14/8/99

by Michael Travis

"A stunning combination of the very talented and very beautiful Jan and the very talented Mark. With Juan Muzzio on Percussion + other special Guests."

The Manifesto evenings were a choice combination of ballad and jazz, with the taste of Jan's rock history still there. The playing was fresh, and performance was a lot more powerful than her recordings (showing again just how fantastic a live artist, Jan Hellriegel, is).

Amid pleasant recollections (did you know Cassandra's Ears were once run out of Opononi for not knowing 10 Guitars?) and stunningly redrawn Jazz versions of old (and new) songs, a wild evening was had by all.

The show kicked off with Jan playing solo - two new numbers, You're a Good Boy and Very Mostly Good, followed by the classic Thinking from her album "Tremble". Toi Iti and took the stage for the next three songs, and stayed to play/sing alongside Jan on Venus (is dead) and Filled Me Up (both new songs).

Jan returned to a solo set, playing extremely dexterious piano between humble pronouncements that 'she's taking lessons again' after not playing for 10 years. Both the two piano songs were written for film; The Funeral Song was never used, while Unravelled features in a short film by ex-Cassandra's Ears gal Flick Rhind, "My Geraldine" (the film winning a number of Australian movie awards).

Following a short break we saw the entry of Mark de Clive Lowe with his band for the evening (Mark on Key boards, Joel Haines on Guitar, Kevin Haines on Bass, Juan Muzzio on Percussion, and Nick on Drums). They played two great contemporary Jazz numbers, and continued on with Jan for a staggering six songs (and one encore).

Together they performed Heaven (is here), Read Me, Love Me, V8 Car, Misadventure, and the single Melusine.