At Last: The Etta James Story comes to Sydney following the acclaimed Melbourne season
Vika Bull, one of Australia’s most respected soul singers, is set to tell the story of one of the most influential soul singers of all time: Etta James.
Backed by the sizzling Essential R&B Band, Bull tells the story of the icon’s turbulent life and gives voice to her most beloved songs.
Bull has herself maintained a successful music career since the 1980s, when she and sister Linda helped The Black Sorrows achieve multi-platinum status. Since then they have released their own albums (the first produced by Paul Kelly) and performed with, among others, Paul Kelly, John Farnham and Tim Finn, and have supported Bob Dylan, Sting, Joe Cocker and Billy Joel.
Etta James’ prolific career was shadowed by recurring problems with drug addiction; her time spent playing to thousands of fans juxtaposed with periods inside several prisons and rehab clinics.
Bull’s voice has a similar raw strength and depth of emotion and had been compared to James’ on more than one occasion – it is the perfect fit to deliver both the raw emotion of the songs and the often shadowed story of her life.
“Etta James has had a huge influence on my musical journey. Someone played her record to me when I had just started performing, and from then on I was hooked. She had a voice so powerful it could knock you over, and I just love her sassy cheekiness on stage!” says Ms Bull.
With the Melbourne show described as a “Powerhouse performance”, this is one for the fans – and for those who just love a good show.
Check out this rehearsal clip of Vika Bull performing the Etta James classic ‘At Last’:
What: At Last: The Etta James Story
Where: Playhouse, Sydney Opera House
When: 30 April to 5 May 2013
Tickets: Box Office 02 9250 7777 / sydneyoperahouse.com or Ticketmaster.com.au / 136 100