Live Review: Bobby Fox - The Toff In Town

30 June 2014 | 1:45 pm | Michael Peberg

‘Mr Fox’ is the whole package and delivers a fantastic mixed bag of talent in his live show.

Irish-born Aussie crooner Bobby Fox performs his second show at this venue tonight. The dashing singer introduces his sophisticated, mod-style jazz as he performs a collection of his own renditions including many favourite classics.

A born entertainer and Broadway star, 'Mr Fox' is the whole package and delivers a fantastic mixed bag of talent in his live show. With sleek, smooth vocals and old-school moves, he is a playful and charismatic performer with a fun and funky vibe.

A bit of a joker at times, Fox suggests his song Peanut Vendor comes with a health warning that contains traces of rhythm, horns and peanuts. The band is packed with soul and blues thanks to saxophone, trumpet and double bass. Fox's sultry back-up singers entertain the audience with their '60s dancing in revealing Go-Go dresses. Fox brings to life some deep and soulful covers including The Style Council's Shout To The Top and the romantic Let There Be Love by Nat King Cole, which is packed with swagger and charm as he sips an unexpectedly strong martini. With cheeky, egotistical comedic humour, Fox has a strong stage presence and instantly wins over the audience with his suave nature.

"He boasts that his good looks are loved by supermodels."

He performs the Jerome Kern classic Look For The Silver Lining and gives a remarkable interpretation of Solomon Burke's Cry To Me that proves a set highlight and shows off his impressive vocal range. The handsome gentleman swaps his sharp, steel-blue suit for a black-and-white number in the second half of the show, as he roleplays with a sexy dancer through Shopping For Clothes. He boasts that his good looks are loved by supermodels, which led to his first single You're The Boss (originally featuring supermodel Miranda Kerr). This evening we witness an incredibly talented stand-in.

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Fox taps into his Jersey Boys character, Frankie Valli, for My Eyes Adored You and also performs Frank Sinatra's Can't Take My Eyes Off You. The swinging Hector Rivera track I Want A Chance For Romance sees the audience tapping their feet and resisting the urge to get up out of their seats. Just in case you forget his name, Fox gives one last encore – his track The Fantastic Mr Fox (40 Days & 40 Nights) – as he confidently struts around backed by some impressive saxophone that brings the show to a close.