(Pic by Barry Meehan)
Hot August Night
is a show is too good to miss. (Review by Keith Millar)
It may not be August and the evenings may not be
particularly hot, but let me assure you that this show sizzles and produces
enough energy and heat to almost melt a polar ice cap.
To hear Durban’s foremost band, The Reals, performing the music
of one of the greatest singer/songwriters of all time, the legendary Neil
Diamond, before a sold-out audience at the Rhumbelow Theatre is an experience
to cherish.
Yes – sold out! An unusual occurrence in the entertainment
industry these days, but such is the attraction of the wonderful music of Neil
Diamond, performed by fabulously talented musicians.
Neil Diamond was born in 1941 and, while he no longer tours,
he remains a prolific songwriter to this day. He has had 38 songs Top 10 songs on
the Billboard Adult Contemporary charts and has sold more than 125 million
albums worldwide, making him one of the best-selling musicians of all time.
Diamond was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1984 and into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. In 2018, he received a Recording Academy’s
Lifetime Achievement award, a Special Merits Award that celebrates performers
that have made outstanding contributions of artistic significance in the
industry.
His music is universally loved and instantly recognisable. No
matter what song came up in the show the instant reaction was “Oh, I remember
that one” and then, to sing and clap along with the rest of the audience to the
music.
With vocals shared between The Reals frontman, guitarist
Barry Thompson, drummer Mali Sewell and bassist Jason Andrew the first half
featured such marvellous hits as Forever
In Blue Jeans, Beautiful Noise, I Am I Said, Shilo, and Song Sung Blue.
The second half opened with a mesmerising rendition of The Story Of My Life by Barry Thompson
and Dawn Selby and followed with still more hits such as Something Blue, Love On The Rocks, Play Me, Soolaimon (magic
drumming by Mali Sewell), Holly Holy, Coming
to America and right at the end the mega-hits Cracklin’ Rosie and Sweet
Caroline.
The songs are interspersed with video clips shown on screens
suspended on either side of the stage, and with interesting biographical
details and anecdotes about Diamond, delivered by Barry Thompson.
The Reals, undoubtedly Durban’s leading tribute band, were
on fire for this show. They were good in the first half, but after interval a
little bit of magic took place. When a band is total sync with each other and
the sound mix is perfect (take a bow, Andre Norden) something very special and
breath-taking happens. In the words of Diamonds song it was a Beautiful Noise.
Hot August Night
is a show is too good to miss. This week-end may already be sold-out, but it
will still be on for the next two week-ends at the Durban Rhumbelow Theatre in
Umbilo. Shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 20h00 and Sundays at 14h00. It will
then move to the Rhumbelow, Tina’s Hotel in Kloof from October 24 to 28.
So book early to avoid disappointment.
Tickets R150 pp. Booking is through Computicket or contact
Roland on 082 499 8636, email roland@stansell.za.net (also for group booking
discounts of 20 or more) or visit http://events.durbantheatre.com
Take along food picnic baskets. 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 Durban is
situated at 42 Cunningham Road off Bartle Road in Umbilo.
– Keith Millar
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