Majestic Theater Detroit, MI
Contact: fiona@thebloomeffect.com
Web: colinblunstone.net; rooneymusic.com
Players: Colin Blunstone, vocals; Robert Schwartzman, vocals, guitar; Sean Sobash, bass; Brad Goodall, keyboards, vocals
It was a multi-generational meeting of the minds where members of alternative power pop band Rooney joined forces with one of their prime musical heroes and inspirations, Colin Blunstone of The Zombies. Actually this was not the first time for the pairing as Rooney has toured with Blunstone and his legendary British counterparts in years past.
But this particular show had unique relevance for it was part of a select U.S. cities tour promoting Rooney front man Schwartzman’s new documentary on The Zombies called Hung Up on a Dream. The evening was a complete entertainment experience where the audience was treated to a screening of the 90-minute film, followed by a live semi-acoustic performance and a Q&A segment afterwards, with documentary director Schwartzman, Blunstone and Music Connection contributor and moderator Gary Graff.
Following the film screening, the members of Rooney jumped on the somewhat barren stage and warmed up the crowd, with a few of their radio-ready hits of the last decade or so. Sans drums, they burst out emphatically with their rapturous song “If It Were Up To Me.” Schwartzman commanded the stage from the outset, with strong lead pipes and a taut heavy pop feel. The wall of harmonies was textbook and clear as Sobash’s driving bass locked in seamlessly with the overall enveloping mix. In the vein of classic ‘60s/’70s stylists like Badfinger, Nilsson, Big Star and the like, descending chord sequences blended with joyous harmonies that led into one of their biggest singles “When Did Your Heart Go Missing?” Schwartzman was like a man possessed, darting back and forth, singing the hook with laser focus as Goodall matched the lead vocal melodies note for note on the keys.
When Blunstone entered the fray it was an almost surreal moment. The crowd rose to their feet and stayed there from the incessant refrain of “Tell Her No,” onward. “She’s Not There” retained that cool jazzy cadence as Goodall covered original keyboardist Rod Argent’s parts perfectly. And that’s no mean feat, indeed! Rooney and Blunstone also played deep cuts like the baroque-inspired “This Will Be Our Year,” an early solo single for The Zombies’ front man, “Caroline Goodbye” and the film’s namesake “Hung Up on a Dream.”
The set closer “Time of the Season” appropriately brought the house down. It was a great vehicle to get the crowd involved and served as a memorable way to leave everyone in a very satisfied and engaged state of mind.
The post Live Review of Colin Blunstone and Rooney first appeared on Music Connection Magazine.