Reviews :Little Bushman – 2 August, Downstage theatre

The last time I heard the psychedelic and blues-infused sound of the Little Bushman I was lying on the banks of Brooklands Park, as they performed a fantastic set at the picturesque TSB Bowl as part of the WOMAD festival this year and to be honest, I wasn’t sure whether this four-piece could convincingly shift their immense, layered sound to the intimate setting of Downstage Theatre… hmm…

It was just after seven when the Little Bushman strode on stage and Warren Maxwell began with a Karanga on a saxophone that weaved the most impressive musical textures, which then gave way to their introductory number The Seed.  It was hard to deny the talent of Maxwell as he delicately played the keys and captivated the audience with his flawless vocals.

This testament rang true for the reminder of the band, Joe Callwood on guitar, Tom Callwood on upright bass and Rick Cranson on drums, as they collectively performed a tight set, peppered with dramatic solos, that included material from their previous releases, The Onus of Sand (2006) and Pendulum (2007), including Jimi, Little Bird and Mary.

The seated, intimate setting meant that the audience could truly appreciate the precision and intricacy of the Little Bushman’s rustic sonic soundscapes, which seemed to overwhelm the senses, particularly with the tracks Pendulum and War.  This intensity remained for the duration of the two hour set and was ever-present right till the encore number, Peaceful Man… which saw Maxwell play an eleven-string guitar…

The Little Bushman embodies a wealth of talent and they perform a solid set regardless of venue size, scope and orientation.  They are a fantastic band to see live and I am looking forward to October when they’ll be accompanied by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at an epic Town Hall gig, you can nab your tickets through Ticketek.

- Karyn

(photo by Pat Shepherd)

Posted Sunday, August 09, 2009 8:55 PM

Tagged as: review, gig, Downstage

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