24/06/2021
Music Review
Tony Brannon Performing Artist
Performing at “Marea”
Newstead, Paget
Review by Dale Butler
Local icon, Tony Brannon, the son of the great Terry Brannon, owner of the internationally famous Front Street “Forty Thieves Club,” was one of the first out of the block, after a long Bermuda Covid hibernation, with a warm, cozy and artistic presentation of a variety of songs.
Booked Wednesday to Saturdays from 5.30-8.30 p.m. at the “Marea Seafood Bar” at Aurora, Newstead, Tony, with his acoustic guitar, has now entered the legendary stage of his career where he easily embraces all audiences on the lower patio with views from one of the most spectacular sites overlooking Hamilton Harbour. Priceless!
This is clearly a match made in heaven and allows him to open with “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” by Eric Clapton and move to “To love Somebody” by The Bee Gees. These songs opened the door wide for the Bill Withers 1971 hit “Ain’t No Sunshine”, “Memories” by Maroon 5 and “Moonshadow” by Cat Stevens.
Tony was warmly applauded as he enjoyed presenting one hit after another adding Maxi Priest, Mick Jagger, Van Morrison, Otis Redding, Elvis Presley, and Bob Marley, to name just a few. Then he got serious and remembered that this is Bermuda and so many of our greats had cherished standards which are unfortunately ignored by many of today’s artists. But Tony has been at it a long time and nailed renditions of “There is no place like Bermuda” made famous by the late Sydney Bean and Hubert Smith’s unofficial anthem “Bermuda is Another World”. Both original performers would have been most proud of his arrangements.
“MAREA” has a first-class wine list, fancy drinks and fantastic food with a sea-food bar - with a variety of new dishes like “The Danish Expat and The Ferry Fermenter” that enhance this beautiful venue. With no ‘cover charge’ and about a 7-minute drive from the City or a short trip by public ferry, Tony Brannon and the management of Aurora/Marea should be commended for keeping the music alive and highlighting one of our many outstanding legends who have a key ingredient for our tourism product, and locals, who enjoy a great night of music in a romantic and heavenly location.