The other has performed for two royal families, five prime ministers and a US president.
Together, Wendy Matthews and Grace Knight will present their new show, We’re Going to Graceland, on Saturday, May 18, at Riverlinks Eastbank in Shepparton.
That’s right, the power of the jam has compelled these two giants of the music world to take on the work of one of the world’s greatest living songwriters, Paul Simon.
“Paul Simon is such a wonderful lyricist, and the stories in his songs are humorous and profound, with everything in between,” Matthews said.
“Grace was the one who suggested his music, and I thought it was perfect because it includes Simon and Garfunkel from the ’60s and ’70s right through to Paul’s African feels.”
The show will include tracks from Simon’s career-spanning setlist, ping-ponging between Simon and Garfunkel gems such as Sounds Of Silence, The Boxer and Bridge Over Trouble Water and solo classics You Can Call Me Al, Diamonds On The Soles Of Her Shoes and Graceland.
“The biggest challenge was which songs to leave out,” Knight said.
“Paul Simon has written so many great, well-known songs that the show would go for days if you tried to include them all.”
There’s no denying he’s a hitmaker, but Matthews and Knight are industry darlings in their own right.
Matthews carved out a successful solo career as one of Australia’s finest vocalists, while Knight is one of Australia’s leading jazz divas.
Both are multi-award-winning artists with an impressive haul of Countdown, MTV and ARIA awards and a slew of platinum albums between them.
Despite having never performed together, the two have found magic in this new collaborative venture, fuelled by an innate chemistry and trust.
“I just love singing with Wendy, and it’s great to be able to take this show around the country and hang out with my pal,” Knight said.
“After 20 years of talking about doing a show together, we’re finally on stage and having a blast.”
Matthews described the energy of the show as “infectious”.
Audiences will enjoy not only experiencing the singers belt it out but also their unique interpretation of iconic songs that refuse to age.
Wendy Matthews and Grace Knight – We’re Going to Graceland is on Saturday, May 18, at 7.30pm, at Riverlinks Eastbank, 70 Welsford St, Shepparton.
To purchase tickets, contact Riverlinks box office on 5832 9511 or visit https://tinyurl.com/3zc9k9ac
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