The notable absence of the company founder Johnnie Peller, who died in August, did nothing to dampen the welcome from Peller Artistes executive Paul Wood to the assembled throng. Those present were ferry operators, nightclub chains and the odd social club booker, all looking for sparkling tributes from this the longest established tribute agency. Peller Jnr, Barry Peller is now at the company helm and like his father, when speaking to him, the astute business brain appears to be bubbling away just below the amiable surface.
It was Robbie - the Show who opened up proceedings and I was hoping fom more of the quirky Williams mannerisms which would have served to warm up the early evening crowd. This Robbie seemed a bit too sincere to compare with the real thing, but the singing voice was there to enjoy.
Up next was Easy Lover - A Tribute to Phil Collins. Swaggering around in the style of Collins the thespian, in his movie Buster, this superb vocalist proved staggering in sound-alike terms. I kept glancing at the stage in case Collins himself had popped over from his Swiss tax haven to entertain us. Complete with hairline, an exact vocal match and a great impersonation of mannerisms, this remarkable tribute artist gave us a segued set which was straight out of the tribute top drawer.
As a reviewer, I have to admit that my knowledge of fledgling pop star Katy Perry is limited to say the least. The tribute artist known as Very Perry didn’t extend my education too much, other than to observe that her blue hair and ballerina costume was hard to ignore. The songs sounded gritty and the backing track quality was high. I’m afraid Perry fans in the nightclubs will be the true judges, although vocally the whole performance sounded little better than mid-Atlantic shouting.
If I see one more so-called Rat Pack tribute this year I’ll start bringing my own traps. Having said that, singer Dean Gee really impressed with his soundtrack introduction and admirable Dean Martin impression. We know a market exists for this style of entertainer and although I would imagine that supply could now be exceeding demand, Gee has enough performance skills to propel him somewhere near the top rungs of the Rat Pack tribute ladder.
John Lennon once observed that before Move It there was nothing. Singer Jimmy Jemain has been making a living as the best Cliff Richard lookalike and sound-alike I have come across for many years. Available now with his own Shadows backing band, on this showing Jemain is sure to retain his popularity as the market-leading Bachelor Boy, either solo or with his Hank and the boys.
Rock Stewart came next and while delivering his three-song set, the sincerity of the impression was there for all to hear. Possibly a refugee from the old club band scene, this version of the wrinkly rocker Rod provides quality listening for all Stewart fans and a must-see tribute for many of those present I’m sure.
Presenting a solo tribute to the great ladies of soul and Tamla motown, The Dream Girl was next on stage. This pencil-slim young lady has a great voice, but the genre tribute chosen here is a bit wide ranging to pigeon-hole and therefore presumably harder for the agent to market and the promoter to promote. Despite the superbly pitched singing voice, I could detect little passion in the performance and perhaps learning some cabaret skills might help the cause of this particular Dream Girl.
I have seen and enjoyed Mick Hucknall tribute singer Red Mick many times before and it is no surprise to find this young Welshman is the first choice for those looking for an evening of Simply Red. In short a superior tribute artist in every department.
Rock Wit You comprised a Michael Jackson impersonator and boy and girl dancers. Opening with Smooth Criminal, the Jackson clone had taken his appearance very seriously as his almost ghostly and utterly grotesque facial whitening indicated. Crotch grabbing and moon-walking his way through an enjoyable and well choreographed set, Rock Wit You were a big hit on the night, although given the energetic choreography, there was a real ambiguity regarding how much of the vocal was truly live.
Attending a tribute showcase can be a surreal experience, with lookalikes out of the audience watching the lookalikes on stage, and next it was the turn of Westlife tribute Westlive. An act based on vocal harmony must feature this aspect most prominently if they are to expect success. The harmonies here were basic to say the very least and lots of the backing vocals were already present on the backing track. In the presence of such tribute excellence, these guys just didn’t cut it for me in any department although, ironically in view of the chosen tribute, this could be one of the most enquired about acts on the show.
The penultimate tribute of the first act was Miss Gaga, whose suspended skirt seemed to defy gravity as she walked on stage. This is a tough vocal tribute to pull off and, despite the guiding influence of the pre-recorded backing vocal, this young lady wasn’t all that close to the real thing in sound-alike terms in my view.
Closing the first half out was one of the most convincing and utterly outstanding tribute bands I have ever come across in all my years as a Stage reviewer. Stayin’ Alive is the only Bee Gees tribute band I have seen that cuts the mustard in a live situation. Compelling viewing, given the lookalike quality and a sheer delight to listen to, Stayin’ Alive are the definitive Bee Gees tribute band. In my view, they have no equal.
After a splendid dinner time repast it was time to hit the tribute trail once again and first out of the traps were The Rock and Roll Rejects. For those looking for a live, six-piece nostalgia band, look no further. In short, great rock’n’roll fun from a superbly presented band, in whose company many would be more than happy to dance the night away with.
The Abba Party Girls, not to be confused with many similar pseudo-Swedish singers performing almost identical acts, were soon doing their stuff. This is a very tough act to review, given the existence of so many such acts within the tribute market. Suffice it to say that, in front of an audience who enjoy both Abba music and a party, these girls could just hit the mark for bookers without the full Abba band budget.
Buble - The Show is a real handle to live up to for a tribute and the young man on stage was personable and tuneful enough to please many fans of the real thing. This smartly suited and booted balladeer is one of many attempting this impression within the tribute scene. In my view he has the looks and the moves to pull off his chosen tribute with some aplomb.
One Bono entered looking alarmingly like George Michael. Once established on stage, there was little doubt this was indeed the proud owner of a vocal impression which has to be the best Bono I have heard, apart from Bono of course. Being a solo tribute, you have to imagine The Edge at his side, but for fans of the Irish superstar this was stirring stuff.
There is no tribute showcase without an Elvis, and the King on this particular night was Elvis - The Legacy. There are many versions of Elvis tributes out there and the wearer of this particular rhinestone suit was of the young, slim and heavily made-up variety. Looking alarmingly like a Madame Tussauds Elvis waxwork, this young man didn’t hit all the notes and he never really looked all that settled. Perhaps this was due to the fact that out front were a gang of ladies, who seemed to be labouring under the misapprehension that the whole tribute jamboree had been laid on just for them.
All-male vocal trio Harlem Nights are smart, tuneful and gave it their all in the vocal harmony department. This lovely trio have the look of experience and confidence about them and their faultless performance will surely have pleased many of the bookers out front.
Pink-Barely Sober gave me a bit of a reviewing problem. This outstanding vocalist and dancer also works in a duo that I am a real fan of, after a recent viewing. It’s a toss-up, in my view, which act is the most entertaining. I’m sure that her excellent interpretation of the music of Pink will be the biggest earner, but the natural animal grace of this performer, allied to the quite amazing singing voice and the ingredient X on show make this young lady a winner in my book, whichever of her acts she chooses to showcase.
Six-piece ska tribute band Badness have the lot. Surely another of the Peller market-leading acts, these guys are the covers band kings of all things two-tone. From the newsprint suits to the solid brass section, this most impressive of live band attractions are a must for those who only book the top of the tree tributes.
Totally Tina comprise two very young, leather-clad female dancers and, of course, the wigged and tassled Tina Turner impersonator. The act look well drilled and rehearsed and they gave us a spirited and at times barnstorming version of Proud Mary. Surely work in abundance here for a dance-based tribute of this scale.
Closing the whole event out was Take All That and these four lads’ chosen tribute surely requires no further explanation. A good Gary Barlow sound-alike here, along with a break-dancing Jason Orange and plenty for fans of the four-handed Take That line-up to enjoy from yet another of the Peller market-leading attractions.
Well done to the entire Peller team for pulling off a first-rate and virtually painless showcase experience. No agents present here, just people looking to book directly with the Peller management. The food, the drink the bonhomie and most of all the entertainment were all of the highest calibre. The great Johnnie Peller may have gone, but his company is in robust health on this showing.
Club Beize, Beighton, October 13
Production information can change over the run of the show.
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