Kilbey, for those who don't know, is the conceptualist, vocalist, and bassist with Australian rock legends The Church, and here he plays a comprehensive solo acoustic set for a small, intimate audience in Auckland, New Zealand in 2007. Being a big fan of The Church for some time (their spectacularly understated and psychedelic 'After Everything Now This' was perhaps my favorite album of 2002), I was quite stoked to see this - especially as Kilbey's solo work is quite hard to find here in the states.
Well, Kilbey's a master showman, and a true 'magician of the spirits'. In the nearly 2-hour set here, he digs in to some prime covers (the Velvets' 'Caroline Says', Dylan's 'Is Your Love In Vain?'), some tracks from his collaborations with Grant McLennan (R.I.P.) as Jack Frost, his solo work, and of course some Church favorites. The fidelity isn't super-HD, and it's not all super-Dolby surround-sound, but the impression of seeing Kilbey perform to a small (and sometimes disrespectful audience) is a seldom-seen treat. Incredibly, even sans a band of any sort, Kilbey is a troubadour of utter class and distinction. His passion and fire is evident during the impressive 'Wolfe', whereas he coasts through sublime standards like 'Under The Milky Way' like a master. A lovely set of tunes from one of music's most underappreciated lyricists, 'Live' is a real winner. (Plus1 Presents/PIcturesque Films)
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