Almanac Music: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings – ‘Queen Jane Approximately’ and ‘The Weight’
Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings announced this week they will be touring Australia in January 2025 to promote their recent album. To celebrate the announcement we reprise this piece about the duo and their previous tour in 2016.
David Rawlings & Gillian Welch
People often ask, ‘what’s the best concert you’ve even been to?’ Sometimes it is hard to choose especially if you have been to many concerts over many, many years. Often it depends on the mood you are in at the time, whether expectations of the performer and performance were met, or as often happened, expectations were far exceeded. Hearing The Beach Boys for the first time in 1970 with all original members except Brian Wilson I was blown away by their harmonies and their crisp sound, the same with The Hollies, sensational vocals. Then little gems like Jimbo Mathus and Luther Dickinson in small clubs in New Orleans, both whom were relatively unknown to me, but boy did they win me over. Harry Chapin solo in Melbourne not long before he died in a road accident. And of course, there’s Bob, Neil, and others.
I’m fortunate to have witnessed some fantastic musical performances in my time of concert going.
One of the best concerts ever was by Dave Rawlings Machine, featuring Gillian Welch, and Willie Watson, original member of The Old Crow Medicine Show, at the Palais in February 2016. I’ve been a big fan of Gillian Welch since her Time (The Revelator) album from 2001, and with Dave Rawlings, her musical and life partner, they have a sound all of their own that is hard to resist. So to the Palais in 2016 I went to finally see them perform, and I was not disappointed, they were sensational. Rawlings guitar playing was sublime, the vocals were superb, and the added bonus of Willie Watson made the vocals soar even higher.
But the real highlight of the concert was the encore. Firstly, ‘Queen Jane Approximately’ (one of my all time favourite Bob songs) took me a few moments to identify the song with Rawlings guitar intro, but like the many Bob fans in the audience we all reacted as one with cheers, whistles etc when we recognised the tune. Absolutely fantastic! Secondly, ‘The Weight’. Again, what a magnificent version, and with Willie Watson as an added voice, the rendition was out of this world. Encores often are predictable, some can be underwhelming but I was lost for words, two of my all time favourite songs, and like everyone else we hollered for more!
Below are live versions of both songs, both obviously recorded on a phone. Although a little shaky (excited audience members) to begin with, the vision does settle down, and the quality of the sound is very good.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here.
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
I saw them at the House of Stoush on that tour Col, although the crummy old side view seats didn’t help. But as you say they were great and amongst my favourites. I wish we’d gone to the Palais instead though as that is well setup for acts like that. Still a raucous reception, probably 3 hours of music with great supports – Willie Watson and others who were in their band.
I was at that gig too Col. I first saw Gillian & Dave live on the Fai-do-do Stage at New Orleans JazzFest 2007. They have a quality live that simply transcends. It’s hard to put a finger on it, the flawless harmonies, the rhythmic guitars, they have a presence.
I hope they can get back here one day.
Great stuff Col. Epic songs. Gillian and David on that tour is a “one that got away” for me. Concerts I thought about but missed. Too late; too lazy; too busy or too broke. Might be an article in that. Sinatra, Sammy & Lisa in 1988 is top of my list.
Having missed them in 2016 (doh!) they are high on my “must see” list. Only coming to Sydney and Melbourne next January (grrr!). Checks superannuation balance – maybe the tennis and GW/DR in Bleak City? God willing and the creeks don’t rise. And the gold price holds up.