28.8.10

i can see it all tonight, underneath a perfect sky...


earlier this year, i experienced something wrapped in absolute wonderfulness. it was andrew bird supported by m. craft at the sydney opera house. bird seemed a little overwhelmed by the venue when he revealed "it's not every day you get to play in a venue that's also an international icon". indeed. and it seems the opera house was created especially for his violin.

it was the second time i had seen bird [first time - jan 2008 at the corner hotel in melb - he was slightly jet-lagged]. but this time was utterly special. the acoustics of the opera house did something magic to his already amazing music. he layers like no one else and there were moments of absolute music perfection from his violin, especially when he went off on little tangents. all you could do was close your eyes + allow his art to penetrate deep within your soul. the man is a genius: i think i am in love with him. and his voice. and lyrics. and violins. in fact, i wish i was his violin. the only complaint i have, is that he did not play 'cataracts'. [four days later, however, he played it at sunset sounds. yes. i cried.]

the surprise, though, was craft [formerly of sidewinder], who left me singing his tunes for many days following. while i was not completely familiar with him as a solo artist, i fell in love with his music within thirty seconds: it had the sound of pure beauty in the opera house. during 'dragonfly', a sensu [a japanese folding fan] was used to replicate the sound of dragonfly wings. it was a little bit awesome.

what a very special night of music. and it is definitely at the top of my 'favourite gigs' list.

so. in the lead up to seeing rufus wainwright at the opera house in oct, i have been reminiscing about the bird/craft concert over the last few days: listening to the entire collection i have of both artists + shuffling through youtube clips. and right now, i cannot get this song out of my head.



not only is 'dragonfly' a beautiful little tune, the clip is equally as lovely. even if there is no sign of a sensu.

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