Exhale. That's the sound of all
negativity leaving your body and the state that the music of Katie
Noonan leaves you in. It can only be described as bliss. Noonan is
an enigma, in that the silky, classically trained voice she possess
lends itself effortlessly to Jazz, Classical, Blues and The Beatles.
Noonan also has a producer's head and likes to be actively involved
in the selection of her support acts, and even the interval music
(which was Nick Drake – one of Noonan's influences).

Support Brian Campeau sauntered onto
stage looking every bit the rock star but very much the introvert.
His soaring vocals and intricate finger-picking held the crowd in a
dreamy silence. His ability to produce whimsical harmonics matches
the powerful howl that explodes from his body. His performance is by
no means conventional or commercial and the varying lengths of his
tunes would not warrant commercial airplay. This is exactly the point
because Campeau certainly deserves a strong cult following though,
despite his magic, is a well kept local secret.

Noonan came to the stage accompanied by
her husband, one of the members of her latest band The Captains along
with 12 wonderful string musicians from the Sydney Chamber Orchestra.
The ensemble played tracks from Katie's solo album Skin, Elixir and a
crowd participation number that took us back to the GEORGE days
where it all began.

Her talent for banter is very adept and
whether recounting her first time on the Opera Theatre stage (in the
womb), or the contagious nature of her children in flu season, the
fact remains that she has the ability to put her audience at ease.
There would be many who would happily listen to Noonan sing a
shopping list just to hear that voice. Having been a fan of GEORGE
though never seeing them live nor Noonan in any of her incarnations,
both myself and the company this reviewer took along for the evening
are now certified card carrying members of Club Noonan.

Zac Hurren, Noonan's husband on soprano
sax added an extra layer of class to the show, and when he wasn't
beaming due to the sheer joy of sharing the stage with his wife, he
managed to weave a sultry web over the audience. The chemistry
between he, Katie and Cameron Deyell of the Captains was electric
(literally at one point) and this was only enhanced by the presence
of the Chamber Orchestra. Although not on stage, Maggie, Katie's
mother was present, the woman with whom Katie performed an intimate
concert series and a well-received album. All this coupled with a
pregnant first violinist, made this a truly family affair and one
worth getting together for.

The evening's performance was
faultless. This reviewer enjoyed being transported to a place of
positive musical memories and being told tales of musical
collaborations with Tim Finn and Don Walker (Cold Chisel). Australia
has many talented musicians and this reviewer has been lucky enough
to see many of them in action including a contingent of female
artists who are powerful and outstanding.

Megan Washington managed to move this
reviewer to tears earlier this year, but Katie Noonan had him
speechless and weepy which is certainly no mean feat. The ambience of
the Opera House, the company of friends and family, the hum of
excitement and the transcendent experience that is a Katie Noonan
set, all combine to show that her appeal is just as wide as her magnificent vocal
range. OK, Breathe In Now.

FIVE STARS!