OPERA HOUSE, JERSEY (2009)
JERSEY EVENING POST
It’s just not possible to use enough clever words to describe this performance by Elkie Brooks.
Not when the rapturous applause that greeted her before, during and after her evening at the Opera House said it all.
But here goes.
For a start, the Opera House was packed with an army of Elkie fans or Elkaholics as they’re known, who greeted her with whooping, hollering and deafening applause as soon as she stepped onto the stage in a figure hugging blue strappy dress.
After a wave, thumbs up and a big smile, Elkie and her six piece band blasted off with “He Could Have Been An Army” before slipping into the slow and bluesy Love Potion Number Nine, which were reminders of just what an unbelievably powerful voice she has.
In the first half, the audience was treated to a mix of ballads and blues, with covers such as Percy Sledge’s “Warm and Tender Love” and Chris Rea’s “Fool If You Think It’s Over”. Into this mix she threw a few of her own hits, including the incredibly popular “Sunshine After The Rain” a belting rendition of “Don’t Cry Out Loud” and “Lilac Wine”, which were all delivered with incredible, yet seemingly effortless power. She rounded off the first half with “He Moves Me” by Muddy Waters.
It has to be said that the technicians got the balance right and every note and word was clear, down to the softest intonation. The sound was terrific – maybe the fact she is married to a sound engineer has something to do with it.
I’m afraid at this point, I have to mention the age thing. I didn’t want to but Elkie brought it up, after she pointed out that Vera Lynn (92) is still in the charts.
Elkie’s attitude, face, figure and voice belie her 60+ years and, in fact, the only real give away was the age of her audience.
The second half, accompanied with a change of frock, (short black rock chick number) kicked off with a change of tempo, with the rocking “Serve Somebody” and “Try Harder”.
At the end of every song there was much wiggling, waving, air punching and thumbs ups but during performances she kept up a steady rapport with her supremely proficient band.
At this level, its obvious only the best are going to make it into Elkie’s band, and they were note perfect. Melvin Duffy on guitar, Andrew Murray on keyboard, Brian Badhams on bass, Lee Noble on vocals, percussion and keyboards, Steve Jones on Sax and Elkie’s longest serving musician of 23 years, Mike Richardson on drums.
Elkie rounded off the set with the stunning “Baby What You Want Me To Do”, which included sustaining a high note for what seemed like an eternity.
Elkie used the encore to smooth things down a little with “Powerless” and the soulful “We’ve Got Tonight”.
Need I add there was a standing ovation at the end?
(By Gill Kay)
