Top-level tribute delivers the Best Music when we need it the most…
If you saw the 2021 Grammy Awards and happen to have the slightest bit of good taste, you’ve realized that contemporary “music” is being dredged up from the smelliest bowels of Hell. When “WAP” aka “Wet A** P*ssy” is performed live on network television, there’s no place to go but up.
Yes, our nation is in a deep dive. We’re hurting and need something to lift us up. So we look back at the fantastic music of the 70’s and 80’s…songs that defined several generations and will last for years to come. That might explain why we’re dusting off our vinyl records for another go-round. And who better to exemplify that era than the Bee Gees?
A year after COVID’s mandatory shutdown , The Australian Bee Gees are back at Excalibur‘s remodeled second-level showroom, and they’re resonating like never before. Is it because of the music and warm lyrics? Perhaps it’s our yearning for better times. Or maybe we just need a little positivity in our lives. When you hear live performances of “To Love Somebody”, “ONE” and “How Deep Is Your Love”, those questions are moot.
This past December, while we were stuck at home instead of visiting family or enjoying holiday vacations, HBO presented the documentary “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”. Directed by Frank Marshall (producer for POLTERGEIST, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, GREMLINS and the BACK TO THE FUTURE trilogy), the lovingly-created chronicle touched people around the world. It reminded us of the hearts behind the music, and left very few dry eyes.
There’s so much more to the brothers Gibb than the disco era. The Australian Bee Gees Show covers the gamut of their discography, opening with the 90’s, jumping back to the beginning, then culminating in a veritable dance party of Saturday Night Fever proportions.
There are medleys dedicated to every significant decade of their lengthy career. Along the way the trio visits youngest brother Andy‘s “Shadow Dancing”, Frankie Valli‘s “Grease”, Dolly and Kenny‘s “Islands in the Stream”, and a very familiar collaboration with Barbra Streisand (“Guilty”). Montages of vintage videos create a perfect backdrop to the performances.
The gentlemen behind the characters are a wildly-gifted trio of musicians in their own right. They’ve been delivering variations of this production across the globe for over two decades. Guitarist Michael Clift (“Barry”) founded the group in 1996. David Scott hits all the right notes and bears an uncanny resemblance to falsetto “Robin”. Handsome keyboardist Wayne Hosking lives and breathes Robin’s twin brother “Maurice”. They’re joined by bassist Tony Richards and percussionist Rick Powell, two powerhouse musicians with their own impressive resumes.
It’s been several years since I last saw Australian Bee Gees. At the time, it was a two act, two-era show with a costume change in between. Hosking tells me that the production will continue to develop and grow once COVID restrictions have been eliminated:
Unfortunately some of the best additions to our new show are still absent under the distancing guidelines. We had to drop the second set costume change, the medley around one microphone and a lot of the audience interaction and dance floor. Still…just happy to be back on stage at this point!
I’d be perfectly content if A.B.G. maintained one continuous set. The current iteration is an authentic, in-character concert retrospective, as though all of the boys still remained alive (alas, only eldest brother Barry survives). Much like Jason Tenner‘s PURPLE REIGN tribute to Prince, this is the closest thing you’ll ever get to an actual Bee Gees concert.
Hosking also said that a big-screen biopic of the legendary group is in the works from Paramount and actor/director Kenneth Branagh. With the box office success of BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY and PIANO MAN, perhaps this was inevitable, and that’s just fine. As the HBO documentary showed, there’s a lot more to the story than you know.
Las Vegas tribute shows rarely get the respect that they deserve. It takes plenty of effort to sing, dance, and channel iconic artists. Imagine how tough it is to maintain that illusion for an entire 75 minute production.
The Australian Bee Gees Show is overflowing with authenticity. You’ll be on your feet and feeling the fever way after the mirror ball stops spinning.
The Australian Bee Gees Show performs at 6 pm (and 4pm on select dates) at Excalibur Hotel Casino. Prices start at $50.95 plus taxes/fees. Click here for complete schedule and to order tickets.
Photos: Sam Novak, The Australian Bee Gees
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