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| Frances Madden and her All Star Band performing in The Street Theatre. |
The Street Theatre – 12th March 2022.
Reviewed by Bill Stephens
Making her
first appearance in Canberra as part of a five-city tour to launch her latest
album also entitled “Beautiful World”, Frances Madden, performing in a
sophisticated modernistic setting provided by the Street Theatre, turned out to
be a real surprise packet.
A consummate
musician, gifted composer and arranger, with a sweet voice and relaxed,
engaging presence that exudes the joy of singing, Madden and her band performed
an engaging program, of songs featured on her new album, new songs not yet
recorded sprinkled with exciting arrangements of familiar standards.
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| Frances Madden performing at The Street Theatre. |
The standards
included an upbeat arrangement of “Dancing in the Street” to open
the show; a lush arrangement of Oscar
Peterson’s “Give Me The Simple Life” which provided Madden with the opportunity
to show off her formidable jazz piano technique; a joyous romp through
Gershwin’s “S’Wonderful”; and a gorgeously performed arrangement of Leonard Cohen’s ubiquitous “Hallelujah” .
However it
was Madden’s virtuosity as a composer and song stylist that were the most
impressive aspects of this concert. Surrounding herself with musicians of the
ilk of guitarist Carl Dewhurst, trumpeter Ray Cassar, Brett Hirst on double
bass and Tim Geldens on drums, with Borbala
Bodonyi and Jo Fabro providing exquisite backing vocals, Madden, seated
at piano and keyboards, followed the
rousing opening with a gentle new song, not yet recorded, entitled “Bless the
Day”.
Unfortunately
most of the lyrics for this song were lost in the poor sound mix which took
some time to find the correct level. This problem also affected the performance
of Madden’s charming ballad, “You’re doing so well”, and even the title song,
an infectious, toe-tapping cover by Madden of the Adam Crossley song “Beautiful
World”.
By the time
we got to her rather wonderful arrangement of the Lerner and Lowe song, “On the
Street Where You Live”, all had found their correct sound levels, allowing the audience
to relax and savour Madden’s captivating vocal stylings.
In addition
to her jazz credentials, Madden is also a brilliant classical pianist, often
references classical compositions in her introductions for her own
compositions. A few bars of Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” evaporates into a
seductive rocking blues rhythm for “Change in Your Eyes” for which Carl
Dewhurst contributed exquisite guitar interpolations. A long Liberace-ish
flourish precedes the tango rhythm for the catchy, “The Tango Never Lies” which
Ray Cassar embellished with a stylish trumpet solo.
Not the
least of Maddens talents is her ability to charm her audience with her
introductions to each item. To the point and thankfully devoid of unnecessary
waffle, whether confiding a charming family revelation about ‘the chosen one’
to introduce her gentle lullaby “Made for You”, or a cheeky red-herring about a temperamental orchid to
explain the motivation for “You’re Doing so Well” , her gentle, confidently delivered
introductions gave just enough information to enhance the enjoyment of each
song.
Following a
standing ovation at the end of her performance, which she rewarded with two encores,
Madden declared that she would be back. She also mentioned that she was about
to go overseas to explore further performance possibilities. She certainly has
everything she needs to succeed.
But don’t
wait for the world to discover her. If
she comes your way, be among the first to discover this prodigiously talented
entertainer for yourself.
Images by The Creswick Collective.
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW. www.artsreview.com.au
