REVIEW: THE STARS FROM THE COMMITMENTS

REGENT CENTRE, CHRISTCHURCH

In 1987, Roddy Doyle wrote a gritty unusual novel called The Commitments.

In 1991, Alan Parker directed an even grittier movie of the novel, set in working-class Dublin and telling the story of a bunch of youngsters trying to sing and play American soul music.

The film was dark and graphic, full of violence and swearing ... and hugely enjoyable.

This is an Irish tribute act, playing the music from the movie, but only featuring one of its actors – guitarist Ken McCluskey.

Nevertheless, this is a superb soul band, with a skin-tight drummer, bass guitarist, keyboards, sax, trumpet, and guitarist McCluskey, and they roar through The Temptations’ Get Ready, Sam & Dave’s Hold On, I’m Coming, and Aretha Franklin’s Chain Of Fools.

Unfortunately, the male lead vocalist lacks the feel and raspy power of the original, the patter incomprehensible.

And the explosively sexy three girl singers from the movie are replaced by a serious duo, although excelling on the Carole King classic You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.

Particularly outstanding is the band’s moody At The Dark End Of The Street and the aching Try A Little Tenderness.

The finale features soul music classics: the hooky Mustang Sally, the edgy Mr Pitiful, and the almost profound Take Me To The River.

The standing ovation encore was the inevitable, brilliant, Wilson Picket’s Midnight Hour and the relentless Land Of A Thousand Dances.

Brendan McCusker