Presented by Snap, Crackle, Pop
Reviewed Sunday 2nd June 2013
Say the word ‘jazz’, and popular music aficionados cringe with the stereotyped mental image of a grungy, soulful saxophonist belting out an off-beat (what those in the biz call ‘syncopated’) tune, in a shoebox club tucked away in New Orleans. Perhaps most feel that their lack of a tan corduroy suit bars them from scatting to the Scoobie Do Wup?
Little do many know, jazz was the evolutionary leap from classical music, to rock, to the pop music that we purchase for $1.69 (or $2.19 if iTunes is being cruel) with a single click from our computers or mobile phones. Snap, Crackle, Pop, led by the dynamic and charismatic Alison Coppe, promise to take us on an “autobiographical, anthropological” exploration to discover what ‘pop’ is, and what it means to us.
Coppe possesses one of those invariably powerful and flexible voices, capable of everything from the deep, sombre tones of K.D. Lang to Beyonce’s bootylicious ballads, and anything in between. She is a refreshing reminder that some singers are talented without the assistance of the myriad of technological devices used to augment pop music belted out on our radios and media players.
Coppe is charming, humorous and, in every sense, what a musician should be. She made no effort to distance herself from the audience. Her clever banter between songs captured intrigue and had the audience laughing. The talented, self-proclaimed man with the “best chest-hair in Adelaide” (a quick flash helped prove this), David Mazzarelli also on vocals, added yet another layer to the performance. His smooth-stylings are the perfect vocal harmony to Coppe’s. You’ll be witness to this during the medley of popular songs from the King and Queen of pop music (I won’t spoil who – I promise it’s amazing).
Coppe and her partner-in-crime, pianist Aaron Nash, have an entertaining back and forth between (and sometimes during) songs that helps tell the story of popular music, as well as keep the audience entertained. Ellen Mitchell and Jess Zubkeych should not be ignored, and add the final part to this showpiece.
There could be no better setting than La Bohème for this performance. It is a shame that you are only granted one short hour to bop along to Snap, Crackle, Pop—I genuinely was disappointed when this amazing gala came to an end.
These are the renditions and performances you wish you could keep on your media or CD player in your car. Do yourself a favour, don’t miss out on the final performance of Snap, Crackle, Pop.
Reviewed by Nathan Giaccio
Venue: La Bohème, 36 Grote St, Adelaide
Season: 2, 5 June 2013
Duration: 1 hour
Tickets: $15.00 – $20.00
Bookings: Book at Cabaret Fringe Festival 2013
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