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A review from 5D Music & Theatre writer Maria Robertson.
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Support for this show was by Sarah/Shaun, a contrasting duo, she in a shimmery dress with a gorgeous voice and him with a raucous green guitar. They contrasted with each other as well as the main act. Many questions were left unanswered, are they related or a couple? Why are their songs just so sad? I have found them on Spotify so will have a listen to Dust Tears and Keep Your Eyes Closed. There were lyrics of dreams coming true and being made a star or lying in a Star Bed which seemed quite hopeful but instead the songs came across as so sad.
The Bluebells filled the stage – with talented musicians, glorious songs and a positive energy. The set began with Daddy was an Engineer, the song which opens their new album 40 years after their fame for Young at Heart. Next we had Forever Young, their first single. Ken McCluskey explained this is their “world tour” – 6 concerts in a row, big news for a band that has been somewhat quiet for 40 years. Orienteering is introduced as a song Ken wrote after some young students he was teaching said they wanted to go on X Factor and he persuaded them their first step should be to learn a chord, which they did and then asked if they have potential. If only one chord was all you need to be a musician!
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The Bluebells continue their set much in chronological order – showing how they crept up the charts, with Cath which reached 39th place twice and I’m Falling getting up to number 11, before we we made it to the song that “your ma loves it, your Granny loves it” and they played Young at Heart. This 80s hit is the song they are best known for, especially after it featured in a Volkswagen advert.
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There is then a lovely cover for For What It’s Worth by Buffalo Springfield before they leave the stage. The encore starts with Ken and his brother David doing a duet. David is usually quietly found behind the drums, but comes out with a guitar and they perform Tender Mercy together, before the whole band give us one last song to end the night and then promise to come and meet us at the merchandise stall in about 5 minutes.
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It was a really wonderful evening with some brilliant songs, and the stories to go with them. Hopefully it won’t be another 40 years before they are back in Aberdeen again.
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Sarah/Shaun https://open.spotify.com/artist/7wkbgrsJ4nUlkvDOev4blu?si=nm-BTznlQk6aNG0TtHspwA
The Bluebells https://www.facebook.com/bluebellsofficial
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Maria Robertson is the Chief Music & Theatre Writer for the 5D Pop Culture Website and provides reviews & coverage of local Aberdeen music & theatre gigs. She’s an experienced writer for numerous sources and is a self-confessed live gig addict ever since seeing The Counting Crows at the Barrowlands in 1994.
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