BOWIE/MEAT LOAF: THE SHOW THEY NEVER DID

Weymouth Pavilion

THE rate we’re losing celebrities at the moment, pretty soon all that will be left are tribute acts.

But if they are of the quality of Terry Nash and Laurence, who joined forces for the first time at the Weymouth Pavilion, then at least we know the music of our idols is in safe hands.

It’s an interesting concept, combining acts that would have never performed together , but on the evidence of this show, is it a worthwhile concept? Well, very much so.

As tributes go, they are at the very top of their game: Terry has the incredible vocal range, huge stage presence and the wild-eyed looks to the audience so indicative of Meat Loaf himself.

And Laurence has the cool grace, vocal inflexions and the Bowie shuffle off to perfection.

But I would have liked to have seen them sing more together, rather than just two rousing choruses of All the Young Dudes towards the end of the night. They sounded absolutely terrific together and I’m sure I’m not the only one who would have enjoyed more of this unlikely unison.

Even so, it was two sets of expertly played and delivered material from a crack set of musicians that delighted a packed Pavilion.

Opening with an acoustic take on Bat Out Of Hell, which built to its more familiar grandiose stomper, Terry mastered hit after hit: Two Out of Three, Heaven Can Wait (known to the band as Kevin Can Wait), Dead Ringer and I Would Do Anything, which featured a duet with his daughter Arianne, one of the band’s two superlative backing singers: Authentic to the very last detail.

Laurence, sporting a pair of Bowie-esque voluminous dancing trousers, kicked off side two with Space Oddity, followed by Starman and a host a smashes that had many on their feet dancing in the aisles, including Golden Years, Let’s Dance, Jean Genie, an exuberant Young Americans and finally encoring with Ziggy.

A hugely enjoyable evening and a word of praise for the sound crew at the Pavilion.  Top job all round.

NICK HORTON