The one event I really wanted to see at this year's Woodford Festival's opening day was Renee Geyer. And what a sad performance from an Aussie Fem music icon. She came on stage saying: "I am really over this..." (or words to that effect) then moaned about the heat and the timing (3pm: I guess she would have preferred an evening). The body and the voice have sagged, and she often looked as if she was wracked by a stomachache as she bent over. She had enormous trouble removing shoes and stockinettes, trouble replacing the dark glasses, trouble avoiding obstacles on stage, and overall gave the impression of being substance affected.
She ruined several old favourites including 'Moon River' and 'Funny Valentine' (which as it headlined the bass player it was sad she could not remember his name - he looked crestfallen but played brilliantly). The set came to a somewhat abrupt ending, as if she had just had enough. The band tried to cover for the problems, but overall I felt their pain, and that of the audience who began to leave really early on.
I fear this special lady may need some help.
