The Overtones - Lush Life (Zara Larsson cover)

Buy tickets for the 2nd annual Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas tour here (Gigs & Tours)
Most recent posts about The Overtones:

• 23rd December 2015 ~ Sweet Soul Music (album of the year - here)
• 27th November 2015 ~ A good ol' fashioned chin wag with Mark (here)
• 27th November 2015 ~ A Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas (review - here)
• 5th November 2015 ~ Good Ol' Fashioned Love (5th Anniversary celebration - here)

There's no rest for the wicked, so they saying goes - and neither, it seems, is there any rest if you are a wickedly good singing group with a dapper style and harmonies to die for. It may seem like fab quintet, The Overtones, have been on a well-deserved break since the release of their festive album, Good Ol' Fashioned Christmas (and it's triumphant, accompanying tour), but nothing could be farther from the truth. They've sallied forth on cruise ships, delighting passengers as they navigate the Atlantic ocean; they've been part of the That's Entertainment tour where they've hung out with people like Sean Smith from my beloved Same Difference; and they are currently embarking on a series of club dates around the country - beginning this Saturday just down the road from me in Shrewsbury. On top of this, they've recently announced their second annual Christmas tour (tickets for sale above - see you all on the final date in Notts!) and to celebrate this, they are recording what promises to be a series of Dressing Room Sessions - giving their own timeless takes on today's modern classics. First up is their interpretation of Lush Life, the top ten hit for Zara Larsson. Her devil-may-care anthem was a buoyant, bubbling summer groove, full of delicious whistles, percolating beats and hand clap rhythms. In just 90 seconds, The Overtones manage to infuse the indelible refrain with an equal amount of charm, just using those mellifluous voices. Here are ten observations of this magnificence...

• 01 ~ the intro to the song brings back those individual personalities that the fans have come to know and love. Mike's open armed "ta-dah" (also the title of an excellent Scissor Sisters album); Timmy getting the giggles as he points out the dressing room; Darren's exclamation of "crazy!", followed by an almost-pirate like "arh" (mateys). Brilliant.
• 02 ~ Those dinner jackets are to die for, aren't they? When they have black tie night on the cruises I went on, I often think, 'if I don't look as good as The Overtones, what is the point?' Once I've breathed in (excessively) and wrapped cellophane around my waist (less of a waist, more of an unmarked level crossing) I don't look too shabby. Sadly my karaoke version of Salt 'n' Pepa's Shoop didn't go down half as well as this sparkling a cappella riff has...
• 03 ~ Their voices really are like honey, dripping from the spoon. Every time I hear them harmonise, it gives me chills. The solo moments send goosebumps up my arms and down my spine. If Ursula the sea witch from The Little Mermaid were a real person (and who's to say she isn't?!), she'd be enticing these fellas to give up their voices and rely on the importance of body language :)
• 04 ~ Talking of body language, one should never underestimate the importance of it - and even in enclosed quarters, The Overtones are able to put a little bump and grind into the performance. A shimmy from Timmy, a finger click you'll like from Mike, a rhythmic body bounce that's never too cocky from Lachie... (you get the point). It's all far too addictive and before you know it, you're getting down with your bad self, even though you are watching the video on your phone in the Co-op as you wait to pay for the milk (true story).
• 05 ~ I've said it before and I'll say it again. Every song by The Overtones utilises and maximises the strengths of each member. Here, Lachie and Timmy take the lead vocals and make them shine like the midday sun. This is achieved by imbuing the words with the balmy, carefree nature that the narrative demands. It may not have the synths and syncopated drum loops of the Zara version, but this is not important - they fill each word with a depth and texture that is just as satisfying...
• 06 ~ ... and while this is going on, Mark, Mike and Darren are giving doo-wop elegance by knitting their vocals so tightly together it is actual audio magic occurring right before your very eyes (and ears). What's great for long time fans is that you can feel the camaraderie, trust and experience between the chaps that has been evident from day one and continues to go from strength to strength. I've never thought these arrangements were as easy as they make them look - it's an actual real skill that they've honed to perfection.
• 07 ~ At one minute and fifteen seconds, Timmy goes a bit r'n'b in his vocal. It's a real treat to watch - he's so immersed in the performance he's letting the music and words guide him rather than 'sticking to script' as it were. The vibrant energy of their concerts is bought right into your living room (or onto your phone at the co-op) - and that's a gift you can't put a price on (though they surely would appreciate it if you did go and buy concert tickets)!
• 08 ~ ooo a Lachie ad-lib section. There should be a tumblr page just devoted to these. It's as edifying as when he got to smooch Jonathan Bailey in the showers on Crashing. You can see why the ladies (and fella loving fellas) go a little bit wild when he unleashes the pipes in concert. PS if you haven't seen his Rainy Night In Georgia live you are missing something very special indeedio.
• 09 ~ pause at exactly 1m41s and tell me that is not an image that encapsulates everything The Overtones stand for?! Splendid.
• 10 ~ Now if they could do a mash up of Louisa Johnson's Tears with I Will Survive next time, that would be ace-icles. I can do a rousing piano accompaniment for them if so desired ;)