REVIEW
Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael
Featuring Special Guest Ed Barker
Cliffs Pavilion
10th January 2018
8PM
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael
Featuring Special Guest Ed Barker
Cliffs Pavilion
10th January 2018
8PM
Cliffs Pavilion, Station Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, SS0 7RA
With the anniversary of George Michael's untimely death on Christmas day, just a year ago, you could be forgiven for thinking that Fastlove - A Tribute to George Michael is something that has been produced in order to make a few bucks on the back of the singer's tragic demise. However, Joseph, who performs as George Michael has in fact been doing so since early the early 2000s where he was discovered by a top tribute agency whilst singing Careless Whisper on a karaoke and hasn't looked back since.
I've no doubt that there are probably hundreds and thousands of fans from all over who would give their eye teeth for the opportunity to see one of this country's most prolific singer/songwriters perform once more. Sadly, that will never be but Joseph, a former design consultant from Leicester is keeping the memory of George Michael alive and certainly had no trouble proving his remarkable singing talents to the Cliffs Pavilion crowd on Fastlove's first gig of 2018.
Joseph is regarded as one of the top George Michael/Wham! tribute artists and it's easy to see why. I'm always slightly dubious about seeing tribute acts but Wham! and George Michael songs were constants throughout my teenage years and into adulthood, so I was curious to see if this show could do justice to this huge back catalogue of classic songs that have now almost become anthems for fans of his music.
Introduced by compere, James Taylor, who probably didn't really need to be there (it's not a holiday camp), we actually hear Joseph before we can see him and there is no doubt from this moment that the voice is uncannily the same as George's. It's a good minute or so before he comes on to the stage - is this deliberate, so we can soak up the fact that he sounds so like George? Perhaps, but when he does appear, to the delight of the audience, he even looks just like George complete with the trademark Raybans.
Fastlove is also a reminder as to just how many remarkable songs George Michael gave us throughout his career and it must be a challenge deciding which ones to cover from one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Every one, however, was a crowd pleaser and included Faith, Father Figure, Amazing, One More Try, Praying for Time, The Edge of Heaven, A Different Corner, the now infamous, Outside - complete with police officer outfit - and a spine-tingling, faultless rendition of Jesus to a Child with Ed Barker, one of George Michael's original musicians from the Symphonica tour joining the stage to perform an amazing saxophone solo.
I've no doubt that there are probably hundreds and thousands of fans from all over who would give their eye teeth for the opportunity to see one of this country's most prolific singer/songwriters perform once more. Sadly, that will never be but Joseph, a former design consultant from Leicester is keeping the memory of George Michael alive and certainly had no trouble proving his remarkable singing talents to the Cliffs Pavilion crowd on Fastlove's first gig of 2018.
Joseph is regarded as one of the top George Michael/Wham! tribute artists and it's easy to see why. I'm always slightly dubious about seeing tribute acts but Wham! and George Michael songs were constants throughout my teenage years and into adulthood, so I was curious to see if this show could do justice to this huge back catalogue of classic songs that have now almost become anthems for fans of his music.
Introduced by compere, James Taylor, who probably didn't really need to be there (it's not a holiday camp), we actually hear Joseph before we can see him and there is no doubt from this moment that the voice is uncannily the same as George's. It's a good minute or so before he comes on to the stage - is this deliberate, so we can soak up the fact that he sounds so like George? Perhaps, but when he does appear, to the delight of the audience, he even looks just like George complete with the trademark Raybans.
Fastlove is also a reminder as to just how many remarkable songs George Michael gave us throughout his career and it must be a challenge deciding which ones to cover from one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Every one, however, was a crowd pleaser and included Faith, Father Figure, Amazing, One More Try, Praying for Time, The Edge of Heaven, A Different Corner, the now infamous, Outside - complete with police officer outfit - and a spine-tingling, faultless rendition of Jesus to a Child with Ed Barker, one of George Michael's original musicians from the Symphonica tour joining the stage to perform an amazing saxophone solo.
The use of evocative lady dancers to jazz up each song no doubt gave some of the men who had been dragged there by the predominantly middle-aged ladies in the audience, a bit of eye candy to focus on. The dancers really came into their own during the Wham! section of the evening with Club Tropicana, Wake Me Up Before Go Go and Young Guns really getting the crowd on their feet after a great version of the sensational Careless Whisper had everyone swaying and the opportunity again for, Ed Barker, to come on stage once again to give us that iconic sax intro.
Fastlove is a fabulous night out for any George Michael fan and makes you appreciate just what an amazing talent he was and how desperately sad it is that he was taken from us far too soon. Joseph doesn't pretend to be George yet when he speaks, he even sounds like him. You can see why he is the UK's No 1 George Michael tribute artist. The sold out Southend audience certainly couldn't get enough of him and the fantastic atmosphere created throughout the show was more than enough to clear the January blues away, with everyone up on their feet making for an unforgettable evening.
Kim Tobin
Fastlove is a fabulous night out for any George Michael fan and makes you appreciate just what an amazing talent he was and how desperately sad it is that he was taken from us far too soon. Joseph doesn't pretend to be George yet when he speaks, he even sounds like him. You can see why he is the UK's No 1 George Michael tribute artist. The sold out Southend audience certainly couldn't get enough of him and the fantastic atmosphere created throughout the show was more than enough to clear the January blues away, with everyone up on their feet making for an unforgettable evening.
Kim Tobin
The Fastlove - a Tribute to George Michael cast with the Cliffs' audience giving a standing ovation at the end of the evening
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Musicians
Steve Nelson – Musical Director / Keyboards / BV’s Dayle Thompson – Bass / Synth / BV’s Mark Hilton – Drummer / Percussionist Julian Payne – Guitarist / BV’s Tanya Payne – Saxophone / Flute / BV’s Phil Wilson - Percussionist Elly Jarmain – Backing Vocalist Genevieve Sylva – Backing Vocalist |
The Dancers
Dani Mclaren – Choreographer Ellie Johnson – Dance Captain Zoe Pembroke - Dancer Heather Parkin - Dancer Ainhoa Swan - Dancer Special Guest
Ed Barker – Saxophone |
If you missed out on seeing the show this time round the good news is that Fastlove - A tribute to George Michael. is back at the Cliffs Pavilion on 27th March 2018. Tickets are already selling well, so grab them now!
Relive the passion, the flare, and the unique sensitivity of George Michael in this incredible concert sensation.
Tickets are available from the box office on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Relive the passion, the flare, and the unique sensitivity of George Michael in this incredible concert sensation.
Tickets are available from the box office on 01702 351135 or go online to www.southendtheatres.org.uk
Ask the Audience
Our competition winner, Tracey Harper from Chelmsford had a great time - here's what she had to say...
"Having seen George Michael in concert many times over the years, including with Wham, I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much, but I was impressed! During Jesus to a Child I could have closed my eyes and thought it was actually George there singing. It was a great atmosphere with everyone on their feet by the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I did feel that he struggled in places on some songs though. But overall a good night out."
Our competition winner, Tracey Harper from Chelmsford had a great time - here's what she had to say...
"Having seen George Michael in concert many times over the years, including with Wham, I have to admit that I wasn't expecting much, but I was impressed! During Jesus to a Child I could have closed my eyes and thought it was actually George there singing. It was a great atmosphere with everyone on their feet by the end. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I did feel that he struggled in places on some songs though. But overall a good night out."