Scott Bradlee’s Postmodern Jukebox (PMJ) has become quite the phenomenon and in its 14 years has amassed over 1.9 billion views on YouTube. Watching the eclectic mix of songs and performers it is easy to see why. Taking mostly modern pop and rock songs and reworking them with a jazz vibe creates a certain magic.
But that’s video. How about seeing the performances live? Well that takes things to a whole new level. PMJ played to a full house at the Kiri Te Kanawa theatre last night and managed to lift the proverbial roof off the place with a very slick and professional set of songs, soaring voices and brilliant musicianship.
Setting the scene for us and getting everyone in the mood was MC Rogelio Douglas Junior whose larger than life personality introduced his fellow performers with style. But it was his singing that proved to be even more engaging and his rendition of Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive was extraordinary.
The opening number was a beautifully stylised version of Lady Gaga’s Bad Romance sung by Sara Niemietz. She also crafted a delightful version of Bowie’s Heroes that was deeply emotional. Likewise Tatum Langley, looking very innocent in a floral dress had fun with Green Day’s Basket Case and delivered the line ‘I might be paranoid or am I just stoned’ with a dose of apparent ironic innocence.
A delightful surprise was Soundgarden’s Black Hole Sun performed by the band’s drummer Ray Moore whose soulful voice delivered a sublime and tender rendition of the song.
With so much talent on stage it is challenging to choose a favourite moment but in this concert it would have to be the Leonard Cohen song Hallelujah. There have been so many covers of this stunning song over many years and PMJ’s Effie Passero gave it her all. Her soaring vocals and deeply emotional delivery was simply breathtaking.
I must also make mention of Jabu Graybeal who did a number of energetic and very adept tap-dancing medleys to a selection of big band sounds, and of course the incredible ensemble of musicians who created such wonderful music.
After seeing this talented group of singers and musicians live, I can see why Postmodern Jukebox is such a hit with audiences worldwide. Combining sheer talent with an unconventional and gifted way of interpreting music is simply magical.
