Paul Carmen
& Brian Sharpe

October 1^st 2005

Paul Carmen was booked to play in concert for us, however, when Ann and John heard him play alongside Brian Sharp at Blackpool, they asked if they would do the same show for us, both artists immediately agreed to appear at Basildon together.

The set up on stage consisted of the Orla GT8000, an Orla Digital Piano and the Roland E300 Keyboard.

Paul opened proceedings with Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Old Oak Tree and Fly Away With Me showing off the beautiful drawbar sounds on the organ.

Somewhere In My Dreams featured the piano and strings, written by Paul for the lady who came into his life some two and a half years ago. Theatre Organ sounds came to the fore for the next three pieces; Lover - Portrait Of My Love - When You Wish Upon A Star.

Next an old jazz standard - Misty - made famous by Johnny Mathis; wonder where he is these days? Some more jazz that set Keith to a nice blue background with Birth Of The Blues and Spread A Little Happiness. Bringing his first stint to a close, Paul then finished with some Big Band sounds, a Count Basie arrangement of April In Paris.

Brian Sharp sounded as defiant as the people of London following the terrible events of July Seventh by giving us a rousing rendition of The Knightsbridge March by Eric Coates, who lived in Bradford but wrote his music for London.

This he followed with the theme from a radio program from yesteryear: Housewives Choice before continuing with the Largo by Dvorac - quite beautiful.

Then it was off to the Continent with the Flowersong from South Of The Alps by the German composer Ernst Fischer. Cinema Organ Sounds for Ain't Misbehavin' played on the saxophone 2nd time round and set to a slow swing pretending to be in a nightclub!

Next we had some of what Brian termed "Fish 'n' Chip" music - Five Foot Two - Alexander's Ragtime Band - Who's Sorry Now - Bye Bye Blues and the Black and White Rag.

So many peoples lives are touched by cancer these days, sadly this also includes Brian's daughter Joanne for whom he wrote this tune when she was just a little girl.

Thus our appetites had been wetted for the 2nd half, which Paul opened for us with The Nearness of You. A gentle swing followed with Deep Purple and Blue Moon. James Lasts' Einsamer Hirte or The Lonely Shepherd was a request, naturally played on the panflute and strings with a few added bars of Sheep May Safely Graze.

Next a rousing rendition of the 633 Squadron before once again handing over to Brian who this time began with the overture from Paul Carmen (Brian's words!) by Bizet. Some more jazz in the shape of When Or Where followed by Spanish Disco with some distinct Flamenco overtones. A quite stupendous rendition of Orpheus In The Underworld followed.

Brian is the finest orchestral player this country has produced and ranks amongst the greats of the organ world, like the late Brian Rodwell for example. Paul Carmen is a very fine player in his own right and his renditions of some the afore mentioned tunes were much enjoyed by the audience as was his quick wit.

This now brought us to the moment we had all been waiting for, Paul and Brian on stage together - Brian on the digital piano and Paul on the GT8000. They began with Feelings or as Brian quipped the 1st movement from the Bedroom suite in A flat! Followed by My One and Only Love, a tune that Brian used to play many years ago.

Once again showing off the drawbar sounds on the organ, Take The 'A' Train and to take us up to the end of the concert On Top Of The World by the Carpenters.

Lots of much deserved applause for these two very fine artistes. Their encore was Barbara Streisand's The Way We Were.

Our thanks to Brian and Paul for entertaining us so superbly throughout the evening.

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.