Caitlin and Fondue Set just kept getting better

The Daily News – New Plymouth by Harry Brown 13th March 2003 As the sports desk people say, Caitlin Smith and the Fondue Set was very much a game of two halves. The first half was an extrovert display of vocal and instrumental jazz a la Cleo Laine, her two guitarists, Nigel Gavin and Steve Gerrish setting a great standard in their breaks, indeed stealing the show at times. Caitlin, her voice familiar from many a TV ad, was in great extempore form as she spiced up old faithfuls like Calamity Jane’s Secret Love and the Tennessee Waltz alongside some thoughtful lyrics on unwanted pregnancy and a repetitive Long Distance Love.  But it was Teach Me Tonight that brought the laughs and Anchor Me that got the audience going. It’s a great voice, and expressive hands with it, but that hair!  Just wished she’d leave it alone.  I didn’t mean to count, but she pushed it back six times in just one eight bar intro. Must have read my mind – it was tied up after the interval.  Change of dress, change of style and the audience came alive too, happy with the change to a blues style and more familiar territory. Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashan added local colour to a show that took off and please a huge audience who went home Feelin’ Groovy.