Arts

Cabaret Festival Review: Tapestry: The Songs of Carole King

Carole King has been deemed the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century, with 118 songs on the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ between 1955 and 1999.

Presented by Adelaide Cabaret Festival
Reviewed 23rd June 2017

Carole King has been deemed the most successful female songwriter of the latter half of the 20th century, with 118 songs on the ‘Billboard Hot 100’ between 1955 and 1999. Her best-selling 1971 album Tapestry held the number one spot for 15 consecutive weeks and remained on the charts for six years, selling 25 million copies worldwide. Tapestry: The Songs Of Carole King is a celebration of the Queen of Pop, and her songs that continue to shape generations.

Australian singing icon Debroah Byrne, who was set to star in Tapestry beside Vika Bull, this week required emergency surgery in hospital, and was unable to perform. Graciously, however, Vika’s sister Linda, also a performer of over 30 years, stepped up to the plate, learning the entire 75 minute show in just two days. The Bull sisters were magnificent.

With a large-persion rug adorning the stage, and backed by a faultless five-piece band, the Bull sisters’ easygoing personas made you feel as if you were sitting in their living room. The duo performed all of the classics on King’s famous album: ‘Way Over Yonder’, ‘Beautiful’, ‘Where You Lead’, ‘It’s Too Late’, and, of course, the albums title song ‘Tapestry’, were all sung with phenomonal control. Vika’s rendition of ‘You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman’ was utterly breathtaking, and was completely deserving of the standing ovation she received after the number. Their sisterly blend was sublime, and was demonstrated particularly in their amazing harmonies in ‘Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow’. The opening night audience, however, couldn’t get enough of the up-beat songs: ‘I Feel The Earth Move’, ‘Hard Rock Café’, ‘Smackwater Jack’, and a medley of King songs originally performed by other artists, including ‘One Fine Day’, ‘I’m In To Something Good’, and ‘Locomotion’.

The Bull sisters had the opening night audience dancing, weeping, and everything in between. Their passion for the Queen of Pop was clear, and their well-informed facts made the show appealing to Carole King lovers and new-comers alike. The Bull sisters really did make the earth move!

Reviewed by Ben Francis

Rating out of 5: 5

Season Ended

http://www.vikaandlindabull.com

https://www.facebook.com/TapestryTheSongsOfCaroleKing/

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