Thursday 19 July 2018

The Spooky Men's Chorale



Much fun

https://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/the-spooky-mens-chorale/#more-52916



THE SPOOKY MEN’S CHORALE: A SOMEWHAT WILD EVENING

The Spooky Men’s Chorale joyously took over the theatre at the Concourse at Chatswood for one night only, June 30 2018 in a stellar performance . It was their debut performance at this particular venue.
Sixteen men in assorted black outfits with hair and hats invaded the Concourse to provide an awesome performance of mansinging that had the audience dancing in the aisles. Musically this was sensational, ranging from church like Georgian music to a Sufi inspired Bee Gees tribute and everything in between .
The performance also included audience participation – finger snapping , stamping and turning on the spot , clapping and so on – as well.
Based in the Blue Mountains and inspired by the great Georgian male choirs, The Spooky Men were formed in 2001 by impresario Stephen Taberner and they have single-handedly redefined men’s singing in the process. Vaudevillian nonsense, ballads and Georgian church songs are among the styles included combined to create an enthralling combination of joyous silliness and exquisite beauty to comment on the unsolvable paradoxes of being a man in this day and age .Their performances are sly, humorous, deadpan and include the unexpected and perhaps a trifle absurd. One needs to pay close attention to the witty, incisive lyrics.
Self described as a “vast, rumbling, steam-powered and black-clad behemoth” “The Spookies “ as they are affectionately known have been gleefully deconstructing and reworking the world of men’s singing since 2001.  They now have at least 5 albums to their name and several international tours under their belts.
Directed and conducted by their poised, dynamic ringleader and founder Spookmeister Stephen Taberner, their singing was awesomely accomplished and inspired. It growled, it bubbled, it tumbled, it  roared, it soared. There was also some tight, precise group choreography at times. Mostly the men – of all ages, shapes, sizes , various hats of all kinds from bowlers to French artiste berets and (some non) beards, stood in a semi circle but for a couple of songs they stood in a line across the stage or huddled in a group. There was some very complicated rhythms and counterpoint in some of the songs, especially some of the folk songs .
In no particular order we heard the following :
  • The Man in the 17th Row was a witty, sarcastic comment on audience reactions.
  • We are not a men’s group is a stirring , delightful anthem .
  • There was some very complicated rhythms and counterpoint in some of the songs , especially some of the folk songs ( for example in Tschenesnouri ) .
  • What’s Gonna Happen Now ? with its witty lyrics ranged from showbizzy to barbershop in style.
  • Deep was much fun with its bubbling sharp staccato rhythms.  Warm by contrast is a poignant,lyrical love song .
  • Jim was an envious song in praise of Jim with its witty , fresh lyrics – how does he do it ?
  • Waiting For Our Things is a song about ‘baggage’ as a metaphor for climate change that at times was soft and thoughtful at others changed to a rumbling roar .
  • Boogie Wonderland which took us to interval had us up and stamping around – the audience loved it.
The second half began , appropriately enough, with Welcome to the Second Half with thrilling complicated alternative rhythms .  There was a hilarious allusion to football and other club songs (The Universal Club Song) that was jaunty and bouncy with mad stylized actions and had the audience roaring.  
A couple of witty songs were about body parts and were rather risqué (or could be ) – Foot ( giving thanks for the foot and its service, actually rather hymn like) and  the pulsating , quirky Eyebrow .  There was the sad, very moving and lyrical Tom Waites song Picture in a Frame  and a Joni Mitchell cover The Fiddle and the Drum , about war and peace.
Also included was the song based on lyrics by Lord Alfred Tennyson Crossing the Bar – quiet and reflective with glorious lush and very moving harmonies.  Another highlight of the second act was Ba’hari Ghibb, a Sufi version of the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive.  The audience roared its applause. For an encore we heard a medley entitled Let’s Dance which included David Bowie’s Changes and had us dancing .
A stirring , captivating, somewhat wild evening .
The Spooky Men’s Chorale [Facebook]were at The Concourse [Facebook]for one night only June 30 2018

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