ARIA Hall of Famer Russell Morris flew in to WA at the weekend, bringing with him his back catalogue of hits as well as a full 10-piece electric band and a 54-piece orchestra, to leave the Perth audience stunned and spellbound from the initial overture until he departed the stage to a standing ovation.
With the double album ‘The Real Thing Symphonic Concert’ still riding high in the Australian charts, tonight was a chance to experience first-hand the show that has wowed audiences at Sydney’s iconic Opera House, as well as at Melbourne’s Hamer Hall. And with so much live music happening in Perth on the same night (Steve Vai, Red Hot Summer & RnB Fridayz) it is a testament to Morris’s musical legacy that he still attracted a sell-out crowd to Crown Theatre, to distribute a vast array of his hits from the 60’s right up to the present day, all of which are expertly arranged by Academy nominee and BAFTA winner David Hirschfelder.
Listening to the album gives you a sense of the grandeur and spectacle of the orchestral arrangements but seeing and hearing it first hand, as well as being in the same room, just propels the incredible vision and hard work that has gone into this incredible production. In Russell Morris, Australia have someone who I genuinely rank as one of the country’s most constant performers – he is forever youthful, forever reinventing himself… as he said to me in a recent interview we had together, “I’m one of those people in that I look at music as a smorgasbord. And if I walk in and there’s a table laid with all these different styles and colours, I’m not gonna walk down to the end of the table every time and just have chops, peas and potatoes. I’ll look at the other end and go oh, oh that’s middle eastern food and I might like to try that.”
Tonight, we were teleported back to where it all began with Russell’s biggest hit ‘The Real Thing’ but not before being treated to songs from his 1972 EP ‘Mr America’, albums ‘Foot in the Door’, ‘Bloodstone’, ‘A Thousand Suns’, ‘Jumpstart Diary’ and tracks from two of his wonderful blues trilogy albums of ‘Sharkmouth’ and ‘Van Diemen’s Land’. We even had the special pleasure of being introduced to Johnny Young who was acknowledged by Morris, and encouraged to stand to take applause during the show.
But one of the stand-out performances of the night was saved for backing vocalist (and Fabulous Caprettos bassist) Jason Vorherr. Vorherr took centre stage and lead vocals for ‘I Will Wait For You’ and absolutely nailed it – incredible vocals! Pete Robinson’s guitar work throughout the night was exemplary, as were the harmonies delivered by vocalists Vorherr, John Creech, Michell Serret-Cursio and Jacinta Caruana.
As the show closed-in on the finale, we just knew what was coming; some of the songs that have locked themselves in to Australian musical history. When the final four songs of the evening comprise, and in no particular order, of ‘Sweet Sweet Love’, ‘The Real Thing’, ‘Hush’ and ‘Wings of an Eagle’ then you just know you have been blessed to have witnessed something special… and maybe something I will never get to see again!
Special mentions go to conductor Peter Morris (no relation we are told) and the wonderful Southern Cross orchestra, as well as the live band comprising of Gerry Pantazis (drums), Troy Downward (guitar), Craig Newman (bass) and Nik Pringadi and Richard Tankard (keyboards).
Adelaide, you’re up next! Enjoy on of the shows of 2023!
With thanks to Starr Special Events for the media access and hospitality.
Russell Morris – The Real Thing Orchestrated Concert
Adelaide – Festival Theatre – Friday 17th November
Sydney – Sydney Opera House Concert Hall – Wednesday 22nd November
Brisbane – Convention & Exhibition Centre – Saturday 9th December
https://russellmorris.com.au
