Project Description
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Nothing Compares: The Music Of Prince
@ HBF Stadium, WA
15/05/21
(Live Review)
Reviewer: Melanie Griffiths
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Perth Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Compares at HBF Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. 16th May 2021. (c) Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org
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Perth Symphony Orchestra, who are known for their penchant to break the rules turned their attention to one of music’s greatest innovators the late Prince. To a lively packed out crowd at HBF Stadium, PSO and their guest vocalists simply knocked it out of the stadium with a performance that celebrated the spirit and talent of one of music’s true originals.
It makes sense that Prince’s music would work with an orchestral arrangement. Many of his songs embrace grandiose flourishes, or emotional piques and troughs all whilst bending genres. Given that, the arrangers Simon Kruit, Klearhos Murphy, Callum O’Reilly, Kate Milligan and Johnathon Yang must’ve had a field day going through so many classics.
To convey the spirit of Prince guest vocalists Hans Fiance, Sam Nafie, Ali Bodycoat and Amy Reeves, who were all very different singers, provided their interpretation of Prince’s character.
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Hans Fiance, Perth Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Compares at HBF Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. 16th May 2021. (c) Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org
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Fiance was the most explicit tribute performing on stage resplendent in several outfits reminiscent of Prince’s style including fedora and guitar. Not too unlike Prince’s actual entrance at his RAC Arena show in 2016, Fiance came down the aisle to ascend the stage with a rousing rendition of “Let’s Get Crazy” the opening track from the iconic “Purple Rain” album. With Fiance at the helm of the show, he was not only able to physically embody the man but also hit vocally the right emotional notes. From the flirtatious “Little Red Corvette” to a moving rendition of “The Beautiful Ones” to a slowed-down interpretation of “Nothing Compares 2 U” which he sang with Ali Bodycoat.
Bodycoat’s cabaret delivery gave a different take on the songs adding more pathos to the songs like “Take Me With You” and “I Would Die 4 U” which tempered the energetic mood. And throughout the night she was the touchstone for info on the impact of Prince not only musically but socially especially amongst the Black Lives Matter movement.
In a sky blue suit that may have been a wink at Prince’s outfit from the Raspberry Beret music video, Amy Reeves was a powerhouse presence who shook the stadium with her version of “When Doves Cry”. Reeves’ soulful and R n’ B voice made the songs soar when needed like in the disco driven “I Feel For You”.
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Amy Reeves, Perth Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Compares at HBF Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. 16th May 2021. (c) Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org
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Then there was Sam Nafie, another singer who clearly has a love for funk and soul music. His songs like the electro-funk “Soft and Wet” and “Jungle Love” (sung with Reeves) allowed him to show off his vocal range whilst getting the audience to loosen up.
Throughout it all PSO’s performance was tight and punchy. A sweeping version of “Manic Monday” allowed them to take the spotlight. And under the conductorship of Elise Chong, with all members looking like they were having a ball as much as the audience. By the Third Act, the Stadium took on the appearance of a dance party; an unlikely site at orchestra concerts. Maybe it’s a sign of the times but Nafie singing “1999”, a party song inspired by the Cold War and the world’s imminent destruction just hit differently. With much of the Stadium on their feet, many seemed determined to party like it was 2019. Following on, Bodycoat and Fiance performed “Take Me With U” before the night got real steamy as a line of dancers came out to accompany Fiance through the suggestive “Cream”.
Delivering an encore with the one-two punch of “Kiss” and “Raspberry Beret”, the night ended with a loud roar and confetti falling from the rafters. Having last attended the wobbly Sweet Dreaming: Eurythmics Reimagined, it was a delight to see PSO and its team nail this performance with tight production, talented singers and solid arranging.
My verdict – 4.5 Stars
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Same Nafie, Perth Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Compares at HBF Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. 16th May 2021. (c) Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org
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Hans Fiance & Ali Bodycoat, Perth Symphony Orchestra – Nothing Compares at HBF Stadium, Perth, Western Australia. 16th May 2021. (c) Daniel Carson | www.dcimages.org
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