouse
followed by a number of other well-known overseas bands
looks like the promoter is onto a winner in australia
judging by the size of the crowd at the enmore on this night
there's about 3 albums i can think of i would go for done this way
honey's steels gold would absolutely be one of them
i had left things a bit late ticket-purchase-wise
so had a seat upstairs a few rows back but with a good view
a good round of respectful applause was given out
when ed sauntered onto the stage with his fellow musicians
jeffrey wegener on drums and peter oxley on bass
his current core companions making a superb 3-piece
i was aware that chris abrahams had contributed on the album
but was fairly sure it was not him on stage at the keyboards
the pianist had the task of starting the set with a recognisable riff
the opening and comforting piano chords of king of vice
which meant within a few seconds we were transported
to a time when ed was king and this album was omnipresent
one thing about ed is that he is totally dedicated to his craft
takes nothing for granted especially not his audience
though he himself seems transported when performing
the level of musicianship indicates a mutual respect
that may well be for the material he performs
but i like to think he does appreciate his audience
this night i suspect he very much enjoyed the occasion
playing some classic material with a great band to a large crowd
moving through the album seemed quite effortless for the band
each tune was delivered with meticulous musicianship
and the mix was superb in the warmth of the enmore theatre
the rendition of 2 radio-friendly tunes proving the worth of this album
everything i've got belongs to you and the way i made you feel
surely these days rated as classic songs in many peoples minds
the highlight for me was honey steels gold as usual
simple, simple lyrics but strong, strong guitar, bass, drums
one of a few that ed has carried forward live over the years
ed was playing support tonight so it was quite a short set
the album, the whole album and nothing but the album
he introduced the band at the conclusion
the mystery keyboards player being none other than alister spence
who i have a lot of admiration for as a composer and performer
he is one of a few around town striking out with experimentation
bumped into alister after the show in the foyer
thanked him for the performance just experienced
you should do some recording with ed i gushed
anything is possible he replied
good news
thanks ed
brilliant