Almanac Music: Calexico – Melbourne Recital Centre
I made the trip down the highway from Colac to the Recital Centre in Melbourne for Calexico’s first show in Melbourne for a few years on Wednesday night.
Their Australian tour is part of a worldwide promotion to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of the release of their fourth album Feast of Wire, and re-released in 2023 to support the tour.
I’ve been a big fan of Calexico for many years ever since I heard Brian Wise on Off The Record play tracks from their second album The Black Light, many years ago, and which still remains my favourite album by the band.
Calexico was formed by Joey Burns and John Convertino who are the driving force behind the band ably supported by an incredible cast of excellent multi-instrumentalist helping to produce the unique sound of Calexico. It is difficult to describe what the sound of Calexico is. There is obviously a Latin sounds influence of Tex-Mex and mariachi feel exemplified by the use of trumpets and associated rhythms in many of the songs; there is a jazz feel from the vibraphone and percussion, and of course some very good guitar playing together with accordion gives an Americana feel to the music.
According to their tour promoters Love Police, Calexico ‘have earned a fevered following for their unique melting pot of Americana, cinema noir, desert jazz, TexMex tango, Latin rhythms, and French chansons’. As you can see there are many influences at play with the music of Calexico.
My seat in the centre of the middle row in the stalls, and with the Recital Centre renowned for its acoustics, was perfectly placed for me to hearing every explicit, subtle, and sublime sounds produced on the night by the band, and I was not let down.
Joey Burns is the creative force of the band, his guitar playing, whether acoustic or electric, and his low key vocals enables the scene to be set for every song but it is the distinctive drumming style and sound of John Convertino that generates the drive, the tempo, the beat imploring the band to reach the heights of musicianship it does.
What an amazing sound this band produced from the array of songs they performed and I must admit I was totally mesmerised by talent of the players and their multi-instrumental excellence. For example, Martin Wenk – played trumpet, guitar, keyboards, accordion, glockenspiel, vibraphone, theremin, and also vocals, moving effortlessly between instrument during and between songs. But it was his trumpet playing with Jacob Valenzuela (I hope this is correct) another multi-instrumentalist – trumpet, vocals, keyboards, vibraphone, that provides Calexico with its distinctive sound. Their solos and duets were amazing. The incredible sounds emanating from these two wonderful musicians furnished one of the many highlights of the night, and it was obvious their delight and joy producing those sounds.
Calexico played Feast of Wire in its entirety plus a few favourites to the delight of a very appreciative crowd who definitely got their money’s worth from this incredible band.
I left floating on cloud nine as I left the venue, it was a heavenly night of divine music.
The band still have a few more tour dates in Australia so check them out if they are playing near you. You will be not be disappointed.
More Calexico stories published on the site can be read Here.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
Read more stories from Almanac Music HERE
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Thanks Col. Terrific review. I saw the band in Perth some years ago. They are playing a small venue here on 21/2 but unfortunately it’s now sold out. Damn – will scour the internet for resales. Cheers.
Thanks Col. Great photos also. Friends went to the Castlemaine show on Friday night and were blown away. Terrific band. Cheers
Thanks for your review, Col. I saw them at MRC on the Thursday night with a lot of “the usual suspects” in the audience. The night started off seeming like it would be a concert that they would play to us, but after about four pieces, it became a concert that we were part of. Not only was the musicianship of incredibly high quality, it was also fun! Cheers, Ian.