REVIEW: The Swingcats, Sisters of Swing – Eastwood Park Theatre, Giffnock
According to their publicity, vocal trio The Swingcats have performed from Dublin to Dubai, Manchester to Marrakech, and by Royal command for Prince Albert of Monaco in Monte Carlo. Tonight, the group bring their show Sisters of Swing to Eastwood Park Theatre.
Paying tribute to the great female vocalists of the jazz and swing age, the show is packed full of standards made famous by Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, The Andrews Sisters and surprisingly, Marilyn Monroe.
As well as two album releases under their belt, Alyson Orr, Laura Ellis and Nicola Auld have fronted some of the top big bands including The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The BBC Big Band and the RAF Squadronaires, and have appeared with jazz artists Annie Ross, Carol Kidd, Claire Martin and Martin Taylor, and their experience and talent shows. This is as slick vocally as you could wish for, with to-die-for harmonies. Each gets their own chance to shine, choosing personal favourites to perform solo, but it is as a trio that they are at their strongest, The Andrews Sisters numbers in particular are stunning: Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy, Bei Mir Bist Du Schon and Chattanooga Choo Choo, just a few highlights.
The rest of the evening’s selection is packed with crowd-pleasers: Doris Day’s version of Quizás, Quizás, Quizás better known as the sultry Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps; Noël Coward’s Mad About The Boy, Kiss Me Kate’s Too Darn Hot; Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend; Dream a Little Dream of Me; Satin Doll, Rum and Coca Cola; Nina Simone’s My Baby Just Cares For Me – which is prefaced with a really interesting anecdote about Simone, from musical director Karen MacIver, the list goes on and on…there’s plenty of bang for your buck, and all delivered by three undoubtedly talented singers.
Worth mentioning too is the fact that the show features some unique arrangements from the group’s musical director Karen MacIver, complimenting the traditional vocals and all backed by the Karen MacIver trio.
This is a classy affair – for fans of Big Band and Swing – you can’t go wrong with The Swingcats.
TOUR CONTINUES AT:
Cumbernauld Theatre
9th September www.cumbernauldtheatre.co.uk
Beacon Arts Centre, Greenock
7th October www.beaconartscentre.co.uk
Howden Park Centre, Livingston
12th October www.howdenparkcentre.co.uk
East Kilbride Arts Centre
27th October www.slleisureandculture.co.uk
Pavilion Theatre, Glasgow – Jukebox Memories
3rd & 4th November
0141 332 1846 www.paviliontheatre.co.uk