Album Reviews
Movies
Concert Reviews

Top 10
Resources
Contact Us

A year and a half after they first packed the Camberwell Civic Centre for the release of Serious Fun, the Paul Colman Trio returned to release their sophomore project Turn. This was the eighth show in a 26-gig tour in support of the new album. The tour takes them through the southeast, up the east coast, then jumps across the country to play two shows in Western Australia. Along for the ride are special guests Adam Lester and Claire Hazzard.

The latter began the proceedings with a four-song set. She opened with "Where You Belong," to be on an upcoming album. "Mustard Seeds" followed, off her debut, The Goodness and Severity. Hazzard's vocals have matured remarkably since she first recorded the song in 1997.

I was fascinated at how incredibly different this set was compared to the last time I saw her play about a year and a half ago. Although Hazzard performed admirably, at that time the audience paid her next to no respect. This evening, by comparison, Hazzard had the full attention of the audience. People were captivated by her songs and they had every reason to be. She closed her set with two songs off her self-titled E.P., "Raging Sea" and "The Field," and left the stage with roars of appreciation.

Fifteen minutes later, the Paul Colman Trio made a classy entry. While Moby's "Honey" played, the lights dimmed and the trio lined up at the front of the stage. The spotlight flashed onto drummer Phil Gaudion, who laid a foundation of funkiness for bassist Grant Norsworthy to complement with some chunky grooves. Adam Lester joined the party and threw in some gloriously funky guitar chops. When Colman joined in with his acoustic, the tune progressed into "Your Sweet Voice" and the crowd thundered with appreciation.

People of all ages sang along. After 24 weeks inhabiting the top 30 of the Australian Christian charts, "Your Sweet Voice" still holds strong in the top 10. "Run," which was originally on one of Colman's solo efforts, was another crowd favorite.

Serious Fun has sold surprisingly well, considering it is an independent Australian release. That, and the band's extensive gigging around Victoria, have produced a loyal following of young and old fans. Parents can bring their kids and sit in, because the music's not too confronting. Youth pastors bring their youth groups, because, even if the kids don't necessarily like the music, the Trio always put on a funny show. Somehow or other, the Paul Colman Trio have managed to build themselves an enthusiastic following who know the words to their songs and just love the three guys up on stage, to a point where they've nicknamed Colman, "Paulie Pops."

These fans waited anxiously to hear the new material but some may have been disappointed. The new sound attacks with more aggression. Lester's scorching solos, and Norsworthy's deep-seated thumps gave this evening's music an edge that it didn't have before. That said, it still retains many of the common Trio characteristics: vocal harmonies, worshipful lyrics, Colman's acoustic strumming. Enough to keep old fans happy (most of them at least), and attract more listeners.

Some of the new material has been played at concerts for a while now. "The Sun, the Moon and the Stars" was one of these. This song is a great example of how the Paul Colman Trio have taken a Serious Fun foundation - acoustic rhythm section and vocal harmonies - and built upon that by incorporating electric guitars, louder drums, and a heavier bass.

There were a good deal of "moshing" songs this evening. A cover of Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way?" was one of these, and was welcomed with astonished cheers from the audience. A little further on, the Trio worked the crowd up with the surfy rock of "Dip," followed by similar "The One," off the new album. The versatility of the Trio continues to grow and is a defining feature of their shows.

For those who will dislike the new material, a few songs were done in the traditional Trio method: snare drum, acoustic guitar and bass, with Colman singing over harmonies provided by his two partners. It was a plain indication of just how much the Trio have changed since they first began, and also quite funny to watch three guys put down their electric guitars and drum sticks and do the "folky" thing.

One of the highlights of the evening was Adam Lester's solo song. Lester has released two albums, the first of which has garnered a number of awards. This evening, he showed why. With graceful technique and swift hand movements, Lester performed one of the most amazing classical pieces I've ever seen. His hands shifted up and down the fretboard fluidly. Not only that, Lester also managed to sing at the same time!

Colman-classic "Fill My Cup" was intended to close the evening's proceedings. Originally appearing on one of his solo projects, "Fill My Cup" is probably one of the best, and certainly one of the most recognizable songs written by Colman. It would have been a fitting end to the concert.

That is, if it had been the end. After loud demands from the audience for an encore, the Trio and Lester returned. Surprising his partner, Colman announced that Norsworthy would perform a solo. A remarkable solo followed, which, drawing solely on the prodding bass and equally prodding vocals, was simple to the point of pure beauty.

Finally, the whole Trio closed with an all-acoustic version of "Pray," another song from Turn.

The Paul Colman Trio's concert was a superb event. It's delightful to see a room packed with people singing along to the songs of an independent band. Quality music and witty humor have been the decisive ingredients of the Trio's shows. Even with Turn opening new musical doors for the band, it does not look like this will change anytime soon.