The brisk day has surrendered to a very nippy night, yet there is a warm camaraderie felt among the groups of punters outside The Princess Theatre, who have gathered for the sold out The Animals' Brisbane concert, part of their 60th anniversary and farewell tour of Australia.
There is anticipation and excitement in the air as I join the mix of youthful spirits (many with silver manes) eagerly waiting to enter the venue (6 June).As the band takes the stage, before the seated crowd (no kidding), the faces of the fans before them are lighting up right along with the stage lights. I reckon many of the boomers here had the same enthusiasm shining on their faces back in the day.
Opening the show with 'Baby Let Me Take You Home', excitement levels up and fans are singing along with Danny Handley (vocals, guitar). The sound is nothing short of brilliant, no cold starter here.
At the end of the song Handley addresses the room and ensures we know the band and that Chris 'The Reverend' Gilbert is their last-minute fill-in on bass tonight. Gee, he must be honoured and I trust he knows his stuff!
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
'It's My Life' is followed by 'Bright Lights, Big City' (Jimmy Reed cover) that Handley is dedicating to their Brisbane fans. The crowd are lapping it up with many more now singing along.
The blues truly kicks in with their Ray Charles cover of 'I Believe To My Soul', and Barney 'Boogie' Williams on keys as well as vocals is out to steal hearts; and with the skill of a seasoned pick-pocket, he does so before we even know it has happened.
Handley is encouraging the seated crowd to dance to The Animals' big rocker and one of their most energetic numbers, 'I'm Crying' and honours Alan Price and Eric Burdon who wrote this one.
Handley's dance request has created a real struggle among the crowd – to sit or not to sit may be the question, but dance is the answer! Or so a small group of punters think as they vacate their seats to boogie near the stage.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Before the next song, Handley asks those that remained seated: "If you don't feel like dancing, do you feel like singing?" He finally gets a loud "yeah!" in response. Fans are now booming the lyrics to 'Bring It On Home To Me' (Sam Cooke cover). It's a gorgeous song that brings a soulful change of pace and I too croon along to this one.
More driving keys by the dexterous fingers of Williams behind their 1966 single 'Don't Bring Me Down'. It's a fan favourite written by Carole King and Gerry Coffin, and later covered by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and The Guess Who. A real classic!
Jazzing us up with 'Big Boss Man' (Jimmy Reed cover) the tempo is up and I know my hips are swinging. Handley gives a blistering solo out front and receives a cheer from the mesmerised punters. But it is hats off to Steel – what a drumming machine!
Spritely at 83-years young, he magically transforms into a 43-year-old version behind his kit. Actually, can we reflect that this anomaly of man, the band's only ridgy didge OG member from '63, is currently on an 8-week tour consisting of 30 shows! I am exhausted just reading the back of the tour shirt I purchased.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Ok, attention back to show and closing song of the first set, big banger 'Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood' (Nina Simone cover). Well, if any song up until now got the mojo tingling, then this song is the Viagra on top (if you know what I mean). Best received song far tonight! There's even a bit of canoodling around the place – wink, wink!
During the break, I overhear punters sharing stories of past concerts and recounting memories attached to the hits of The Animals. Two boomers I discovered were attending their first ever The Animals show just like me. One received her tickets from her children for Mother's Day and the other, a gentleman, who travelled from Yeppoon – now that's a travelling fan!
I resume my wallflower position soaking in the atmosphere, finding happiness in observing the eyes of punters that are sparkling with nostalgia while waiting for the second set to start.
On their return to the stage, we get the smokin' (IYKYK) blues of 'Inside Looking Out' and it is delicious, so well executed I am beside myself. Not to mention the tribute to one of my favourite all-time songs by anyone, ever! 'Summertime' (Heywood and Gershwin).
Backing it up with the jangly Bo Diddley beats of 'The Story Of Bo Diddley' played with an infectious rhythm has a few more people dancing to this homage to the band's roots. The band is adding a 'Bo' boogie bonus with a taste of 'Who Do You Love'. The Animals, that's who!
After telling us (tongue in cheek) that Airlie Beach is a sh.t hole, and while there they saw thousands of girls in bikinis, a punter calls out "my heart bleeds!" Handley is quick to retort: "I know, I know!" Then deflects the attention to Williams as he tells us how those girls got so excited by his boogie woogie "fingers of flames" they were chanting his name! We go for it too and give Williams our own "Barney" chant.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Handley asks us if we want some more blues and a punter questions loudly: "Is it black blues or white blues?" Handley looks out and tells him that it's all just blues brother and that "it's not just whinging Poms that sing the blues, but we gonna get you singing the blues". Ha! And he does.
We then get in on a call and response singing our part "night and day" to the 'Night Time Is The Right Time' (Roosevelt Sykes cover). This is bringing a sultry-style blues vibe to the night. Gilbert is thrumming some nice deep and resonant bass lines here.
I am reassured we are all here united by the music of The Animals that has at one time or another starred in the soundtracks of our lives as fans get vocal for 'We Gotta Get Out Of This Place' (Barry Mann cover) and they are staying glued to their seats and feet right to the end.
I keep my eyes on Steel's sticks in motion that sometimes appear above the head of Handley. The escalation in ambience is so energising, I wonder if I will sleep tonight.
As the band exits the stage, we get a hint from Handley to call for an encore and we do. Not making us wait for very long at all, they return to the stage. Steel, at centre stage is introducing us to their frontman, Handley. A nice touch for the charismatic, cheeky, easy-on-the-eye, confident frontman.
This genuine freewheeling conversationalist with a voice well suited to the blues and fingers that know their way along a fretboard, even with his eyes closed, has endeared himself to fans not just because of his talent, but the fact he leaves his ego on the shelf and readily shares the spotlight with OG Steel and Williams while also shining a light more than once, on their stand-in, Gilbert.
As he talks about The Animals being inspired by a folk rendition of a song played by Dylan, which they went on to record in 1964 and this year marking the song's 60th anniversary, we are reminded of Steel's stamina.
Of course, he is talking about the haunting ballad 'The House Of The Rising Sun' The Animals infected with their souls and made their own then gave it to the world where it collects new fans with every passing decade.
With a melancholic and reflective tone, we hear Handley sing: "There is a house in New Orleans..." and everyone is right there with him. The nimble fingers of Williams, who is now giving us the most stunning execution of this song, is giving Alan Price's distinctive keyboard work that has embellished the sounds of The Animals new life.
Who would have thought Gilbert, a last-minute ring-in, would be doling out such satisfyingly thumping basslines all night, grounding the music in a deep, rich foundation? So sweet and low!
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
He is now keeping it rhythmically real with the heart of the band, Steel, who is beating on the tubs with utmost perfection. I wonder how many times he has played this song. Well, he might be aging but not slowing down at all. All night he has played with smiles and a vigour that proves he has quite a bit left in the tank.
It may be a cold night outside (even for Queensland, really folks!) but The Animals have been sizzling onstage and they're making this encore song do what it says in the lyrics: "... and it's been the ruin of many a poor boy. And God, I know I'm one." In this case, punter. I mean the band is totally lit and a recording of this song is no longer going to cut it for me after hearing it live! Ruined, I tell you, ruined!
The decision to perform separate sets of songs from the '60s as well as '70s British invasion has served up delectable soulful melodies and electrifying beats that have been the ultimate comfort food for my soul.
Image © Clea-marie Thorne
Witnessing The Animals' gritty blues rock has been like gorging on a hearty stew rich and satisfying on a cold night. Their raw, emotional sound, simmering in a gravy of rhythm and blues, has warmed me from the inside out, leaving me feeling full and content.
Fans came out of their warm homes tonight to be wrapped in the cozy blanket of nostalgia and enjoy the music of The Animals for what might be the last hurrah for the band on our shores.
Fans are now heading to the merch desk to meet the band, get photos or have their merch signed. How interactive and personable are these guys? But who knows if this is the last? I don't think Steel even really knows. Let's hope it is not.
More photos from the concert.
