PERTH chanteuse Jessie Gordon launched East Fremantle’s Duke of George jazz and blues club, and now she’s back to sing happy first birthday to the venue tonight (Saturday January 11).
It’s one of a couple of gigs Gordon’s got coming up at the new venue, including two shows for this year’s Fringe World festival.
The first anniversary gig also features Mark Turner, drag queen Cougar Morrison and the Cabaret Collective Band with a bevy of showgirls to make it a night of toe-tapping cabaret. Doors open at 3pm so punters can enjoy the Duke’s new garden bar, while the music kicks off at 7pm.
Tickets (there’s a variety including a meal) from moshtix.com.au
Gordon kicks off her 2020 Fringe World performances at the venue with A Night of Quite Original Music from January 17-19 and it features a stellar lineup of musicians showcasing her favourite songs and some new original material.
It kicks off at 7.30pm and tickets ($36) are from fringeworld.com.au
Playing at the later slot that evening is Bakers Daughter (aka Alyce Platt) joined by bass player Stephen Hadley (Tex Perkins’ Dark Horses), guitarist/vibes/tuned percussionist Clare Moore (Dave Graney and The Coral Snakes) and Dion Hirini (Vika and Linda Bull).
Platt’s pseudonym comes from Ophelia’s speech in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, which she referenced in the song Cowboys in the Attic, which was the name of her first EP in 2000 and also reappeared in her 2015 album Funny Little World.
“It refers to a popular legend in which Christ transforms a baker’s daughter into an owl after she has denied him a piece of bread,” Platt says.
“The owl is also a symbol of night, death and virginity,” she says.
Platt’s music is a long way from her days on Sale of the Century and Sons and Daughters, the singer/songwriter blurring the lines between reality and make believe in her music.
Like the artist herself, Bakers Daughter’s songs are defiant and sophisticated, revealing a fascination with 60s European pop, and peppered with spoken word.
Last year Gordon’s music delved into the dark corners of popular music in the ’30 and ‘40s, but she’s teamed up with grammy award winner Lucky Oceans and Tim Lawrie (Tin Dogs) for a raucous night of Barrelhouse Blues in her second Fringe World gig at the Duke from January 30 – February 1 from 6.3pm.
The name comes from American juke-joint bars of the 1920, when music was sped up for dancing, and whisky was served straight from the barrel.
“Add a piano and you have a party,” it was said at the time.
Tickets ($31) from fringeworld.com.au
By JENNY D’ANGER