Wilson Dixon, the creation of New Zealand comic Jesse Griffin, is a rambling, whimsical, far from A-list country singer who serves an entertaining blend of witty, eccentric ballads, oddball stories of encounters with small town Americans, and a friendly, rueful philosophy. There are lots of things which are just too weird for Wilson, but hey what can you do, no use getting in a sweat about it, is there?
His current show at the Comedy Festival tells the loose and far from bitter story of his break up with wife Maureen, and subsequent trip to Nashville (naturally), in not very eager search of country music stardom. Dixon is certainly a pastiche; for days I kept calling him Willie Dixon, like Nelson, then that led me into the Mason/Dixon Line, then his hometown of Cripple Creek, Colorado, seemed just too über-West to be true. Well, it is, but the great strength of this polished, understated, and amiable act is just how thoroughly the parody is carried through, with what affection and imperturbable skill.
A refreshing contrast to the strenuous, try-hard, don’t-know-when-to-stop gagorama people - they know who they are… A real 2010 highlight.
Dick The Horse presents
Wilson Dixon's American Dream
Venue: Roxanne, Roxanne Room* | 2 Coverlid Place (off Lt Bourke St, btw Russell & Exhibition Sts), Melbourne
Dates: 25 March - 18 April, 2010
Times: Tue - Sat 8.15pm, Sun 7.15pm
Duration: 60 minutes
Tickets: Full $25.50, Concession $22, Tightarse Tuesday $18
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 660 013 | at the door
Visit: www.wilsondixon.com
* Licensed venue. No under 18s allowed