Catherine Drummond

May 1^st, 2004

Catherine Drummond had traveled up from London where she is due to sit exams in three weeks time having completed her third year studying for a degree in Physics. It was nice to see her parents who had come down from Leicester with all her equipment so that she could play for us in concert. To quote her: "Each concert is a practise session for the next one"

So, to the concert itself for which she was dressed in black trousers & tails hemmed in sequins with a prettily embroidered red top. This certainly matched her lively opening number of "Blaze Away", played on her Yamaha EL900M and set against a red backdrop.

Ireland with its rich musical history has produced such delightful numbers such as "Phil The Fluter" - "The Irish Washerwoman" & "Caracena", the first and last of those we certainly don't hear too often.

The all time children's favorite story 'Charlie & The Chocolate Factory" by Roald Dahl was released as a film around 1976, with Catherine playing us a lovely arrangement of "Pure Imagination" from this.
With Catherine studying at the Imperial College in London, it was appropriate for her to play the "Knightsbridge March" by Eric Coates. Patsy Clyne was one of many artistes who had great success with "Crazy".
Rodgers & Hammerstein set the novel 'Anna & The King Of Siam' to music, known to most of us as "The King And I", starring Deborah Kerr & Yul Brynner on Broadway and in the 1955 motion picture. The selection from this was delightful to listen to, with Keith giving us a 'theatre' background.

Catherine is equally at home playing her alto saxophone, "Anything For You" followed by "You Belong To Me", the backing having been pre-recorded on the organ. The first half concluded with some classical music, "The Dance Of The Comedians" from Smetana's 'Bartered Bride'.

At the age of only 22years, you still have the energy to rock around the clock!!!, hence the "Nutrocker" - "Red River Rock" and to finish "Lipstick On Your Collar". Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts have both starred in the film 'Notting Hill', which featured a tune originally made famous by Charles Aznavour - "She". Catherine then paid tribute to Sid Lawrence with one of my favorite tunes: "The Nearness Of You", for which she used some of the Theatre Organ voices on the organ. Next "Anna", played in Cha Cha style, dedicated to her Mum. The music by Abba has certainly passed the test of time; "Thank You For The Music" was one of their hits for which Keith chose a musical background. This she followed with "Memories From The Circus" before launching into one of Harry Stoneham's arrangements "What Now My Love?" by Gilbert Becaud, showing off the Hammond Sounds.

Three more numbers playing her Saxophone along with the organ: "All By Myself" from the Bridget Jones Diary, plus two sung by Ol' Blue Eyes himself "The Lady Is A Tramp" & "Fly Me To the Moon".
We had already had plenty of opportunity to admire her dexterity on the organ with her outstanding pedal~ & finger work, time to do so again when she concluded her concert with the overture from "Orpheus In The Underworld", which of course finishes with the famous Can Can. In case that was not enough, "Dizzy Fingers" followed for her encore.

One has to give full credit to this young lady, studying in London and still managing to give concerts to display her marvelous talents on the organ and also show off her superb saxophone playing.

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.