Chris Abrahams and Tony Buck

Tony Buck. Image from Aus Jazz.

The Visy Theatre, Powerhouse is an apt venue for the performance by Tony Buck (drummer/percussionist) and Chris Abrahams (pianist) members of The Necks. With the regrettable absence of Lloyd Swanton due to a personal reasons, this unique performance from the bands other two members creates a rare public double solo set to the delight of fans and other audience participants. 

The first session from Tony Buck begins with meanderings on his guitar, accompanied with a mosaic of background sounds which switch from what sounds like bacon frying in the pan to running water and plates clanging, while Buck tends to his drums and a plethora of percussive instruments. One young girl in the audience blocks her ears to the cacophony! I immediately feel like he is embodying a musician in his home experimenting. However, as he traverses through the improvised work, a surreal landscape of sound emerges, transporting the listener to a place the effect of which is like a soundtrack to a sci-fi film. The work also reminds me of Pink Floyd‘s early album, Relics. Buck is obviously enjoying himself immensely tinkering away, filling the auditorium with a complete ‘phat’ atmosphere. Teetering on jazz notes every so often and exploding into a thunderous drum crescendo and softening out while flicking used instruments (rattles, shakers, Tibetan bells) to his side as his focus continues. I admire Buck’s musicality and obvious respect and attention to sound.

Chris Abrahams has released eight albums and performed solo concerts in Australia, US, UK and Europe. His set comprises poetic piano, a melodious combination with deep immersion into bass notes that lingers and allows a dark and mesmerizing trance in to what seems to imitate an industrial type of sound landscape. The clever journey into the psyche of sound is sophisticated and deep, traversing into a light top- note sequence that equally brings the audience into a kind of meditation both lingering and captivating. The improvisation of the artist stands out as experiential and unique. Abraham is an accomplished pianist with quirky undertones that express the human experience through his instrument.

Tony Beck and Chris Abrahams will play solo shows until they are rejoined by Lloyd Swanton and The Necks tour will regroup in Melbourne.

Rating: 4 out of  5 stars