Seal took no time at all settling into his first-ever live show in Australia. He had a lot to cover, a 21-year career wrapped into one setlist and a few anecdotes along the way to fill us all in on the story.
“This is my first night in Australia. I have a feeling I’ll be doing more stand-up than songs,” he joked as he kicked off the crowd.
This was an audience of mainly 30+ women who by their reaction had waited years to see Seal live and exploded with excitement the moment he came on stage.
Someone yelled out how he managed to marry supermodel Heidi Klum. “I’m one lucky son of a bitch. It’s the voice,” he said. “I went through highschool and couldn’t even get a date. Then I discovered I could sing and the next thing I was married to Heidi Klum.”
Another fan yelled “Take your top off.” “This is a family show,” he responded. There will be no taking off of tops by me ... but you go right ahead.”
There was one of those “John Farnham moments” when he was handed a ladies top to wipe the sweat from his brow. “That’ll be on YouTube in about an hour,” he laughed.
It took 21-years to get Seal to Australia to tour. I think even he was knocked out by the longevity of his career. “ I don’t know how anyone can have a 21-year career out of 5 albums,” he told the audience. (He has actually had 6 but who is counting).
Most of the show revolved around his latest release ‘Soul’ featuring covers of great soul classics. He mixed it up with his own stuff. The first song was a melody of The Temptations ‘A Change is Gonna Come’ with his own classic ‘Killer’.
Despite the accolades for the new album, the stand-out track was his own ‘Crazy’. ‘Kiss From A Rose’ got a great reaction of his audience.
Seal also had a killer band. Annette Brown on trumpet and backing vocals was on board in the Seal band for her very first show with him anywhere in the world.
Here is the setlist from Seal’s first Australian show:
Papa Was A Rolling Stone/Killer (from Soul, 2009 and Seal, 1991)
It's a Man's World (from Soul, 2009)
I Can't Stand The Rain (from Soul, 2009)
A Change Is Gonna Come/Don't Cry/I've Been Lovin You (from Soul, 2009, Seal, 1994, Soul 2009)
Waiting For You (from Seal IV, 2003)
Love's Divine (from Seal IV, 2003)
It's Alright (from Soul, 2009)
Soul Medley (Here I am, Get It Together, Knock On Wood)
My Vision (from unreleased Togetherland, 2001)
The Right Life (from System, 2007)
Kiss From a Rose (from Seal, 1994)
Crazy (from Seal, 1991)
(re-intro music)
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Amazing (from System, 2007)
Bring It On (from Seal, 1994)
People Get Ready (from Soul, 2009)
Band Personnel:
Steve Sidelnyk - Drums
Mark Summerlin - MD/Guitar/Backing Vocals
Marcus Brown - Bass/Keys/Backing Vocals
Carol Jarvis - Trombone/Backing Vocals
Sarah Field - Sax/Trumpet/Backing Vocals
Katie Samways - Baritone Saxophone/Backing Vocals
Annette Brown - Trumpet/Backing Vocals
