Presented by: Tim Woods and Phil Bathols
Reviewed: 29 June 2016
Leo Sayer and Lulu have a lot of musical mileage between them. That isn’t a bad thing as the 2 British singers who have had a litany of hit songs stretching back to the 1960’s have endured. As they’ve matured, so have their fans although they’ve learned to gain new ones as well. Separately, they’ve done amazing work: together they cause an explosion of sound sure to please eardrums. Whilst their longevity is remarkable, that their songs still resonate speaks volumes of their initial writing and delivery. Having seen Leo Sayer before at an earlier Adelaide Cabaret Festival, it was intriguing for me to see him in a full-blown concert extravaganza – with Lulu joining him it promised an evening of sonic beauty. Thankfully it more than fitted the bill, pleasing the audience of all ages.
Taking turns in singing their hits as well as several duets, Sayer and Lulu were at the top of their game. Where some performers’ voices tend to fade as they age, Sayer’s and Lulu’s vocals were startling. Retaining the power they still had when they began their careers, their singing abilities revealed how they have maintained their unique ranges. From the falsetto quirks of Sayer’s tracks to Lulu’s dynamic, punchy deliveries, their energy and tenacity in proving they have what it took to show off their talents was very admirable. Although in their late 60’s, both bounced around the stage with the enthusiastic zest of people half their age, showing their love for their craft in full flight.
It was the classics songs everyone wanted to hear and they got them. To Sir with Love, The Man With the Golden Gun, You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, More Than I Can Say, among many others conjured a live jukebox of constant hits. The audience expected to hear them but enjoyed them nonetheless with much ensuing dancing and cheering. Whilst perhaps delivering these songs an octave lower than their original recordings, Sayer and Lulu stayed true to their spirit, capturing the essence of what made them initially popular.
Being showbiz veterans, the duo knew how to engage with the audience. Lulu took a more personal, intimate approach, going through what each song meant to her and why she recorded them. Particularly interesting were her musings on her former husband Maurice Gibb – one third of the famed Bee Gees group – with her covers of their songs such as Send A Message to You offering an emotional thread to the evening. She knew how to have fun as well with a final duet with Sayer in the classic Australian song Shout, bringing the house down due to her amazingly vibrant delivery. Sayer wasn’t to be outdone either, as he also explained about his tracks while making the show almost a performance piece – mirroring the clownish court jester persona of yesteryear.
Backed by a 7 piece band with perfectly timed lighting, Leo Sayer and Lulu’s concert event zipped along at a brisk pace masking its two and a half hour run-time. Nothing seemed drawn out and both entertainers and audience enthusiastically got stuck into the spirit of nostalgic fun. The concert promised a great time and it more than delivered with Lulu’s first Australian tour and Sayer’s umpteenth proving they still have the goods over their modern-day counterparts.
Reviewed by: Patrick Moore
Twitter: @PatrickMoore14
One night only – Season ended
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