The Official Blues Brothers Revue, featuring Wayne Catania as Jake and Kieron Lafferty as Elwood, performs Wednesday, Oct. 21 at Cascades Casino in Langley City.
Produced by Judy Belushi Pisano and Dan Aykroyd, the Official Blues Brothers Revue pays homage to Chicago’s rich history of blues, gospel and soul music.
Under the musical direction of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame impresario, Paul Shaffer, Jake, Elwood and the high-energy eight-piece Intercontinental Rhythm & Blues Revue Band deliver a big sound, performed with the passion and precision of the original Blues Brothers band.
Laying down a playlist that’s a virtual encyclopedia of American music, the Official Blues Brothers Revue strikes the right balance of humour, music and mayhem. Wayne (Jake) Catania and Kieron (Elwood) Lafferty were hand-picked by Aykroyd and Belushi-Pisano because, once the duo bounds on stage, they become the original characters created by Dan and John Belushi in 1978 when the original act debuted on Saturday Night Live.
“Kieron and Wayne are not imitators, they live the music and embody those characters. They understand the spirit of the Blues Brothers and revel in the joy of being Jake and Elwood,” observed Judy Belushi.
Dan Aykroyd, Judy and her husband, Victor Pisano, hand-picked Wayne and Kieron, whose uncanny ability makes the multi-media show an accessible interactive experience for audiences of all ages who jump to their feet to sing along and dance to a repertoire that includes, “Shout,” “Gimme Some Lovin,” “Sweet Home Chicago” and the signature classic, “Soul Man.”
The only artists sanctioned by the show’s producers to perform as the Official Blues Brothers Revue, Wayne and Kieron front an incendiary live concert that combines the comedy and hits from the original 1980 Blues Brothers blockbuster film and subsequent albums with a multi-media presentation that combines the music with an audio/video introduction that puts the original concept of Jake and Elwood as frontmen for a fictitious American blues and soul band into historical perspective. It’s no accident that they’ve succeeded in bringing the irreverent characters that have resonated with people around the world back to life, reminding everyone why Jake and Elwood catapulted into a cultural phenomenon—a musical, comedic and cinematic legend.
In his recent review, Orange County Register music writer, Eric Marchese raved, “…the roof-raising show has the same down home energy and genuine rhythm & blues selections as any of Aykroyd or Belushi’s performances…Not only are both outstanding musicians, their speaking and singing voices mirror ‘the characters’ as alter egos. Lesser performers might be tempted to allow their characterizations to veer into parody—but not Catania and Lafferty, baby.”
Currently on a tour which will circle the globe, the Original Blues Brothers Revue is proving that nothing is more satisfying than the real deal.
