Words by: CECILIA PATTISON-LEVI
Photos by: Sarah Gilpin
‘What a night! Incredible rock performances were served up in the Queen of all rock operas! With a side helping of extra songs!‘
Chocolate Starfish returned to touring with their acclaimed Classic Album Series that featured Jim Steinman’s and Meat Loaf’s (Michael Lee Aday) Bat Out Of Hell. But this time Chocolate Starfish filled out the orchestral heart of this astonishing performance of the album with Strings Attached as six violin players, one with an electric violin, underpinned the classic rock score.
The passionate crowd at the Twin Towns on the Gold Coast were ready to witness the theatrical and dynamic performances. The atmosphere in the club was buzzing with excitement. Many in the crowd had seen other versions of the concert, but I was a complete newbie, and I was blown away with how Chocolate Starfish delivered this iconic 1977 album. Bat Out Of Hell rocks in at under 49 minutes but its songs are musical complex and challenging for singers due to the demanding vocal range, sustained high notes, and theatrical delivery. Bat Out Of Hell requires both power and stamina, and performing it is a marathon that only the best trained singers can deliver.
And that was exactly what Chocolate Starfish with Strings Attached brought home to the crowd as they transported them back to when they first heard those songs and that album.
But let’s go back to the beginning. The evening commenced with performance by the trio Kate Daley (and her dazzling ‘torch singer’ vocals), Peter Mitchell (electric guitar/saxophone played occasionally at the same time – amazing) and Les Gyori (and his fascinating use of the electric violin). They delivered a set of six Chocolate Starfish songs but in jazz standard style with some Bossa Nova thrown in. It was a very creative to hear rock songs transformed in this way.
The trio commenced with Sway Up and quickly followed with a crowd favourite 3 Words. Then, they performed Ten Feet Tall where Peter Mitchell played saxophone and guitar at the same time to creative an unusually atmospheric soundscape.
The experimental use of instruments within that jazz sonic realm with Sign Of Victory was delivered next with Les Gyori playing amazing sounds and techniques on his violin. It was followed by the standout track Too Hot To Be Rain that featured amazing vocals from Kate Daley’s. The set ended with the classic Chocolate Starfish song Four Letter Word and it was great to hear that song breathe in the different arrangement.
Then, there was a short intermission as Kate Daley told the crowd that the performance of Bat Out Of Hell would begin very soon.
It is important to mention here that Bat Out Of Hell is the biggest selling album ever in Australia with 26 platinum awards and over 1.8 million sales. It was sound of the late 1970’s and many people have complicated histories with it: love it or hate it. It was, for many, the soundtrack to their young lives as Adam Thompson explained about his own affection for the album at a critical time in his young life.
Chocolate Starfish promised to play the album in full ‘from start to finish’. It is a real demonstration of devotion to be able to perform the songs: note and range perfect and with high drama which the album requires – but Adam Thompson did it!
The organisation of musicians took place in stages as the violinists came onto the stage and were put into their spaces including Les Gyori. Then, the house lights started to fade down as the first note of the show began with Zakk Zedras on lead guitar striking that first chord. Then, he was joined on stage promptly by John Nixon on bass, then, Norm Falvo on keys cut in and Darren Danielson climbed into the drum kit. The addition of Peter Mitchell on sax and the backing vocals Kate Daley and Julie Walter filled out the orchestral rock sound. Then, the front man, Adam Thompson, appeared on stage: the opening song Bat Out Of Hell was on!
The opening title track, Bat Out Of Hell, is just over seven minutes long. Adam Thompson delivered it completely and authentically, dressed as a bat, with the comprehensive moves and theatrics. His voice was full and had that true rock sound as he catapulted the crowd back to 1977-78 when the songs from this album dominated the airwaves. The majority of the crowd in attendance was mature, and those memories, came flooding back. However, it was great to see some younger people at the gig and I hope they take away an appreciation for this classic album.
After the first song, Adam Thompson, appreciated the whooping and applause from the crowd, as he already looked like the work-out had started as he gleamed with sweat. Adam Thompson stopped and acknowledged the brilliance of the opera trained rock singer Meat Loaf and the amazing songwriter and arranger Jim Steinman. Both of these musicians have passed away, Jim Steinman died in 2021 and Meat Loaf died of COVID-19 in 2022, but as Adam Thompson pointed out their influence on rock and song writing will live on.
Then, biggest hit song from the album was next, the classic You Took The Words Right Out Of My Mouth (aka Hot Summer Night) and Adam Thompson was joined by Julie Walter as they romanced the crowd with the On A Hot Summer Night prelude before launching into the song. The chemistry between both musicians was evident as they were having fun performing this huge rock song.
Then, Adam Thompson sat down, to deliver the best song on the album, the extraordinary ballad Heaven Can Wait. His delivery was astonishing – real class! It is such a complex song with so much emotive material: many singers cannot sing it as the lyrical content can overwhelm and the stamina needed requires training. He performed it beautifully. What a voice! I was so impressed.
Then, the rock fun started with All Revved Up And No Where Go as Adam Thompson said ‘You walked in here – up on your feet’ and the crowd responded as everyone got up ready to dance. Adam Thompson then directed the crowd to sit and ‘have a rest’ as he spoke eloquently about the importance of the album for him, as the band readied for the delivery of the monster ballad, Two Out Three Ain’t Bad and the crowd readied themselves to sing along.
Then, the rock fun continued with Paradise By The Dashboard Light and dancing ensued, with the three internal song cycles of Paradise, Let Me Sleep On It and Praying For The End Of Time featuring Julie Walter sharing lead vocals. She was great as the female protagonist, as Adam Thompson tried not to step on his cape. The band looked like they were having a great time. The crowd certainly was, as everybody of a certain age knew every word, of every song, by heart.
Chocolate Starfish with Strings Attached, then, closed out the end of the performance of the album with the emotional rendition of For Crying Out Loud, which left the crowd feeling emotional as Adam Thompson dedicated the song to his mother. The delivery of the album Bat Out Of Hell was a triumph and even the classical trained musicians at the back were all smiles and amazed that it all came together so seamlessly. It is a very difficult feat to achieve and it had been done – with style, class and fun!
Adam Thompson chatted to the crowd about Jim Steinman’s legacy and the classic songs he had written for other musicians as well as for Meat Loaf as the second part of the gig started with the songs recorded by Bonnie Tyler such as the 1970’s classic Total Eclipse Of The Heart and the 1980’s smash hit Holdin’ Out For A Hero that Kate Daley and Julie Walter sang – as Adam Thompson went off stage for a well-deserved breather.
The band started the musical introduction for the song made famous by Celine Dion It’s All Coming Back To Me Now as Adam Thompson re-joined everyone on stage, and he and Julie Walter sang the song. Then, Chocolate Starfish took us to the movies with Sweet Transvestite from The Rocky Horror Picture Show performed with real theatrical fun. And, then the huge song I’d Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That) that was written for Meat Loaf to link into the success of Bat Out Of Hell was delivered. And the crowd went nuts!
And, then, there was more… Chocolate Starfish went all mash-up crazy as they performed most of Carly Simon’s You’re So Vain as they weaved in a diverse range of songs from Pussycat Dolls Don’t Cha to Black Betty, Love Is In The Air, Johnny Cash’s Folsom Prison Blues about the man Adam Thompson shot at the Beenleigh Tavern, to She’ll Be Comin Round The Mountain, Kenny Rogers The Gambler as the last verse of You’re So Vain cut back in to end the cycle. It was a trip down song memory lane from primary school to graduation for anyone around 40 years of age.
The encore took the crowd back to Chocolate Starfish songs as they performed the wonderful Mountain and it was a crowd favourite. And, they closed out the set with a huge cover of 4 Non-Blonde’s What’s Up and the crowd were up on their feet and singing along at full volume. The night seemed to go on as the sing along, became a singing lesson, and everyone was having the best time.
The whole crew: musicians, singers, lighting, sound and stage should be congratulated for delivering a wonderful live rock concert experience – even if the spot light went off centre for a moment – as Adam Thompson joked: ‘I’m over here! Do I need to do everything for this show?‘. The whole performance, centred around those extraordinary voices and song lyrics, was underpinned with just flawless musical and technical skill from everyone involved.
It was first class. I am still buzzing!
