Since forming in 2008, the vocal quartet of Clifton Murray, Remigio Pereira, Victor Micallef and
Fraser Walters, The Tenors, have become global stars. Their combination of pop and operatic songs is part of that success, but a huge part of their appeal is the gentlemen themselves. Putting aside the sex appeal of four handsome guys singing – a format that has made stars out of artists from The Beatles to The Backstreet Boys – The Tenors are also humble and genuine, something lacking in today’s music scene. They seem, in interviews and on stage, like the kind of guys you could grab a coffee or beer with or, if they weren’t all married, take home to mom.
It is that likeability, heart and warmth that was on display at the groups’ Under One Sky tour at the Jubilee Auditorium September 28th. The underlying theme was love and family: a topic brought up many times. A video of the guys’ moms being surprised with visits from their sons ran while they sang a cover of Joe Cocker’s "You Are So Beautiful". Original tune "My Father’s Son", from the new album, received similar treatment with photos of their childhoods and their fathers. They spoke of family in other ways, with Micallef getting emotional, while talking about departing for the tour and leaving his seven-year-old son. Murray got married just a month ago, before heading out on tour, and Pereira reflected on the loss of his father to dementia. It was touching: a tribute to the importance of family that is clearly a vital part of both the individual’s lives and their music.
As for the music itself, the Tenors continue to shine both in their original songs and reworked covers of other artists. The evening consisted of two sets with an intermission, and the second half kicked off with a stunning cover of Queen’s "Who Wants To Live Forever". A medley of hits in tribute to Elvis Presley and Luciano Pavarotti – who would have both turned 80 this year – sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it did. The more pop oriented originals, like "Drowning in Love" and title track "Under One Sky" would not be out of place on a Backstreet Boys’ album – and that is a compliment. Clifton Murray, adding some impressive dance moves during "Drowning", proved that he could have considered a career in a more typical ‘boy band’ and fit right in.
Each member had the chance to shine in solo segments, but it is together that The Tenors are at their best. Ending the show with their staple – a cover of Leonard Cohen’s "Hallelujah" that remains, in my opinion, one of the best of the many versions out there – they proved once again why they have garnered so much success in the past seven years.
The Tenors are one of those performers who sound great recorded, but have that intangible ‘it’ that needs to be experienced live. Their concerts are fun, with many laughs and often tears shed through some of the more poignant songs. Whether eight-years-old or 80 – and there was a mix of everything in between on this night – The Tenors will leave you in awe every time.
