MEDINA THEATRE, NEWPORT (IOW) (2007)
'CP ENTS' (August, 2007)
I
Elkie Brooks has not had a major hit for twenty one years but her career does not depend on selling a few thousand records. Her performance at the Medina Theatre proved she could blow away any of today’s pop stars. How many of the current breed will be singing into their 60s? She sounded better than ever and her voice quality and projection astounded the full house who all stood and applauded at the end of her one-woman show.
Before she had even sung a note Elkie was afforded such a huge welcome and it was a few minutes before the atmosphere had calmed for her to sing Gasoline Alley Bred. Her sheer professionalism was a real eye opener and the warmth, class and energy of her performance was stunning. She is a real people person and regularly walked to all parts of the stage to show her appreciation, the like of which had seldom been seen at the Medina.
Whether singing one of her worldwide hits like Lilac Wine, a song from the Billie Holiday repertoire, a Muddy Waters classic or some wild rockers she was in sublime form. Her amazing never ending note during Baby What Do You Want Me To Do had everyone gasping for breath in sheer admiration.
Elkie Brooks has never made the headlines for anything but her singing ability. There have been no visits to a rehab just a career that has been in full flow since Pearl’s a Singer back in ’77. It had begun in the 60s when she worked with the Beatles and Animals.
One of her real strengths is that she can breathe new life into songs that seem to have been with us for ever. This performance included her unique interpretation of Love Potion Number 9.
Elkie is such a shrewd talent and her band were one of the finest ever seen at the theatre. They were all exceptional musicians. Trevor Jordan her sound engineer also deserves a special mention for some inspired work. On several numbers he achieved some remarkable self-echo backing vocal effects with Elkie’s voice and there was not a hint of backing tracks in sight.
Already Elkie has vowed to come back next year and it may well need to be two performances. When virtually all of Simon Cowell’s discoveries will be long forgotten the effervescent Elkie Brooks will still be filling theatres.
(John Hannam)
