(Review by Lance).
A celebration of the GASbook as performed by divas past [mostly] and present delivered in true show biz fashion by the exquisitely gowned Laura Adams and the immaculately tailored Paul James Band.
The Divas were Ella, Sassy, Peggy, Julie, Nina, Natalie, Dinah W, Etta, Diane (Reeves) and Judy - apologies ladies if I've missed anyone out.
Wisely, although using arrangements adapted from the originals, Adams didn't attempt note for note cloning but, instead, did it 'her way'.
This was a two-edged sword. At Last wasn't quite the showstopper it should have been to close the first set whilst Over the Rainbow that concluded the second set most certainly was - even Judy Garland would have been pushed to match this rendition.
The band was solid behind her with piano and guitar impressing and leader James keeping it all together. The horns provided the section work that, at times, sounded like there was twice their number. Solos were few but effective.
There were guests - Pete Brown scored as Sinatra and, like Adams, had a few seasonal moments. The game lifted when Carlos Rivera joined in on congas. You know the feeling, a sub comes off the bench and turns the game around. He also did the rumba (or was it a mambo or a cha cha cha?) with Ms Adams. Great stuff but, when Laura sat at the keyboard and sang and played How Deep is the Ocean (dedicated to her mum and sister Debbie) there wasn't a dry eye in the 3 tier-full house.
A predictable, but very enjoyable, evening.
Lance.
Laura Adams (vocal/piano); Paul James (elec. bass/bass guitar); Gary Cowie (piano); Phil Hudson (guitar); Dave Lourie (drums); Gordon Marshall (trumpet/flugel); David Gray (trombone); Steve Summers (alto/soprano/flute); Graham Brown (tenor/keys) + Pete Brown (vocal); Carlos Rivera (congas).
2 comments :
sounds like my sort of gig!
You'd have loved it! Keep an eye out for them if they ever do a gig in York.
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