Anna Coddington
3rd October 2020
Tasting Room Haumoana, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.
Review by Rob Harbers, photography by assorted audience members.
A number of column inches have already been devoted to describing the unique atmosphere of the Sitting Room Sessions, but for those who are just joining us now let me provide you with a brief recap. For some years, a well-connected man by the name of Jamie Macphail has facilitated many opportunities, in a diverse range of settings dotted around the Hawkes Bay landscape for discerning audiences to gather together in intimate surroundings and enjoy a cavalcade of musical encounters. A reverent crowd of no more than fifty heads get up close and personal with a panoply of great performers, and all come away enriched by the experience. In recent times, home base for these has been the former Beach House Wines Tasting Room, a stone’s throw from the sea at Haumoana, but for the immediate future they will be without a home, like a rolling stone, and be conducted on a nomadic basis.
Dropped in to this artistic hotbed tonight was songstress Anna Coddington, singing songs and telling stories about this thing called life. All the while holding the audience in the palm of her hand, aided by a genuinely warm and friendly stage presence, sufficient to see her through the night’s occasional equipment failure with aplomb and good grace (and a pair of magic hands and their ability to reverse time).
This gig was part of the “Test The Waters” tour, so named both because of new songs being premiered, and in regard to these uncertain times in which news of the viral affliction of the offensive pussy-grabber brings on immediate reactions of joy in many, followed by schadenfreude, then doubt, then fear of the potential consequences. Anna’s songs have hidden depths, appearing on the surface as pleasantly melodic diversions, while holding much to reward those who dig further with often complex lyrics detailing the trials of life. Not to the intensely personal or confessional level of an Amanda Palmer or Sinead O’Connor, but still rooted in commonly felt experiences – as one audience member remarked, “She’s singing the story of my life!”. Strumming the pain with her fingers, or close to it.
The set opened with “Purua Nei”, the Te Reo lyrics of which translate to a message boiling down to “Lay your troubles down”- and what better way to start a show? From that point, there ensued a varied set with new songs dominant, the reception for which bodes well for the new album. Many of these new songs were inspired by lived experience, of parenthood, getting older, meditations on one’s place in the world and in history – all the common stuff, in short. But the rendering was anything but common, with Anna’s sweet voice delivering strong messages on the subjects.
The strength of talent that Anna has was demonstrated by a sinuous reworking of Prince’s “I Wanna Be Your Lover”, which was almost unrecognisable (in the very best way), and also by a rendition of “Blue Smoke” that had the audience enraptured. Technical difficulties led to unique versions of original material, with new song “Both Ways” aptly being switched from having the glorious Rickenbacker (a work of art in its own right!) accompanying it to the acoustic guitar when connection issues put the first choice instrument out of commission. New single “Beams” was presented in an exclusive acoustic version, never before played, due to the same gremlins.
The Rickenbacker did return to the stage, with the issues found to be more of a connective nature (translation: Anna got a little impassioned in her performance and kicked the lead from its connection without noticing). The perils of performance in small spaces, indeed!
This is Anna’s first tour in four years, but her confident and assured performance betrayed no sign of rustiness, leaving the audience satisfied and the reaction she received left her wanting to return with her band in tow. Another example of the vital space that the Sitting Room Sessions occupy in the cultural landscape, and which leaves us awaiting with bated breath the next iteration due to occur after a short hiatus, in early December.
Were you there at this Sitting Room Session for this beautiful performance? Or have you seen Anna Coddington perform live somewhere else before? Tell us about it in the comments below!
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I was there and I fell in love with her beautiful personality, amazing musicality, words, humour etc you summed up the performance well! and- I love Pūrea nei. The lyrics tell of a purifying of all that is past naturally by the wind, the rain and the sun. A purifying of the self, the spirit and life.
She is amazing .