Katie Noonan - Joni Mitchell's Blue 50th Anniversary

There was a large audience of fans (for either Katie Noonan and/or Joni Mitchell) at this one-off concert, celebrating Katie's favourite Joni Mitchell album 'Blue'. Along with an ensemble of two electrified folk guitarists (Brandon Mamata and Ben Hauptmann), a bass player (Steele Chabau) and drummer (Katie's son Dexter Hurren), with some solo piano accompaniment, Katie's golden dulcet tones filled the auditorium with a purity and clarity of tone and deftly captured the essence of this iconic artist.

This was a very relaxed, backgarden, 'come as you are' evening with Katie, who, being a Queenslander, talked to the audience in a neighbourly fashion, feeling 'at home'. What impressed me in particular is that there are very few artists who can capture Joni Mitchell's unique style well, apart from her famous melodic hits (like 'Both Sides Now'). The majority of her songs are quite technically and harmonically complex, more poetry set to music incorporating a fusion of various genres that became popular in the 70's: folk/pop/jazz (or rather modal improvisation in this instance) but with an impressionistic mix, and Katie succeeded in capturing the intrinsic detail along with some fine piano accompaniment along with a blend of love and admiration of Joni's colourful life and creative abilities.

It's a shame that Katie performed seated when not at the piano because she is quite a charismatic and dynamic personality, certainly best not viewed shrouded by a music stand.

There was some tasty dual guitar accompaniment including a support act by a talented up-and-coming artist (possible Joni Mitchell look-a-like in her youth?) with an angelic voice, Jo Davie, performing a couple of Joni's songs, some original material and with additional guitar accompaniment by Jack Walton. Jo also provided some harmonization to a few of the songs in the main concert.

A satisfying casual family night out for fans, teetering on a 'Side by Side without the Slick' ......

Brian Adamson
Photographer: Nick Maguire