Living on the Central Coast, we don’t get a lot of big name musical acts. Aussie bands will occasionally stop by, but locals usually have to head to Sydney or Newcastle to see international artists. And a free show? It’s virtually unheard of. So when I heard that Maxine Jones from En Vogue was set to perform with our own Greg Gould at the Crowne Plaza in Terrigal last Tuesday night, I was a bit floored. Our Crowne Plaza? And for free? I wouldn’t normally venture out on a Tuesday night, but I couldn’t resist.
I must admit, when I stepped into the Lord Ashley Room, I wondered whether I was in the right place. The small stage, with its kitschy gold backdrop, hardly seemed befitting of soul royalty like Maxine. I’ve never been to a gig where employees were scrambling to find seats for people, pulling in couches and chairs from neighbouring rooms! The Facebook event said it all kicked off at 6, but hours later I was still waiting. That did give me time to savour the delicious wine and tapas the venue offered though.
This show was really worth the wait though. Although it was modest in presentation, the talent of both Maxine and Central Coast local Greg Gould shone through. Greg put me onside from the get go with a cover of “Euphoria,” a Eurovision winner from Sweden’s Loreen, that he dedicated to LGBTQI people still struggling for acceptance and love. I must admit, I missed Greg’s stint on Australia’s Got Talent, but I was wowed by him. What a talent the Central Coast has produced. Greg could have enjoyed more time in the spotlight, but he graciously stepped aside for Maxine to remind us all exactly what we love about her. I didn’t expect to hear “Free Your Mind” brought out so early, but she slayed it. Her voice has lost nothing over the years and her attitude is every bit as fierce.
Greg and Maxine graciously shared the stage for the rest of the evening, alternating between taking the lead and contributing back-up vocals. They sang like divas but certainly didn’t have the attitudes we associate with the term. Clearly appreciative of one another’s talents, they seemed happy to step back and take in what the other could do.
Greg treated us to a mix of his superb originals and covers of soulful songs like “Lay Me Down” and “American Boy.” Maxine’s work with En Vogue left her plenty of solo material to play with, but her cover of “Imagine” showed a deeper, more emotional side of this sassy performer. They came together for duets a couple of times, first to close the first set and again to close the night. I hadn’t heard their new single “Do You See Me Now” before, but I was spellbound by it. “Don’t Let Go,” the song Maxine made famous with En Vogue, was much more familiar to me, but hearing what Greg brought to the track helped me experience it with fresh ears.
Greg and Maxine will tour Europe and the United States together. If you get the chance to see them play together, take it. Nights enjoying voices like these are so rare and so special.
Image source: own photo