The iconic Helen Reddy is back after a 10 year absence from performing, but it seemed as if she hadn’t missed a day on the stage as she captivated the Adelaide Festival Theatre audience last night.
Opening with a slow, sultry version of her hit “The Stars Fell on California”, the evening continued with a mix of her own songs and covers of artists whose songs she loves.
Nursing a cough and drinking honey and lemon from a mug, Reddy’s concert seemed more like catching up with an old friend than the much anticipated comeback of an international superstar. The first Australian to win a Grammy and Billboard Magazine’s 28th Best Contemporary artist of all time was warm, funny, and clearly enjoying the casual yet classy atmosphere of the evening.
Although she was playing to an almost packed theatre, Reddy’s faultlessly talented four piece band perfectly created the intimate, smoky jazz club feel.
At 72 years old, Reddy was still as sassy, witty, and sexy as she was 40 years ago when she was the Queen of 70’s pop.
Singing songs of her favourite lyricist and Academy Award winner Paul Williams, who composed her 1974 hit “You and Me Against the World” and artists such as Don McLean and Peter Allen, Reddy strutted and sashayed about the stage showing us she’s still got it.
Her voice got stronger as the night went on, on account of the cough she was fighting back during the show, but there was no lack of passion in her lyrics or performance.
The audience was thrilled as she sang hits such as “Angie Baby”, “Delta Dawn” and of course, “I am Woman”, which received a standing ovation.
Reddy shared stories about her family, experiences, and show business life; she was funny, humble and classy.
Of course the highlight of the show was the legendary 1972 hit and women’s liberation anthem “I am Woman” which sent shivers down the spine.
But the surprising finale, Peter Allen’s “I Still Call Australia Home”, was performed with passion and gusto; Reddy’s voice filled the Festival Theatre and every audience member with the same sentiment.
Reddy’s tour ends tomorrow night in Perth, but as her velvety voice lingers in our memories, last night’s Adelaide audience will know how lucky they were to see the woman who still roars.
Reviewed by Libby Parker
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