REVIEW: ‘The Official Blues Brothers Revue’ resurrects old SNL skit

When Wayne Catania and Kieron Lafferty take the stage during The Official Blues Brothers Revue, one can squint a bit and almost imagine Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi have picked up right where they left off. The cover-band act, now officially sanctioned by Aykroyd and Belushi’s estate, has hit the road in recent weeks, bringing its fun-style blues to adoring audiences. For music purists, the evening is tolerable. For casual blues fans, there’s a lot to enjoy in this two-hour-20-minute evening.

Catania plays Jake Blues, while Lafferty plays Elwood Blues. Both “brothers” have the requisite costume, including black hat, black glasses, black suit and the skinny black tie. Audiences will remember these get-ups from the old days of Saturday Night Live and the cult classic The Blues Brothers (there’s also an underrated sequel by the name of Blues Brothers 2000).

The boys, backed by an impressive band and vocalists, launch into the repertoire with ease. They never quite sound like the original singers, but neither did Aykroyd and Belushi. The Blues Brothers has always been about appreciation rather than emulation.

At the Revue’s recent stop in Morristown, N.J., at the Mayo Performing Arts Center, it took a few musical numbers to get the audience’s energy into the show. The problem has less to do with the output of Catania and Lafferty and more to do with the size of the venue. Although economically it might not make sense, The Official Blues Brothers Revue should play smaller venues (B.B. King’s in New York City, for example). Much of the sound and enthusiasm are lost in larger performing arts centers.

The band excelled with the classics. From “Messin’ with the Kid” to the hilarious “Rubber Biscuit” to “Going Back to Miami,” the songs from the movies and the albums played well in front of the crowd. The bits that tried to induce audience participation (“Shout”) were less successful. Blues should be about the playing, not the I-can’t-hear-you calls and responses. The Blues Brothers always broke the rules, but sticking to the music should be required for future concerts.

“Soul Man” always goes over well, and Catania and Lafferty lit up the stage during the number with dancing and pounding vocals. Much like Belushi’s Jake, Catania takes the lead vocals on most songs. He sounds similar to Belushi and moves like a gazelle as he amps up the energy. Lafferty, playing the Aykroyd part, sounds even more identical to his muse. It’s no wonder he was plucked from Legends in Concert in Las Vegas. The impersonation is scarily spot-on.

The band backs up the performers with much skill, and Precious Jewel Taylor and Ebonie Taylor offered several numbers of classic R&B tunes that gave the Brothers a well-deserved break.

The Official Blues Brothers Revue is not perfect. It overstays its welcome by about 30 minutes and the vocals can get lost in a large venue. But for those looking to reignite the memories of one of the most successful comedy-music acts of all time, it’ll do.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

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