SCOTT BRADLEE
&
POSTMODERN JUKEBOX
Live in London
o2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
17th February 2015
Cover versions have been around as long as pop music has. It's a tradition that goes right back to the start with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and even Elvis beginning their careers by putting their own spin on other people's songs. To put your stamp on the material of others and (to coin a slightly over-used talent show phrase) 'make it your own' is always harder than it seems.
Enter SCOTT BRADLEE, a multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger from New York, known in musical circles for his work in the jazz world, who in 2009 stumbled on the idea of recreating some classic 80's hits in a 20's ragtime style.
Expanding the project in 2013, Bradlee developed POSTMODERN JUKEBOX where he enlisted the help of a collective of like minded & equally talented musicians to re visualize a selection of more current pop songs in a variety of different styles. They worked on a catalogue of hits, bringing jazzy, bluesy or soulful flavour to tracks by MILEY CYRUS, NICKELBACK & LORDE to name just three. One of the major keys to the project's success was the array of new emerging quality vocalist brought in to sing on these tracks.
As with most things in the internet age, the major breakthrough came when these performances were taken direct to the public via YouTube and it very quickly grew into a social media phenomenon with the videos being shared all over Twitter and Facebook. Many of the artists being covered also showed their appreciation of the new takes on their work.
Eventually as POSTMODERN JUKEBOX grew, with new covers posted on a regular basis, the demand to see the band live also grew and they decided to take the show on the road, firstly in the US, then to an International audience.
I attended their debut London show last year at Camden's Dingwalls. Their popularity had already exceeded the demand of the tiny venue with an extra show had being added meaning the band were to perform the whole show twice on the same night. Already loving the covers I'd seen online, I went along not knowing quite what to expect from the live experience.
When I witness what was the first of these two shows I was blown away at the work and energy that had gone into it. Not just the songs, but the whole production, from the introduction from host and MC DRUE DAVIS to the corny voiceover "words from our sponsors", the tap dancing and the incredible vocals of the singers (which at that time included PMJ alumni ROBYN ADELE ANDERSON, ASHLEY STROUD & CRISTINA GATTI). It really was, as their name suggests, like a jukebox of your favourite current hits turned completely on it's head. After nearly 90 minutes, I felt exhausted and couldn't believe they were about to do it all again. It instantly established itself as my absolute favourite show of 2014.
2015 rolls around and POSTMODERN JUKEBOX are back again. With 2 more albums worth of material and a brand new European tour. This time, the production has shifted up a gear and as demand dictates sees them heading to bigger venues, with their London show this time round taking them to their biggest theatre to date with a sold out show at the o2 Empire in Shepherd's Bush.
The anticipation levels were also increased, was it going to be as good as before? Well the answer came pretty quickly as the show opened and we were treated a surprise performance from Californian chorus line girls, The LA FOLLIES, bringing some extra glamour to the proceedings before the music began.
Soon the band arrived on stage with SCOTT BRADLEE not unexpectedly earning the warmest welcome as he took his regular seat at the piano. Our new host, MYKAL KILGORE took to the mike to introduce the first vocalist of the night from the 2015 line up.
Sassy LA singer ARIANA SAVALAS sashayed on to the stage and instantly caught everyone's attention. Not only were her jazzy vocals perfect for the songs, which kicked off with the 1920's 'flapper' version of IGGY AZALEA's 'Fancy', but she injected a great amount of humour, toying with the audience with her vampish quips. As her late father Telly might have said "Who love's ya baby?", we do!
Switching gear our next performer was the first of the boys to sing. Texas born CASEY ABRAMS look, style and sound is about as far away from his break as an American Idol contestant as you can think.
Strumming the double bass, his version of 'I'm Not The Only One' brought a New Orleans swing that SAM SMITH could never have dreamed would ever be applied to his ballad.
The youngest member of the the troupe followed. At only 21 KIAH VICTORIA has already been making a bit of a name for herself in the R&B world, even attracting the attention of JAY-Z, and the New Yorker brought a smooth soul sound to the proceedings, making JOHN LEGEND's 'All Of Me' sound like it would if it was recorded somewhere in Detroit in the early 60's.
Last of the trio of PMJ ladies to join us was MORGAN JAMES. Yet again, another vocalist with a fine pedigree, both for her singing and acting talents. Her powerful tones set the bar high and showed why her own solo work, with her album 'Hunter' recently released, is getting a lot of attention, both back home and in the UK.
Last and by no means least, it was our host's time to shine. MYKAL KILGORE has some great credentials for his work on Broadway and brought the house down with the 40's swinging version of the standard 'The Greatest Love Of All'.
So what about the boss? The band left the stage allowing SCOTT BRADLEE to have his moment with the audience. Asking for suggestions of artists from the crowd he proceeded to play an improvised mash-up featuring hits from QUEEN, BEYONCE, SIA, THE SPICE GIRLS & a little bit of PRINCE all rolled into a 3 minute medley, proving just what a talented and quick thinking musician he really is.
The night wasn't without it's other unsung heroes, literally, in the shape of CHRISTOPHER ERK aka THE TAP FACTOR who's hot shoe shuffles accompanied many of the night's tracks.
The other, undoubtedly the liveliest person in the entire theatre was The Tambourine Guy, TIM KUBART. He doesn't sing, he doesn't really dance but what he does do is bring his electric presence to the show as he throws himself all over the stage sends excitement levels through the roof!
Other songs from TAYLOR SWIFT, MAROON 5, KATY PERRY and FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE all got their jazzed up treatment throughout the evening but for me the two major highlights were ARIANA SAVALAS' sexy Jessica Rabbit style take on the BLACKSTREET R&B anthem 'No Diggity' where she toyed with the boys in the front row getting a few hot under the collar.
Then, the song that silenced the capacity crowd was a solid gold gem from MORGAN JAMES. She powered through her jaw dropping version of the massive HOZIER hit 'Take Me To Church', accompanied with Scott alone on the piano was flawless and the proverbial pin could be heard falling to the floor. A show-stopper.
Then, the song that silenced the capacity crowd was a solid gold gem from MORGAN JAMES. She powered through her jaw dropping version of the massive HOZIER hit 'Take Me To Church', accompanied with Scott alone on the piano was flawless and the proverbial pin could be heard falling to the floor. A show-stopper.
All too soon the night was nearly over but not before there was time for just one encore featuring a version of MEGHAN TRAINOR's monster track 'All About That (Double) Bass'. Then they were gone but it was clear that everyone involved was elated by what had just occurred. A two hour non-stop marathon of full on entertainment that could not be bettered.
The entire band also kindly hung around to meet excited fans after the show despite having to make a quick getaway to head off to Amsterdam for a show the following night as their European tour continues.
See our full photo gallery and video playlist from the show here
The good news is that SCOTT BRADLEE & POSTMODERN JUKEBOX will return to London for yet another huge show on March 22nd, this time taking the whole crew along to indigo2 at The o2. If you're lucky you can still get a ticket but be quick and make sure you get to see this phenomenal show.
Check here for availability
For more on POSTMODERN JUKEBOX visit
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