Brett Wales

July 3^rd 2004

Although Brett Wales has been playing since the tender age of three, he is still only 26years of age and at the pinnacle of his profession. He has been playing his current instrument, the white Wersi Scala (emblazoned with his name in gold letters) for the last four years and it was soon evident that he knows this lovely white organ 'inside out.' Being a Klaus Wunderlich fan, Brett is particularly taken with the lovely drawbar sounds.

And so to the concert itself. With the American Day of Independence only a day away, it began appropriately with the 'Conquest Of Paradise'. And showing off the afore-mentioned drawbars, we were treated to Irving Berlin's composition 'Cheek To Cheek', before Brett continued with 'La…la…la', our artist wasn't sure of either the composer or the title!! Unfortunately I did not know the title of the next piece, however, he carried on with a lovely rendition of 'Living Doll'.

Whilst at the Headquarters of Wersi in Germany last year, Brett was invited to play at the German Octoberfest (which incidentally takes place through most of September and finishes in early October).

The piece 'After You've Gone' was cheekily "dedicated" to Tony Blair! Next a bit of Rock with 'I Wanna Wake Up With You.' The music and distinctive sounds of Abba have surely stood the test of time, the sounds for 'Dancing Queen' being recreated by using strings and drawbars.

Next we heard two numbers from Brett's latest CD "SOLO"- 'Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You' by Glen Madeiras and 'Blanket On The Ground', which he had set to a Country & Western rhythm, using guitar and choir voices. For the Big Band fans in the audience 'Pennsylvania 65000' before taking us on a 'Slow Boat To China'.
More wonderful organ sounds with 'Chainreaction', before launching into the 'Flight Of The Bumblebee'. 'True Love Ways' finished a most entertaining first half.

The second half began with a couple of Latin pieces, a rumba entitled 'Sleepy Lagoon' and a Cha Cha: 'Never On A Sunday', which Brett followed with 'Stranger In Paradise' & 'My Blue Heaven'.
Despite being happily married, he cheekily dedicated two pieces of music to his wife: 'Silence Is Golden' and 'Shut Uppa Your Face'. It was our Treasurer Stephen's Birthday; hence 'Happy Birthday' was both played and sung for him with the hall lit up with coloured shapes. Most effective!

Taking us to Austria, we enjoyed the sounds of the 'Blue Danube' before bringing us back to today's world with 'You Used To Love Me Tomorrow'. From Brett's CD "NATURAL" we had 'Till' (according to Brett the story of a mean shopkeeper who keeps open all hours?).

No, it was not Eurovision Song Contest time with the music of 'Save All Your Kisses For Me'. A very nifty Rock'n'Roll selection followed, which included amongst others 'Mary Ann' - 'Red River Alley' & 'This Old House'.
The expression of time flying when you are enjoying yourself could not have been more appropriate as we came to the end of a most entertaining evening with 'The Wonder Of You'.

The audience would not let Brett go without giving an encore. He happily obliged with another medley of songs 'Banjo On My Knee' (also known as Susannah) and 'She Was Coming Round The Mountain' just two of the titles.

All the members and the many visitors enjoyed a truly remarkable concert; Brett more than deserved the great turnout of people on this summer's evening. Many thanks to Brett Wales for superbly entertaining us and also to his cousin Alison for all her help throughout the evening. As always our gratitude to Keith for providing superb lighting effects.

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.