‘BLUE: The Songs of Joni Mitchell’ at Brisbane Powerhouse for Queensland Cabaret Festival is a tribute to the musical works and life of Joni Mitchell by a talented group that do justice to her unique style.
Developed by cabaret chanteuse Queenie van de Zandt (singer) and Max Lambert (pianist) they were supported by two other excellent musicians (who should feature in the credits!) on the first presentation of this show.
Although purist fans will say no one can sing like Joni and question the songs chosen to accompany parts of her life story, Queenie and the group obviously connect deeply with their material and care about telling Joni's musical story. The audience was often enraptured and shouting for more at the end!
Drawing lines between actual life events and creative works is always a dangerous business, but given Joni herself has lamented transparency of some of her life and music, it's probably justified. Voice-overs speak as others in Joni's life, such as her mother and daughter, but Queenie plays Joni Mitchell, narrating events from her life, as well as singing her songs. It works because Queenie's raw yet sensitive singing embodies the emotion of Joni's songs: singing becomes another way Joni tells her story, so the singer and narrator need to be one. The narration is never too lengthy or intrusive and the music remains the focus.Queenie was impressive in the dramatic favourites (‘A Case of You’, ‘River’ and ‘Little Green’) but also shone at portraying Joni's ironic, playful side in numbers such as in ‘Twisted’. Max Lambert's piano playing was exquisite. The set was basic, not trying to set any scene, just the musicians on stage, as if to say the music is the story. Appropriately for the famous singer who thought of herself as "a painter who writes music" however, Joni's self-portrait was (not quite) centre stage.
This is a wonderful celebration of Joni Mitchell and the emotional connections we form with music that is borne out of emotion. It deserves to be a huge success.
★★★★☆ 1/2.
