Grand Theatre, Swansea
Thurs 27 Apr
The stage is set: Chilled wine, a crackling fire and you’re with that special someone. So who’s delicious sounds are spinning on the stereo, One Direction’s? Don’t think so. It’s got to be Alexander O’Neal, honey. The Mississippi-bred r’n’b vocalist who once sold out six straight nights at Wembley Arena – still the record for an African-American artist – is still going strong.
He’s certainly had his hard times but is back to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his landmark work Hearsay. The quintessential 80s soul album spent over two years in the UK charts, went triple platinum (gold in the US) and sold over 700,000 copies. It reached No. 2 on the US r’n’b charts and spawned seven – count ‘em – charting singles including Fake,(What Can I Say) To Make You Love Me, monster dance floor hit Criticize and his duet with Cherrelle, Never Knew Love Like This.
The 63-year-old, who also specializes in funk, adult contemporary, pop and new jack swing sounds, will be performing Hearsay for the first time ever on this tour in its entirety with his nine-piece, all-star band.
O’Neal (a reality star, too), who’s had 14 Top 40 singles here and several Top 10 songs in the UK and US, also has an autobiography, All True, Man, just out. So raise a toast and spend some fly-time with the man who counts Peabo Bryson as a contemporary!
Tickets: £30. Info: 01792 475715