HONKY CATS. Elton John Tribute. Starring Ian von Memerty, with the Centrestage band. At Theatre on the Bay until 27 January, 2018.
JANE MAYNE reviews
Drummer Gino Fabbri throws everything he has into his stick work. Crisply powering the Centrestage band through two sets, his focused technique provides the much needed energy to propel Ian von Memerty’s précis of the work of lyricist Bernie Taupin and Reginald Kenneth Dwight – aka Sir Elton John.
And showbiz-ready Ian certainly ensures it’s an epic rocking ride with the help of the Eastern Cape ensemble. Casting an eye over the grand catalogue of what is the Elton John songwriting phenomenon, they’re spoilt for choice, and these Honky Cats offset some of Elton’s potent all-time favourites with lesser known works.
What you get is a quick tour of sensational balladry like the emotive Your Song and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, plus unforgettable hits like Don’t Go Breaking My Heart.
Glam rock anthems
Ian’s voice is particularly effective on the scaled down intros, and he lets rips as the buoyancy of the upbeat anthems get a life of their own.
Elton’s songs have never been guitar-driven vehicles, so there’s little room for one-time guitar hero Sandy Robbie to kick up some dust. Sandy’s blazing fretwork was seen in the frontline of cult acts like Clout and Little Sister, and one kind of wished that he’d be given the chance to stretch out a bit and show off some chunky riffage. Here he mostly colours with fills and the occasional unison line.
Six-string bassist Andrew Warneke holds down the grooves, while musical director/vocalist Wayne Kallis switches from semi-acoustic to electric guitar. Sax (Curtis Kettledas) and second keys (Boet Strydom) also bolster the bandstand, making Centrestage a pretty tight unit.
But ultimately this tribute is steered by primary Honky Cat, Von Memerty – whose lifetime of stage work ensures he radiates all the qualities of a seasoned performer. While wardrobe has always played a significant part in the Elton motif, thankfully Ian doesn’t over exaggerate this, and about three costume changes suffice to convey the glam rock styling.
There’s a medley which Ian dubs ‘Death by Ballad’ – it sandwiches together classics like Blue Eyes and Nikita. Other highlights on the Honky Cats’ playlist include Daniel (off the 1973 album Don’t Shoot Me I’m Only the Piano Player), epic weepie Candle in the Wind, Funeral For a Friend, Daniel, Don’t Let The Sun Go Down, Rocket Man and Saturday Night’s Alright (For Fighting).
Ramping up power hits like Crocodile Rock, Ian morphed theatre goers into what he dubbed ‘The Camps Bay Choir’ – and they lapped it all up with encores until the bubbly finale – I’m Still Standing.
Hard-hitting iconic works
Songwriters have long puzzled over the construction of the ultimate evergreen hit, and many musicians have struck gold with little nuggets that continue to echo in the minds of people the world over. It’s as though a composer accidentally stumbles on some kind of a universal golden mean formula, and there’s a subsequent key resonance that sparks the emotions and imaginations in legions of listeners – and that’s what makes a memorable artist. It’s like opening a window and presenting a new vista.
Elton’s potency was enhanced by his colourful glam rock persona, but ultimately cemented by a slew of hard-hitting iconic works of varying intensity. And it’s these that Ian and band faithfully recreate with much rock ‘n rolling vooma.
What: Honky Cats – Ian Von Memerty
Where: Theatre on the Bay, 1a Link Street, Camps Bay, Cape Town
When: 16 – 27 January, 2018
Book: www.Computicket.co.za
Call: 021 438 3301
Web: www.pietertoerien.co.za
WS
