Singers Pat Powell and Louis King are in town from the old east coast bringing their show Sun Songs to FRINGE WORLD for a five-date run from Tuesday, January 22 to Sunday, January 26, Downstairs at the Maj at His Majesty’s Theatre. It’s all part of a special collaboration which celebrates the music of legendary Memphis label Sun Records and the colourful story behind it.
In the past the two musicians had discussed their interest in the story of Sun Records in the green rooms of venues while performing all around Australia. Finally acting on this shared musical connection, they are bringing a whip-cracking band along to Perth including members of the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Ska Vendors and The Band Who Knew Too Much.
To many Sam Phillips is renowned for founding Sun Records and discovering Elvis Presley as well as producing ground-breaking records for legendary artists such as Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins to name just a few. Pat Powell and Louis King have a different take on the story and one they want to tell. One thing that is often overlooked, they share, is that before he discovered Presley, Phillips was instrumental in giving African-American blues artists like B.B. King, Junior Parker, and Howlin’ Wolf some of their first experiences in the recording studio before they went on to further acclaim.
Though it can be challenging measuring up to the greatness of these legends onstage, Powell and King are both extremely gifted performers in their own right that have enjoyed immensely popular careers as musicians. Powell is an ARIA award-winning singer based in Sydney and originally from Jamaica who can be seen fronting the ultimate live band, Melbourne Ska Orchestra (yes, he commutes). King is a Melbourne artist with Scottish roots who performs with his blues and rockabilly band Louis King and the Liars Klub throughout Australia and Europe.
You can expect the Jamaican and the Scot to alternate between presenting black and white artists alike, performing fiery, toe-tapping renditions of the best of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and more including Mystery Train, Walk The Line and Great Balls of Fire.
Sun Songs comes to FRINGE WORLD with a five-show run from Tuesday, January 22 to Sunday, January 26, Downstairs at the Maj at His Majesty’s Theatre at 7.30 pm. Get more info and tickets here.
