Tex, Don and Charlie

Tex Perkins wears a lot of rock 'n' roll hats, he wears his dirty blues man’s hat when he plays with the Beasts Of Bourbon, he wears his funk hat when he fronts the Cruel Sea, but tonight he’s wearing his country gentleman hat.

It’s been a long time between drinks for Tex, Don and Charlie, their last album was out twelve years ago. They're back on the road supporting there new recording called 'All Is Forgiven'.

Tex’s black sense of humor was present all through out the set, making sarcastic jokes with the band and the crowd; he said hello to the crowd with Greetings Mountain Folk. A lot of the songs of the new album invoked the style and spirit of the “Outlaw Singers” of the 70’s such as Steve Young and Townes Van Zandt.

Tex’s stage presence commands attention. He swivels and swaggers like he owns the stage, his song’s about bruised hearted romantics and late night bar room blues really suited the venue. Ruby’s is like your best mates lounge room, like going around with a few beers and your guitar and kicking back with your friend’s and enjoying great music.

The set tonight included The Singer Of The Song, Don Walker’s Harry Was A Bad Bugger; as well as a fantastic cover of the Paul Kelly Song Your 39, Your Beautiful And Your Mine.

A Personal highlight for me was the opening track Paycheques a song about blowing all your money on booze on Sunday’s.

The support act Mick Harvey who is the guitarist with the legendary Bad Seeds. Mick’s set consisted of a lot of songs off his brand spankin' new solo album, You could tell by some of the theme’s in Mick’s songwriting that Nick Cave’s influence has rubbed off on him. Like Cave, Mick’s songs cover such things as redemption, religion and scorned lovers.

One of the last songs in the set was A Little Bit Of Rain, which was from the fantastic Australian country compilation 'When Joy Meets Sorrow'.

All in all fantastic show by a roomful of Aussie Legends.

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