★★★★★
It’s not often that you get to go through a teleportation device at the fringe. Sadly we are often all too aware we’re in a pub cellar or a shipping container. But in the small basement of the St. Augustine’s Church there is wormhole to a 1970’s Jazz Club and everyone’s invited.
And who has created this magical realm of music. It’s only Mr Brake Down, channelling Tom Waits whilst simultaneously being himself, it’s a strange combo that works perfectly. And with a house band consisting of Sophie Siobhán Kearney, Siân Peters and Steve Lincoln who were incredible, you rarely get quality like this! The chemistry between them all is so warm and loving.
I must confess I’m not a connoisseur of Waits, and really you don’t have to be. In fact Waits should be cutting a cheque for Mr Brake Down, as he makes for an excellent representative. But if you are a fan, there are many classics, riffs and covers to delight you. The hour whizzed by, we were left wanting more. It’s one thing to do a tribute act, it’s quite another to create a space where the audience are totally immersed, totally part of it!
For me it was a queer and trans affirming oasis of calm. For an hour the outside world was forgotten, and we could all be happy and free, what an extraordinary feat!
