Dirty Three - Retrospective Review
It was a strange and wonderful mess that brought me to tears
Noah reviews Dirty Three at the forum Jan 21st, 2010
When I first heard about Dirty Three, it instantly evoked a uncomfortable feeling inside me and I imagined the music would likely be offensive and hard to listen to.
I was introduced to their music by a close friend and it wasn’t what I expected but initially it didn't really grab me either. Over the following weeks and months that I would keep hearing them being played in different spaces and after a while of this, one night playing cards, on a cold stormy night, with ocean views and a glass of red, it all started to make sense. The album was, The Has No Strings Apollo. This strange wild drumming by Jim White that broke all the rules, the violin of Warren Ellis that ripped apart everything in a beautiful way and the understated guitar work of Mick Turner that sits in the background and rhythmically ebbs and flows.
All these elements joined together in this strange and wonderful mess.
From that moment my interest took shape and I then followed all activity by Dirty Three. My memory of the show at the Forum, where they performed Ocean Songs in its entirety holds a special place for me to this day. Not only was the ticket to the show a birthday present, it was also only the second time I saw them live. From the get go,
I was immersed in a wall of sound that instantly brought tears to my eyes, it was something I couldn’t control and I wondered how many others shared this experience.
From the opener of “Sirena” to the closing of “Ends of the Earth” , every note, rhythm and bowed sound surrounded the wonderful environment.
This is a band who knows how to put on a show; they connect and complement each other like no other. Warren is like a mad professor on stage, kicking, yelling, falling on his knees, whilst plucking and bowing such emotive sounds, While Jim's sprawling arms weave around the kit with such force, while he picks up and throws bits of percussion, changes sticks constantly and exudes an expression of deep satisfaction in what is taking place. In contrast to this, Mick is keeping it all together. He really is the backbone of this trio, holding steady, counting sections in, like the silent conductor directing seamlessly whilst the others bring the performative side to the show.
It was a truely a memorable night that holds a special place for me. I never thought that a band that made me feel uncomfortable would end up being such an inspiration.