(Pic: Tim Wells, Jason Andrew and Nux Schwartz)A great musical experience awaits at Rhumbelow Theatre from Tim Wells and his Blues Band. (Review by Caroline Smart)
If you like blues music –particularly Eric Clapton, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel and Jimi Hendrix - then waste no time in booking for the few remaining shows of Big Blue at the Rhumbelow Theatre which runs over this and next weekend.
The highly talented and versatile Tim Wells is well-known as an award-winning actor and a fine musician/vocalist. He’s a good mimic and capable of manipulating his voice into numerous accents and styles which makes him one of Durban’s busiest voice-over artists. We don’t see enough of him on stage – who will forget his performance in KickstArt’s Oleanna? – but music lovers gain from his Blues Band which includes Peter Enslin on piano and keyboards, Nux Schwartz (guitar), Jason Andrew (bass) and Steve du Plessis (drums) with Tim on lead vocals.
The show starts with Tim as a somewhat bedraggled neon-green jacketed car guard promising to take care of the cars outside but also reminding patrons that Umbilo (where Rhumbelow is situated) has spawned some of South Africa’s top musicians.
A quick change into a leather jacket (in this heat, the man’s mad!) and we start the show at full tilt with Cream’s Crossroads. The energy continues from there. Occasionally offering linking narrative, Tim Wells introduces the show as: “A haphazard journey down a trail of blues” before Clapton’s Drifting Blues move in with a languorous intro from Peter Enslin. From then on, it’s a great musical experience with full respect given to each song’s individuality, almost like a book of pictures by a variety of different visual artists – each page a new experience. The narrative is minimal, letting the music speak for itself.
After interval, Tim takes up his guitar with Nux Schwartz and they present the Neil Young numbers Hello Mr Soul and World on a String. We also get to hear a couple of Tim Wells’s own numbers: the up-tempo Come Back City Girl and Silent, his achingly-beautiful tribute to his late brother, Chris.
Tim Wells is one of the most generous-spirited lead vocalists I know, giving focus to the band whenever he can – even to the point of crouching in front of them so he doesn’t obstruct the audience’s uninterrupted vision of the rest of the group.
Memorable numbers for me were Billy Joel’s Baby Grand sung with moving intensity; the funky force of Hoochie Coochie by Muddy Waters; the Joe Cocker version of Unchain My Heart and the edgy Voodoo Chile. I simply delighted in the Ray Charles version of Your Cheating Heart with keyboard in string mode, band members as back-up singers and full theatrical fairy lights to add to the dramatic feel.
Big Blue has another performance at Rhumbelow Theatre on March 14 at 18h30 to run again on March 19 and 20 at 20h00 and March 21 at 18h30. The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic dinner. Tickets R90. Take along food picnic baskets and braais will be available. There is limited secure parking and booking is essential. A cash bar is available (no alcohol may be brought on to the premises). Rhumbelow Theatre is situated in Cunningham Avenue off Bartle Road.
Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland on 031 205 7602 (h) or 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net or visit www.rhumbelow.za.net – Caroline Smart
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