After
regular complaining that we never see
any big name musical acts - what do you say
when you learn that the likes of Cher, Barbara
Streisand and Roy Orbison (I thought he was
dead) will be strutting their stuff locally?
What you do, of course, is check the
fine
print. It's there you learn that what you will be
seeing are performers who look like and sound
like these well- known entertainers. But rather
than make a quick buck on the drawing power
of these pop culture icons, you get the
impression they have a genuine love for their
subjects.
Larry Branson, who has been
performing as
the legendary balladeer Orbison for more than
a decade, says simply: "I'm just happy to be
doing something to help keep his music alive."
Branson's performance at the
Community
Auditorium last night went beyond any
reasonable expectation. The man handled all
the Orbison anthems with impressive dexterity.
In fact, this reviewer had to walk up to the
front of the stage to be sure he wasn't
lip-synching.
Branson's opening set included
songs from
Orbison's early years such as Ooby Dooby,
Down the Line, Claudette and Uptown. He
also sang twenty-two more familiar titles
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including
Roy's last material Mystery Girl, You Got It and California Blue.
The carefully placed song list seemed to weave an unmistakable story
line without the added big-screen imagery and recorded commentary.
Sadly, the video support system
couldn't live up to the high standard Branson set. Last night the
live camera shots were absent due to technical problems. However,
the audience of 1,500 still oohed and ahhed to some of the high
impact commentary that chronicled Orbison's tragic life.
Branson closed the night with the
show's title song This Lonely Heart followed by a rousing version of
the signature Orbison ode, Oh, Pretty Woman and Mean Woman Blues
featuring the entire cast.
This Lonely Heart was written for Roy
Orbison by Branson and a friend. "The song never got to Roy in
time" relates Branson. "Each night I dedicate the song to
all the lost children and pray for their quick and safe return. It's
just something that I wanted to do for the kids".
A selfless gesture indeed. There
wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Bravo Larry
Branson. |
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