Lior with Paul Grabowsky.
The
Dunstan Playhouse. Adelaide Festival Centre. June 7-8 2019.
Reviewed by Peter Wilkins
 |
| Lior and Paul Grabowsky |
Lior’s lyrical voice lulled me
into a state of relaxed enjoyment. With Wizard of the Ivories Paul Grabowsky on
piano, Lior reprised popular songs including from his hit Autum Flow Album to the delight of a responsive audience. There is no pretension
to his performance. He stands simply before the microphone and sings from the
heart, songs that ring with the sincerity of personal experience such as My Grandfather and If I Lost Your Love. Anecdote gives the song a
personal touch, captured in the gentle touch or occasional flourish by
Grabowsky on piano. Unobtrusive showmanship accompanies the appealing charm of
the singer, rendering the songs a fresh and imaginative appeal
Lior is a songwriter who
instantly resonates with the listener. We identify with his experience and his
true tenor voice carries us along with his music, here arranged imaginatively
with Grabowsky. Piano and voice merge in
collaborative syncronicity. Here are two artists, comfortable and secure
in their musicianship and very much
friends in collaboration.
Lior, away from the recording
studio appears to be the natural folk
artist, embracing the flavor of his style and the subject of his music. His
appeal is in the lyrical qualiy of his song, the people’s songwriter with an
instinctive appreciation of the human condition. This is heightened by his
anecdotes. He sings of his longing for the relaxed life in the rural surrounds
of Daylesford, and his regretful withdrawal
from the dream of a country life. He
relates the challenges of a difficult relationship, and the anxiety of his
stride to visit his new born daughter in the ICU unit after her premature
birth. He entertains with the account of being put on hold with Virgin and hearing one of his
more serious songs played on the phone.
As the programme draws to a
close, Lior reaches for his guitar, which has played second fiddle to
Grabowsky’s accompaniment. In a closing song from his highly acclaimed Autumn Flow album, Lior immerses himself
in his love of songwriting, singing and guitar playing, and the audience greets
the partnership of these two outstanding talents with enthusiastic and
appreciative applause.
I have not been particularly
familiar with Lior’s music, but his talent and his popularity is undeniable,
and I decide to buy a CD. That’s high praise indeed!