Ah, the Tina Turner tribute, which turned my criticism of Tina Turner tribute acts on its head, is coming to Devizes in August. In the light of Wiltshire Music Events’ recent successful Corn Exchange takeover with the Marley Experience, it’s set its own pedestal pretty high….
Avid readers of Devizine should know I try, as much as one can in the media, to be honest! They also know and likely produce a deep sigh, I tell a long-winded story! I’m going to manage both today, for your reading pleasure; it’s an age thing, you don’t need to thank me!
Okay, so, once upon a time at the very dawn of Devizine, I was asked to preview another Tina Turner tribute act; it was a lesson learned in the delicate and often problematic balance between honesty for the sake of the readers, and the cajolery towards event promoters. The reason; because, by dammit, there’s no way to butter this up, they were simply the worst!
Accepted, Tina Turner is a popular choice to tribute, likely there’s hundreds out there, but akin to a bomb disposal expert, Tina Turner had such impeccable style, such a unique and powerful voice, it would blow up in their face should they fail.
And, I’m sorry, mentioning no names, but the failure was epic. A second opinion from the better half, I showed her the YouTube clip with a question, “it’s not just me, is it?” The reply confirmed, it was terrible. But then came the dilemma, the dirty bit behind the scenes you don’t get to see; deciding what to do about it. Executive and rightful, I declined, politely. I would not lead readers up a garden path, I couldn’t bring myself to say this particular tribute was anything more than it was.
Backstory complete, I only needed to explain this as it led to my apprehension to the quality of Tina Turner tributes in general; is it even possible to replicate an artist of such calibre with such conviction?
It was also to emphasise my promise not to pull wool over your eyes. You don’t need to be stuck on my heart, baby, but please, hang on every word I say!
I was concerned history would repeat at last summer’s CrownFest when Simply the Best, were due on … how wrong I was. Kinisha Morgan-Williams answered my question through her superb performance; maybe it is possible. She is Tina in this instance; the heels, the strut, the divine attention to detail, and most importantly, the voice of this legend are all defined to perfection with this tribute, and is so astute it’s impossible not to assume you’ve slipped through a time hole to 1984, watching the real thing.
Kinisha, her band, the whole shebang, is a sublime experience for your retrospective entertainment. From Tina’s soulful roots with Ike and the Kings of Rhythm, to her unmatched Queen of Rock n Roll comeback, all the beloved hits are played out, the imitation is impeccable, the show is majestic, and Tina fan or not, you will not leave disappointed. I wouldn’t say it if it wasn’t so!
In this point, I believe, lies the secret to a great tribute act, for it’s not the preconceptions you take in with you, rather it’s the joy and entertainment value whilst there, obviously, but equally, what you leave with. This is governed by personal reflection, how much of a fan of the original act you are. With an artist or band you adored, like me with Bob Marley and the Wailers, the groundwork is laid for them, but for the impartial, one with passing interest, to make an impact on them is the true test. I’m indifferent to Tina Turner, I loved her with no more or less affection than a host of eighties pop legends, but after being wowed by Simply the Best, I came away contemplating just how brilliant Tina Turner was. That’s the benchmark, that’s paying a convincing homage, right there, and Kinisha did this wholeheartedly.
Simply The Best comes to Devizes Corn Exchange on Saturday 31st August. Tickets are a purple one, from HERE. Treat yourself, you’ll love it, if that’s anything to do with it; it’s physical, only logical, and you must try to ignore that it means more than that!
Wha-oh, Wiltshire Music Events is no secondhand emotion! They’re going from strength to strength! The Kings Arms in Amesbury is a fond venue for them, and they’ve our favourite indie pop originals, Talk in Code there on May 18th. But they’re no stranger to Devizes, hosting CrownFest in Bishops Cannings last year, and a plethora of in-house duo, Illingworth gigs in our pubs; in fact, you can catch Illingworth at the Crown in Bishops Cannings on the bank holiday, 4th May, with a rare appearance from the incredible George Wilding, on leave from his cruise ship work and back to entertain us landlubbers!
And if you need a fascinating fact to finish on, note John Illingworth and George are uncle and nephew, and 4th May at the Crown will be a rare opportunity to see them on the same bill….Thunderdome!!
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