Cat Power ‘The Greatest’ 20th Anniversary

In pursuit of the slinky, sensuous rhythms of the ’70s Hi Records sound, the Atlanta-born Marshall – already a bona fide star in the wake of Moon Pix (1998) and The Covers Record (2000) – travelled to Memphis, where she connected with Al Green’s guitarist and songwriting partner Mabon “Teenie” Hodges (“Love and Happiness”, “Take Me To The River”), his brother Leroy “Flick” Hodges and a host of crack Memphis musicians.

The result was an album of rare, sublime alchemy: across songs such as the swinging, gospel-like “Lived in Bars” and the ethereal title track, the record combined Marshall’s signature smoky vocals and evocatively bruised songwriting with the horns, funky strings and smooth background vocals of the music she grew up on.

The record marked a turning point for Marshall as a musician and live performer, imbuing the notoriously vulnerable singer-songwriter with the confidence and vibrancy that courses through the songs. Earlier this year, Marshall and her band released the EP Redux, which features a brand-new rerecording of The Greatest ’s “Could We,” alongside covers of Prince and James Brown.

This will be Marshall’s first Sydney Opera House performance since her acclaimed Cat Power Sings Dylan show for Vivid LIVE in 2023. Don’t miss this very special celebration of a one-of-a-kind record. Presented by Sydney Opera House