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| Dusty Lee Stephensen - Sarah McLeod - Carla Lippis - Justin Burford in 27 CLUB LIVE. |
If you’re a fan of Janis Joplin, Amy Winehouse, Kurt Cobain, Jim Morrison or Jimmi Hendrix then this is a show you should not miss.
Equally, if it’s
the opportunity to experience the talents of Sarah McLeod, Carla Lippis, Dusty
Lee Stephensen, or Justin Burford that has piqued your curiosity, then hesitate
no longer, because each is a skilled rock musician, singer and entertainer,
well known in Adelaide, but together with this show, making their first foray
into Sydney as part of the 2024 Sydney Fringe Festival.
As the title
hints, 27 CLUB LIVE, is a stylish rock cabaret, directed by Zac Tyler, which revolves
around the songs and careers of five rock legends, none of whom survived beyond
the age of 27.
Their
stories are told during the show, not in great depth nor in sequence, but with
enough information to make you want to track down their biographies. There’s also
idealised video images of the five rotating on giant LED screens either side of
the stage, to remind you what they look like.
None of the
performers attempt to imitate the looks or mannerisms of the artists they are
celebrating, concentrating instead on paying homage with brilliant individual interpretations
of the songs for which each legend is most associated, while at the same time
retaining their own distinctive personas.
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| Sarah McLeod |
When Sarah McLeod, the creative force behind the ARIA Award-winning, platinum-selling rock group, Superjesus, launches into her stunning renditions of Cry Baby and Mercedes Benz you could be forgiven for thinking Janis Joplin was in the room.
Never having
seen Joplin perform live it’s hard to believe her performance could have been
be anymore electric or heartfelt than McLeod’s, who certainly doesn’t hold
back, and despite the intensity of her performance you can understand every
lyric she sings.
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| Carla Lippis |
Similarly
Carla Lippis, dubbed by some as the Satanic Liza Minnelli, a nick-name that will
become obvious when you see her perform, is the real deal. Her duet with Justin
Burford of Kris Kristofferson’s Me and
Bobby McGee, another song associated with Joplin, is one of many highlights
that light up the performance.
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| Justin Burford |
Justin Burford has already won two ARIA Awards and a Helpmann Award nomination for his role in the Australian production of “Rock of Ages”. He also wrote and starred in KURT, a celebration of Kurt Cobain’s life and music, so his stunning renditions of Cobain’s music have the stamp of authenticity.
Frontman for Wanderers which won the accolade of South Australia’s Best Blues/Roots band in 2017, Dusty Lee Stephensen is a staple of Adelaide’s live music scene who certainly knows his way around the stage and around a song, especially those of James Morrison and Jimmy Hendrix.
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| Dusty Lee Stephensen |
But these
performers don’t confine themselves to a particular legend. All four remain on
stage for the duration of the show, supporting each other’s solos with flashy
guitar riffs, clever harmonies, wild rock moves or just joining in the superb
arrangements emanating from the quartet of outstanding musicians, Danny Leo
(drums), Lachy Doley (Keys), Tim Curnick (Bass), Cam Blockland (Guitar), who
provide the sometimes wild, sometimes gentle and sensitive accompaniments that
capture the mood and style of each of the legends being celebrated.
As you would expect the volume is as loud as it should be for a rock show which could the forerunner of a new musical genre – The Rock Cabaret.
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| Dusty Lee Stephensen - Sarah McLeod - Carla Lippis - Justin Burford in 27 CLUB LIVE. |
If Rock ‘n Roll is your thing, this is your opportunity to discover before the rest of Sydney four outstanding exponents perhaps destined to become rock legends in their own right, as well as learn more about five extraordinary performers who died too early.
Photos by TIM LEVY
This review also published in AUSTRALIAN ARTS REVIEW.