Keyklix

September 3^rd 2005

It's been a month short of three years since we welcomed the duo of Ian Griffin & Richard Bower to our club. Ian now plays two Ketron (formerly Solton) keyboards, namely the Ketron X1 - mostly for his left hand - linked to a pedalboard and the Ketron XG9 - as the main keyboard.

Richard plays the Yamaha Tyros which is midied to a Yamaha PSR290 and also a pedalboard, all connected to a mixer and speakers.

Courtesy of Messrs. Musicland with Brian having only just returned from holiday that day, they supplied us with a Clavinova CVP307 on stage.

Ian & Richard began their program with a Latin medley which included the ever popular Amor before continuing with a song made famous by Ronald Keating If Tomorrow Never Comes.

A beautifully orange coloured backdrop set the scene for Frank Sinatra to 'make an appearance', as the lads played New York New York for us. You could tell that Ian and Richard were equally keen to play the Clavinova - both being drawn to play the piano more these days - and so they played musical chairs with the Clavinova and their various keyboards.

They then continued with a tune not heard too often, sung by Bett Middler The Rose. Taking us back to his native Wales through Tom Jones we heard Something About You Baby I Like.

Tangerine next got a look in before we heard This Is The Moment from Richard's CD due to be released in October. Sandy Shaw is mostly remembered for her winning Eurovision Song Entry, but tonight we heard Long Live Love.

Next we had a quite stupendous rendition of Neil Sedaka's Solitaire. Nice one Lads! Hey followed before we had a bit of Country & Western with Lonesome Me once again accompanied by Keith's rhythm activated shapes.

Time sure flies when you are enjoying yourself with the music making by Ian & Richard who took us to the end of the first half with an ABBA medley inclusive of Dancing Queen - Super Trouper and of course Thank You For The Music!

Prior to the concert and during the break we all had the chance to fill in our request slips for the 2nd half, during which they always play a selection of requests without a break.

Whilst waiting for Richard to re-appear Ian showed off his skills with a classical piece on the Clavinova before they both launched into the 35 pieces which Ian had chosen from the numerous requests.

These were were: Brazil - Wind Beneath My Wings - The Lady In Red - Amarillo - I Just Called To Say I Love You - I've Got You Under My Skin - Chicago - Once In A While - Love Letters - On The Street Where You Live - Pop Corn - Diana - The Twelfth Of Never - It's Not Unusual - The Eyes Of A Woman In Love - Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Walk In The Black Forest - Angel In Blue - Climb Every Mountain - Rainy Day - Tico Tico - No Matter What - Till - Satin Doll - A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Unforgettable - Sweet Georgia Brown - I Wanna Be Like You - She - Closest Thing To Crazy - Tonight - Danny Boy - Power Of Love - Love Changes Everything & My Way, which brought the concert to a close.
One has to remember that there is not a score in sight and that all the requests are completely unrehearsed. Both playing theirs and each others keyboards as well as taking it in turns to play the Clavinova, it made for an evening of highly entertaining music of a very high standard. The change over from one piece to another always completely smooth, instinctively choosing the right rhythm, tempo and registration. No mean task. Pardon the pun, but they are completely "attuned" to one another.

No wonder the audience would not let them go without the traditional Basildon encore, they duly obliged with El Bimbo to finally bring the evening to a close.

Our grateful thanks to both Ian & Richard, Brian from Musicland, and Keith for doing a splendid job on the lights.

Why not come along to a Basildon Keyboard Club Concert, you will be made very welcome, have a great evenings entertainment, a complimentary cup of tea or coffee with biscuits and of course experience the delights of live music played on top of the range electronic organs & keyboards by the best players.