Review: Tony Magee Upfront cabaret show

Pianist Tony Magee

Music

Tony Magee Upfront

School of Arts Cafe

July 8-24, 1993

Reviewed by Stephen Rosenberg

Pianist Tony Magee has performed many times as an associate artist at the Cafe. This was the first time he has been upfront, supported by bass player John Stephenson and drummer Mark Sutton.

The subject of their first bracket was the piano in Hollywood. Music has always been used to heighten the emotional intensity of movie images and the medley of movie themes, including Alfie, Chariots of Fire, A Man and a Woman, and Fiddler on the Roof created a feeling of nostalgic warmth.

Australian movie music was represented by Jessica’s Theme from The Man from Snowy River. Liberace was remembered with the theme tune from Sincerely Yours, in which he played the part of a concert pianist who goes deaf.

On the dimly lit stage against a black backdrop, the musicians in their black dinner suits were visually indistinct. Their manner was more introspective than theatrical.

The music in the second bracket was all Latin American rhythms and the musicians gave a more lively performance. Stephenson played some fiery syncopated bass guitar and Sutton sometimes played the drum kit with his hands, getting interesting effects by using his left hand for muting.

The highlight was a cha cha version of ‘Tea for Two’ in which Magee set up a tea tray and poured cups of tea whilst playing the piano.

The third bracket featured famous piano players from Beethoven to Billy Joel. Every-one enjoyed the medley of songs put together from requests made by each table in the audience. The musicians handled the changes of tempo and rhythm very well.

Magee then played the Adagio movement of Beethoven’s ‘Moonlight Sonata’, which he said he had learnt entirely by ear. He played from memory throughout the evening. Generally his touch was very light, but he was able to use dynamic variation effectively and often decorated phrases with lovely improvised glissandos and arpeggios.

First published at Muse Magazine, September edition, 1993.