Review by Julian Hall

I’m glad that Jesse Griffin’s enjoyable comedy creation had been given an outing on Radio 2 and, as I watch him tonight, I see potential for TV too. If Conchords can fly then Griffins can. Moreover, TV would test the storytelling abilities of this character beyond his current parameters and this needs doing anyway to stretch a good act to a great one in whatever medium.

While I have reservations about the average yarns woven by this good ol’ country boy it’s almost impossible to fault Dixon’s best lines whether spoken or sung. His dexterous take on what a policeman means when he asks a suspect to ‘reach for the sky’, or on a family sitting down to watch other families have mishaps on hidden camera shows, nod to verbal ability up there with the greatest jokesmiths.

The worldy-wise delivery adds to them though the soundscape of the show is ultimately one note. Dixon has more than one string to his proverbial bow, as well as six on his guitar, but that doesn’t adequately come across.

Focusing you on the positives and keeping the tumbleweeds at bay, is the happy thought that a choice line is never far away even if they are mired in some inconsequential stories. When the lines do come, for example, about the catastrophic potential of butterflies Dixon can make you believe that he was the first one that ever thought of it, such is the balance between innocence and wisdom within his character.

Review date: 23 Aug 2009
Reviewed by: Julian Hall