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CHRIS ISAAK
@ Kings Park, Perth,
4th April 2024
(Live Review)

Review by Melanie Griffiths

Photos by Adrian Thomson (@_awii_)

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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“If you love sad songs about unrequited love then you’ve come the motherload”. Chris Isaak has made a 40 year career out of tender hearted songs and honky tonk moves that hark back to the optimism of the American dream. In today’s world there is still a place for this refined entertainer whose showmanship and talent sparkles more than his retro suits.

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Thornbird / Photo – Toni Wilkinson

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Vikki Thorn’s solo project Thornbird opened the evening in a relaxed fashion. As one of the founding members of The Waifs her style of sun-drenched folk songs shone through her original work providing a glorious soundtrack to watch the sky turn amber.

With a steely gaze and kitted out in a black ensemble Mark Seymour and The Undertow commanded the stage. Featuring Seymour’s solo work and a few Hunters & Collectors favourites. Seymour’s storytelling focuses on the everyday Australian experience like “Football Train”, “Westgate” and “The Boxer”. The H&S classics were reworked to be weary songs giving new meaning to the “Deeply Misunderstood” “Holy Grail”, “Do You See What I See” and “Throw Your Arms Around Me”. The youthful anger might have mellowed with age but Seymour still rumbles with intensity like a young Bruce Springsteen.

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Mark Seymour & The Undertow

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Chris Isaak is the kind of performer you don’t see a lot around these parts. He exudes smooth southern charm (despite being born in California) with a politeness that has fans fawning. He opened with “American Boy” a catchy song with infectious guitar riffs and lyrics alluding to the pursuit of adventure, it was a foolproof start.

Isaak, the suave maestro, graced the stage in his shimmering baby-blue suit, a relic of timeless charm. He’s defied the pressures of evolution, steadfastly embracing his love affair with blues-rock and rockabilly. His 1995 hit “Somebody’s Crying” injected a dose of energy, reminding us that amidst the pop world, there’s still room for a little grit and groove.

Isaak dolled out playful banter like a kiss. In the soulful ballad “Waiting” Isaak descended into the crowd walking up the grassy aisles of Kings Park wooing fans in scenes reminiscent of a rocker on The Ed Sullivan Show.

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Backing him were his trusty band Silvertone. While the crooner delivered the tenderly sweet “Don’t Leave Me On My Own” and “I Want Your Love” Silvertone showed off their musicality and slapback guitar dancing talents.

For “Wicked Games” phones were sent skyward to record. The iconic moody love song sounded pitch-perfect with the singer still burning with want and melancholy 33 years after its release. As a singer he sounded record perfect. As a performer he knows how to make an audience chortle or blush with a quip and he does so while still remaining true to his roots. Two Roy Orbison covers “Only The Lonely” and a raucous “Pretty Woman” hit the spot. While a schmaltzy outing of Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” has folks kissing in their seats.

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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It was a homage done with finesse. Amidst the challenge of carving a unique live persona, it was his original songs that highlighted his prowess as a songwriter. “Let Me Down Easy” was stripped back and sung with a high dose of misty-eyed yearning. Later, “Blue Hotel” was evocative with its haunting lilt of heartache.

Still, Isaak was intent on finishing on a high rounding out the night with “San Francisco Days”. After a change to a mirrored suit that resembled the shining star he still is, Isaak closed out the night with “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” and “The Way Things Really Are.”

Chris Isaak’s unwavering retro style might seem out of step in a world obsessed with reinvention. Yet, he persists as a dynamic rock star. While some may declare rock ‘n’ roll dead, in Isaak’s realm, it’s very much alive and kicking.

4/5

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Check out Adrian Thomson’s (@_awii_) full gallery of this event HERE

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Follow CHRIS ISAAK
Website – Instagram – Facebook – Twitter

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Chris Isaak, Kings Park, 04/04/2024 / Photo – @_awii_

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Press Release 26th February 2024 (below) HERE

CHRIS ISAAK
IN CONCERT
Australia and New Zealand Tour
April 2024

– Extra Melbourne show added
to meet overwhelming demand

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AMNPLIFY – DB