There are few certainties in life, so said ol' Benji Franklin. Sydney music fans can add 'a great gig at the basement' to death and taxes.

The Basement in Reibey Street, Sydney is one of those rare venues that always delivers. I have been there often, at random, and been privileged to listen to great music performed by talented musicians at their peak. Monday's performance (20 April 2009) by Luke Gerber and the Common Wealth maintained the high standards. Their proto-country-jazz-funk, reminiscent of the cosmic country rock of Gram Parsons, had a definitive Sydney feel. Relaxed and confident.

Each of the musicians in this band possess a real mastery over their instruments. As an ensemble, they were greater than the sum of its parts. The rhythm section (which included a digeridoo on a few numbers) provided a solid and laid back groove, the guitars and dobro provided colour, and the girls shimmered. Often Luke's trombone gave it all an added spark that things particularly special.

All songs but for one of their 90 minute set were originals. The band sing about love and life in the city, and they are personal. They are evocative of Sydney, past and present, the essence of its spirit; the smells and sounds of its history. They are about living, loving, losing and hoping in a big city.

The first song of the evening, Convict resonated with the history of how Sydney was built as well as the present day struggles of ordinary workers - or even the band themselves? The historically-rich references echoed the gruelling work conditions, and that yearning for love that you hope will put things right- and how elusive that turns out to be... Stars Were Drunk talks about the first days (and nights) of a failed relationship with frank humour. Who do you blame when the headiness that sweeps you away at the start is replaced with bitter feelings? Yes, the stars must have been very drunk. A Sydney Love Song looks to a relationship with hope; the city and all that it stands for shaping and nourishing the lovers.  

The audience responded well, especially as I assume that most of them were, like me, hearing them for the first time. They were songs that spoke about their daily struggles, love and laughter, the hardships and the tears. Their cover of Fools Gold (quite appropriate for the current GFC times) silenced and enthralled the audience.

Luke and the Common Wealth had spent much of the previous six months adding the finishing touches to their originals at the Hollywood Hotel, Surry Hills, where they had been the band in residence. This was well-spent time, clearly evident in one of the tightest bands I've had the pleasure to witness in a while – impressive given that this is a diversion from their full-time careers.

As entertainers, this band delivered. Luke is witty and has an engaging personality, keeping the audience in fits of laughter in between songs.

A sign of a good gig was that the evening ended ended with the audience wanting more. Yes, there was more. But l wanted to take away some of their music to listen to at a later date. Luke and the Common Wealth need to put out an album or EP soon. Their music has the cross-genre appeal to make it a likely commercial success.

Luke Gerber and The Common Wealth are at the Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills every Wednesday and at other venues in Sydney throughout May and June 2009.