Throughout the song one could hear – as one was seated near the sound desk at the back of the stalls – the technicians conversing on the radio, saying “negative, that’s a negative!” until, finally, the video began to work again, and that familiar tune burst into the Concert Hall. Here, then, was one of the highlights of the night, mainly because of its subdued nature, and it was one of the most touching songs in the program. Next came ‘Walkin’ My Baby Back Home’, also a duet with her father, but strangely with only audio and no video, the disembodied voice floating through the room with the awkwardness of a movie-trailer voiceover in a cinema with no projector.
It was a night full of blur and beauty, with the opening number, ‘The Very Thought of You’, providing a beguiling introduction to the singer’s voice. Yet for a few songs afterwards it was all but overshadowed by the hugeness of the backing music, with the thumping beats and the never-ending blasts of noise often an almost physical pain to listen to, her version of Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Pink Cadillac’ being the worst offender, almost driving one to stick their fingers firmly in the ears (only my duty as a critic, dear reader, held me back).
It was the quieter numbers where Natalie Cole shined. This is not to say that she wasn’t necessarily sparkling in the louder pieces, but if she was one had no chance of discerning it. ‘What a Difference a Day Makes’ was particularly noteworthy, Cole’s version sung over the meandering double bass of Edwin Livingston. Conductor Gail Deadrick led the orchestra with much charisma, even if it did often come at the expense of clarity.
Like having to eat your vegetables before dessert, there was a lot of swallow before the treats came, but when they did, one was pleased to have made the effort.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Sydney Symphony Orchestra presents
An Unforgettable Evening with Natalie Cole
Conductor: Gail Deadrick
Sydney Opera House
2 February–4 February, 2012
