Monday 4 June 2012

Missy Higgins, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle


The sold-out show got off to a sizzling start with the sexy Butterfly Boucher instantly earning the undivided attention of every gay woman in the room, which was most of the audience, with her loud yellow jeans, rock-star looks, fun personality and beautiful voice.

When Missy Higgins joined her on stage to collaborate with her on the keyboard, they looked like the type of funky electronic duo you would come across at a music festival.

It became abundantly clear that these two women have an undeniable synergy on stage and a palpable chemistry, which is a handy thing given Boucher co-produced Higgins' new album The Ol Razzle Dazzle.

Released last Friday, the album marks Higgins' stunning musical comeback after "severe writer's block" caused her to quit showbiz three years ago.

During her 18-song set, Higgins opened up about her decision to quit music when one fan yelled: "We missed you Missy."

"I missed playing and I'm really glad to be doing it again," she responded. "I was struggling to kind of juggle the two sides of my life; the personal and the professional."

The third song she played was Set Me On Fire from her new album, in which she describes music as her saviour.

Everyone's Waiting, about the pressure she felt when she believed fans were waiting to see whether she could muster a comeback, was a passionate performance which conveyed the inner turmoil she felt during her hiatus.

To the audience's stunned delight, Higgins whipped out a bright-red Keytar for her greatly anticipated new single, Unashamed Desire.

Touring, accolades and more touring followed, along with her second album, On a Clear Night.

Well received, and picking up an ARIA or three, along with a No. 1 single in Steer, Missy Higgins was a star shining.

Not entirely comfortable with the transition from private to public figure, Higgins spent the next few years retiring from music, preferring instead to absorb herself in university studies, travel and the usual domestic chaos of living life in a share house in Melbourne.

After considering a life that saw her never returning to music, Higgins was offered a spot on the all-female concert tour Lilith Fair, founded by Sarah McLachlan.

Inspired by the response that her new songs were receiving on the tour, and the number of dedicated fans who came out each night to watch her perform, Higgins realised her songs were bigger than her, and a cornerstone in many people's lives.

From there, writing began for The Ol' Razzle Dazzle, with Higgins touching upon the music industry, her expectations and the conflict within between her personal and public life.

Fresh, and direct from the heart, The Ol' Razzle Dazzle from Missy Higgins is our Album of the Week on ABC Local Radio across the Territory.

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