VIVA LAS VEGAS
MICHAEL BALL AND ALFIE BOE REUNITE FOR A TRIBUTE TOLAS VEGAS LEGENDS. ALEX GREEN LEARNS MORE
“WHAT happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” jokes Michael Ball with a booming chuckle.
The musical theatre star, 60, and his regular collaborator, the tenor Alfie Boe, 49, are chatting about Sin City. Both have connections with the American metropolis of popular entertainment, the spiritual home of famous performers like the Rat Pack and Elvis Presley – Alfie has even had a residency there. Now they are releasing an album of standards associated with the city.
“Alf knows Vegas,” says Michael, who leads the conversation with his warm humour.
“He has sung in Vegas. He’s been going there for years. I never have. But we have always talked about the artists that we love... the songs that we love.
“And it leads back to Vegas, those great performers that were going there since the 50s and are still going there now.
“That turned into the catalyst, the hook if you like, for what the album could be.”
An obvious perk of basing a record on the desert city in Nevada was that it offered Alfie the chance to show his friend around.
“We had the best time,” says Michael. “Absolutely the best time.
“Of all the albums we have done, this is the most uplifting and joyous and it’s got a lot of energy, a lot of fun in it. It sums up what Vegas is.”
Alfie, whose sardonic sense of humour offers the perfect foil in their friendship, says the musical impact of Las Vegas is everywhere.
He adds: “When you look at the tracklist, one of the first songs on there is called Ooh Las Vegas, which is by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.
“And then you have got Viva Las Vegas, which is the big Elvis hit.
“It’s got that dance-y, vibrant wild side on this album that you do experience when you are in that city.”
The album also features numbers made famous by Rat
Pack members Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin, plus Sir Tom Jones and Frankie Valli medleys.
“Vegas is all about energy,” Michael says. “It’s all about the good times.”
Together In Vegas is the pair’s fifth album as a duo.
Michael and Alfie first met in 2007 while they were both starring in Kismet at the London Coliseum. Their debut became the UK’s best-selling album of 2016, and they have since sold 1.5 million albums.
Throw in some Classic Brit Awards and a handful of arena tours and it becomes clear Michael and Alfie have a strong claim to the title of the UK’s most beloved vocal duo.
What is the key to their partnership?
“He brings looks, talent, the voice and youth and I bring sandwiches,” jokes Michael. Alfie adds: “We know what our strengths are.
“We understand each other’s ability, what works best, how we record best, how we perform best.
“When you can slot in with somebody like that, that is in the same industry as you, then it’s a blessing.”
The seed of the album came from Alfie’s performances at the International Theatre at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino this summer.
“I was absolutely thrilled to play a city that I had wanted to play since I was a kid,” the singer recalls.
“I was a huge Elvis fan and I love Vegas so it’s nice to have my own [residency in the city].”
The pair also want to celebrate the present and future of Las Vegas.
Recent years have seen the likes of Adele, Celine Dion, Sir Elton John, Usher and Sir Rod Stewart all take up residencies in the city.
“As a performer it’s one of the boxes that you want to tick,” says Alfie. “The names that have played speak for themselves.”
“Its legacy,” Michael continues. “You want to be part of that – even to a little extent – part of that story that goes back to the greatest performers of all time.”
There is little the pair have not done. Still, there are venues they want to take on together.
“If we did the Sydney Opera House...” begins Michael. “If we did Carnegie Hall, if we did Radio City, if we did the Hollywood Bowl – just interesting places around the world.”
As the conversation comes to a close, Alfie chimes in: “Blackpool Central working men’s club is on our list.”
He brings looks, talent, the voice and youth and I bring sandwiches...
Michael Ball on Alfie Boe