Martin Kaye (Lewis), Billy Finn (Perkins), Derek Keeling (Cash) James Snyder (Presley) |
Self-actualization or reaching one’s personal best according to my blog inspiration psychologist, Maslow, is measured by “peak experiences”
of the world. With a peak experience “there are feelings of euphoria, joy and
wonder”(see simple psychology). A peak musical experience is what happens in Million Dollar Quartet, a show about a single
jam session with four rock and roll/country legends, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins
and Elvis Presley in 1956. This show dramatizes
the historical one time musical moment that took place at Sun Record Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and was latter known as “The Million Dollar Quartet”. This play captures the intensity and feeling of the music that came from the artists’ soul.
Lewis, Perkins, Cash, Presley in 1956 |
Reflection
The show would never have worked if the actors were not
talented beyond belief and able to pound
the piano, play the guitar riffs, resemble and produce the mannerisms and sounds that were classic to each of these four legends. Because they did this, we are all part of this jam session, experiencing it as if it was just an impromptu combustion between
these musicians. We feel their
excitement as they each add their
musical talents to each others songs. We are privy to the jam session in 1956 which was so unique because they were only together on this one occasion.
The show opened with Perkin’s (Billy Finn) original “Blue Suede Shoes”. He is in the studio to record with the new comer, “Real Wild Child”, Jerry
Lee Lewis (Martin Kaye). Finn started off the show with his rockabilly sound and skilled guitar playing and Keye pounded the
piano with fast paced precision in the “Lewis energetic style”. Keye ignited the stage especially later with the
song, “Great Balls of Fire”. My 21 year old son asked, “Wow, did that guy
really act like that?” I answered, “Yes -google
him!” (see vintage Jerry Lee Lewis here)
Billy Finn (Carl Perkins) and Derek Keeling (Johnny Cash) |
There were so many classic
moments like Johnny Cash’s (Derek Keeling) “Folsom Prison Blues” and “I Walk the line”, one of Elvis’ (James Snyder) first hits, “That's All Right Mamma” and Perkins' (Billy Finn), “Who Do You Love?”. A female addition to the quartet was Elvis’s
girlfriend, Dyanne (Zurin Villanueva) who injected a sultry rendition of “Fever”.
This show gave us a glimpse of how it might have looked as
they improvised and jammed together, especially when they all united during, “Down By The Riverside” and the finale, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On".
The show was narrated by the founder of Sun Records, Sam
Phillips (Christopher Ryan Grant). Phillips discovered them and gave them all their first
break into show business. He encouraged Lewis saying, “Do what you love. Let me hear your soul the way
you sing to Jesus !” That is just how it
felt watching this show as the audience experiences "a peak musical moment" with songs from the heart which made rock 'n' roll history with this "The Million Dollar Quartet"!
(What a way to end the Pittsburgh CLO 2017 season. Can't wait for CLO 2018 summer season.)
Spiritual Reflection
"...Whatever is in your heart produces what you say" (Luke 7:45)
Other sources
CLO 2018 season http://www.pittsburghclo.org/buy-tickets/clo-season-tickets
Maslow's Self-Actulization https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Vintage Great Balls of Fire (Lewis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IjgZGhHrYY
Blue Swede Shoes (Perkins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRNyvO4QouY
Folsom Prison Blues( Cash, Perkins) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDPmT40IFFQ
That's All Right Mama 1968 (Elvis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJd-av4HgRw
Hound Dog (Elvis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzQ8GDBA8Is
1957 Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’On (Lewis) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fw7SBF-35Es