“Live at the Hi-Fi” – Kate Miller-Heidke

With Curiouser still sitting pretty in the Australian top 20, Sony has decided to drop another Kate Miller-Heidke CD. Cannily released to coincide with Kate’s current Australian tour, Live at the Hi-Fi Bar showcases tracks from both her recent chart topper, her breakthrough debut, Little Eve, and her earlier EPs.

The Video Hits crowd may be disappointed at the absence of “Last Day on Earth,” but “Out and In” and “Space They Cannot Touch” are just as poignant and beautiful. I must admit, I’m not familiar with Kate’s early releases, but these tracks sucked me in with the first listen. “Dreams” is delightfully demented, and “Caught in the Crowd” seems even more touching in the live arena. A raucous cover of the Australian classic “You’re The Voice” gets the whole crowd singing along, while her tender treatment of Empire of the Sun’s “Walking on a Dream” is breathtaking.

There’s a lovely raw feel to proceedings. There’s all the spontaneity and organic energy that any good concert should have. That vibrant spirit is beautifully captured on the CD.

For those who only just discovered Kate’s music with the mainstream success of Curiouser, this is a great introduction to what came before. For those who were already in the know, it’s an excellent snapshot of this talented Aussie’s career to date. If you’re contemplating seeing Kate Miller-Heidke on her current tour, one spin of Live at the Hi-Fi should help you make up your mind.

Image used with permission from Sony Music Australia