Iron Horse–Chautauqua Strikes in the Lightning

Chautauqua parades in the mounting yard after winning the Black Caviar Lightning

Personally, I prefer Melbourne’s summer/autumn racing season to the overhyped spring carnival. For a start the race meetings are not overcrowded and secondly the silliness of the spring carnival is not as glaringly obvious. 

The Melbourne autumn racing carnival may be the poor cousin to the spring carnival as far as the media is concerned, but the racing action is just as thrilling as was observed on Saturday afternoon at Flemington.

Having attended the excellent Dave Rawlings Machine concert the night before, I was feeling a tad bleary as I set out for Flemington, but once arrived that wore off and I was keen to see the two year olds strut their stuff in the Talindert Stakes.

In 2012 I witnessed All Too Hard win the Talindert at his first start, and we know how good he turned out to be.

So you wonder, as you watch the young things parading, which of them could be future stars of the turf. 

I was interested in seeing two of the fillies in the race, the first, Conscious, being one of the first crop of So You Think’s progeny to hit the track. The other, Clockwork Orange, is the daughter of multiple Group 1 winning mare Private Steer. They were both having their first start. As you can see in the photos below they are lovely looking fillies.

Conscious

Clockwork Orange

Clockwork Orange started as favourite but only managed to run sixth.

Conscious did better, running 1.5 lengths second to Weatherly, over three lengths in front of third placed Jackson.

Weatherly & Conscious on the grandstand side of the track run first and second.

Weatherly returns to scale after winning the Talindert Stakes

Race 3 was the Auckland Racing Club Trophy, a sprint over 1000 metres.

It was won by the favourite Estaminet, with Scratchy Lass and Afleet Esprit running second and third.

Estaminet wins the Auckland Racing Club Trophy

You certainly get plenty of exercise at Flemington, as the walk to and from the prime photo spot just past the winning post to the stalls extends almost the length of the straight.

In the stalls several of the main contenders for the Group events had already arrived, as had the Living Legends representatives, Bullish Luck and Silent Witness.

Bullish Luck in the pre-parade ring

Silent Witness in his stall

Speaking of legends, there was a special ceremony on Saturday afternoon for the late Red Cadeaux whose ashes are buried in the stalls area near where he was stabled.

Unfortunately he died from complications after suffering an injury on Melbourne Cup  Day last year. If he had survived he would have joined the old boys at Living Legends.

A plaque has been installed on a bench near where he is buried.

Red Cadeaux Plaque in Stalls Area

Back trackside, Race 4, the Japan Racing Association Trophy (2000 metres) was about to start.

This was also won by race favourite, Pemberley, from Word of Mouth and Falago.

Pemberley on his way to the starting gates

Word of Mouth (no 7) and Renew on their way to the starting gates

Falago on his way to the barriers

Race 4 finish – Pemberley wins easily by 2.8 lengths to Word of Mouth

Tramping back once again to the stalls area, I was keen to get photos of the feature contenders…

 
Chautauqua – BC Lightning

Bon Aurum – CS Hayes Stakes

Delectation – BC Lightning

Japonisme – BC Lightning

Exosphere – BC Lightning

Perfect Reflection – Vanity Stakes

Sacred Star – Vanity Stakes

Terravista – BC Lightning

Race 5, was the first of the feature races, the Group 3 Vanity Stakes for three year old fillies over 1400 metres.

Unbeaten Western Australian filly Perfect Reflection started as favourite but both she and Jameka were upstaged by Don’t Doubt  Mama.

Don’t Doubt Mama wins the Vanity Stakes from Egypt and Perfect Reflection

Don’t Doubt Mama returns to scale

Egypt returns to scale

Perfect Reflection returns to scale

Jameka who ran fourth returns to scale

The C.S. Hayes Stakes was next up. Also graded as Group 3, it is one for the colts and is run over 1400 metres as well.

The Darren Weir trained Palentino was the warm favourite and he did indeed win, before losing out to an upheld protest by the rider of second placed Tivaci for interference. Tivaci’s stablemate Tulsa ran third.

Palentino (wide white blaze) technically wins the CS Hayes

Palentino on his way to the barriers

Tivaci on his way to the barriers

Last year on Lightning Stakes day, a storm passed through just before the feature race. Appropriately lightning flashed and a smattering of rain fell on Flemington.

Not so this year, as the afternoon was sunny with a cool southerly wind keeping the temperature at a comfortable level.

I was fortunate enough to personally witness Black Caviar win two of her three Lightning Stakes, so it was almost a blast from the past to see her colours decorating the finishing post.

Finishing post detail with Black Caviar sign

Her walk of fame was back on the public lawn with two extra posters, showing her with her first two foals.

This year’s edition of the Black Caviar Lightning was just as exciting as you’d expect. Chautauqua’s connections must have nerves of steel to be able to watch their champion sprinter compete, as he races at the back of the field then nail bitingly launches his brilliant finishing burst at the last minute. He looked in a no win situation with only 50 metres to go, but somehow overtook Terravista and Japonisme, who were fighting out the finish, to win by a nostril.

Only six started in the race, Kinglike being scratched early in the morning. After leaving the barriers Terravista, Delectation, Japonisme and Chautauqua headed for the outside grandstand side of the track, leaving Va Pensiero and Exosphere running a separate race on the inside.  Exosphere didn’t look at all comfortable and was all over the place. His trainer blames the track bias for his failure to place, but his jockey admitted that he made the wrong call as far as the horse was concerned and stated that he would have performed better with the bunch on the grandstand side; ie having horses to race against.

I doubt if we’ll see Exosphere in Melbourne again, especially not at Flemington.

Lightning Stakes finish – POV distorts the actual finishing order which was Chautauqua, Terravista (orange silks) Japonisme (pink silks) & Exosphere (blue silks)

Chautauqua returns to scale

Terravista returns to scale

Japonisme returns to scale

Exosphere returns to scale

As the trains departing Flemington for the city did not start to run until 4.45 pm I decided to stay and watch Race 8, the Ascot Racecourse Trophy, mostly because Divan was in it. 

He ran a great race, doing it tough racing wide throughout to run second to the favoured Dan Zephyr over the unsuitable distance of 1400 metres.

Divan in the mounting yard

Dan Zephyr in the mounting yard

The trip home by train was without incident and avoided the crowds streaming into the city for White Night. I was home in 40 minutes, the trains coinciding neatly at Southern Cross Station.

I managed to either hear or watch the feature Sydney races.  The Silver Slipper Stakes was won by Astern from Defcon with Mount Panorama running third. First Seal signalled that she had returned fighting fit, when she won the Millie Fox Stakes. Catkins lacked her usual zip and finished last. It looks like she may be retired. Telepathic ran second with I’ve Got The Looks taking third place. And Press Statement easily won the Hobartville Stakes from Le Romain and Montaigne.

Next Saturday I’ll be heading back to Caulfield for the Blue Diamond Stakes meeting, which has three Group 1 races on the program, the aforementioned Blue Diamond Stakes, plus the Oakleigh Plate and Futurity Stakes.

Black Caviar Lightning–Brilliance in the Offing

Chautauqua – Emirates Stakes Day at Flemington 2015

I can hardly wait for next Saturday’s race meeting at Flemington, which looks to be a whizz banger, with the feature race being the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, a sprint over 1000 metres.

Named of course, these days,  in honour of the great unbeaten mare; she was the only horse to win the Lightning Stakes (as it was then known)  three years in succession 2011 - 2013. 

Since that time it has been won by Snitzerland in 2014 and by Lankan Rupee last year. He’s out of action until the spring recovering from an operation.

An elite field of seven competitors will contest it, all of them returning from a spell over summer and kicking off their autumn campaigns.

Chief among the contenders is the mighty grey speedster Chautauqua who was a main player in the spring carnival, winning three of his four starts before going down narrowly to Delectation on a heavy track in the Darley Classic on Emirates Stakes Day.

Delectation is also part of the field as is Chautauqua’s old rival Terravista.

Then you have young guns Exosphere, a stunning looking son of the Black Flash, Lonhro, and Japonisme who won the Group 1
Coolmore Classic at his last start, where Exosphere finished fourth on his first run down the Flemington straight.

It has rained this week, though not enough to affect the track which will most likely be rated as Good, so that will suit Chautauqua down to the ground (so to speak).

The support card is nothing to sneer at either with even the listed two year old race, the Talindert Stakes, being fascinating. The first of So You Think’s progeny that I will have seen is one of the runners – a filly  named Conscious who is having her first start.  Also a daughter of former champion mare Private Steer called Clockwork Orange is another in the field worth seeing.

Crown Oaks winner Jameka resumes in the Group 3 Vanity, a race for three year old fillies over 1400 metres.  She’s up against star Western Australian filly Perfect Reflection who won the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic at her last start. She’s unbeaten in five starts in her home State, so it will be interesting to see how she goes at her first start in the East.

Also in the field are Sacred Eye and Don’t Doubt Mama, familiar names from the Spring carnival.

The boys version of the Vanity is the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes, also run over 1400 metres. These races are sort of Australian Guineas preludes.

Top runners in the C S Hayes are Gold Symphony who won the Group 3 Vain Stakes and McNeill  Stakes in spring, Bon Aurum, who won the Group 3 Guineas Prelude. Palentino, Tulsa, Tivaci, River Wild and Ready For Victory all have a chance as well.

I intend to getting to Flemington by 12.30pm to watch the Talindert Stakes, then may stay for the Ascot Racecourse Trophy, which has Divan in the field. I last saw him on Emirates Stakes day where he won a 2000 metre  race in weaker company.  He’s probably having a practice run as he’ll mostly be aimed for the big staying races of spring, and  the 1400 metres of this race is not his best distance.

The Sydney racing action will be at Rosehill this Saturday, the feature races being the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes, Millie Fox Stakes and the Hobartville Stakes.

For Golden Slipper bound two year olds. the Silver Slipper Stakes is run over 1100 metres. Seven youngsters have accepted, and the best of them appears to be Defcon who was scratched from the colts Blue Diamond Prelude last Saturday and Astern.  It’s not a strong field, so any horse could win.

Everyone’s favourite grey mare Catkins makes her first appearance for the autumn in the Millie Fox Stakes (1300 metres), a race she won last year. Also resuming after an injury induced break is the highly regarded First Seal who has the distinction of defeating Winx twice in their younger days and is a Group 1 winner. Catkins has a great first up record, so could very likely win the Millie Fox for a second time.  Of the rest, I’ve Got The Looks, Telepathic, Press Report and Ballet Society could run a place.

Caulfield Guineas winner, Press Statement returns to the fray in the Hobartville Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1400 metres. He faces tough competition from Vanbrugh, his stablemate, who won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at his last start. Others with claims are Etymology who ran second to Tarzino in the Victorian Derby, Dal Cielo, Shards and Montaigne.

Cult New Zealand horse Hasselhoof will be out to redeem his reputation in the Listed Parramatta Cup, after running unplaced at his first start in Australia a couple of weeks ago. The race is worth watching to see if he succeeds.

Racing Victoria has abandoned the 30 minute interval between races for weekend meetings, though will continue the trial during the weekday meetings. Sydney has come to party and agreed to do likewise.

Saturday has the Melbourne White Night light show on in the evening, so I’ll certainly not make the same mistake as last year by trying to catch a tram home, which took me hours. I’ll stick to trains this time.

Snap, Crackle & Pop– The Andy Warhol & Ai Weiwei Exhibition

Gallery banner advertising the exhibition

Back in the 1960s and early ‘70s, Pop Art was the style of the age, along with psychedelia of course.

I recall reading a biography of Edie Sedgewick, one of Andy Warhol’s stars, and also remember going to see the Ciao, Manhattan movie that starred the aforementioned Edie.

So I was interested in seeing the current summer exhibition at the National Gallery of Victoria featuring the art of Andy Warhol and chinese artist Ai Weiwei whose art is strongly influenced by Warhol.

Photograph of  a young Ai Weiwei standing in front of a photo montage of Andy Warhol

It was a natural fit of the two artists, as I noticed wandering around the exhibition. Sometimes it was hard to tell which particular artwork was the work of which artist.

When you walk into the Gallery the first thing that meets your eyes is Ai Weiwei’s huge installation entitled Forever Bicycles, an astonishing interlocking of stainless steel bicycles.

Forever Bicycles detail.

Close by, in front of the Gallery water feature, another of Ai Weiwei’s installations was a glowing chandelier entitled Chandelier with Restored Han Dynasty Lamps for the Emperor.

Chandelier with Restored Han Dynasty Lamps for the Emperor.

These wondrous pieces of art take your breath away before you enter the exhibition, which was something else altogether.

Photography was permitted, so as I wandered through the extensive exhibition I was able to take snaps of works that took my fancy.

Andy Warhol’s most recognisable works were in abundance…

Self Portrait 1986

Silver Liz 1963

Three Coke Bottles 1962

Three Marilyns 1962

Campbell’s Soup II Series 1969

Boxes - silkscreen ink and house paint on plywood

Vote McGovern – with Richard Nixon

As for Ai Weiwei with whom I am not in least familiar, there were many examples of his avant garde art, including sculpture, photographs, film and paintings…

Neolithic Pottery with Coca-Cola Logo 2007


Violin with a pair of shoes, 1985

One man shoe 1987

Blossom  detail – porcelain 2015

…and another installation with bizzarely shaped balloons.

The exhibition was massive, detailed, complex ,very interesting and in three parts, that’s if you count the Children’s Section – Studio Cats.

Of course I had to go and have a look at the studio cats. Both Andy Warhol and Ai Weiwei are cat lovers.

 
Andy Warhol with kitten 1957 – photo by Edward Wallowitch

So Happy

Ai Weiwei with kitten - photo slide

You could have spent a whole day viewing the entire exhibition in detail, as there is a lot to see and take in, but I settled for a couple of hours.

As usual I purchased some postcards as mementoes, in a box of 20 cards; good value for $20.00.

The National Gallery winter exhibition will feature French artist Degas. I’ll definitely be going to see that.

How Suavito It Is– Orr Stakes Review

Suavito parades in the mounting yard after winning the Orr Stakes

The current dry spell in Melbourne meant that the track at Caulfield was good and fast, and the afternoon was hot and sunny, which certainly increased the crowd numbers at Caulfield racecourse, particularly children who were in abundance.

I arrived at Caulfield just as Race 1 was about to start. I watched it from the fence on the front lawn, but failed to get any usable photos as I didn’t notice that the Optical Image Stabiliser on my camera was turned off.

Anyway, that race resulted in longshot Falago beating favourite Tashbeeh, with Vatuvei running third.

With only 30 minutes separating races, there was not much time to wait for Race 2, the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes,  the main attraction being New Zealand filly Risque having her first start in Melbourne, or indeed Australia.

She lived up to the hype with an impressive win, coming from the back of the field to swoop on the leaders and score by half a length from Mossin’ Around and Cana.

Race 2 just past the winning post

Risque returns to scale

Mossin’ Around returns to scale

Cana returns to scale

I managed to get a nice photo of Risque later in the day in her stall…

Risque in her stall

Race 3 was the first of the Blue Diamond Preludes to be run and I grabbed a possie on the mounting yard fence to watch the fillies parade.

Samara Dancer, the winner

Concealer – ran second

Miss Nymeria – ran third

Race 3 – down the straight Samara Dancer leads

The colts version of Blue Diamond Prelude followed shortly afterwards and was won by the favourite Flying Artie, who narrowly scored over a fast finishing Star Turn with outsider China Dream running third several lengths behind the leading pair. Flying Artie did it tough, running wide through most of the race, impressing his jockey, Damien Oliver, who has now chosen him as his Blue Diamond Stakes ride over his stablemate Extreme Choice who won the weekend before with ease.

Flying Artie is about to overtake Star Turn in the straight approaching the finish line.

The most commanding win of the day was that of speedy filly Heatherly in Race 5, the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes, where she left the rest of the field, including Group 1 winner Politeness, in her wake, winning by almost six lengths, after leading from start to finish.

The burst mode on my camera shows Heatherly, then daylight, then the rest of the field.

Heatherly burns up the straight for a commanding win

The rest of the field in hot pursuit

Politeness, who was too far back to catch Heatherly,  ran second with Just A Bullet running third.

The afternoon whizzed by fast, so for a day billed as “relaxed racing” the 30 minute intervals between races made it seem quite frantic.

Soon enough,  there was only one more race to run before the feature.

In between races I hung around the stalls area, checking out the horses in their stalls and in the walking ring.

Suavito relaxing in the walking ring

Fawkner outside his stall

Turn Me Loose – the prettiest horse of the day, in his stall

Mourniho in the walking ring

Mahuta being saddled up for Race 6 with Darren Weir in attendance

Mahuta added another paling to the picket fence next to his name in the racebook, registering his sixth straight win from seven starts in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes.

He beat a classy field of fellow three year olds, leading practically from the start to defeat sole filly Sailing By, and Snoopy in a close finish. Tarzino flashed home from the rear of the field for an eye catching fourth.

Race 6 just past the winning post – Mahuta leads

Mahuta returns to scale

Sailing By returns to scale

Snoopy on his way to the barriers

Tarzino on his way to the barriers

The C F Orr Stakes had a full field of 18 runners, Hucklebuck included among them after all. I was hoping the beautiful Turn Me Loose would be successful, but he overraced and was overtaken in the last 100 metres by eventual winner Sauvito, Lucky Hussler and Hucklebuck, who relegated him to fourth.

Down the straight – Turn Me Loose leads with Suavito on his outside about to overtake. Lucky Hussler is third with Hucklebuck (white bridle) just in the picture.

A little over a length separated first to fifth, but it was a gutsy win by Suavito who paid a handsome $17.00 for the win. Alas I didn’t have any money on her.

Suavito parades with connections after winning the Orr Stakes

Lucky Hussler in the mounting yard

Hucklebuck in the mounting yard

As I’d been at the racecourse since 1.30 pm I headed home after the Orr Stakes, hot and somewhat tired after an active afternoon trackside.

While waiting for the Orr Stakes to begin, I did manage to watch the last stages of the Apollo Stakes, which was playing on one half of the big screen (without sound), and was pleased to see Winx live up to expectations with a comfortable win. Solicit ran second with Hauraki running third.

Next Saturday the racing action is at Flemington for the running of the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning. Naturally I’ll be there with bells on, looking forward to seeing Exosphere in the feature race, among other stars of the turf.

Back On Track– Group One Racing Returns

Turn Me Loose at Flemington – Emirates Stakes Day

You can tell that first class racing has returned, with quite a few of the Spring stars resuming this coming Saturday.

The Group 1 Orr Stakes at Caulfield has a classy field that contains fourteen Group 1 winners all vieing for the prize.

In Sydney at Randwick, Cox Plate heroine Winx kicks off her autumn campaign in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes.

The main action of the day is at Caulfield with an excellent support card of Group 2 and Group 3 races, that include the two Blue Diamond Preludes – one for fillies, and one for colts and geldings.

The Orr Stakes (1400 metres) is a real brain teaser with all of the 18 strong field having a chance, but personally I’m pleased to see New Zealand stallion Turn Me Loose return to the fray. He greatly impressed all and sundry in the Spring with three consecutive wins, the last being the Group 1 Emirates Stakes.  His record first up however is iffy, so he may need a run.

*Hucklebuck, Mourinho, Rebel Dane, Trust In A Gust all contested the Group 2 Australia Stakes and were beaten by the three year old Holler. However, they were only beaten by a short margin over a shorter distance and do have a run to their advantage.

Boban has won first up, as has old trooper Fawkner, so neither can be dismissed out of hand, nor can the two other Darren Weir runners Lucky Hussler and Stratum Star.

There are three Group 1 winning mares in the race – Rising Romance, Suavito and Fenway, one of whom could one-up the boys.

I intend to get to Caulfield in time to watch Race 2, the Group 2 Kevin Hayes Stakes, for three year old fillies run over 1200 metres, so I can get a look at star New Zealand filly Risque, now being trained by David Hayes & Tom Dabernig. She won the Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas at her last start.  Her opposition doesn’t look all that threatening, The Big Dance. Calaverte and Mossin’ Around being the best of the rest.

The fillies Blue Diamond Prelude is scheduled as Race 3 and has attracted an interesting field of two year old fillies, most with a win under their belt. Sword of Light who won the Blue Diamond Preview on Australia Day is probably the top pick, though Zamzam could be up to the challenge, considering that she won her first race by two lengths, as could BD Preview placegetters Emphatically and Dream First. I’m interested in the Gai Waterhouse filly Thyme For Roses who is the daughter of Augusta Proud, a classy filly I followed some years ago.

Cohesion who comprehensively won the colts Blue Diamond Preview is the leading contender in the boys Blue Diamond Prelude. Others with a chance are Sydney colts Defcon and Star Turn, and local boys Weatherly, Capannello and El Venetian who all contested the Blue Diamond Preview with moderate success.

As Racng Victoria is testing a shortened interval between races, i.e. 30 minute intervals, it won’t be such a long afternoon as in past years so the racing program will whizz by in a flash.

Before the Orr Stakes there are two other quality races, the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100 metres) where dual Group 1 winner Politeness will be starting her autumn racing season up against the highly regarded filly, Heatherly, followed by the Group 2 Autumn Stakes, a race for three year olds over 1400 metres.

Australia Stakes winner Holler is the main contender in the Autumn Stakes, up against some very smart colts, such as Mahuta who has won his last five starts, Victorian Derby winner Tarzino, and Vanbrugh who won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes. Hawkspur’s little brother Devil Hawk is also in the field, though his form is not inspiring.

The Apollo Stakes at Randwick is scheduled to run five minutes before the Orr Stakes. It will therefore be a challenge to watch both races. Unless they show the Apollo Stakes on the big screen at the racecourse, I’ll have to wait until I get home to watch a replay. The 30 minute interval trial has ignited a brawl between the NSW and Victorian racing bodies due to the difficulties in planned live race coverage on Free To Air and Paid TV, with several races clashing time wise.

Anyway, the Apollo Stakes is a must see simply because Winx is in the field. Solicit is seen as her nearest rival. Though several of Winx stablemates (Who Shot Thebarman and Grand Marshall) are in the field, they are not really suited at the distance (1400 metres).

* Hucklebuck is an unlikely starter after drawing the widest barrier, his trainer being reluctant to force the horse to overexert himself so early in the season.

Wayside Back In Time–An Evening With Gillian Welch

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings – press photo by M Seliger

St Kilda was buzzing.

At Luna Park the rides were all screams and flashing lights and the sea was sparkling in the bright sunshine of early evening as we reached the seaside suburb for an early dinner at an Acland Street restaurant, prior to attending the dazzling Gillian Welch concert at the Palais Theatre.

It was a sold out show as had been the concert the previous night, witness to the love affair Melbourne has with the Nashville duo.

Gillian Welch and David Rawlings last graced these shores in November 2004, where I had the pleasure of seeing them perform at another Palais, an intimate venue (no longer in operation) in Hepburn Springs.

I have been a fan of their music for 20 years – has it been that long - so their concert was a must see for me, and the group of friends who also attended the 2004 show.

It was a younger audience this time, some of whom would have been babies when Gillian Welch released her first album, Revival,  in 1996.

Thunderous applause greeted the couple as they stepped on stage to begin their first set, kicking off with Scarlet Town, a track from Gillian Welch’s lastest album The Harrow and the Harvest.  This was followed by Elvis Presley Blues and My First Lover from Time (The Revelator).

Songs from across Gillian Welch’ s five disc repertoire were performed as well as several wonderful covers, a highlight being their thrilling cover of  Jefferson Airplane’s White Rabbit in the second encore.

It’s like being in an alternate reality witnessing Gillian Welch and David Rawlings play their bleak Americana songs that encompass blues, country, bluegrass, gospel and old style rock n roll. A great many of their songs deal with death and desperation, which the couple cheerfully acknowledged with comments like “The next one’s a killing song”, or “this one’s faster, but sadder –more people die”.  They have established their own style and have a perfect on stage chemistry that is memerising to watch.

David Rawlings unique guitar playing is wondrous to behold and beautiful to hear. Quite a few songs contained an extended “jam” session,  David exhibiting his consummate skill on his old guitar to rapturous applause.

At one stage Gillian broke from her usual staid stance and danced a jig to Six White Horses, with thigh slapping accompaniment, lifting her long skirts to reveal cowboy boots.

Melbourne audiences fell in love with the duo in 2004, where they sold out four or five shows at various venues in Melbourne and rural venues.  Melbourne has a long memory for musical excellence, as the first Melbourne concert this time round sold out in 45 minutes.

The duo were accorded several standing ovations that coaxed them back on stage for three encores. The final song, Long Black Veil was sung unmiked to a hushed audience, Gillian remarking that it was the first song the duo performed together.

I’m pleased I’ll get to see them again on the 19th February in an extended band called David Rawlings Machine. No doubt it will be quite different and hopefully photos will be permitted, so I can get some memorable shots of the King and Queen of Americana Gothic.

Setlist (from Setlist.fm)

Set 1

1. Scarlet Town

2. Elvis Presley Blues

3. My First Lover

4. The Way It Will Be

5. The Way It Goes

6. Make Me a Pallet on Your Floor ([traditional] cover)

7. I Want to Sing That Rock and Roll

8. Annabelle

9. Wrecking Ball

10. Red Clay Halo

Set 2

11. Hard Times

12. Down Along the Dixie Line

13. Wayside/Back in Time

14. Six White Horses

15. Revelator

16. Sweet Tooth (Dave Rawlings Machine cover)

17. Tennessee

18. Caleb Meyer

Encore:1

19. Look at Miss Ohio

Encore: 2

20. Everything Is Free

21. I'll Fly Away (The Humbard Family cover)

22. White Rabbit (Jefferson Airplane cover)

Encore: 3

23. Long Black Veil (Lefty Frizzell cover)