14th August -- Kasey & Shane, Rattlin' Bones Tour, Hamer Hall

15 Aug 2008

Australia's very own King and Queen of Blues 'n Roots Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson performed a rattlin' set at Melbourne's Hamer Hall last night.

The show was opened by Ryan Bingham - his gravelly voice delivering ballads from Texas and New Mexico, the crowd responding warmly to his up-tempo finale.

Commencing with a beautiful acapella version of "I Still Pray" from the Rattlin' Bones band - and of course, it wouldn't be a Kasey show without the appearance of the extremely talented Chambers patriarch Bill.

The core of the Chambers family act ran through an acoustic set of old and new tracks liberally sprinkled with banter and anecdote. A wide-ranging selection of Kasey's earlier familiar tracks including 'Wayward Angel', 'Bluebird', 'Cry Like A Baby', 'Not Pretty Enough' and, of course, the track written when she was 17 and performed at every gig since - 'The Captain'.

Fan favourite 'Barricades and Brickwalls' was lovingly dedicated to their loyal roadie Worm, whose mantra "If it's wet, drink it. If it moves, sleep with it. If it doesn't move put it in the truck" was met with appreciation by the crowd.

The familiar numbers were complemented by tracks from the couple's latest album -- Rattlin Bones, especially the title track, plus 'Monkey On A Wire' and the number Kasey and Shane first ever performed together - 'One More Year'.

Liberation stablemate Jimmy Barnes made a surprise guest appearance -- chiming in with Kasey and Shane for a spirited rendition of "Your Cheatin' Heart".

But Kasey and Shane weren't finished yet... They delivered the fast-paced 'The Devil's Inside My Head' off Rattlin' Bones before finishing the night with 'We're All Gonna Die Some Day'. A great finish to a wonderful night with Kasey, Shane, Bill and friends.