My Friend the Chocolate Cake

A capacity house crowded out the Caravan Club at the Oakleigh RSL to hear Melbourne band My Friend the Chocolate Cake, lending an unexpected irony to their opening song, ‘The Centre Cannot Hold’. Fortunately, the old building stood up to what proved to be a rip-roaring gig, which built in intensity (and sheer volume!) as the night progressed. It had the air of a good night out in the country and, had there been more room, I have no doubt that most of the audience would have been on their feet dancing; as it was, only a few braved the floor ducking and weaving between chairs and people getting refills at the bar. The core group comprised David Bridie (keyboard and vocals) cellist Helen Mountfort, and Hope Csutoros, a violinist with a gypsy style and flourish on stage. This made for a trio of contrasts, yet one that was ideal for classic Chocolate Cake songs, reflective with more than a hint of melancholy. Mountfort’s cello, as ever, lent much to the creation of mood, evoking – in one song – cold, wintry evenings in Swanston Street. But Csutoros’s attempt to provide a contrasting sound (to suggest trips to Cairo and Buenos Aires) didn’t work as well. The pizzicato effect was swamped by the other instruments and even sounded discordant. There was no doubt about Csutoros’s ability – she just needed the company of a few more violins. Much more successful were songs like ‘I’ve Got a Plan’ in which the band were as sweet as, well, chocolate – the secret to their popularity, which has lasted for nearly 20 years. Bridie’s lyrics are, almost with exception, wonderfully evocative of Australian life – and, in a broader sense, the human condition. When the core group was augmented by bass, guitar and drums, the sound took on a driving rhythm, heard to great effect in the instrumental ‘Sisters of War’ (written by Mountfort) and ‘Black Ice’. There was a musical tribute to the Penguin Café Orchestra, and references to Bridie’s connection with the band, Not Drowning, Waving, in stories of Papua New Guinea and the encore ‘Walk Me Home’. The vigorous keyboard introduction to ‘Great Expectations’ sounded as if it was headed for Randy Newman’s ‘Short People’ (or maybe it was just a lingering memory of Newman’s own gig last week?). But without doubt, the highlight of the night was ‘Jimmy Stynes’, an exuberant tribute to the great man, infused with a Scottish sound, and simply a great rock number. As a last slice of the Chocolate Cake, it was a great choice. Rating: Four stars My Friend the Chocolate Cake Caravan Club, Oakleigh August 6