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The Elvis Years, a tribute night of Elvis hits carried out in chronological order by Mario Kombou, has turned twenty. To mark the milestone, it brings two dates to the West Finish, the place it began. The identical musical director who, in 2004, created the stage musical model of one in every of Elvis’ first movies, Jailhouse Rock, conceived the thought of a manufacturing that was a lot lighter in props and solid however nonetheless large on sound. This might then tour energetically, reaching venues seldom touched by West Finish glamour. It turned out to be a financially and artistically smart wager by David MacKay, as…
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A tribute act to Elvis with a loyal following
The Elvis Years, a tribute night of Elvis hits carried out in chronological order by Mario Kombou, has turned twenty. To mark the milestone, it brings two dates to the West Finish, the place it began.
The identical musical director who, in 2004, created the stage musical model of one in every of Elvis’ first movies, Jailhouse Rock, conceived the thought of a manufacturing that was a lot lighter in props and solid however nonetheless large on sound. This might then tour energetically, reaching venues seldom touched by West Finish glamour. It turned out to be a financially and artistically smart wager by David MacKay, as The Elvis Years has loved exceptional longevity in comparison with its musical predecessor, whose West Finish run ended after 18 months.
This present – extra tune night than musical – sees Neil Bullock, Simon Parrish, Stephen Grey, and John Joce accompany Kombou as backing vocals and band for 70 dates a 12 months across the UK. It’s a testomony to a exceptional work ethic and dedication to the Presley songbook and fan base. Shaking followers’ arms within the stalls, handing out Elvis scarves, singalong moments and calling out names and birthdays of members of the viewers are all a part of the bundle. Whereas this present is unlikely to deliver Elvis to Gen Z, a loyal fan base offered out the Dominion Theatre on its February date.
Kombou lives the half and artfully evolves his posture to reflect the aging-arc of his mannequin. From a shy boy getting into his hometown Solar Studio in Memphis to document his first tune, we watch as he turns into the star signed up by RCA Recording and visitor on the prime time TV Ed Sullivan Present, jittery leg and all. Lastly, we see him bodily resemble a drained Elvis in his later years, resorting to singing “I’m All Shook Up” whereas sitting on a chair.
Hair, sideburns and costumes are all meticulously trustworthy to the originals, as proven by clips from live performance footage projected towards a stage-wide again display screen. That is additionally the place all the backdrop adjustments occur and the way in which a lot of the narrative between the songs is offered, linking these to Elvis’ private occasions and to the historic background. By a fictitious Memphis DJ, in a low-tech black and white movie for the early years and later in color to mark the passage of time, we study of Elvis’ US Military years in Germany, of his mom’s passing, of the flicks he’d be starring in and, lastly, of his live performance in Las Vegas, one in every of his final appearances. There may be valuable little else on the stage other than microphones, the instrument stands and some chairs: all in step with the travel-light-and-go far philosophy inspiring this manufacturing.
Bullock on the drums is a powerhouse, driving ahead your complete crew with wonderful power and with out pause, whereas Parrish on bass guitar produces a dependable beat in addition to contributing entertaining bass-baritone counterpoints to Kombou’s vocals. Grey is an completed, virtuoso lead guitar, whereas Joce works the keyboard and an acoustic guitar with gusto and keenness.
Even when this isn’t the night for you, you’ll nearly definitely know somebody for whom will probably be a welcome current and the following neatest thing to assembly their childhood idol.
Musical Route and Produced by: David MacKay
The Elvis Years is on tour all through the UK till November. Full dates and bookings will be discovered right here.
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