(Two Bit Mac & Dave
Starke)
A well-performed straightforward show with no fuss and
frills that will appeal particularly to lovers of this genre of music. (Review
by Keith Millar)
The Rhumbelow Theatre at Tina’s Hotel in Kloof offers a wide
variety of music tribute shows and revues. These are usually based on the great
rock musicians of the latter part of 20th century, or compilations of their
music.
One is inclined to forget that there is also a huge treasury
of music of a gentler and more thoughtful nature, which may be a little more serious
and sometimes just a bit maudlin. The music of the fabulous singer/song writers,
and folk musicians of the time.
That is where Eshowe based guitarist and singer, Dave
Starke, steps in to correct the balance. After his recent homage to the music
of Lenard Cohen, he is back on the Rhumbelow stage with a tribute to two of the
greatest singer/song writers of them all, James Taylor and Carole King.
Joining Starke on stage for this production is a petite
young lady with the intriguing name of Two Bit Mac in a debut appearance at a
Rhumbelow venue.
James Taylor was a troubled character. He was prone to
depression and had several visits to psychiatric hospitals. He also suffered
from a serious heroin addiction. His personal life was also traumatic, and he was
married several times.
Despite this he was a prolific songwriter, both for himself
and for other artists. He won five Grammy Awards and is regarded as one of the
bestselling artists of all time having sold more than 100 million albums worldwide.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the year 2000.
Much of his music reflects his personal woes and can be
melancholy and depressing.
Stake captures this mood perfectly. He is an accomplished
finger-picking guitarist and has a smooth singing voice. He does great justice
to the James Taylor songs on the programme which includes hits such as Sweet Baby James, Something In The Way She
Moves, Carolina In My Mind, Fire and Rain, You’ve Got a Friend (a cover of
a Carole King song) and You Can Close
Your Eyes.
He also gave examples of Taylor performance of a blues
number, Steamroller Blues, which was
great fun, and a Country and Western number, She Thinks I still Care.
Carole King and James Taylor are long-term friends and
collaborators who have known each other for over 50 years. She is one of my
all-time favourite female singers, so it was a disappointment that the show was
skewed very much in the favour of James Taylor’s music, with only a few of
King’s songs featured.
Like Taylor, Carole King was a prolific songwriter, both for
herself and for many other artists. She has sold 75 million records worldwide,
and her wonderful album Tapestry held
the record for most weeks at No. 1 by a female artist for 20 years.
The very impressive Two Bit Mac performed two of her songs
which were the highlights of the show. They were Way Over Yonder and Natural
Woman. She also sang harmony and backing with Starke on a few other numbers
during the show.
She has a rich, soulful voice and has plenty of power for
such a diminutive young lady. I would have liked to hear much more of her.
And the story of her name? the Two Bit comes from her size
(two bits and a tickey high) and the Mac from the family that raised this South
African born girl in America.
A Tribute to James
Taylor and Carole King is a straightforward show with no fuss and frills.
During the show Dave Starke imparts considerable biographical information about
the lives of the two artists which puts their influence on the music industry
into context.
This show is well-performed and will appeal particularly to
lovers of this genre of music as well as fans of James Taylor and Carole King.
A Tribute to James
Taylor and Carole King can be seen at the Rhumbelow Theatre at Tina’s
Hotel, 4 Beryldene Road, Kloof.
There are still two shows to go. Tonight (June 2) at 20h00
and tomorrow (June 3) at 14h00. (Venue
opens 90 minutes before show for drinks) Tickets
R150 (R130 pensioners) and tables seat 6. (No alcohol or food may be brought on
to the premises). Tickets are cash or EFT only. Secure parking is available.
Booking is through Computicket or contact Roland (also for large group booking
discounts of 20 or more) on 082 499 8636 or email: roland@stansell.za.net or
visit http://events.durbantheatre.com/ - Keith Millar
(Should you wish to dine before the show at Tina’s,
it is recommended that you arrive no later than 90 min before show-time
for the restaurant. An a-la-carte menu is available and the Sunday buffet is
R135 per head (R110 pensioners). Booking is essential as seating is
limited. Payment for
restaurant is cash, credit card or zapper. Contact 031 764 7843 or visit
www.tinashotel.co.za/ Please indicate that you are a
theatre booking when making your reservation.)
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