To have the opportunity to see a great like Ray Davies is not something that comes around too often – let alone in a room with a capacity of around 1,000 people, and supported by the great band The 88. So it was to this showcase I headed to half-way through The Soft Pack’s set at Stubbs.
The 88 (above) were half way through their set when I arrived to La Zona Rosa, and I’ve got to say – they were better than I ever expected them to be. I only knew a few songs, none of which they played, but what I heard felt like a completely different band to the image I’d built up in my head… and I couldn’t have been happier. And the crowd agreed – members young and old entranced by the Los Angeles trio’s sound and stage presence. When Ray Davies would later announce that The 88 would be joining him on stage, the crowd cheered in agreement. If anyone could help do The Kinks (and Davies) songs justice, it would be them.
But first, Ray Davies (above) would play acoustically for an hour and 15 minutes of the nearly two-hour set, joined on back-up guitar by Bill Shanley. While at first there wasn’t a note that could be played wrong, when Ray entered the second hour I felt my attention waning. Having travelled through the history of his music with songs like “All So Fine”, “Nothing in the World can Stop Me Worrying ’bout that Girl”, “I’m Not Like Everybody Else” (the three of which made up the “Ray Davies goes to the movies” section) and “Sunny Afternoon” (breathtaking), he certainly could have left the room satisfied on that note. But we definitely wanted to hear the band join him on stage for the classics he had hiding up his sleeve.
By the time The 88 (below, with Bill Shanley) did join him on stage, the crowd were treated to “You Really Got Me” straight off the bat. It sounded AMAZING. The crowd were singing along to every word. The 88 didn’t miss a BEAT. Ray Davies returned to the stage with new found energy – and suddenly the atmosphere of the room changed from watching an idol strum out some tunes on his guitar to a full-blown party.
I thought to myself, and heard several others comment – why didn’t he bring them on earlier? But perhaps the anticipation made it all the more exciting. And by the time his almost two hour set drew to a close with an encore of “Lola”, I wanted more. We all wanted more. But what we were given was so much classic music, that right now, as I write up my coverage I can’t help but sing “Sunny Afternoon”. As Ray put it “it’s the song I have to play wherever I go”… why? Because it’s awesome, that’s why.
Thank you for a truly special night Ray – but the night wasn’t over yet! Closing out the bill, after a frustrating hour(ish) of sound checks and delays, were Roky Erickson (above) and Okervill River (below). Unfortunately, the show didn’t really warrant such a wait, and being almost 1.30am, I felt I should have probably left with the Ray Davies high to try and make it into Andrew W.K.’s 3am performance. That’s not to say it wasn’t a fun set – Roky is a talent in every sense of the word, and Okervill River proved a great live band – but there was an aura about it that hindered it from being something wholly impressive.
I feel it a pity to have ended the night here, and then not have gotten into Andrew W.K. (I probably could have used my Aussie Press Pass and camera to work my way in, but was too tired to bother) – but to have had the joy of experiencing some of my favourite songs live – classics which were given beautiful treatment – is not an experience I’ll soon forget.
… also, the a spicy chicken quesadilla at 2 in the morning mightn’t be the healthiest thing to eat at that time – but boy, did it taste good. Until tomorrow Austin, until tomorrow.
