The heavens restrain themselves with an apt grace in respect for Aussie legend Tina Arena, who brings her show to the Sydney Opera House forecourt.
Richard Marx kicks off the evening (9 December) with his perfect hair and dazzling smile. His voice shows the charm of age as a nice rasp comes through.He sips from a martini glass between songs, before joking about post-show activities. "I'm a musical viagra. If you can't get laid at a Richard Marx concert you can't get laid," he announces.
'Right Here Waiting' is a beautiful feat of songwriting, as the set ends with a thunderous roar of drums and cheers from the crowd.
Richard Marx - image © Ashley Mar
Bob Marley's 'One Love' plays over the speakers as excitement grows. After a warm introduction from Richard Wilkins, Tina Arena enters in a stunning red dress, with sparkly gems around her eyes and in her hair.
"The perfect illusion, for a while," she sings from 'Heaven Help My Heart', starting the evening off with perfect sentimentality, her voice stunning right out of the gate. "It's out of my hands, so I put my faith in you," Arena sings, gesturing out to the audience with a nice touch.
"What a sight," Arena remarks, as the introduction of 'Wasn't It Good' plays on the piano. "It's over now that's understood, but wasn't it good," Arena sings gently. The song is a warm reminder that break-ups don't always have to be bad, as an acoustic guitar solo takes the middle eight tastefully.
"Good evening, Sydney. What a way to end four incredible shows," Arena emotes. "It's difficult to know what to say in an environment like this. There's absolutely nothing to complain about. That record has had an extraordinary life, because I was stupid enough to put my heart on the line," Tina smiles, referencing 'Don't Ask', which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.
"That so many of you still resonate with it has been a great learning curve for me," she shares. "I first performed here at 9, and to perform here at 57, this is pretty special," she reflects on the evening's location.
Tina Arena - image © Ashley Mar
The flugelhorn introduces 'Message', which is sultry under purple lights, as Arena grabs her chest for the line: "Your tender touch keeps me alive."
"I can't walk in my shoes," Arena jokes, tiptoeing to the back of the stage for her water bottle. "If I take them off, you'll see the size that I really am! This record took me to some incredible places. . . and some places that I probably won't visit again," she jokes.
'Show Me Heaven' showcases Tina's stunning vocals, as she breezes through the key change. The song is stunning and it's hard to believe it isn't a set list regular. "Maybe you understand why I don't do it often," she reflects afterwards. "You need an oxygen tank on the side of the stage after that."
"We could be happy, we could be free," Arena sings from 'Love Is the Answer', and you feel both of those things here tonight. The song ends with an angelic harmony. 'Greatest Gift' simmers along under purple and red lights, Arena's melodies heartfelt and triumphant.
"When you're short, dark and feisty, it's like, 'shut up!'," Tina recalls the anti-feminist environment she sometimes encountered around the time of making the record. "So I decided to say it through song."
'That's The Way A Woman Feels' is fun and powerful, Arena ending on a long note. 'Be A Man' starts with more powerhouse backing vocals under white flashing lights, and features an epic guitar solo.
Tina Arena - image © Ashley Mar
"You still with me?" Arena asks, fanning herself, as the audience respond in kind. "When you write an album, not every song is a single. Some songs tell a story," Tina informs. "This is about standing on your own two feet." 'Standing Up' is warm, the organ riffs running along.
'Unravel Me' is a beautiful plea to be seen, as Arena tells the tale under smoky blue lights. It is a standout song of the evening. Dorian West plays a flugelhorn solo over didgeridoo and throbbing synths to introduce 'In Command', which surges with energy, Arena dancing around emotionally.
'You Made Me Find Myself' is brilliant songwriting, while 'Not Still In Love With You' is pettiness with absolute class. 'Sorrento Moon' has the entire crowd on their feet singing and dancing, before 'Chains' lifts into the atmosphere, ending a brilliant performance.
Tina Arena is classy, elegant and an incredible voice. It was an honour to commemorate an album that forged the Australian pop landscape here tonight.
