Diva entertains the ‘troops’ at CD launch

June 24, 2015 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
Time stood still and radio listeners were lulled by a local songstress, during the recent Diva in the Rough Radio Hour.
“Wireless without a net,” a 1940s-style CD launch event, drew visitors to the Kettleby, Pottageville Lions Hall. King’s Catherine Hughes belted out several classics of that time period.
Accompanied by Don Guinn, who tickled the ivories, Hughes provided two flawless sets, sprinkled with stories, anecdotes and jokes that only the Diva could deliver.
Allen Hughes (aka Arthur Remington) manned the KPS news desk, flicking the “on air” switch to launch the evening show. MC and “correspondent” Mark Pavilons enthusiastically introduced the show and headliner Hughes. Elaine Kitteridge, Kathy Cartan, Joanne Duclos provided some great comic backup. They even created some ‘40s radio commercials featuring local King sponsors.
Hughes got the crowd moving with her renditions of Get Happy and Button Up Your Overcoat and her French version of La Vie en Rose was quite moving.
Hughes can deliver the notes with perfection, stacking up against any current pop star or legendary siren. She’s also an entertainer, pure and simple.
Even if you’re not a fan of the roaring 20s, or vintage tunes from the ‘30s and ‘40s, Hughes, along with Guinn, has contemporized them in a way that makes them fresh again. Her renditions are not heavy, but rather they caress you in a manner that finely crafted music does.
Hughes’s persona of the Diva allows her to bend the rules and her shows leave you wanting more.
Show and CD producer Aladin Jarrah noted there’s been a resurgence of age-old favourties. Like antique furniture, songs of that era were hand-crafted, not manufactured, to stand the test of time.
The post-First World War and Second World War period was filled with difficulties and challenges, yet ripe with optimism for the future.
Regarding the 13-song CD, Diva in the Rough, most of the tunes were recorded in just one take in the studio. Essentially, these are live recordings, with little or no tweaking or editing.
That’s a testament to the caliber of both Hughes and Guinn.
For more, or to order CDs, visit divaintherough.com.