I honestly don't know how 2007 will live up musically to what i have seen in the last 4 days. After seeing a great M. Ward show on Friday night and a nearly inspirational Mountain Goats on Saturday I ventured to the Famous Spiegeltent on Monday night to see the great M. Ward again. What a night. Presented as part of the Sydney Festival, this was his third show in as many nights and it displayed all his remarkable talents in full effect. With Mike Coykendall in acoustic support for the first half, M. started on electric guitar before switching to piano and back to acoustic guitar and harmonica at the end. His guitar playing is simply breathtaking and we all know how great his raspy, husky voice is. So many highlights, where to start. Firstly the setting was truly special, a fabulous tent with mirrors and glass in the green surroundings of Hyde Park. He pulled out a Carter Family cover and in a real twist covered Joanna Newsom's "Sadie", nailing it too on an acoustic guitar. He played a few oldies including an amazing "Carolina" on piano and then to top it off he finished with "Rollercoaster" with an audience member pulled out to accompany him on piano. M. Ward doesn't say much, and I now realise he places photo bans at his shows, but his music does all the talking for him. And it says plenty.

Set List
Lullaby + Exile
Oh Take Me Back (Carter Family cover)
John Fahey cover
Outta My Head
Cosmopolitan Pop
Magic Trick
Fool Says
One Life Away
Chinese Translation - MP3
Transfiguration # 2
Carolina
Poor Boy, Minor Key
Duet For Guitars # 3
Sadie (Joanna Newsom cover)
Undertaker

O'Brien/O'Brien's Nocturne
Let's Dance
Rollercoaster