Presented by Adelaide Festival Centre
Reviewed 12 August 2016
As part of the Coopers Late Night Sessions, Sydney outfit Crusin’ Deuces rocked The Space on Friday night.
Opening with their signature rockabilly, they blew the audience away with tight musicality and infectious energy delivering the standard That’s Alright Momma. They then segued into the Nashville side of their canon with an original number from their up-coming album and the haunting There Stands the Glass, originally recorded by Webb Pierce in 1953. These numbers gave Jy-Perry Banks ample opportunity to showcase his talents on pedal steel.
The pace picked up again with a rousing rendition of Johnny Cash’s Fulsom Prison Blues. The boys were then joined by surprise guests, Adelaide stalwarts Brian Morrison and Snooks La Vie, for a couple of blues numbers, including Albert King’s The Sky is Crying.
The Deuces are able to move from rockabilly to Nashville to Chicago Blues, without batting a fringe on their cowboy shirts, proving that they are musicians first and showmen second. Lead singer Dr Zane Banks is a solid front-man and a mighty fine guitarist, whose playing style reminds me of Sonny Landreth. Oscar Henfrey on drums, Captain Reckless on upright bass and Louis Klaasen on sax, complete the line-up; fine musicians all.
It is a pity that The Space was set up for what looked like a cabaret, crossed with a seminar, rather than being set up with floor space for dancing. Myself and a couple of other dodgy customers, made our own space and got down to boogie, but this is something the Festival organizers really need to consider. This is not a chamber concert. We don’t want to just sit politely with our Glomesh bags in our laps!
When the Deuces return to Adelaide (which I hope is ASAP!), then don’t hesitate to check them out, if you love blues, rockabilly, country or just damn fine music.
Reviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten
Rating (out of 5): 5
One night only – Season ended
More News
