A man who once recorded with Freddie Mercury and starred in the original production of Hair could only do cabaret at the Fringe. An excellent show with a very young but accomplished band, Straker glided into the room from the back and stood astage for an hour of eclectic fun where one wasn’t sure what was to happen next. The masterstroke of performing in the cabaret club atmosphere of the Ghillie Dhu venue means that glasses of wine are given out from the stage, and Straker can travel the room like a pro; this is the sort of thing conventions need to be entertained by. Fast and slow tempi songs were intertwined, and Richard Harris’ MacArthur Park gently mocked with a watering can poured out onto a cake. A poignant Louisiana 1927 and a joyous Calypso (“daaaaaay-oh” a la Belafonte) pointed to Straker’s Jamaican roots, and the audience was keen on joining in with the mellifluous voice that crooned the notes like a father putting its child to bed. It was such a quick hour and a great treat for my Mum, whose birthday it was on the day I saw the show. Catch Straker at some time while he’s still here on this Earth, and try to track down his 70s collaborations with Mercury.
I’m Still Here
Pleasance Ghillie Dhu
18:00 4-30 Aug (not Tuesdays)
