Left - Jen Cloher. Cover - Laura JeanThere can be few more evocative, well-fitted venues than Bulli’s so-called Heritage (historically, Family) Hotel, for the transporting, enrapturing songs of Laura Jean (no relation, as far as I know, to Marilyn Monroe). She might’ve been born in Sydney, but, these days, Melbourne is, I’m sure, proud to claim her; another jolt for we northerners, in an age-old war of supremacy.
It was Jean’s ironically-named debut album, Our Swan Song, in 2006, which first provoked the kind of attention she so thoroughly deserves. It was this that introduced her undeniably lush sound, reproduced, on stage, by The Eden Land Band: Biddy Connor, on viola, accordion and sublime, angelically-pure backing vocals; Martin Mackerras, on clarinet and backing vocals; and, keeping it all firmly-rooted in the earth, Jen Shelakis, on drums, percussion, backing vocals & occasional acoustic guitar, as well as Geoff Dunbar, on bass.
There's nothing gritty or urban about the sound; there's no suburban angst. (There can be no angst where there are, for one thing, harmonies as fetching as these.) Her website uses the word 'pastoral' and it's a fine descriptor. It feels like verdant, yet steady growth; the beauty in waiting for dawning realisations. And the realisations are there, in plain view, in songs like the new LP, Eden Land's, Yellow Moon: a simple ode to the wonder above us; a paean to infinity & our humbling insignificance. This is thoroughly consistent with an apparent religious or faith-based approach to songwriting; titles range from No Mystery, to Adam, Eve, Alone In The Valley & Sweet Jesus. On the night, as live sound would have it, I found it hard to discern lyrics, which the artist herself described, in one instance as, I think, 'strange'. But strange-good, for they tend to shine a light on those important things from which, in our haste, we have, perhaps, become estranged.
Similarly, LJ is out of this world; off the planet, but on one much more habitable. We should all visit.
Jen Cloher, whose Endless Sea shares band members with Jean's, is, arguably, much more down-to-earth. While Ms Jean will inveigle you into her gossamer (un)reality, Cloher connects, directly; charismatically. While LJ's sweetness shouldn't be mistaken for meekness (even a pussycat can roar, occasionally), JC's near-husky delivery would seem to reflect a PhD from life university.
She's been living in NZ for a while (which led her to pick-up a young, gun guitarist, in Tom Healy), but hasn't been idle, this tour a vehicle for launching a new single, Hidden Hands. Indeed, her new material would seem to mark a departure from what are, for diehard fans, like myself, 'the classics'; notably, for instance, Rain, from her darkly seminal debut, Dead Wood Falls. Anyway, the new long-player, Sophomore, will be out early '09, co-produced by co-headliners for this, current tour, Jean & Cloher. What's more, the mix is by dab hands Paul McKercher (known for, among other things, his contributions to Sarah Blasko) & Tony Espie (Augie March; et al). It's not quite on the scale of Dylan's shock movement from acoustic to electric, but, on the evidence, the new album is very much more by a band, than by a solo artist.
It's probably a natural progression, or evolution, rather than any deliberation or device for consolidating her ARIA status and other glowing endorsements. I say this, 'cause this band has a camaraderie and soul-brotherhood/sistership to which few aspire, let alone equal. Plus, they really rock. So, say g'day to the new Jen Cloher. But the old one's still in there. The distinctive songwriter any thinking, feeling folk, country, blues or other fan can hardly help but cherish.
To paraphrase one of Cloher's early idols (Leonard Bernstein), 'there are only two kinds of music; good & bad'. Jean & Cloher fall decidedly, but after a fashion most unlike dead wood, on the good side. Better yet, they show every promise of getting, well, better yet!
Laura Jean & Jen Cloher
Venue: The Heritage Hotel | 240 Princes Hwy, Bulli
Date: Fri 7th Nov
Tickets*: Presale Show Only $20 | Presale Dinner & Show $55
Bookings: (02) 4284 5884
Info: www.heritagehotel.com.au
* $2.50 per ticket booking fee
