Four Corners Tour

Jubilation’s successful Four Corners Tour of Auckland achieved plenty. The very popular group deserves its following and played to full houses in St Matthews in the city, plus gigs from Titirangi to Mangere and finally, last night, a packed to the gills standing the ailes devoted audience were given a treat, grand performances by Rick Bryant, Buzz Worley, Isolde Grunweld, James Moore, Amanda Billing, Fiona Samuel, Peter Kirkbridge and the dazzling voice of Jean McAllister. The first rise of heartbeat really arrived with the Rick Bryant song, Learn to Forgive that Jean McAllister delivers with perfection. Buzz Worley made up for the otherwise unfortunate absence of Jacquie Clarke and delivered the goods on Come on up to the House and Glory Train.

Technically, the production of a choir in a church is more difficult than it seems. Sound by Tony McMaster is usually rather good, but this was perfect. Unfortunately the lighting board slipped into a computer driven weirdness during the first half, but it got fixed for the second half to a bluish white that worked better.

The mention of merchandise did not so much diminish but highlight that as well as mandatory tea shirts, a Jubilation stamped tea towel somehow perfectly knit the choir to its community of fans. This tangible sense of community, creates an expectation of feeling. What is surprising about this group is not the professional consistent delivery over the years, it is the level of enjoyment achieved by all. The audience that left could have been 10 years younger than the one that arrived.