(Pic courtesy of
Sharon Watters)
This is one of the best. Don’t miss it. (Review by
Keith Millar)
Durban’s dynamic and versatile tribute band, The
Reals, and the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo are onto another winner with their
marvellous new show in which they pay homage to the music of the Traveling
Wilburys and that of the five musical luminaries who made up the group.
It is an excellent production. Upbeat, cheerful and
filled with rousing rock music. And, it almost goes without saying, performed
with flair and exuberance by the fantastic tribute band, The Reals.
The Traveling Wilburys is arguably the greatest
supergroup of them all. Made up of George Harrison, Roy Orbison, Bob Dylan,
Jeff Lynne and Tom Petty, all global superstars in their own right.
The story of their formation is the stuff legends
are made from. Five mates getting together at Bob Dylan’s garage studio to help
George Harrison complete a bonus song for the album he was busy with. A jam
session made in heaven.
The result was the song Handle With Care. The five enjoyed the down-to-earth ego-free
session so much that they got together again, and over a period of nine days,
to produce a further nine songs. The rest is history. The Traveling Wilburys Vol 1 was released in 1988 to considerable commercial
success and critical acclaim. The album sold two million copies within six
months.
In their tribute to this unique supergroup, The
Reals feature music from each of the members, highlighting their individual
style and talents, as well as performing many of the Traveling Wilburys
unforgettable numbers.
The show starts with Roy Orbison’s mega hit Pretty Woman and is followed by You Got It and later in the show Everybody Needs Somebody To Lean On. Orbison,
who had such a distinctive voice, tragically passed away from a heart attack at
the age of 52 just two months after the release of the Wilburys album.
Bob Dylan, the poet rock star, was honoured by the
performance of his music such as Don’t
Think Twice, It’s All Right, All
Along The Watch Tower as performed by Jimi Hendrix and My Back Pages made famous by the Byrds.
George Harrison’s songs featured included While My Guitar Gently Weeps, If Not For You
(written by Dylan) and Get My Mind Set On
You.
From Jeff Lynne of Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
fame we heard the likes of Don’t Bring Me
Down and Turn To Stone, and from
Tom Petty I Won’t Back Down, American
Girl and the encore song Hold On
Tight.
The Traveling Wilburys contribution included Handle with Care, Dirty World, She’s My
Baby, Rattled, Heading For The Light and End Of The Line.
It is difficult to say more about The Reals that
has not already been said in pervious reviews. They are a superbly talented and
accomplished group and in this show they perform with their usual poise and
verve. Barry Thomson (guitar), Dawn Selby (keyboards), Mali Sewell (drums) and
Jason Andrews (bass) are joined by Shaun Dragt (guitar) for this production.
All contribute to the vocals during the show.
Tribute To The
Traveling Wilburys is a happy, feel-good show, jam-packed with
excellent and memorable rock music. It is supported by very good audio-visuals,
an excellent sound mix by Andre Norden and superb lighting by Sarah Claxton.
This is one of the best. Don’t miss it.
Tribute To The
Traveling Wilburys runs until May 19 with shows on Fridays and
Saturdays at 20h00 and on Sundays at 14h00 at the Rhumbelow Theatre in Umbilo.
The venue opens 90 minutes before show for picnic
dinner.
Tickets R150 (R130 pensioners, students with a
valid student card and tables of eight or more - discounts apply 1st weekend
only). R75 under 13s.
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.
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
Tribute To The
Traveling Wilburys will also run at Rhumbelow Tina’s in Kloof
from May 31 to June 9, 2019. – Keith Millar
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