Author: Gillian G. Gaar

“Slack key was a music that was dying in the 1950s and 1960s,” Makana observed at one point. Now, thanks to him as well as other musicians, it’s come back to life, and a style that developed in the late 19th century continues to grow.

“We’re going to bring you an evening of wonderment,” Sarah Brightman promised at the beginning of her show last Saturday at Seattle’s Paramount Theatre, in support of her recent album, Hymn. And did she deliver. The Paramount stage was filled from side to side with a mini orchestra, a choir, and a rock band.

Bacharach’s anecdotes added a lot of entertainment throughout the evening. As when he described working with Aretha Franklin on the song “Falling Out of Love,” and telling her “It’s in G major.” “No, it’s not,” she replied, informing him that the key needed to be changed (and you may be sure that it was).

“Look up here, I’m in heaven.” These lines from David Bowie’s “Lazarus,” a song on his final album, Blackstar, were perfectly apt during this night of music in tribute to Bowie’s creations. But “A Bowie Celebration: The David Bowie Alumni Tour” also had a direct connection to the man as well. The show’s subtitle refers to the fact that the musicians aren’t just admirers, they themselves worked with Bowie over the years, giving the production a more personal touch.

But it was part and parcel of a relaxed evening that felt like you were kicking back with an old friend. When a man shouted out that Nesmith could stick around and play all night if he wanted, it was clear that nothing would’ve made the audience happier.

Music Director Hans Teuber notes that this show has more of a rock feel compared to other ZinZanni productions, and he has no shortage of rock experience himself, having contributed sax to Mudhoney’s Under a Billion Suns album as well as appearing on records by the Briefs and Ani DiFranco, among others.