If you hadn’t noticed, I’ve been busy. Really busy. After so many slow years, it seems like just about everyone is touring. And like any music addict, I’m powerless to say no. So even though I already had tickets to a matinee performance of “Come From Away” on Saturday, I found myself driving back to Darkinjung Country/Central Coast to catch Katie Noonan’s tribute to Joni Mitchell’s seminal album Blue.
I’d heard how good Melody Pool was from a friend who sees her perform regularly, but I’m not sure his praise really prepared me for her set. What a phenomenal vocalist she is. What a warm and engaging performer. She admitted that her songs tend to be a little dark, as they are often her way of processing her emotions during depressive episodes, but her beautiful voice lifts you up, ensuring the dark lyrics don’t get too heavy. To hold the audience in the palm of her hand with so many new songs is a real gift. I’d see her again in a heartbeat.
Every time I see Katie Noonan I see something new. It’s so exciting to watch her journey as an artist. When I saw her front George I was in my early 20s. A few years back I saw her making jazz-folk with Elixir. And on the weekend, she was celebrating one of the true legends of the music world, Joni Mitchell. It was something new again, but perhaps my favourite.
Firstly, there’s that music. Joni has a special place in my heart, and many of my favourites come from Blue. This album is like an old friend, and taking a journey through it with Katie and this attentive audience was a real joy. The audience is another tick. Katie said we could sing along, but I don’t think any of us wanted to break the spell Katie and her guitarist Jeremy Sawkins cast. You could hear a pin drop. Combine that with the intimate venue, a beautiful cinema with plush seating and such “good juju,” as Katie put it. But it all wouldn’t have mattered if not for Katie. I can’t imagine any other artists doing this music justice. Her voice is timeless and so special, able to swoop up high to Joni’s falsetto notes and wind around the intricate melodies with ease. She also understands these songs. She’s not just singing pretty words, she’s interpreting them. She chats easily with the crowd, sharing stories of Joni’s experiences at the time of writing and her own relationship with this music. If every person didn’t leave those theatre having learned something, I’d be surprised.
I appreciated that Katie played the album from start to finish. I’ve always believed artists have intent when they put an album together. It’s just as it should be. I also felt so treated that she didn’t quite stop there. “Big Yellow Taxi” gave us all the push we needed to sing, but not before Katie “auditioned” us and confirmed we were up to the task. After the singalong, it was so nice to take one last moment to appreciate Katie’s voice as she closed the show with “The Circle Game.”
As I stepped out of the theatre, I was so glad that I pushed myself to come, despite the fatigue that was starting to set in after so many shows. It was a truly special evening of music. If you’re a Katie fan or a Joni fan, make sure you don’t miss this tour. Here are all the remaining dates:
14 April 2023 – Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub, Dharug Country/Springwood
15 April 2023 – The Street Theatre, Ngunnawal Country/Canberra
16 April 2023 – Goulburn Performing Arts Centre, Burbong/Goulburn
10 May 2023 – Burrinja, Naarm/Melbourne
11 May 2023 – The Pig & Whistle, Bunurong Country/Main Ridge
12 May 2023 – The Thornbury Theatre, Naarm/Melbourne
13 May 2023 – Palais-Hepburn, Dja Dja Wurrung Country/Hepburn Springs
14 May 2023 – Governor Hindmarsh, Tartanya/Adelaide
18 May 2023 – Glasshouse Port Macquarie, Birpai Country/Port Macquarie
20 May 2023 – Brunswick Picture House, Bundjalung Country/Brunswick Heads
26 May 2023 – Freo.Social, Boorloo/Perth
27 May 2023 – Lyric’s Underground, Boorloo/Perth
1 June 2023 – Bendooley Estate Winery, Gundungurra Country/Berrima
2 June 2023 – Brighton Lakes Recreation & Golf Club, Eora/Sydney
3 June 2023 – Glen Street Theatre, Eora/Sydney
4 June 2023 – Qirkz in the Hunter, Wonnarua Country/Abermain
9 June 2023 – The Events Centre, Gubbi Gubbi Jinibara Country/Caloundra
10 June 2023 – The J, Gubbi Gubbi Country/Noosa
11 June 2023 – Redland Performing Arts Centre, Meeanjin/Brisbane
15 June 2023 – Brisbane Powerhouse, Meeanjin/Brisbane
17 June 2023 – Tanks Arts Centre, Gimuy Country/Cairns
Image used with permission from Revolutions per Minute; credit: Wilk