Review: Jeff Lang at The Rechabite

Jeff Lang's More Life album launch at The Rechabite
w/ John Butler, William Crighton
Thursday, October 10, 2024

Multi-award-winning guitarist and songwriter Jeff Lang took the stage at The Rechabite on Thursday night to celebrate the release of his latest album, More Life. Three years in the making, the album features contributions from notable artists such as John Butler, Liz Stringer, Don Walker, Fred Leone, William Crighton, Kerri Simpson, and Suzannah Espie, as well as guest appearances by Bassekou Kouyate and Debashish Bhattacharya.

Two of the biggest names from that impressive list of contributors,  John Butler and William Crighton, joined Lang on the night, helping bring the album to life in a live performance that exceeded all expectations.

The concert, billed as a “revue” style show, featured multiple artists taking turns in the spotlight. An accomplished multi-instrumentalist, Jeff Lang played the guitar and Irish bouzuki, while Ben Franz on bass and Danny McKenna on drums provided a solid rhythm section for him to do his work.

William Crighton played a significant role throughout the evening, adding emotional depth with his vocals, keyboard, and guitar work. Crighton's presence enriched the performance, bringing layers of raw emotion to the concert.

Likewise, John Butler, a West Australian icon, joined Lang on stage towards the end of the night, infusing the final stretch of the show with his signature energy and musicianship.

All brilliant solo artists in their own right, Lang, Crighton and Butler refreshingly shared the stage with ease, each leading a number of songs and creating a seamless flow throughout the set. The storytelling between tracks only added to the show’s charm, with Lang’s witty and often hilarious tales from life on the road giving the audience moments of lightheartedness between the more intense songs.

One of the night’s most unforgettable moments was when Lang invited John Butler to the stage for the performance of Seek High, the first single from the new album. Butler’s banjo and guitar work added a vibrant and dynamic edge, perfectly complementing Lang’s intricate playing. Together, they created a powerful, captivating sound that resonated throughout the venue.

Afer a compelling set that showcased songs from the new album along with highlights from across Lang's incredible 32 album discography, they finished the night with the fittingly apt Last Month of the Year, which was the perfect way to end an outstanding night.

LINDA DUNJEY

Photos by Linda Dunjey