Album Review – Bananarama Live at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo
Bananarama surprised many fans when the original line up announced they were going on tour at the end of 2017.
I was one of the fortunate who reviewed this reunion and their latest album captures one of the dates from this tour. Recorded on 29th November at the London Eventim Hammersmith Apollo, Bananarama prove their worth as one of the world’s most successful girl bands in the live arena.
From the outset you can hear the excitement of the audience which erupted as a medley welcomes Siobhan Fahey, Sara Dallin, and Keren Woodward to the stage as they embark on this nineteen song venture through their greatest hits starting with Nathan Jones. The album encapsulates the experience of the tour including the banter that was free flowing between songs, illustrating the fun that the trio were having whilst onstage and the upbeat vibe of the audience.
The track listing demonstrates the thought that went behind Bananarama’s live set list, as they scatter the major crowd pleasers for maximum impact and ride the wave of the crowd’s excitement which you can hear throughout the recording. One of these is the surprise inclusion of Stay, not from Bananarama’s back catalogue but the popular number one from Siobhan’s other band Shakespear’s Sister. This version of the song embraces the keyboards and sensibly neither Keren or Sara attempt Marcella Detroit’s wail at the end, showing Bananarama’s awareness of how to make the most of their vocal ranges.
These nineteen tracks took me on a nostalgic trip which got me dancing and singing along to some supreme upbeat pop, for example I Heard A Rumour and Love In The First Degree illustrate the trio’s knack for a contagious, memorable song. This album is a must have for anyone who loved Bananarama back in the day and wants to take a dance down a sanguine memory lane.
Deluxe live album is released 14th September on Live Here Now.
Reviewer: Toni Woodward