Ok have I been sleeping during the last two
fringes? It was only after going to see 'Blues Brothers Banned -
Quest for the Cowbell' I
discovered this is their third Fringe. Celebrating their sixth year
together this summer with an average age of 21, it's just scary how
talented this bunch is. This Hertfordshire band started life on a
Chorleywood school trip and the rest is just like a film or musical
script.
They
bill themselves as the tribute act with a twist, the twist being
they play and adapt modern music as well as that traditionally
associated with the Blues Brothers ending up with "Everybody
needs Somebody". They say that as the original band played
covers in order to pay homage and re-invent the classics the Banned
are continuing where they left off, utilising more modern styles and
today’s music.
What
ever the ethos may be the Blues Brothers Banned are an amazingly
talented bunch of youngsters they are musically superb and most of
them play one or more instruments. Although Owen Visser as Elwood
and Tom Clarkson as Jake are nominally in charge of proceedings, the
two girls Nia Visser and Leane Flinn get to perform solos. On Bass
Guitar and vocals Steve Leask stole the show for me personally. The
other band members are Joel Braham, Alex Coppard, Richie McCabe,
Albert Stebbings, Peter Byrne and the drummer for the Fringe is Dave
Hackett.
Never
mind age, gender or musical preferences The Blues Brothers Banned
show is the place to get the party started, beware huge helpings of
brilliant music, comedy and the need to dance may cause a loss of
cool and hair to be let down.
*****
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