For those that know who Dallas Frasca is, she absolutely needs no introduction. If you don’t, let me summarise for you. Dallas is a fierce force to be reckoned with. I have seen her solo, as a duo, in a band and now as a one-woman phenomenon. Huge words you might say, but I speak these words with every ounce of my soul and integrity.
Led Zeppelin are considered gods, innovators and legends, icons of rock n roll. They have influenced modern music for over five and a half decades.
Opening tonight’s show is Georgia Rodgers, a new name to me. Rodgers performance tonight was captivating. Her style could be deemed eclectic as I tried to find reference to liken her to for this review. Just acoustic and voice Rodgers gave off Chris Issak vibes with a touch of Melissa Etheridge rasp and attack. In all fairness that comparison might be a little on the shallow side, as there is something very special there. The set primarily of original songs had depth and personality. They were stories wrapped in melody. As Rodgers said many of these songs were being played for the first time and these songs, she worked so hard on she ended up hating them and then fell back in love with them ended up hating them again and loving them again. That is artistic and creative magic right there.
So many artists choose to take safe paths when it comes to delivering a cover. Tonight, Rodgers placed a cover of Bronski Beat’s “Smalltown Boy” mid set, her version stripped right back, slowed down and not immediately identifiable but all so familiar. It took me until the chorus to click to the song being performed. To say it completely blew me away is an understatement, it needs to be recorded and released in that bare boned approach.
I immersed myself in Rodgers set and before I knew it, her time was done. I am keen to see where Georgia Rodgers’ path takes her as it won’t be the last time I will see her live. It’s a shame she didn’t have a CD or EP to purchase, but I will be on the lookout for her, I suggest you do too.
Throughout her career, Dallas Frasca has continued to evolve, innovate and push sonic boundaries and tonight with her most ambitious project she again pushed boundaries to their limits. When you break down Led Zeppelin, you discover the many layers that make their songs and sound so unique, the experimentation while keeping within the parameters of what is known as rock n roll was groundbreaking.
Over the last decade Dallas Frasca has broken some serious ground and then some. Known for her scorching vocals and fierce guitar work has certainly never been shy about being who she is, unique, powerful and bold. Her ability to loop and create soundscapes is truly magical, and tonight the sum of experimentation, innovation and experience gave us a show that is total and complete.
In many ways it’s so easy to go down the path of recreating the hits from Led Zeppelin’s back catalogue, bands have been doing it for decades. That is safe, having the comfort of support of a band around you, it’s a safety net Dallas opted to perform without. She is boldly different in her approach, it’s honest, and dives right into the layers that created these iconic songs and then digs as she digs a little deeper into Led Zeppelin catalogue.
It’s one thing to tackle Jimmy Pages guitar parts, cover John Paul Jones bass lines and deliver the pure power of Bonham all while singing like Robert Plant. Orchestration, integrity, understanding and composition are all on show tonight and Frasca as the driver is the true champion in all of this.
From the delicate start of ‘Friends’ there is a unique use of the signature Frasca rasp into the beautiful soulful approach to Plant’s vocals. Layers are built perfectly and the transition into ‘Ramble On’ is perfect. Frasca has studied her subjects and the songs in such detail and depth, it shows a massive commitment to this project and judging by us only being two songs in, this is going to one heck of a journey.
The lushness of ‘Over The Hills and Far Away’ and ‘Going To California’ paired together is chilling.
There is a beauty in the way the next song is delivered, while not originally planned to be a part of the set ‘Thank You’ was a two day before the tour addition to the set at the request of a fan who reached out to Dallas. It was in tribute to a fans wife who had passed and played out of the story shared between Frasca and fan. You can tell there is an emotional connection between the song and story. It was chilling to hear this as the most stripped back song of the night, just so much emotion in the delivery. I must admit this really hit hard, just beautiful.
“How do I do this by myself, play all these parts and tracks as one person. I had to become a producer; I just didn’t know how to do it. This may well be a world first as I have never seen just one person attempt this by themselves on stage. I might F@ck it, I might nail it. Do you want me to give it a go?” Frasca fore worded ‘Since I’ve Been Loving You’, that beautiful blues lick that graces the intro as it builds gets layers upon layers added as it moves into full emotive flight. Frasca’s voice soars through this with that perfect mix of husk, power and subtlety. God damn is all I say, my jaw just dropped and the crowd’s reaction was reflective of the performance ….. stellar. Nailed it actually.
“During this journey I realised I couldn’t do Led Zeppelin without playing a mandolin, so I learned to play the mandolin. I thought it would be really easy and I was wrong” jests Frasca. Playing like a seasoned veteran Dallas launches into ‘Battle Of Evermore, her vocals are showcased here again and simply soar. The doubling of the vocals are huge and larger than life. This is meticulously delivered, again I have goose bumps from the delivery of this song.
‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ is captivating and spellbinding. In reflection every song tonight has been just that. There is a certain unity between the music and lyrics of Led Zeppelin and Frasca that seems so seamless, so entwined and connected. This show by no means is a run through the motions set, it has heart and soul, passion and fire that when you experience it, it moves you and you feel it.
Frasca’s tech, stage hand, hair fluffer and man of a million tasks, Kit adds an element of fun to this show, the banter between the two is perfect. Kit is crucial to the shows flow and needs. There is a chemistry here that you rarely get to witness and an inclusion that is so genuine and deep. As Frasca tells the story of how the two came to work together it pinpoints just how nurturing and supportive of talent she is. Frasca beyond the stage is a mentor, teacher and supporter of so many. It’s worthwhile to know that Kit will be spreading his wings shortly and paving his own path as a musician too. The appreciation Frasca has for Kit’s efforts and talents gushes from her as she says she is on the lookout for a new fluffer for the next tour. In saying this the engagement in stories and banter with the crowd are just perfect. It’s as if she is speaking with you.
“Should I turn it up?” asks Frasca as a voice from the crowd can be heard above the cheers saying, “Crank it” Frasca asks “Is that you Dad?”
A swelling and swirling rendition of ‘Nobody’s Fault But Mine’ is thrust upon us with the entire room clapping along as Frasca put that blues drenched voice of hers to work. It simply stomps and pulls you in you can’t help but join in.
The tail end of this set delivers the biggest songs from Zeppelin’s catalogue for those that attended the Red Hot Summer Tour earlier this year Frasca delivered a medley at those shows consisted of Kashmir’, ‘Black Dog’, ‘Immigrant Song’ and ‘Whole Lotta Love’ as a teaser for this tour. That performance was nothing short incredible, but tonight hearing these songs blasted at us was just sublime. The vocal performance on ‘Kashmir’, Oh my god !!!! Her guitar playing and the modern edge added to the backing just stamped Dallas all over it.
‘Black Dog’ is a jewel in the crown of tonight, just big guitar with an even bigger vocal performance, god lord Frasca’s voice has so much grit and personality and that guitar tone is killer.
My favourite Led Zeppelin song ‘Immigrant Song’ is delivered with such flair and allows Frasca to really shine front and centre, it gives her a freedom to roam the stage, while delivering some truly tasty guitar work too.
What would a Led Zeppelin celebration be without ’Stairway To Heaven’ of course, Frasca quizzed the crowd with the question of which song is banned from being played at every guitar store? Of course it’s Stairway. Again, it’s one thing to hear this song played the way we have all heard it a million times, but when you put depth, emotion and soul like Frasca has, the life of the song jumps at you, it becomes fresh again.
‘Whole Lotta Love’ is big, bombastic and suits Frasca so well, what a way to drive this show home. It’s loud, it’s proud and again sees Frasca nod to the legacy of Led Zeppelin as she pulls out a bow to add further dimension to the guitar parts.
This fourteen song celebration is just sublime. The production and lighting are spectacular, the performance is powerful and bold.
Tonight’s full house gave Frasca the standing ovation she deserves for this show that challenged and pushed her and in her own words made her a better player.
I realise that as an independent artist touring and production costs are the artists responsibility. It’s a risk pure and simple, but in many ways, I wish a promoter would take a chance on this show and take it around the country again, take it to bigger venues, invest in the talent and take it to the masses even. This show is nothing short of sensational, it’s an emotional journey, it connects, rocks hard and is a showcase of a sublime talent pulling off a show that no other has dared to do solo.
Frasca did say that this was the last show and the last time she would do this, but in all honesty it’s bigger than that. It’s grander than that and needs to be seen, hopefully there will be an encore run of shows down the track as I will be first in line to grab tickets.
Zeppelin or not Dallas Frasca is one of those artists that will hook you and will refuse to let go. I have been hooked for a decade now and will be for decades to come.
Setlist : Friends, Ramble On, Over The Hills and Far Away, Going To California, Thank You, Since I’ve Been Loving You, Battle Of Evermore, Babe I’m Gonna Leave U, Nobody’s Fault But Mine, Kashmir, Black Dog, Immigrant Song, Stairway To Heaven, Whole Lotta Love
Photos: Shot by Slaidins Photography
With thanks to Fiona and the On The Map team for the media access.