Concert review 24th June 2019 Kevin Grunill
Kevin arrived with what some were heard to have described as; an elderly Technics FN3. The instrument setup on the stage had no trailing wires or additional speakers. Despite its perceived age the instrument appeared neat and traditional. Once Kevin was playing it was obvious it could fill the hall with sound. The FN3 was coupled to his PC and he used the Hauptwerk Paramount 450 Virtual Theatre Pipe Organ to give Blackpool sounds. We heard a good evening of musical variety interspersed with not a little humour. Kevin’s style of play is distinctly his own and all music is concluded to a slowing crescendo, a little unusual for a romantic melody. An enjoyable evening concluded with an encore comprising an appreciated medley from Les Miserables.
Amongst music played by Kevin;
Make em laugh, That’s entertainment, Make the world a little younger, the city of my dreams, red rose café, Misty, I’m in the mood for love, The pie in the face polka (Mancini), the wind beneath my feet (Bet Midler), The lady is a tramp, Dancing cheek to cheek, A medley of music from stage and screen, Somewhere over the rainbow, Doe Ray Me (Sound of music), Phantom of the opera,
After the interval
March of the high school cadets, Neil Sedaker – The hungry years, An ‘American collection’, Mac the knife, A big Band medley, Harry Warren’s – This Heart of mine, in both celebration and commemoration of ‘D’ Day, Aces high, Anchors away, The great little army – Marches. Further medleys in the Blackpool style and that of the theatre organ. The evening concluded with a selection of waltzes but of course Kevin returned for his encore of Les Miserables.
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert - The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, kevin grunill, Live music, steve morl
Concert review 20th May 2019 Mathew Bason
Mathew’s concert immediately followed our 2019 AGM and that alone was probably enough to subdue us all. The second half of the evening with Mathew on the stage with his Weiltmeister in hand brought the evening to life. His piano accordion (Weiltmeister) playing added to his already established high level of performance on his Roland 350C Dual Keyboard (and pedals plus separate Yamaha P-105). Mathew also gave us a moving sung rendition of “Bring Him home” accompanied by his Ipad!!
Mathew is not a stranger to us and his name is synonymous with that of an accomplished entertainer, in that he did not disappoint.
Amongst Mathew’s music we heard:- Make ‘em’ laugh, in love for the first time, Perfect – Ed Sheeran, A medley to the world of dance and Bigband, A feline collection, (as Mathew called) including the aristocats, A well sung by Mathew, rendition of; ‘Bring him home’. A selection of Viennese music, blue bell polka (On the Weiltmeister), Samba de Orfeu from Black Orpheus, Grieg – Norwegian Dance no. 2. March militaire, All of me – John Legend, A country and Weston medley, Rhinestone Cowboy, Ring of fire.
Called for an encore Mathew Played the Radetzky March – an all time favourite at the proms!
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert - The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, brentwood organ, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, Live music, Mathew Bason, mountnessing, steve morl
Concert Review 15th April 2019 – Peter Shaw
A low turnout audience of forty seven at Mountnessing Hall for Peter Shaw’s performance. Peter had withdrawn from performing and it had been some years since he visited us, those club members who were unable to attend his concert this time missed a quite entertaining evening from an accomplished performer. Peter has a surprisingly youthful voice and during the evening used it singing a well applauded version of ‘This is the moment’ and Burt Baccarat’s ‘The look of love’. His performance at the keyboard included many styles and favourites. It must be said that he has returned to public performance with a very listenable repertoire.
Some of the music played by Peter included;
A little night music, send in the clowns, Burt Baccarat’s The look of Love, we heard a thirty minute medley of assorted musicales and films such as; jungle book, Pinocchio-when you wish upon a star, Chity Chity bang bang including ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ and many others. Other film music included, Life is a Cabaret, Singing in the rain, I could have danced all night, On the street where I live, wouldn’t it be lovely, Get me to the church on time, Many ABBA songs, Andrew Lloyd Webber musicales including; Les Miserables, Phantom, Joseph and more. Music from Westside story.
After the interval there was; Bye Bye Blackbird, American Patrol and many other tunes to compile a Big Band medley. A personal tribute to the late Chiho Sunamoto of Gabriel’s Oboe. When my little girl is Smiling from the Drifters. Julio Iglesias ‘Hey’ Shubert’s Ave Maria. A Jazz medley, Frank Sinatra medley. Tribute to Alan Haven. An energetic series of March themes including, Thunderbirds, The Battle of Britain, 633 Sqn and the Dam busters.
Peter was recalled for the encore for which he chose ‘When you’re are smiling’.
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: BOKC, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, Live music, mountnessing, Peter Shaw, steve morl
Concert Review 25th February 2019 Paul Carman
Paul Carman – A concert performance that didn’t disappoint. At the start of the evening, as visitors came through the door, conversations were about how entertaining a recent Paul Carman concert had been. It was soon apparent the performance would be well attended.
Paul proved to be most entertaining. We expect our attending artists to be accomplished musicians, and they are, but Paul also brought with him a great sense of humour worthy of any stand-up comedian. When he wasn’t playing his music or making us laugh he was singing to us. Most should agree Paul gave us good entertainment to remember.
Paul’s instrument.
Korg Pa4X, In split mode with pedalboard –
Proving that a modern keyboard can successfully replace a two manual organ.
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert – The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, brentwood organ, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, Live music, Paul Carman, steve morl
Concert 25th January 2019 – Elizabeth Harrison
It was a cold winter’s night not at all like the last time we were visited by Elizabeth on a warm summer’s night in 2017. Our January night concert was attended by an audience of 54. Elizabeth began by introducing herself as a farmer, a driver of big machines and goods vehicles. We learned about Cows, how they order themselves singularly for milking and we learned that Elizabeth and her boyfriend, also a farmer, whom previously we heard about in 2017, were no longer 26 miles apart…? This brought an amused chuckle from the audience. The evening was to be punctuated by her delightful and light sense of humour delivered with an accent that somehow seemed so right for a farmer. And so the music started for an audience already amused. Unusually, Elizabeth performed facing us; throughout the evening she punctuated her performance with facial expressions that were themselves quite entertaining.
As before her music was silky smooth. Elizabeth is an accomplished entertainer with a performance repertoire that included something for everyone. Amongst the evenings music were the following; A selection of waltzes, Housewives choice, Blaze away, Pack up your troubles, when you’re smiling, Run rabbit Run, My old man said follow the van, Hello Dolly, A selection of Andrew Lloyd Webber musicals, Non Stop – original ITN news theme,
Contemplating & Remember Chiho Sunamoto, Elizabeth dedicated and played – If I loved you
Elizabeth continued with, When Irish eyes are smiling, A selection of Scottish themes, Runaway, Prelude in a classic style, From Nicholas & Alexandra ‘to beautiful to last, Here in my heart, I could have danced all night, we’ll meet again. Elizabeth was re-called for an encore, The theme from the Battle of Britain Film concluding the evening to rapturous applause.
Elizabeth’s instrument was a Roland AT350C Dual Keyboard and pedals, plus the new Theatre Organ in a box V3
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert - The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood organ, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, Elizabeth Harrison, Live music, mountnessing
Concert Review – 26th November 2018 – Steve Allison
Sadly due to the untimely passing of Chiho Sunamoto the club was at a loss for an artiste to perform at our concert of the 26th November until Steve Allison revealed that he was available for the evening.
Steve gave us a night of music that was distinctly his own. Very much he seemed to favour ‘marches’ and if you were a lover of this style then it would have been your night. There was though variety but each segment of the evening contained music that Steve had no doubt deliberately grouped, due to perhaps, being able to maintain a tempo or backing. However the evening contained music that at some point would have appealed to all. Without him we would have been turning all away at the door. So a big thank you to Steve for entertaining us for the evening.
Some of the music we heard included.
A medley to commemorate WW1 The songs of the troops. ‘If’, A quick step medley in the style of the tower ballroom. One moment in time, A selection of ‘Spanish holiday music’ Angel in blue,. Misty, Unforgettable, Games lovers play. Barbaretta march, (Bridge to far) A selection of waltz’s, A samba, Oh my beloved father, Theme from the battle of Britain, aces high, Every thing I do, Solitaire.
Steve was recalled to provide an encore for which he produced a medley music in an ‘Um- Pah’ style.
All in all . Our thanks to Steve who rescued the evening.
Posted in Concert Review Tagged with: A concert – The Organist Entertains, BOKC, brentwood, brentwood organ, Brentwood Organ Keyboard club, concert, Live music, mountnessing, Steve Allison
