Sadly David Bowie is no longer with us but his music is very much alive as illustrated by this great Hideaway show.
The show is in its sixth year. It started when Bowie was still alive. I first saw it in 2016, just days after Bowie’s passing. Each year the songs chosen are different, the arrangements vary but the show is always a celebration of his music.
The show featured David Mcalmont and Sam Obernik on vocals, musical director Janette Mason (piano and keyboard), Emlyn Francis (guitar), Jack Pollit (drums) and Simon Little (bass).
Janette Mason has been the musical director of many shows at Hideaway, she is a brilliant pianist and her re-arrangement of well-known songs is amazing. Her album ‘D’Ranged’ gives many examples of her own arrangements and includes ‘Lady Grinning Soul’ a lesser known Bowie song that featured in the show.
David Mcalmont has one of the UK’s finest voices with an incredible range, I first heard him when he was singing with Bernie Butler in Mcalmont and Butler. More recently, I’ve seen him perform with Guy Davies in Fingersnap and singing in shows featuring the music of Prince, Billie Holliday, Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey and James Bond themes, he is very versatile. He is a great showman, a great raconteur and a superb performer. He excels at interpreting songs and is a perfect choice for this show.
Sam Obernik has a low register, she has a charismatic stage presence and is an ideal vocal partner for David Mcalmont.
The show featured several well-known Bowie songs and a few lesser known ones. I am not a massive Bowie fan but his songs have been a part of my life since 1969. There were several highlights Mcalmont’s ‘Suffragette City’ and ‘Starman’, Obernik’s ‘ Life on Mars’ andthe duets on ‘Black Star’ and ‘Space Oddity’.
At the end the sell-out show the audience gave the musicians a raucous ovation which was thoroughly deserved. If you like the music of Bowie or just like good music, buy tickets for next year’s show.
Johns London Music Reviews 