Tag: Richard Clapton

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton @ Avoca Beach Picture Theatre, Darkinjung Country/Avoca Beach – 31 May 2024

We’ve all got our comfort artists. The ones that we go see every couple of years because we can count on them singing songs we want to hear and simply making us feel good. They’re probably musicians you grew up listening to, so they feel like home. Richard Clapton is definitely one of those artists for me. As I look back at my blog it seems I’ve somehow let almost nine years go by without seeing Richard live, so a show was long overdue. And when he’s playing locally, who can refuse?

Anyone planning on skipping the support act would have been sorely disappointed, because there wasn’t one. Richard was more than happy to just get on with things. After so many years away from his shows, the set had plenty of twists and turns for me. Excited by the reissues of The Great Escape, Goodbye Tiger, and Prussian Blue, he gleefully played lesser-known tracks from those releases. Although they weren’t lesser known for this crowd, who expressed their excitement over those deep cuts. I wasn’t familiar with a lot of it, but Richard’s the sort of artist that entertains you regardless of what they’re singing. He also sprinkled hits throughout the set, encouraging us to sing along. Goodness, he’s written some hits. “Capricorn Dancer,” “Glory Road,” “Deep Water,” what gems.

It’s funny, when you don’t see an artist for a while it can seem like no time has passed, but at the same time, you see reminders of those passing years. Richard’s voice wasn’t quite as strong as I remember, but it still commands a room. I noticed his guitarist giving him a supportive hand as he climbed the steps onto the stage. We get an intermission now, rather than the show moving straight through.

Richard admitted he was 76, but he doesn’t look like he really wants to slow down. He praised our crowd as one of the best, relished the espresso martinis the venue served him, and encouraged us to book tickets for his shows at the same venue next January. I just might. If it’s been too long since you’ve see Richard live, make sure you catch him at one of his upcoming gigs:

1 June 2024 – Flamingo’s Live (formerly Lizotte’s), Mulbinba/Newcastle
2 June 2024 – Flamingo’s Live (formerly Lizotte’s), Mulbinba/Newcastle
2 July 2024 – Big Red Bash, Wirrarri/Birdsville
15 August 2024 – Mundi Mundi Bash 2024, Wiradjuri Country/Bruie Plains (SOLD OUT)
22 August 2024 – Gympie Music Muster, Kabi Kabi Country/Gympie
31 August 2024 – State Theatre, Eora/Sydney

Image source: own photo

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Red Hot Summer @ Roche Estate, Pokolbin – 2 February 2019

In just a few years Red Hot Summer has become one of the highlights of the annual concert calendar, a series of events that showcase classic Aussie acts and some choice international artists. With a number of bills winding their way around Australia’s capitals and regional centres, there’s really something for everybody. The music is always superb; coupled with the good vibes that always seem to surround the concert series I just can’t resist.

This year was the first I’ve seen Red Hot Summer at a winery though. Roche Estate is the perfect venue, a natural amphitheatre which offered the sell-out crowd plenty of space for spreading out. The outstanding wine also made the performers sound just a little bit sweeter!

Chocolate Starfish kicked things off, curiously enough with a cover of Meatloaf’s “Bat Out of Hell.” It was a left-of-centre choice, but one which resonated with this crowd ready to sing along. They got their chance later too with Chocolate Starfish’s own radio-friendly singles “Four-Letter Word,” “Mountain,” and the epic cover of “You’re So Vain.” These moments got the loudest cheers, but the punters were right there throughout the set thanks to the charisma of lead singer Adam Thompson. He was every inch the rock star, dancing up a storm and commanding our attention. What a way to kick off the show.

I’ve seen Richard Clapton more times than I can count because he never disappoints. With such a short time on stage, he could have simply played the hits. “Best Years of Our Lives” and “Down in the Lucky Country” were notable absences in this set for me. But as a real fan, I didn’t mind too much. I was excited to hear less well-known songs like “Dancing With the Vampires” and “Something About You.” The crowd had enough moments to sing along with tracks like “Glory Road,” “Deep Water,” and “Girls on the Avenue.” Richard was in fine form, but then again, I’ve never seen him have an off day. The consummate professional.

Speaking of professionals, how good is Diesel? I saw him once about 20 years ago and I think I forgot how good he was. There’s no risk of getting a case of amnesia again though. Everything came together in this set. He’s such a talent, flawless voice, blues guitar on point, and an exceptional catalogue of songs. It was exciting to hear the way tracks from his Injectors days have evolved. You can still sing along, but a little more blues-rock edge has freshened them up. I really shouldn’t leave it so long before catching him again.

The Living End took me back to my teenage years. Their energetic set woke up anyone who was caught napping in the sunshine. It was furious, frenetic, and so much fun. Crowds rushed the stage, punching their fists in the air enthusiastically to hits like “Roll On” and “Prisoner of Society.” Some punk bands can seem a little tragic railing against the system in their advancing years, but The Living End somehow managed to avoid that. What a tight sound. What passion. They were one of the acts I hadn’t seen before, and they did not disappoint.

Joan Jett and The Blackhearts might not have been the headliner, but the international rock stalwarts were the drawcard for many punters. The standing zone was packed for the performance that featured all the hits, including many I’d forgotten about, and some unexpected surprises. Covers of the “Laverne and Shirley” theme and “Crimson and Clover” were a delight. Smash singles like “Bad Reputation,” “Cherry Bomb,” and “I Love Rock and Roll” were delivered with so much gusto. There was no sign of the fatigue that can often set in when bands have such a storied history. Clearly they still love playing together and doing it for Australian audiences was a real thrill. Joan Jett was every bit as fierce and fabulous as I’d hoped she’d be.

Jimmy Barnes is another act I’ve seen countless times, but it’s been a little while since I’ve seen him rock out. Acoustic shows are a brilliant treat, but I didn’t realise how much I’d missed seeing him really rocking out. The hits came thick and fast, including tracks I didn’t expect to hear like personal favourites “Stone Cold” and “Ride the Night Away.” More surprises came with “Working Class Hero,” a cover of the John Lennon song, and Chris Cheney joining Jimmy for a raucous rendition of “Rising Sun.” As the set drew to a close and the whole crowd united as one for Aussie anthems like “Working Class Man,” “Khe Sanh,” and “Flame Trees,” it made perfect sense why Jimmy was the headliner. He might not have the international profile of Joan Jett, but the love so many of us have for Mr Barnes trumps that. What a way to close out another stellar Red Hot Summer show.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton @ Laycock Street Theatre, Wyoming – 13 September 2015

When Lizotte’s at Kincumber closed its doors, I started to worry that the Central Coast might start missing out on shows. The older I get, the lazier I get, and the more it takes to compel me to head to Sydney or Newcastle for a show. However, it seems that the loss of Lizotte’s has been Laycock Street Theatre’s gain. This small theatre in Wyoming has been hosting some of Australia’s best talents over the recent months, yet a lack of promotion means I’m usually the last to know. I actually stumbled across the news that Richard Clapton was heading our way just a couple of weeks ago.

Richard’s always been one of my favourite performers, so I couldn’t resist checking his Lonesome Voyager tour. It was billed as an opportunity to see Richard up close and personal, to hear the songs that made him a legend and the stories behind them. Honestly on that score I was a little disappointed. It seems Richard’s heyday passed in a heady blur, so he’s a little vague on the details of many of the songs’ origins. However, there was probably drugs or alcohol or both involved in their inception. The stories he recounted were cheeky and hilarious, but I didn’t quite get the insight into the music I was looking for.

What I did relish was the chance to see Richard Clapton and his guitarist pal playing acoustically. I’ve seen Richard perform more times than I can count on my fingers, but this was my first opportunity to hear him without a full band, back-up singers, and the like. With just an acoustic guitar or two depending on the song, beautiful numbers like “Best Years of Our Lives,” “Blue Bay Blues,” and the final encore, “Goodbye Tiger” were shown in all their glory. There were no real surprises in the set. I’ve seen him play virtually the same songs most times I’ve seen him. He’s one of those artists who knows what his fans want and delivers it. However, while I’d heard these songs so many times before, the acoustic treatment helped me appreciate them in a new way.

With the show starting at 7 pm and no support act, we were all done and dusted by a little after 8:30 pm. I must admit, it felt weird to go home and have time to watch The X Factor before bed, but it was also kind of nice. What a thrill to have such a musical legend play so close to home, then send us on our way before we started to get drowsy. Hopefully there are more of these “old people gigs,” as my husband put it, at Laycock to come.

Image source: Richard Clapton’s Facebook page

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Day on the Green 100th Anniversary @ Bimbadgen Estate, Pokolbin – 22 March 2014

Fresh from my Glen Hansard show, I found myself concert bound again and on the road to the Hunter Valley. It seemed impossible to believe that we were heading out to celebrate the 100th Day on the Green show. It didn’t seem like that long ago that I was sitting with my parents at Bimbadgen Estate during the first run of the winery festival shows. Day on the Green has grown since those humble beginnings. It regularly attracts top notch international acts. But for the anniversary celebrations organisers went back to their roots and assembled one of the best line-ups of Aussie talent I’ve seen in some time.

What a shame that my parents were predictably running late. I found myself looking at my watch repeatedly, calculating just how much of Boom Crash Opera I’d get to see. The answer was, just one and a half songs as I was finding my seat. I was lucky to see that really; my dad let me out of the car early, despite the protests of security, and I ran up to the gates while he was parking. They sounded superb playing two of the big hits – “The Best Thing” and “Onion Skin – and I am kicking myself that I didn’t get to see more. They’ve lost nothing over the years, except for Dale Ryder’s hair.

Thankfully there was plenty more talent on the bill. While my formative years were spent perving on Mr Ryder, my mum’s were spent drooling over Daryl Braithwaite. She was transformed back into a 16-year-old as he took the stage and delivered hit after hit. Dazza’s another of those blokes who seems to lose nothing over the years. He hits those high notes with ease and always puts on such an amazing show. Singing out “The Horses” and “Higher than Hope” with the crowd was magic.

Next up was one of our favourites, Mr Richard Clapton. Oh how we love Richard. Having said that though, after such an incredible set from Daryl, Richard’s seemed to lack a little sparkle. I knew the majority of the songs from seeing him countless times in the past, but they seemed to leave a lot of people scratching their heads. “Girls on the Avenue” went down a treat though. Even when he’s not incredible, Richard’s still bloody good.

Incredible was what we got with another my of mum’s crushes, Ian Moss. The consummate professional, adored by the masses, he delivered a stellar set packed with the hits and a few surprised. As someone who remembers buying Matchbook on cassette (my first album bought with my own money if I’m ever on RocKWiz!), I was thrilled to hear him perform “Mr Rain.” The only thing better than Mossy solo is Mossy with Jimmy. We got a little Cold Chisel reunion during “When the War is Over” which was something I’ll never forget.

Next up were The Angels, the band with the biggest question mark for me. I was well aware of the split, and had wondered just how this incarnation would feel without Doc Neeson up front. I shouldn’t have worried. Rather than feeling like a pale imitation of the original, this Dave Gleeson-fronted outfit has a new lease on life. I might be a bit biased here. I’m Newcastle-bred, and many of the first pub gigs I ever attended were Screaming Jets shows. But he is the perfect frontman for this band he clearly loves so much. He brought real energy to the hits and won over the crowd from the get go. I’ve got to tell you though, the only thing weirder than seeing your parents chanting “that bit” in “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again?” is watching your American husband’s reaction to it all. The poor boy was caught completely unawares. I love that despite eight years here, every now and again Aussie culture can throw him a curveball.

Jimmy Barnes teased us with his appearance during Mossy’s set. We were so ready for him, and he delivered. Jimmy was actually the first musician I ever saw live, way back in the Soul Deeper days, and I’ve been a massive fan ever since. It was a wonderful set which spanned his entire career. He rocked hard and we loved it. I found myself on my feet more often than not, and I screamed myself hoarse. God knows how he keeps up those vocals. Mossy came back to play a few Chisel numbers and it was every bit as special as that first appearance. This time I put my camera down and just soaked it in though. Wow. Being amongst that crowd singing out “Working Class Man” and “Khe Sahn” was out of this world.

All that amazing Australian music in one day is something I’ll never forget. This is the sort of show we’ll still be talking about years later.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton @ Lizotte’s, Newcastle – 2 June 2013

There are certain performers that keep you coming back year after year. They always sing the songs you want to hear, sound sublime while doing it, and give so much of themselves to their fans. For my family, Richard Clapton is one such performer.

I first saw Richard Clapton performing a free show with Mental as Anything at the Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum decades ago. I didn’t really know I was a Richard Clapton fan back then. The show was something my parents took me to at an age when I didn’t control such things. But I was definitely a fan by the time I left. I was stunned by how many of his songs I knew, and how effortlessly he performed them.

So many years have passed, and I have lost count of the number of times I’ve seen Richard since. We’ve all grown, but the consistency of his concerts remains. So when my parents won a free dinner and show at Lizotte’s Newcastle, we knew we’d have to see Richard again.

What a shame we had to suffer through Hats Bennett before we did. I rarely make comments so harsh, but there really wasn’t a lot to like about Hats. His hat was cool, and he was a really solid guitarist. It’s just a shame that he didn’t stop there. His songwriting was really underdeveloped (a song about introducing a new cat to another? Really?) and his voice had serious limitations. I don’t need a perfect voice, but if yours isn’t strong you probably shouldn’t aim for a falsetto. It seems I wasn’t the only one, as the crowd’s reactions ranged from bored to bemused.

All was forgiven once Richard stepped on stage though. What a talent he is. It might seem clichéd to insist that he only gets better with age, but the addition of Jak Housden to his band ensures his music is certainly sounding better than ever. Hit after hit washed over us, punctuated by Richard’s witty banter and insights into that brilliant back catalogue. Richard doesn’t seem to mind staying with those time-honoured songs. He knows why people see him play, and he’s only too happy to oblige. He treated us to just one song from his new album Harlequin Nights, ensuring he didn’t push the patience of a crowd that clearly wanted to just sing along.

An encore seemed like a mere formality. We all knew he’d never leave us before singing “The Best Years of Our Lives” and “Girls on the Avenue.” Even when his trademark sunglasses snapped in two before that last track, he knew he had to soldier on. He did only half joke that he’d do away with anyone who snapped a photograph though, and when someone cheekily did with a smartphone, I thought he might follow through on that threat! But it was all in good fun, and the perfect end to another great night with Aussie rock royalty.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Richard Clapton’s New Album Out Now

Richard Clapton shows he’s still got it with his new single “Dancing with the Vampires,” the first lifted from his album Harlequin Nights.

The album, which hits stores today, is Richard’s first in eight years. It’s a fitting way to ring in his fifth decade in the business, with exceptional lyrics and that laconic twang we’ve all come to know. His recent marriage breakdown has added fuel to his fire, and resulted in some fantastic songs. I’m a real fan of the single, which sees the reformed party boy reflecting on his wild days and giving a nod to fellow wild man Charlie Sheen. Rest assured, I’ll be sinking my teeth into the album soon.

I’ve been a long-time fan of Richard’s work, especially in the live arena where he manages to balance the new songs with the old favourites like few others. Here are all the places you can see him doing his thing over the coming months.

18 August 2012 – State Theatre, Sydney
31 August 2012 – Country Club Show Room, Launceston
1 September 2012 – Wrestpoint Casino, Hobart
8 September 2012 – 16 Footers, Belmont
14 September 2012 – Atrium Resort, Mandurah
15 September 2012 – Astor Theatre, Perth
28 September 2012 – Nambour Civic Centre, Sunshine Coast
29 September 2012 – QPAC Theatre, Brisbane
5 October 2012 – Palms at Crown Casino, Melbourne
19 October 2012 – Thoroughbred Park, Lyneham
27 October 2012 – Twin Towns, Gold Coast
10 November 2012 – Waves, Wollongong
11 November 2012 – Day on the Green, Bowral
16 November 2012 – Campbelltown RSL, Campbelltown
17 November 2012 Dee Why RSL, Dee Why

Image used with permission from SGC Media

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jackson Browne @ Tempus Two Winery, Hunter Valley – 28 February 2009

On Saturday I was back in the Hunter Valley. The vineyard was different – Tempus Two Winery this time – but I was still ready to enjoy an evening of fantastic music. With a line-up including Tim Freedman, Richard Clapton, Toni Childs, and Jackson Browne, the quality of the show was never in doubt.

I was disappointed that Whitlam’s frontman Tim Freedman only had a half-hour set, but managed to cram so much into 30 minutes. For fans like me numbers like “Kate Kelly” and “You Sound Like Louis Burdett” were welcome surprises, while my parents were content to sing along to “Blow Up The Pokies” and “No Aphrodisiac.” We were also thrilled to see Tim had his happy face on. We’ve been to shows where he seemed to be in a filthy mood, so to see him joking easily with the crowd put a smile on everyone’s face.

Next up was Richard Clapton. There’s a reason why Richard is one of my favourite Australian performers. He never does a bad show. Always the consummate professional, he performs his butt off, delivering classic hit after classic hit. It didn’t take my mother and I long before our itchy feet got the better of us and we had to leave our seats to dance. Predictably there was a crowd of like-minded folks to the side of our seats also revelling in Richard’s brilliance.

Armed with more wine we settled ourselves back in our seats for Toni Childs. Toni was the unknown quantity for me on the tour, the only artist I’d never seen before. While I may not have been so familiar with her music, I was enthralled. She has such a voice, so rich and effortless. While her tunes were largely unfamiliar to this audience, they were instantly accessible. Old favourites “Many Rivers to Cross” and “Stop Your Fussin’” brought the house down.

Jackson Browne’s set is an interesting one for me to comment on. He’s such an accomplished performer, in fine voice with an easy character that’s so endearing. But for me the first half of his show felt labored. The set was made up of new songs from Time The Conqueror and slightly obscure older material, and it made the audience restless. While he performed these songs flawlessly, it seemed like we were all waiting for something to latch onto. I have no problem with artists showcasing their new songs, but I think you need to throw the crowd a bone every now and then.

That bone came about halfway through his set with the familiar rollicking piano intro of “Doctor my Eyes.” We all sang loudly, enthusiastically, rising to our feet with joy, so grateful to hear something we knew. That was the turning point for me. Yes there were songs I didn’t know, and yes there were songs I wish had found their way into their set. But it was all so easily forgiven.

I don’t normally condone people yelling out for songs, but I couldn’t fault the persistent gent who wanted to hear “Rosie.” And when Jackson obliged not long after “Doctor my Eyes,” you could have heard a pin drop. I do love an artist who listens to their fans and changes up their set to accommodate a special request.

“The Pretender” was breathtakingly awesome. “Running on Empty” had us all on our feet, singing with joy again. “The Load-Out” and its seamless segue into “Stay” was the perfect encore, even if it did seem to signal an end that came too soon.

I may have felt disgruntled at first, but Jackson won me over so that by the end of the night, like so many others I was begging him to stay. It may not have been a flawless set, but I know I’ll queue up for tickets next time Jackson is in town.

Image source: own photo