More Than A Melody

Of the many brilliant things about the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, I am very glad we get to commune with both international talent AND our own local legends.  More Than a Melody, conceived by Libby O’Donovan (one of those legendary Adelaide locals), is a celebration of both song and the wonderment of singing in harmony.

O’Donovan strides onto stage with renown jazz vocalist Michelle Nicolle who calls Melbourne home but trained here in Adelaide.  The two regale us with an Andrew Sisters medley to begin, absolutely winning over the crowd with favourites like ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ and ‘In The Mood’.  Accompaniment from Mark Ferguson on keys and Bonnie Aué on bass was perfection. 

To bump up the harmony opportunities, O’Donovan and Nicolle are joined by the ‘Yankalilla Miracles’, Catherine Mackenroth and Lauren Henderson, both phenomenal solo vocalists themselves.  With her famously dry delivery, O’Donovan announces that the four will sample the first five hundred years of harmony/music in just six and a bit minutes.  Ranging from medieval to folk with a healthy dose of “fa la la’s”, plus Latin, German, and operatic works including “O Fortuna” and “The Flower Duet”, the group provided glorious harmonies as they sight read from their very choir-worthy black folders.

With sardonic introduction by Libby, she touched on the abundance of songs with ‘baby” in the title or chorus, and in true Cabaret spirit, the audience were questioned as to what favourite terms of endearment they might use for their significant other; with a few surprising answers I might add.  And so launched a very fun medley with all four voices contributing.  Think The Ronettes’ “Be My Baby”, The Four Seasons’ “Bye Bye Baby”, The Supremes’ “Baby Love”, The Four Tops’ “Baby I Need Your Loving”, and even Britney Spears’ “Hit Me Baby One More Time”, all with some classic doo wop treatment.  Continuing in the same girl/boy group fashion, O’Donovan and Nicolle transformed “My Heart Will Go On” from plaintive ballad to Motown sass with much hilarity, perhaps adding a little satirical edge to the ending.

Catherine Mackenroth replaced Mark Ferguson on keys to sing “Many Rivers To Cross” with O’Donovan joined by Jayne-Anne Power, all taking turn to lead.  The three women had sung together in an outfit called 32 Zion St, once upon a little while ago.  Following this, the much awarded Michelle Nicolle dazzled with a rendition of “Autumn Leaves” by Joseph Kosma adorned with some serious, awe-inspiring Jazz vocal improvisation.  Lauren Henderson, 2020 winner of the National Jazz Awards - voice, took the lead on “Bye By Blackbird” with just bass as accompaniment to her beautiful timbre and range.  Next was “Moon River” with some extraordinary bowed bass from Bonnie Aué and delicious harmonies from the four singers.

Throughout the set there are gently humorous reminiscences from O’Donovan about growing up in Broken Hill and singing with her sister at many church gatherings throughout the regions.  The women also recall their diverse experiences singing in choirs, jazz choirs, and more.  We are also enlightened with some proven scientific facts about neurotransmitters and the benefits of group singing in harmony.  As anyone who has experienced it can attest, all the ‘feel good’ hormones (oxytocin, serotonin, dopamine) are boosted when you sing (especially in harmony) and stress hormones like cortisol are decreased.  As O’Donovan also referenced, there is a certain magic about singing with a group of friends and that was certainly expressed on the Banquet Room stage this night - the obvious respect and camaraderie between the artists was palpable.

To round out the night, a very jazzed up, doo wop version of Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers”, a la Post-Modern Jukebox’s bent, and entirely gorgeous with O’Donovan in the lead. After an endearing harmonized version of “Edelweiss” when the women were joined by Libby’s daughter Maisie, another medley rounded out the night.  This time the group covered the other end of the spectrum from around the 1950s until now.

Acknowledged with a standing ovation, this Cabaret offering is a winner.  More Than A Melody is a healing, comforting journey through song and harmony to warm any Winter’s night.  The show is definitely tour material and more folks should have the opportunity to experience it.

Lisa Lanzi

Photographer: Claudio Raschella