A group of local musicians will perform a tribute to Lou Reed's seminal 'Transformer' album by playing it in its entirety not once, but twice as part of the Queensland Cabaret Festival this weekend.
Led by musical director James Lees, five acclaimed Brisbane vocalists will come together to honour Reed’s masterpiece – Alison St Ledger (The Switch, Sissybones, Women In Voice), Lucinda Shaw (ISIS, Silver Sircus), Sandro Colarelli, Brett Harris (The Good Ship) and Sahara Beck. Joining them will be a ten-piece band featuring members of smoky cabaret ensemble Silver Sircus joined by Kevin Haigh (guitars), Richard Grantham (viola/ piano), Andrew Saragossi (bari sax) and Martin Somerville (piano).
Sahara BeckOne of the 20th century’s most influential songwriters, Lou Reed first made a name for himself leading New York art-rock ensemble The Velvet Underground. Championed by Andy Warhol and making a sound far ahead of its time, commercial success eluded them causing Reed to leave the band and temporarily retire from music.
After making a quiet return with his debut solo album in 1972, he quickly embarked on a new set of recordings with Velvet's fan David Bowie at the producing helm. These sessions produced what many consider to be his finest work – the aptly named 'Transformer'. The album contains some of Reed’s finest songs including 'Perfect Day', 'Satellite Of Love' and his biggest hit single, 'Walk On The Wild Side'.
With the first 'Transformer: The Album In Concert' show sold out, a second show has been announced for the same night (20 June), also at QPAC's Cremorne Theatre.
James Lees
