Have I told you lately … Rod tribute was brilliant
He has the look, he has the moves and has the voice – in fact Rod Stewart tribute act Pete McCall wears the pop act more than well. With his tartan-clad live band – which was exceptionally good – Pete fronts the ultimate homage to the international star, writes Sue Wilkinson.
He has a great line in northern humour which masks the mistakes –which amounted to forgetting the playlist and an unscripted short absence of a guitarist – and a twinkling charm.
He and the band got through the best of 50 years of hits from the 70s to the present day – hardly pausing for breath.
The first half of the show featured love songs – from the First Cut is the Deepest to I Don’t Wanna Talk About It and from Have I Told You Lately That I Love You to You’re in My Heart, You’re in My Soul.
After a mellow, chilled-out start, the second half really rocked the Stephen Joseph Theatre rafters.
Maggie Mag, Hot Legs, Motown Song, Some Guys Have
All the Luck, Baby Jane, Do You Think I’m Sexy and Young Turks – the hits just kept coming as the volume and pace reached fever pitch.
For diehard Rod fans, the playlist probably lacked the range and depth of his entire back catalogue.
I like Rod. He is a showman with incredible talent but I have never attempted to see him live.
I own his greatest hit collections – played loudly in the car – and some tracks were the background to my teenage years; I can wallow in the songs of lost love – the First Cut is the Deepest or I Don’t Wanna Talk About It – with the best of the broken-hearted.
For me, the wonderful thing about tribute acts is the audience is never subjected to a dud – for example a B-side the artist preferred to hit record or a new, untried change of direction.
Rod has a penchant for covering Sinatra songs – not my cup of tea and I feel the same about Ol’ Blue Eyes’ covers of The Beatles – but, thankfully, there was not an ‘easy listening’ tune in sight.
McCall delivered what is said on the tin – the Rod Stewart
Songbook Theatre Show – strutting, swaying and singing as the audience bellowed for more.
McCall let his band shine – giving them well-deserved solo spots to show off virtuoso skills.
From the very first line of You Wear It Well, the audience was encouraged to sing along and dance in the aisles – though most of us waited until the second half to get up and jive.
Of course, there was the obligatory waving of the arms and a loud chorus for Rhythm of My Hearth and I Am Sailing.
Yes, it’s cheesy and yes, it’s the inevitable finale. It is also great fun and not taking part could be considered rude.
The show is not Stephen Joseph’s usual booking and the round had to be adapted to stage it successfully.
A healthy audience showed it was appreciated and welcome at the venue.
I sang by heart out, danced, clapped and swayed from the first song to the last – and loved every minute of the two-hour tribute.
The show tours the country so do not miss tonight’s the night to enjoy Pete McCall as Rod Stewart.