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Missy Higgins - El Rey, Los Angeles

Australian pop-rock powerhouse, Missy Higgins, brought her big voice and comic stylings to a sold-out crowd last night at the El Rey Theater in support of new album, On a Clear Night. Riding high after having her songs featured on a host of television shows, she gave credit to Grey's Anatomy for the upgrade in venue this time through LA, having played the much smaller Hotel Cafe last time she was here. How that smaller venue was able to contain her humongous voice is a mystery, as even the sizable El Rey hardly proved large enough to accommodate her oversized pipes.

After being warmed up by opener Robert Francis, the crowd was obviously excited to see Missy take the stage. Cheers erupted the instant the houselights dimmed, and the pint-sized singer took the stage alone at her keyboard. Backed by a waterfall of cascading lights, she lit up the room with a powerful rendition of "Any Day Now" that set the stage for the moving mix of heartfelt ballads and boot-stomping rockers to come. Following the passionate opener, she was joined by her five-piece backing band, complete with trumpet player. From that point on, Missy tore through her solid catalog with panache and a fetching sense of humor.

Smokey, slow burners like "Secret," "The Wrong Girl" and "Forgive Me" enveloped the audience in her alluring blanket of emotions through their touching lyrics and plush arrangements. Far from a rainy parade, she let the sun shine in with up-tempo numbers like "Peachy" and "Scar". Between nearly every song she engaged the fans with witty banter about everything from her love of the American accent—she compared it to chocolate—to her unshaved armpits. It all served to make her more accessible, as she charmed the pants off of everyone in attendance. Armed with an arsenal of sturdy songs and a winning personality, Missy is sure to round up a heap of new fans as she continues her U.S. trek.

—Chas Reynolds
02.27.08