Review: Neko Case, Arts Theatre

Neko Case took us on a whirlwind tour of her wildlife theme park with songs from Blacklisted, Tigers Have Spoken and Fox Confessor, all evidence of her growing stature as one of alternative country's most original writers.

Her latest album ends with ambient sounds, apparently sourced by insects and frogs. From sparrows to whales, her zoological lyrics all confirm her faith in natural instincts.

And those creatures which flutter, prowl or roar through Case's dreams were captured in vocals now caressing, now scorching. Orchestrally, Middle Cyclone was a quieter number, her backing singer Kelly Hogan playing a poignant musical box.

Hogan supplied most of the spoken intros. Things That Scare Me opened a group featuring People Got A Lotta Nerve, Fever and I'm An Animal. Hold On, Hold On was a cracking product of the redhead's partnership with the Sadies.

Amidst recent songs like Pharaohs, Polar Nettles and This Tornado Loves You, Case wrought a poetic spell with Wish I Was The Moon ("Chimney falls and lovers blazes"). Don't Forget Me, newly lifted from the Harry Nilsson album Pussycats, sounded fine with its sparse accompaniment of guitars, drums and string bass.

Case's great little band was totally plugged in to her visions. Jon Rauhouse dazzled on pedal steel. Guitarist Paul Rigby underpinned the first encore, Vengeance Is Sleeping.

Something that Neko doesn't generally do is weddings, but just such an occasion prompted one of six choice offerings from Brooklyn-based male group Black Gold, who boasted an expressive lead singer and crisp vocalising drummer.

Peter Palmer