Neko Case at the Annandale Hotel on Tuesday Night. Well words won't really do justice to the magnificence of this performance. Suffice to say please come back again soon Neko and if you like, stay here and provide us with your incredible voice on a regular basis. I will admit that I came to Neko Case's music through her involvement with Canadian pop masters The New Pornographers but I am so glad they opened the doorway to what I truly believe is the greatest voice in music today. As you are probably aware Neko has been producing her unique style of country music for a few years now and last year's "Fox Confessor Brings The Flood" was I believe her finest work yet. It was from that album that most of her set was filled with a liberal sprinkling of her older work. The show kicked into high gear upon playing "Favorite" (wow, what a song) as her second tune of the night. Thereafter there was highlight after highlight. The middle section was just stunning, "The Tigers Have Spoken", "Maybe Sparrow", "Margaret Vs. Pauline" in succession. I was just lapping up her pure voice that pierced the venue which listened in awe. It was even better when the music came to a halt and Neko's voice floated across the Annandale in respectful silence (thanks audience for being quiet). Having said that, her band was truly excellent. A group of insightful and masterful musicians. Tom V. Ray on upright bass provided a back-bone, Kelly Hogan added superb vocals and Jon Rauhouse was out of this world with his pedal steel (amazing), banjo and guitar. Neko herself, after a few hiccups with her mic stand and amp, brought and ably played 3 guitars to the mix. Ah, what else, she played Dylan's "Buckets of Rain" and a live staple in Freakwater's "Hex", a show stopper if there ever was. Neko and the band did 2 encores including "John Saw That Number", I was hoping for "Wayfaring Stranger", but I couldn't complain too much. The other impressive aspect is that Neko, for all her magnificent talents, is as unpretentious and down to earth as any performer you would see. She created a real rapport with the audience, chatting way between songs and just making it feel like you had just stumbled into her living room and she was playing for a bunch of friends. The last month in Sydney has been truly special and makes me realise even more why music has a grip on my heart and mind.

Set List
A Widow's Toast
Favorite
If You Knew
Set Out Running
Star Witness
Dirty Knife
I Wish I Was The Moon
The Tigers Have Spoken
Maybe Sparrow
Margaret Vs. Pauline - MP3
Buckets Of Rain
Deep Red Bells
Hex
That Teenage Feeling
Furnace Room Lullaby
Hold On, Hold On

Look For Me (I'll Be Around)
John Saw That Number
Knock Loud

Soulful Shade Of Blue

Here are two more excellent reviews from appreciative fans.
I have more photos of the night at Flickr.