REVIEW
At Last - The Etta James Story
Palace Theatre
22nd September 2018
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
At Last - The Etta James Story
Palace Theatre
22nd September 2018
✭✭✭✭✭ 5/5
‘At Last’ - it’s Vika Bull brilliantly singing Etta James
The lights dimmed, a seven- piece band with a terrific brass section began to play and on walked Vika Bull, to stand centre stage. Wearing a white gardenia in her hair reminiscent of Billie Holliday, she started singing and blew the roof off the Palace Theatre. Singing out the raunchy songs made famous by Etta James and telling the singer’s story of her life, she made the songs her own.
This smash-hit show saw its world premiere in Melbourne in 2013 and since then has packed theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand. An outstanding singer in her own right, Vika has performed with some of the country’s finest recording artists such as Paul Kelly, Joe Camilleri, John Farnham, and many others.
This smash-hit show saw its world premiere in Melbourne in 2013 and since then has packed theatres throughout Australia and New Zealand. An outstanding singer in her own right, Vika has performed with some of the country’s finest recording artists such as Paul Kelly, Joe Camilleri, John Farnham, and many others.
Vika Bull
There was no attempt to be Etta James, she just belted out the familiar songs with her powerful vocal delivery, opening with a rousing Tell Mama, which was one of Etta’s biggest hits. The trumpet player Tibor Gyapjas, then stepped forward to provide the narration, telling us about Etta’s sad life. Problems with drink and drugs, the child of a young single mother who deserted her, damaged by abusive men, prison sentences and finally conquering her demons in the nineties. The show itself follows the narrative, punctuated by songs most associated with her career. These served the story, rather than following a chronology.
That Etta managed to keep her career with its ups and downs, lasting from the fifties until she died in 2012 is a tribute to her strong character. Her drunken foster father, used to make her get up in the night to entertain his friends and as a result, it affected her psychologically, she couldn’t sing on demand. Her mantra was:-
‘I sing when I damn well please.’
That Etta managed to keep her career with its ups and downs, lasting from the fifties until she died in 2012 is a tribute to her strong character. Her drunken foster father, used to make her get up in the night to entertain his friends and as a result, it affected her psychologically, she couldn’t sing on demand. Her mantra was:-
‘I sing when I damn well please.’
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Vika performed song after song, I Just Want to Make Love to You, Tough Love, Something’s Got a Hold on Me, Kiki Dee’s Sugar on the Floor and a rousing, raunchy, Roll With Me Henry joined by Ben Gellespie on the vocals. This song brought the house down. It was the first big hit for Etta in 1955, although thought to be too rude when covered by other artistes, it became known as Dance with Me Henry.
More songs followed with Lovesick Blues, In the Basement, Deep in the Night, W.O.M.A.N and even a James Brown song. Etta apparently worked with James and both being strong characters, didn’t get on. When the audience heard the opening bars of, I’d Rather Go Blind, which Etta co- wrote and foolishly gave the rights away, there was a ripple of excitement. There was again when she launched into At Last, the song that was used at the inauguration of President Obama, even though it was performed by Beyoncé, much to Etta’s disgust. She threatened to:- ‘Whip her ass.’ |
Etta James
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I was waiting for Vita to sing Piece of My Heart, made famous by Etta, but I was disappointed as that wasn’t in the repertoire. However, no one could be disappointed with the tremendous performance by this one-woman powerhouse, dominating the stage. At the end, the audience rose to their feet and she returned for an encore with the Eagles’ song, Take it to the Limit.
Vika was ably supported by amongst others, pianist John Mcall, Travis Clarke on Guitar, her husband John Watson on the drums, Dion Hirini, Anton Delecca as well as Tibor and Ben on trumpet and trombone.
At Last – The Etta James Story is a thrilling showcase as Vika Bull performs the songs of an outstanding singer who is no longer with us. If you can get a ticket for one of the gigs on the tour, you will have a thrilling evening.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
Vika was ably supported by amongst others, pianist John Mcall, Travis Clarke on Guitar, her husband John Watson on the drums, Dion Hirini, Anton Delecca as well as Tibor and Ben on trumpet and trombone.
At Last – The Etta James Story is a thrilling showcase as Vika Bull performs the songs of an outstanding singer who is no longer with us. If you can get a ticket for one of the gigs on the tour, you will have a thrilling evening.
Review: Jacquee Storozynski-Toll
The tour continues:-
Tue 25 Sep - 8:00 pm - Bath Forum, Bath
Thu 27 Sep - 8:00 pm - St David’s Hall, Cardiff
Fri 28 Sep - 8:00 pm - Octagon Theatre, Yeovil
Sat 29 Sep - 7:30 pm - G Live, Guildford
Sun 30 Sep - 8:00 pm - Theatre Royal, Brighton
Wed 03 Oct -7:30 pm - New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Thu 04 Oct - 8:00 pm - Alban Arena, St Albans
Fri 05 Oct - 8:00 pm - Pavilion Theatre - Bournemouth
Mon 08 Oct -8:00 pm - Derngate Theatre, Northampton
Tue 09 Oct - 8:00 pm - Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
Wed 10 Oct -8:00 pm - Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow
Thu 11 Oct - 8:00 pm - Queens Hall, Edinburgh
Sat 13 Oct - 8:00 pm - Sage One, Gateshead
Sun 14 Oct - 8:00 pm - The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
Mon 15 Oct - 8:00 pm - Buxton Opera House, Buxton
Tue 16 Oct - 8:00 pm - York Barbican, York
Thu 18 Oct - 8:00 pm - Birmingham Town Hall, Birmingham
Sat 20 Oct - 8:00 pm - Corn Exchange, Cambridge
Ending at :-
Mon 22 Oct -7.30 pm - Cadogan Hall, London
INTERVIEW
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For those unfamiliar with the show, can you start by telling us about the format of At Last: The Etta James Story?
VB: At Last: The Etta James Story is a narrative concert. I tell Etta’s story and in between, sing her songs. There are 23 in the show – all great and her story is fascinating. I’ve read that Etta James is your favourite singer. As a performer, what does it mean to you to sing her songs on stage? VB: I take it very seriously. I have a lot of respect for her. When I started in this business at 17 she was the one I listened to everyday. I liked the way she sang with power and honesty. Can you remember the first Etta James song you heard? How did her music influence your own career? VB: The first song I heard as ‘Roll With Me Henry’. I was instantly hooked. I loved the duet, I loved the voices, I loved the song. Her music has influenced my career greatly because of the way that she sang and I liked the fact that she could sing a lot of styles. |
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How did you come to take on the part?
VB: I was asked.
And how did you prepare?
VB: I looked up a lot of stuff on the internet. I read her book ‘Rage To Survive.’ I already knew most of her music, so there was no problem there. The preparation was in preparing my voice because the show is a very hard sing and I had to get vocally fit.
Is there a particular song that still really gets you every time you perform it?
VB: All I Could Do Was Cry, gets me every time. It’s so sad.
VB: I was asked.
And how did you prepare?
VB: I looked up a lot of stuff on the internet. I read her book ‘Rage To Survive.’ I already knew most of her music, so there was no problem there. The preparation was in preparing my voice because the show is a very hard sing and I had to get vocally fit.
Is there a particular song that still really gets you every time you perform it?
VB: All I Could Do Was Cry, gets me every time. It’s so sad.
Given the longevity of Etta’s career, there are a lot of different styles in the show. Do you have a favourite song to perform? Or one that’s more of a challenge?
VB: My favourite song to perform is Tough Lover. The most challenging is The Fool That I Am.
You rose to fame with Australian Blues outfit, The Black Sorrows, with who you toured the world, performed for Nelson Mandela, and supported legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sting and Joe Cocker. How does touring with a theatrical production differ?
VB: Yes, very different. The same show every night! I thought I would get bored but I haven’t. I still love performing this show because I love the songs so much and never get tired of them.
You are accompanied by The Essential Band, whose line-up - unusually for a touring show – hasn’t changed since the show premiered in 2013. There must be a real chemistry there?
VB: Yes, we like each other very much and have an enormous amount of respect for each other – some of the members of the band I have been working with for over 20 years!
The show has been phenomenally received in Australia, where you performed sell out dates at the Sydney Opera House. How did that reception feel?
VB: I was very pleased with the way people reacted to the show. I was quite shocked at first, but Etta is fair dinkum and Australians love that.
What do you think it is about the show and Etta’s music and story that resonate so powerfully with audiences?
VB: Etta doesn’t really sing shit songs and is a very funny woman. A devil!
VB: My favourite song to perform is Tough Lover. The most challenging is The Fool That I Am.
You rose to fame with Australian Blues outfit, The Black Sorrows, with who you toured the world, performed for Nelson Mandela, and supported legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Billy Joel, Sting and Joe Cocker. How does touring with a theatrical production differ?
VB: Yes, very different. The same show every night! I thought I would get bored but I haven’t. I still love performing this show because I love the songs so much and never get tired of them.
You are accompanied by The Essential Band, whose line-up - unusually for a touring show – hasn’t changed since the show premiered in 2013. There must be a real chemistry there?
VB: Yes, we like each other very much and have an enormous amount of respect for each other – some of the members of the band I have been working with for over 20 years!
The show has been phenomenally received in Australia, where you performed sell out dates at the Sydney Opera House. How did that reception feel?
VB: I was very pleased with the way people reacted to the show. I was quite shocked at first, but Etta is fair dinkum and Australians love that.
What do you think it is about the show and Etta’s music and story that resonate so powerfully with audiences?
VB: Etta doesn’t really sing shit songs and is a very funny woman. A devil!
What are you most looking forward to about touring the UK with At Last: The Etta James Story? Have you performed here before?
VB: Yes, I have performed in the UK before. I am very excited to be doing this show. I reckon the audiences over there will love the show as much as audiences her. I mean, what’s not to love - great songs, great story.
You’ve long been known on the Australian music scene where along with your sister, Linda, you’ve been credited as having some of the best harmonies in the business. You recently collaborated with iconic singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. How did that come about?
VB: Linda and I have worked with Paul, on and off, for nearly 30 years now. He likes our harmonies and we seem to blend well together. He is one of my favourite people to sing with because of that blend.
You and Linda were both the recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award at 2016’s Pacific Music Awards. How did it feel to receive such an honour?
VB: I was in a bit of shock really. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t really say anything. I just said thank you.
Syndicated Interview
VB: Yes, I have performed in the UK before. I am very excited to be doing this show. I reckon the audiences over there will love the show as much as audiences her. I mean, what’s not to love - great songs, great story.
You’ve long been known on the Australian music scene where along with your sister, Linda, you’ve been credited as having some of the best harmonies in the business. You recently collaborated with iconic singer-songwriter Paul Kelly. How did that come about?
VB: Linda and I have worked with Paul, on and off, for nearly 30 years now. He likes our harmonies and we seem to blend well together. He is one of my favourite people to sing with because of that blend.
You and Linda were both the recipients of the Outstanding Achievement Award at 2016’s Pacific Music Awards. How did it feel to receive such an honour?
VB: I was in a bit of shock really. I didn’t know what to say, so I didn’t really say anything. I just said thank you.
Syndicated Interview