REVIEW
The Bluejays
Rock and Roll Revolution
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Friday 15th February
8pm
The Bluejays
Rock and Roll Revolution
Palace Theatre, Westcliff on Sea
Friday 15th February
8pm
The Bluejays returned to Southend’s Palace Theatre almost a year to the day that they last performed the Rock and Roll Revolution show that they have toured the length and breadth of the UK with since they formed back in 2013.
Despite the band only being in their twenties and early thirties themselves, their heroes are clearly the rock and roll icons that revolutionised the music scene of the 1950s; an era which brought us the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Johnny Cash to name but a few. Cliff Richard, who would invent his stage persona from the Little Richard and Elvis, was a forerunner of the British rock and roll movement and also receives his due recognition in this rock and roll musical montage.
The Bluejays’ frontman is Ollie Seymour Marsh. His theatrical credits include Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet, Buddy in the Buddy Holly Story and the UK tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats and he is joined on stage by Dan Graham on drums, Chris Reid (bass, double bass), Dan Criscuolo on guitar and Matt Wycliffe - Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio) and Buddy Holly Story (Buddy Holly) - providing vocals and some knockout piano playing skills. They are joined by saxophonists and backing singers, Emma Jane Morton and Rachel Nottingham.
Musical theatre has obviously been a predominant factor in the band’s formation; in fact all of the band originally met whilst performing together in various rock ’n’ roll theatre shows and it must have been inevitable that through their affection of the rock ’n’ roll musical genre and their love of performing, they would go on to form what would eventually become The Bluejays. They are now the UK’s Premier Rock ’n' Roll band and have performed all over the world, including a memorable performance, on what would have been Buddy Holly’s 81st birthday, at the Buddy Holly Centre in Lubbock, Texas (Buddy’s hometown) to an audience which included guitar legend, Duane Eddy. They were joined that night by Buddy’s wife Maria Elena who sang backing vocals to Not Fade Away with them.
The band take you through the decade with hit after hit including Rock Around the Clock, Folsom Prison Blues, Roll Over Beethoven, That’ll Be the Day, Move It, Be-Bop-A-Lula, Jailhouse Rock, Great Balls of Fire and lots, lots more! There are over 47 songs played in this show - you certainly get your money’s worth.
The guys are joined by Amelia Rendell, who gives a feisty show of things with strong vocals that actually probably don’t need a mic as she belts out hits from Peggy Lee, Patsy Cline and Connie Francis, whilst also getting a chance to style out the fabulous fashions of the era too.
Matt Wycliffe impresses with his piano playing in Real Wild Child, Fats Domino’s Ain’t That a Shame and later on in the evening with Great Balls of Fire. Drummer, Dan Graham gets his chance to show off with the Surfaris’ Wipe Out along with the some nice guitar playing from Dan Criscuolo. By this time the audience, who have been itching to get up and jive, are on their feet and nothing is going to make them sit back down again!
Ollie Seymour Marsh highlights just how adaptable the band can be when a problem with the piano, at one point of the show, means that they have to change the setlist to a Buddy Holly song. With various requests from the audience, Ollie picks a couple who tell him that their upcoming ‘wedding song’ is going to be True Love Ways and despite the fact that he confesses he hasn’t played it for a while, goes on to perform a perfect solo rendition of the song accompanied just by his guitar, much to the delight of the audience and not least the couple who’s upcoming nuptials have been made all the more special now by this impromptu request.
Rock and Roll Revolution is a fun night out for any rock and roll fan, which I am sure a group of ladies in the audience calling themselves the Beehives will readily endorse! All of the band are fabulous musicians and the sound quality of the show is excellent. There’s a real sense of nostalgia and a nod towards what a concert of that type would have been like back in the day.
On one of the clips, that are played on a projector throughout the show, you hear a recording of an announcer talking about a Buddy Holly gig - “These boys are putting on a great show and everyone’s having a swell old time.” You know what? I think that pretty much sums it up.
The Bluejays tour continues for more information go to www.thebluejays.co.uk
Despite the band only being in their twenties and early thirties themselves, their heroes are clearly the rock and roll icons that revolutionised the music scene of the 1950s; an era which brought us the likes of Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Johnny Cash to name but a few. Cliff Richard, who would invent his stage persona from the Little Richard and Elvis, was a forerunner of the British rock and roll movement and also receives his due recognition in this rock and roll musical montage.
The Bluejays’ frontman is Ollie Seymour Marsh. His theatrical credits include Carl Perkins in Million Dollar Quartet, Buddy in the Buddy Holly Story and the UK tour of Dreamboats and Petticoats and he is joined on stage by Dan Graham on drums, Chris Reid (bass, double bass), Dan Criscuolo on guitar and Matt Wycliffe - Jersey Boys (Bob Gaudio) and Buddy Holly Story (Buddy Holly) - providing vocals and some knockout piano playing skills. They are joined by saxophonists and backing singers, Emma Jane Morton and Rachel Nottingham.
Musical theatre has obviously been a predominant factor in the band’s formation; in fact all of the band originally met whilst performing together in various rock ’n’ roll theatre shows and it must have been inevitable that through their affection of the rock ’n’ roll musical genre and their love of performing, they would go on to form what would eventually become The Bluejays. They are now the UK’s Premier Rock ’n' Roll band and have performed all over the world, including a memorable performance, on what would have been Buddy Holly’s 81st birthday, at the Buddy Holly Centre in Lubbock, Texas (Buddy’s hometown) to an audience which included guitar legend, Duane Eddy. They were joined that night by Buddy’s wife Maria Elena who sang backing vocals to Not Fade Away with them.
The band take you through the decade with hit after hit including Rock Around the Clock, Folsom Prison Blues, Roll Over Beethoven, That’ll Be the Day, Move It, Be-Bop-A-Lula, Jailhouse Rock, Great Balls of Fire and lots, lots more! There are over 47 songs played in this show - you certainly get your money’s worth.
The guys are joined by Amelia Rendell, who gives a feisty show of things with strong vocals that actually probably don’t need a mic as she belts out hits from Peggy Lee, Patsy Cline and Connie Francis, whilst also getting a chance to style out the fabulous fashions of the era too.
Matt Wycliffe impresses with his piano playing in Real Wild Child, Fats Domino’s Ain’t That a Shame and later on in the evening with Great Balls of Fire. Drummer, Dan Graham gets his chance to show off with the Surfaris’ Wipe Out along with the some nice guitar playing from Dan Criscuolo. By this time the audience, who have been itching to get up and jive, are on their feet and nothing is going to make them sit back down again!
Ollie Seymour Marsh highlights just how adaptable the band can be when a problem with the piano, at one point of the show, means that they have to change the setlist to a Buddy Holly song. With various requests from the audience, Ollie picks a couple who tell him that their upcoming ‘wedding song’ is going to be True Love Ways and despite the fact that he confesses he hasn’t played it for a while, goes on to perform a perfect solo rendition of the song accompanied just by his guitar, much to the delight of the audience and not least the couple who’s upcoming nuptials have been made all the more special now by this impromptu request.
Rock and Roll Revolution is a fun night out for any rock and roll fan, which I am sure a group of ladies in the audience calling themselves the Beehives will readily endorse! All of the band are fabulous musicians and the sound quality of the show is excellent. There’s a real sense of nostalgia and a nod towards what a concert of that type would have been like back in the day.
On one of the clips, that are played on a projector throughout the show, you hear a recording of an announcer talking about a Buddy Holly gig - “These boys are putting on a great show and everyone’s having a swell old time.” You know what? I think that pretty much sums it up.
The Bluejays tour continues for more information go to www.thebluejays.co.uk
Our competition winner, Belinda English, had a wonderful time last night and even got to meet the band!
Here's what she had to say, "Best show yet and I will cherish this photo forever and will never forget the kindness shown to me by the band for their time having their photo taken with me!"
Great photo Belinda!
Here's what she had to say, "Best show yet and I will cherish this photo forever and will never forget the kindness shown to me by the band for their time having their photo taken with me!"
Great photo Belinda!
“The Bluejays are the real Rock ‘n’ Roll deal!”
Vintage Rock Magazine
“A rocking show with a big difference… we were blown away!”
Meridian FM
“The audience couldn’t wait to get up and start jitterbugging and jiving!”
Southend Theatre Scene
“Immense… faultless… one fantastic band!”
Yorkshire Times
Our REVIEW from last year's show
Vintage Rock Magazine
“A rocking show with a big difference… we were blown away!”
Meridian FM
“The audience couldn’t wait to get up and start jitterbugging and jiving!”
Southend Theatre Scene
“Immense… faultless… one fantastic band!”
Yorkshire Times
Our REVIEW from last year's show