MANITOWANING—The growled, base lyrics, ‘Superman never made any money, saving the world from Solomon Grundy’ were brand new to the grandson who accompanied this writer to the unique ‘Table Lamps’ cabaret concert last Thursday, an Elijah and the Backburners tribute to The Rolling Stones.
‘Superman’s Song’ was the last in Christian Lauder’s three-song set that opened for Elijah Manitowabi and his popular band at the concert hosted by Debajehmujig Storytellers in their versatile black box theatre.
While this writer’s young fellow traveller, who begins his university studies in a week’s time, had not heard of the Crash Test Dummies and their hit ‘Superman’s Song,’ he was familiar with many Rolling Stones classics and also with several of the Chuck Berry songs from the 1950s with which Elijah and his band peppered The Stones evening concert.
But what of the name, ‘Table Lamp Concert?’ Well, each of the round tables sported its own low-watt table lamp. But the stage was lit, well lit, by a large and eclectic assortment of both table lamps and floor lamps, to the extent that bassist Steve Jancas quipped at one point during the first half of the evening, “I’ve figured out why it’s so hot up here: all these lamps!” The rest of Elijah’s band includes drummer Nick Bagoeff and backup singer Charelle Alberta.
Master of ceremonies David Recollet-Majaki, veteran arts animator with Debajehmujig, gave credit to the theme of the concert to colleague Trinity Jacko who had had a dream about a show with lots of lamps, round tables and all the rest, and had woken up so convinced that such a show was going to happen that she asked her mother if she knew the date.
Her dream came to life with The Rolling Stones tribute concert. A dream come true!
Elijah Manitowabi opened the show with a dedication of the evening to the late Charlie Watts who passed away in 2021. Charlie Watts was The Rolling Stones’ drummer until his death.
Elijah explained that it was the band’s intent to go through The Stones musical career, decade by decade and began with ‘Wild Horses.’
He observed that the Rolling Stones, before they became (with The Beatles) a major force in ‘The British Invasion’ of rock and roll music, had been a cover band performing work by American rhythm and blues artists like Buddy Holly, and Chuck Berry.
Elijah went on to explain that Chuck Berry had been a major influence on The Stones as they developed their own sound, especially Stones original band member Keith Richards, and to honour that connection, the band played ‘Around and Around’ and then ‘Johnny Be Good’ with Chuck Berry enthusiasm.
The evening was a great success with Elijah and the Backburners offering a Rolling Stones experience to a full house of enthusiastic fans who enjoyed a good musical night out, wonderful appetizers and desserts and who also had the benefit of a musical history lesson as Elijah provided a great deal of context to the music the band had chosen to play.
Of his own personal musical journey, Elijah explained that ‘The Last Time’ was the first Rolling Stones song he’d played, “when I was about 16” and then reprised his teenage debut, complete with The Stones driving beat.
Other classics included ‘It’s All Over Now’ (which the audience learned had been recorded in North America in 1965), ‘The Girl With Faraway Eyes,’ ‘You Can’t Always Get What You Want’ and a 2 1/2-hour concert’s worth of classics.
It was a solid musical education for a young man headed off to university.
Concert-goers had been encouraged to arrive in their best 1970s garb and during the break, emcee David Recollet-Majaki called everyone who had taken the time to rummage through their closets to come up on stage. There were a dozen fringed and head-banded brave souls and it became a contest with the audience choosing their favourites by applause.
In the end, Audrey Ozawabineshi (of Wiikwemkoong) won loot donated by Buzwah Variety with Christianna Jones and Peter Baumgarten (of Manitowaning) the runners-up.
