this show at the sound lounge billed as steve hunter : the translators
i'd heard or read his name a lot in a reverential manner over the years
tonight he is with a relatively new outfit of eclectic musicians
the man himself playing electric bass and leading the show
damien wright stage left on nylon stringed spanish guitar
stage right is ben hauptmann on mandolin and effects pedals
between them all his brother james hauptmann on drums and percussion
the promise of an interesting sound fulfilled from the first tune
a long piece proving the skill of each individual musician
and at the same time showing what a great sounding band they are
my first impression within a few bars was that this is a very tight outfit
forget improvisation - each musician knew exactly what they were all doing
complexity also sprang to mind - time changes, solos, duets all done expertly
no reference to sheet music (as often is the case) with this band
indicating to me that they have rehearsed their material intensely
so much so that they had the freedom to play it with confidence
and at the same time enjoy the experience as much as the audience
all this observed in the first tune - could they maintain this for 2 sets?
steve hunter did the honours on the mic between each tune
made us feel welcome and provided some insight to the music
and then another piece of amazing music would be presented
if any musician had any prominence it was steve hunter himself on bass
setting up several tunes with a solo and the focal point in all of them
demonstrating amazing dexterity with his melodic, funky sound
but he is also very generous towards his fellow musicians at all times
introducing tunes composed by each of them and sharing the stage
damien wright producing a beautiful sound from his spanish guitar
his right hand strumming at speed in true flamenco manner
producing a rich, warm, melodic acoustic guitar sound of difference
ben hauptmann on mandolin doing the same with his instrument
at times sounding as you would expect like a classic mandolin
but producing an exquisite sound when the effects pedals are engaged
reminiscent of a full-on electric guitar but not so demanding or dominating
brother james the perfect drummer for the 3 guitarists in the band
nothing too flashy but perfectly balanced with the combined sound
keeping and changing time precisely, filling out with ease, having fun
which was true of all of them - a great sense of enjoyment seen on stage
lots of smiles between musicians as they knew it was going to plan
several times i tried to think what pigeon-hole their music belonged in
but not possible - they have forged a unique and hybrid sound
that which several experts claim is the sound of australian jazz
influences from many before but free to go wherever it wants
bringing to mind the likes of wanderlust who are in a similar space
but also in at least one piece a reminder of pat metheny the way up
so to me as a metheny fan very happy to hear a brief connection
couldn't help but think how lucky we the audience are to be here
this is a band who has devoted countless hours to hone their craft
we show up on the night and they are our servants for an hour or 2
but what a time - exquisite, unique, hugely satisfying music
now i know why the man is regarded as such an icon
