AN ANDREW SISTERS TRIBUTE

STYLISH, smooth and so, so sexy, Adelaide’s Three Little Sisters not only pay tribute to the legendary Andrew Sisters in their smash Adelaide Fringe show …. they bring swing music to life.

Classy Tania Savelli, Shelley Pantic and Melanie Smith lit up the historic Norwood Concert Hall on Thursday with theatre, fine music, dance, pure fun and many of the songs that sold an estimated 80 million records for the Andrew Sisters from the 1920s – as a Vaudeville act - to the 1950s.

Patty, Maxine and La Verne became America’s Sweethearts for Allied troops during the dark days of WWII but there was nothing solemn about the Three Little Sisters as they danced and laughed through two hours of song and nostalgia.

Winner of an Adelaide Festival Weekly Award for Best Music in 2019, the Three Little Sisters had fun and it showed, with a professional performance as well-drilled and kitted-out as any army unit.

They stepped through several routines in stunning outfits true to the period and sang with obvious joy.

These superbly talented songbirds are quality singers and stage performers on their own, together they are simply stunning. 

Officially endorse by the Andrews Sisters Estate, Adelaide’s swing stars have trademark Andrews Sisters pitch-perfect, close harmonies, paying homage the million-sellers including Bei Mir Bist du Shein (1937), Beer Barrel Polka (1939) Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree (1942), Run and Coca Cola (1945).

The girls were true to the songs but with a twist and their rendition honouring the Boswell Sisters take on, Cheek to Cheek (1935) – written by Irvin Berlin for Fred Astaire – was something special.

There was even a cameo by Bing Crosby – with a twist – supported by narrator and crooner, Peter Noble, and a swingin’ 14-piece big band, with an 11-piece brass section, led by superb pianist, Victor Oria.

The girls thrilled the fans with a surprise step from the stage to sing from the audience and even sit on the laps of a few fortunate men who, despite their golden age, seemed to become younger - at least for a few minutes.

Then the rousing Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy brought the crowd to its feet in obvious delight.

You don’t have to have grey hair to enjoy this performance, you just need to love good music, sung beautifully, 

South Australian should be proud of The Three Little Sisters who will take the act to the Gawler Civic Centre (Feb 25) and Pt Pirie’s Keith Michell Theatre (Mar 4).

I would happily sit under the apple tree with any of this glamourous trio.