A theatre trip for us on Saturday, rather than a “normal” gig
venue. We walked into a theatre in
Birmingham but took our seats in a Nashville Honky Tonk – “Crazy Joe’s Live
Lounge”. As the rest of the audience
took their seats a few were caught out as the lights began to flash across the
stage, building anticipation. In the background 'The Devil went down to
Georgia' could be heard, on walked the band (Drums, Keys, Guitar and Bass) to
play along.
Wait who is this under the single spotlight, a glittery gold sensation
singing a haunting, acoustic version of Jolene?
Dominic introduces himself and Matt the guitarist. Dominic checked how
many of the audience have been to Nashville, but not to worry – if you haven’t,
let yourself be transported to The Crazy Joe's Live Lounge. The cheap gags
(fitting for the scene) start straight away with asking Matt about line dancing
and him being a Morris dancer, complete with waving around his bandana,
smoothly leading in to a Dwight Yoakam hit.
A Country Night In Nashville, although comprising (of course) covers, is
far more than a covers show. It is a
tribute to the music of Nashville, and with its themed backdrops, lighting show
and sheer energy it is a full-on theatrical experience. The links between songs, the stories of stars
of country music, the anecdotes about songs and the jokes with the band and the
audience all add up to make the show what it is. More than all of that though is the band,
each member an accomplished performer in their own right, most of them
songwriters too.
Fronting the band is Dominic Halpin, who is also the creator of
the show. Dominic, in his own words,
lives and breathes music and was raised on some of the greats, which gives some
of the history to the night, with songs spanning many decades. Dominic is a born performer, an entertainer from
the old school. His passion shows with
every song and his voice is just perfect for the range of music performed,
easily singing the Country Standards, 50s Rock n Roll and even a short burst of
Frank Sinatra. Despite it being his name
on the drum kit, when one of the others is taking centre stage, Dominic happily
takes a step back to be “just” one of the musicians.
The lead, and the limelight, is shared – principally with vocalist Shelly
Quarmby. An accomplished singer in
her own right, with albums under her own name, Shelly has a stunning voice that
wouldn’t be out of place in the West End.
Whether taking the lead, effortlessly harmonising or joining Dominic for
a duet Shelly keeps up with high energy dancing around, very much in the style
of June Carter Cash. This comparison was very much cemented in the second
half when she sang the role of June in a Cash medley.
The band is split four men and two ladies, and after a big start to the
evening with Dwight Yoakam, Alan Jackson, Patsy Cline and Willie Nelson, the
gents leave the stage to make way for Shelley and Donna Marie to have a
few songs to themselves.
Donna Marie is a familiar face to us, having most recently appeared on
the Paddock Stage at Buckle and Boots as part of the Songs and Stories
Collective, as well as being featured on our review pages with her
singles. In addition to playing her
trademark big acoustic guitar she provides keys to this show as well as
incredible backing vocals and a couple of solo numbers. Shelly and Donna combined beautifully, ending
with a rendition of The Chicks’ Travelling soldier accompanied by drummer Jono
Price on side drum which added extra emotion to the performance, emotion which
is reflected in Shelly's face
Jono sits at the back on his drum kit (apart from his cameo with the
girls) and not only keeps time for the band, but plays in the traditional
Country style and joins in with the skits and gags throughout the show.
Joining Jono in keeping the bassline thumping is Ben Wiltshire, alternating between
electric bass and stand-up bass – plus backing vocals!
There is an easy camaraderie between Dominic and the band – the boys
also play together as Dominic Halpin and the Honeybees – and this is easy to
see in the joking around, especially with lead guitarist Matt Wells who
is the butt of many jokes, including being called the “creepy old uncle” when touchingly
referring to the band as being “like family”.
Matt doesn’t just provide some incredible guitar playing – he also plays
haunting lap steel, slide guitar using a beer bottle that is then thrown off
stage and even broke out a banjo – which resulted in duelling banjos between
him and Dominic (on guitar) to round off the first half.
The second half opens with Johnny Cash and everyone swinging their
instruments – even Ben with his double bass! Dominic explains the notes he
played could fit into any tune and we are treated to a little ditty from
Dominic, who is looking for a woman with big hands. He explains they are
all songwriters and we get a rendition of his own song Fire & Smoke.
The extra comedy, skits and instrumental breaks elevate this show –
rather than just exiting stage to allow for a solo Dominic challenges the band
to keep up with his random choices of songs, resulting in a walk out rather
than take on Justin Beiber! The solo was
Dominic playing a tribute to Buddy Holly – and it was spot on! A different transition as Dominic exited
stage left while Shelly walked on stage right, sat down at the keyboard and
sang a fantastic solo “Girl Crush”. Is
there no end to her talents?
As the band come back on, we are clearly in party mode, with more modern
songs dropping in, banter with the audience and Donna Marie offering herself
for selection as a “redneck” to song an energetic “Red Neck Woman” showing her
own performance skills, despite her telling us later that she is very shy! Coming out from behind the keyboard means she can show off her tassled red boots, rivalling Shelly's sparkles!
A Kacey Musgraves number gets the crowd singing and clapping, and then a
full party set takes us all the way through with the whole audience on their
feet and dancing in the aisles – 9 to 5, Jolene, Dance the Night Away, Wagon
Wheel all going down well and accompanied by a thousand voices.
Make no mistake, this isn’t “just another covers show” – it’s a tribute show featuring a band of highly talented musicians who would be at home on any stage performing a very well written show centred around a carefully chosen mix of music.
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| image courtesy of Handshake Ltd |
A Country Night In Nashville is rightly filling theatres up and down the country, playing to thousands of music fans every week. Hearing the comments at the meet and greet afterwards proves that this show will run and run, a stand-out among the tribute shows – in fact a stand-out among all shows
Silverball Country attended A Country Night In Nashville as guests of Handshake Limited
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