Gig Review: Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe

One of the most distinctive guitarists in the game was in action in Auckland and reviewer Duncan Johnstone was there to witness the action.

Ry Cooder and Nick Lowe
Where: The Civic, Auckland
When: Monday, November 16

Ry Cooder has brought his world to New Zealand and befitting his longevity and genius, it's a big wide world these days.

Blues, gospel, rock, country, even a touch of Hawaiian, and his real love, Latin, were strung together by Cooder's distinctive guitar.

Rated the eighth best guitarist of all time by Rolling Stone magazine, he enthralled a sold out crowd at The Civic in Auckland with his work on a variety of tools.

While there's more than a touch of gravel to his voice these days, his guitar sound hasn't wavered.

He was so good at one stage he even had to tell his fans he was in fine form - just to emphasise the degree of difficulty he was squeezing out on arguably the best slide work in the business.

But this wasn't just about Cooder. He was joined by Nick Lowe who has been at the forefront of England's new wave movement and still sings a mean ballad to go with his slick bass work.

Lowe, more than happy to be the front man at times, took real pride in his first hit Half a Man Half a Boy, showed his Johnny Cash connections were more than just his all black outfit with Crying In My Sleep, and hit a highlight for his night with What's So Funny 'Bout Peace, Love and Understanding.

It was Lowe who persuaded Cooder to hit the road touring. They had a brief collaboration in the 1990s and reunited for a benefit concert in San Francisco earlier this year. It was so much fun, they took it to Europe where the reception saw them move through Japan and now into New Zealand and Australia.

At 62 and 60 respectively, Cooder and Lowe show their experience. Diverse individuals, they are an odd couple - the English gent and the twangy Californian - but as a pair they blend perfectively.

Holding them together is Cooder's drummer son Joachin with backing from the delightful Juliette Commagere who also played a shimmering opening set with her own band.

But it was sly Ry who they'd come to see and he didn't disappoint. He brought out the old favourites - Fool For A Cigarette, Down In Hollywood, How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live, and Borderline.

He couldn't resist a mid-set wandering into a touch of Latin, reminding us of the passion that saw him at the core of the Cuban retro-lution with the Buena Vista Social Club whom Joachim drums for.

Predictably and thankfully, Cooder brought out his old Elvis hit Little Sister for his encore.

It's a good concert when expectations are exceeded and that was certainly the feel with this 100 minute show.

Cooder and Lowe play Wellington on Tuesday night and Christchurch on Wednesday night.

* What did you think of the show? Post your comments below.

- © Fairfax NZ News