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An awesome and ridiculous film that leaves you thrilled beyond the point of your natural endurance
2012
Theatre
The show has suddenly become quite wonderful, and the galvanising factor is the terrific stage debut of Melanie C
Blood Brothers
Music
The British pop music industry may be eating itself but if Muse are the pick of what it can offer the world in 2010 then British music is in rude health indeed
Muse
I was smitten by both Gilberts enormous luxuriant moustache and the intelligence and nuance of this highly entertaining play
I totally recommend Babbo to anyone who is looking for really good and traditional Italian food
Always been a fan but never seen them live. I was ecstatic to be part of this epic event. WOW!
London,
Pete Clark's rating
Reader rating
Description: The veteran 1960s soul singer plays tracks from his Nashville album with LA funk band in support.
Phone: 0845120 7500
Website: www.barbican.org.uk
Email: info@barbican.org.uk
Trains: Tube/BR: Moorgate/Barbican 
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 9am-8pm, Sun 11am-8pm
Extra info: Pub, Food, Parking
Soul man: Solomon Burke has 21 children and 89 grandkids
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.
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
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
He didn't sing I will survive - his daughter did.
- Rabbit Faulkner, london
