The animals weren’t the only ones who got to enjoy the sunset over Parkville as young and old gathered at the Melbourne Zoo to see their favourite redhead, Clare Bowditch.

Warming up the evening were the dapper (all eight of them) members of The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band.

Bringing their unique brand of honky tonk Dixieland jazz to Melbourne, they have the power to transport their audience back 100 years.

Frontman Raphael Hammond expertly leads his merry men with husky, animated vocals through a rambunctious set. Upbeat numbers like “Scotch and Coke” and “Rango Tango” from their debut EP are standouts and help to get the subdued crowd into the swing of things.

Adorned in a floral headdress, Harriet O’Donnell is a ray of sunshine on stage. Her singing somewhat reminiscent of Billie Holiday, she is a welcome addition to “The Jellies” as she dances around in platform shoes.

New track, “Papa Joe” highlights O’Donnell’s voice and shows off Cam Fallaw’s skills as a pianist, and exudes the smoky, catchy style for which the band is becoming known.

Clare Bowditch is a vision in towel as she walks on stage with one draped around her shoulders. Joking that she never uses towels provided, she immediately set the light mood for the night ahead.

Telling the audience “I don’t want you to ever feel bad for taking your time,” she opened with the inspiring “Amazing Life”; a song about being “multi-passionate” that took her many years to write for that very reason.

Her storytelling style of music continues with the touching ode to her children, “A Lucky Life”, and “a chanson of temptation” – “The One”. Inspired by her recent acting debut on Offspring, the latter cleverly explores the issue of having chemistry with someone other than your partner.

Bowditch’s radiant smile is a permanent fixture and her humour and earnestness ensure that she has the crowd in the palm of her hand. With children frolicking in the zoo’s surrounds, the sounds of the animals, and the sun setting behind her, it seems like an ideal setting for this mother of three.

Several members of The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band join her on stage, adding to the party atmosphere. O’Donnell ably accompanied on “You Looked So Good” and “Cocky Lady” as the punters boogied on their picnic rugs.

Though the lovely lady is hard to fault, Paul Simon fans may have cringed at an underwhelming cover of “You Can Call Me Al”.

She warned the audience that she may need their help with the lyrics, and she wasn’t joking. Slipping in and out of verses and improvising in parts, the rough interpretation almost seemed impromptu.

Nevertheless, it was performed with the enthusiasm and good nature that the fans love her for.

Long-time supporters were grateful for a favourite from 2005’s What Was Left in “I Thought You Were God”. The addition of horns, courtesy of The Royal Jelly Dixieland Band, lifted the slightly sombre song.

Thanking “the most important people in the room”- re: the crowd – Bowditch returned sans band for a welcomed encore.

Covering old tour-mate, Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”, she had no trouble remembering these lyrics and her soaring vocals ensured a beautiful tribute.

Though totally at home with the big band behind her, it’s a privilege to see Bowditch in all her former stripped-back glory.  It seems being multi-passionate has paid its dues.

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