“I thought I was good, but this man can multi-task like I’ve never imagined possible. ”
“I thought I was good, but this man can multi-task like I’ve never imagined possible. “
Xavier Rudd – Melkweg, The Max 28/03/06
Sweet and melodic earth grounded music with a real pulse from an Australian man who embodies these sounds from the very bones that structure him. What more could you ask for then? Similar musical contemporaries are Ben Harper, Michael Franti and Jack Johnson, influences include, Paul Simon, Bobby McFarin, Mickey Hart and Sting. There is however one distinct difference, he does it ALL himself. He is Xavier Rudd, the singer, songwriter, performer and band.
Xavier Rudd has a magical presence – and resembles in physical form and character the Ewok from Star Wars. He made eye contact with nearly everyone in the audience including everyone on the balconies above. There was an overwhelming sense of intimacy and you couldn’t help but feel honored to be there and sharing this evening with not just our host the fabulously talented Mr. Rudd, but with everyone else that was there as well. With out sounding like too much of a young urban bohemian, there was a real sense of community; it was very nearly a religious gathering with this particular musical sermon being read by Xavier Rudd. What honestly felt like 10 minutes was in actuality closer to 2 hours. I felt as I do when I eat really delicious sushi, not too full but exceedingly satisfied!
I thought I was good, but this man can multi-task like I’ve never imagined possible. His left bare foot danced on a bass drum pedal and his right bare foot controlled a wah-wah and other guitar effects. His hands strummed various guitars throughout the evening, at least two different Weissenborn styled guitars, and a 12-string acoustic. Percussion instruments included, wind chimes, a big brass gong placed behind him, Tounge Drum (wooden box/xylophone) and a Djembe. To top it off he sang beautifully, played Harmonica and rhythmically spoke through 3 large didgeridoos (Yirdaki) and he does nearly all this simultaneously! It is literally unbelievable and sounded incredible. (Read my interview to find out the story behind the Yirdaki, the oldest recorded instrument in the world.)
Songs highlights included Conceal Me which he played in waves, jamming out the song, then going into a trance like dance party and back and forth for nearly 20 minutes. Green Spandex is a beautiful song I believe in memory of someone who passed on, maybe his mother. Let Me Be Me has a lovely singsong melody that brought a large smile to my face. He started his encore with his version of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry, a beautiful song covered with magnificent justice to its original form.
What was really special for me was to see how proud my Australian friends were that we were all there and a part of this whimsical evening of music. I highly recommend checking out Xavier Rudd’s music, but more important is to see this man live and witness the jaw dropping surf, bluegrass, folk music which so freely and naturally flows from with in him.
Words & Pictures: Zoe E. Gottehrer