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Pete Clark's rating
Better believe in Solomon Burke
By
Pete Clark
4 Jul 2008
Before Lenny Henry invented Theophilus P Wildebeest, there was Solomon Burke and, honey, you had better believe it.
A gilt and crimson throne of ample dimensions is placed centre stage, flanked by large pots of scarlet roses. A red carpet is rolled out. A Hammond B3 lets forth some trademark emanations: the big organ intro. Solomon Burke, wisest of all soul singers, is wheeled out and placed in his throne. He is resplendent in a gold lame three-piece suit. Or it may be silver.
"Put your hands in the air," he commands, and the congregation do as they are bid.
There is a large and slick band on stage, including brass section, backing singers, inaudible violinists and the guys doing the usual rhythm stuff.
They generate a certain degree of style without being so vulgar as to possess oomph. Solomon is the cynosure, rolling out songs such as Like A Fire - the title track of his latest LP written by Eric Clapton - and Soul Searching. All the great soul singers of the past are reverentially name-checked and covered and when the great man breaks sweat, an attendant is on hand to mop his brow with a rolled futon.
Solomon is a religious man and he lets us know it, without being unduly sanctimonious: "If you believe, you receive. If you doubt, you go without."
Red roses are distributed to the ladies in the audience via the good grace of one of Solomon's 21 children and one of his 89 grandkids. The big man scales the heights of I Will Survive. You sense he is doing better than that.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (3)
0 out of 5
I must have been at a different show because my wife and I thought that the sound was terrible, the blind organist was all show and no substance and completely overpowering and as your reporter commented the violinists were inaudible. As for the big man well we thought his voice was not up to scratch, his singing was not from the soul and his style frankly cheesy. We left early and were pleased to get out which was sad because believe it or not we are big fans and were really looking forward to it.
- Colin Baum, Southend-on-Sea, England, 06/07/2008 22:14
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5 out of 5
What an evening at the Barbican!
The Band were great - especially blind organist Rudy Copeland who was jumping up and down while playing the organ for the entire show.
And as for Solomon, he was simply amazing (as he always is), His voice just gets better everytime, and his presence just makes you feel honoured to be in his company.
Just under 2 hours of soul classics, country, gospel and rock and roll hits starting with Like A Fire written by Eric Clapton and finishing with Everybody Needs Somebody To Love and When The Saints Go Marching In!
His youngest daughter, Candy did a great verison of "I Will Survive" also.
God Bless The King!
- David Hall, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, 04/07/2008 14:35
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He didn't sing I will survive - his daughter did.
- Rabbit Faulkner, london, 04/07/2008 13:12
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