Bounce and Buble - blockbuster entertainment

Sunday 04 December 2016

From Sinatra to Elvis, Dolly Parton to The Pogues, this was a festive night to remember at a sold out Jersey Opera House.

The Jersey Bounce have a well-founded reputation for excellence and Mark Willmett and the band certainly did not disappoint on this occasion as they had the audience rocking in the aisles from first to last.

It was the quality of the voices which really made the difference as the Bounce's three main singers - plus George on lead guitar - were breathtakingly good. Jodie Tostevin complained she had a slight dose of flu, but if this is her below par, you'd travel a long way to see the fully fit version. She has a voice of pure, startling versatility.  

Add into the mix American Michael Clews, who sang Michael Buble's hits and it was an unbeatable combination. Clews is a real talent as his voice captured the audience from his opening number to a final rendition of Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline.' It is a measure of his obvious ability that he pulled that off too, even while wearing the worst wig this side of the Channel Islands.

Mark held the band together perfectly and a really imaginative aspect was the mobile phone voting contest which invited the audience to choose from a selection of songs. What a brilliant touch as one girl in the Gods of the upper circle shrieked as her mobile phone range with Mark on the end, proclaiming she had just won a Christmas hamper.

 It was that sort of inclusive evening, with a crowd which really got into the festive spirit.

Highlights were The Pogues' 'Fairytale of New York' - a Christmas belter which continues to grow in stature every year and Dolly's 'Nine to Five,' beautifully sung by Liz Birchall and Jodie Tostevin. 

The Bounce band were excellent and perhaps the biggest cheer of the night was reserved for youngster George Machon on guitar, as the became the focus for lots of shrieking ladies. Poor George didn't know where to look!

Michael Clews rounded off his set by thanking his wife in the crowd - ahhhhh! - and Mark brought things to a close way after finishing time before inviting the audience into the bar afterwards for a festive glass or two of mulled wine. That underlined the difference between this and other shows as you felt the band were enjoying it just as much as you were.

A fabulous, festive feast of fun. They're already booked for next Christmas and you would be wise to snap up tickets quickly, because it will be the hottest ticket in town.