BRIAN FINCH AT HERITAGE

Highly entertaining and well-presented supper theatre show. (Review by Rosalie Howard)

Brian Finch, billed in the 'old day's as "Durban's Bob Dylan" is back by popular demand at the Heritage Theatre in Hillcrest for a week only! I highly recommend that you see this performance while you can – it’s highly entertaining musically, very well-rehearsed and performed by four fine musicians led by Brian.

Brian's show in the main is "Folk Rock" although his starting number in the first half was slow and laid back and almost set a melancholic mood until he broke his 6th string!! This, however, did not hamper his first song and went totally un-noticed until he drew attention to it at the end of the song with humour. Fortunately he carries several tuned instruments with him so the show went on! He appeared on stage solo for the first few songs - performing Bob Dylan in typical Dylan style. The rest of the group arrived on stage and the mood swung to a lively, sometimes amusing, sometimes sad yet overall thoroughly enjoyable performance of Dylan and others.

I personally have never been a great lover of Bob Dylan's voice but I must agree with the rest of the audience last night that Brian's performance of his music was rendered with verve, great talent and expression. I would like to hear him sing something classical as he has the voice for it! Strong, energetic and true.

His numbers through the first half included songs such as Just Like A Woman, Big Time, Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid, Knock, Knock, Knocking On Heaven's Door and many more.

"Folk", as we know, were story songs so popular in the 70's in particular. While staying with the original mood, Brian has turned many of these oldies and his own very well-written compositions into "Folk Rock" and with very competent backing of Paul Herbst on bass and backing harmonies, Wayne Coughlan from Johannesburg on electric slide and dorbro guitar and master percussionist Dan Chiorboli on his enormous variety of bongo drums, tom-toms, djembe drum and every other imaginable Brazilian style of instrument - totally 'hands on' - no sticks! What a talented person who clearly loved every moment of the performance. Not only is he totally 'hands on' but elbows, forearms and forehead to boot!

The second half of the show offered fans a unique opportunity to hear new songs written by Brian plus popular numbers like Playground in Paradise, Oh Brother and songs from his own three albums such as Never Look Back. A prolific composer and true craftsman engaging with an "all star" band. I particularly enjoyed his brand new first Afrikaans composition entitled Outa-Lappies.

Apart from his great musical talent, what endeared the entire house to Brian is his ability to interact with his audience who became his 'mates' within the first half hour - a delightful, laid back personality, humorous throughout offering quips at appropriate moments and the audience loved him! He so obviously enjoys what he does best and his relationship with his fellow band members is infectious - at least twice in the show, when his throat was dry, he ordered 'live on the air' a tray of Jagemeister from Gary McKenzie (show producer) for the band - it's thirsty work singing for 45 minutes, almost non-stop without much of a break!!

Someone in the audience kept shouting out Born At The Wrong Time - is that a song I have forgotten or was Brian “Born At The Wrong Time"? - I saw it as a compliment to Brian as his fans would want to see and hear him for many years to come!

The two or three course meal is served from 19h00 and the show follows at approximately 20h30. The meal, as usual was spectacular - my culinary delight started with a spicy Butternut soup topped with curried ice cream! An unusual and spicy start to a most enjoyable evening! This was followed by the Lamb shanks for which Heritage kitchen is renowned. You can't beat them! The alternative main dish was a Portuguese Chicken breast cooked in something creamy which looked scrumptious!

Brian has invited fans to book to see the show again on Sunday afternoon when he has invited other musos to come in and busk with them … this should be fun! So treat yourself to an afternoon of really good entertainment this Sunday! If you can’t make that show, there are still performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Bookings may be made directly at the theatre on 031 765 4197 or book on-line on the theatre's website www.heritagetheatre.co.za – Rosalie Howard