John Walker

Plays Yamaha HX1

November 5^th 2005

Remember, remember the fifth of November and once again we had booked John Walker for our fireworks night concert. The sound of fireworks could be heard throughout most of his concert.

John was dressed in black leather trousers and a bright yellow shirt making him as bright as the fireworks going off outside! Rekindling memories of the recent warmer months, he opened with Cliff Richard's Going On My Summer Holidays. This he followed with an even livelier Trish Trash Polka before bringing back memories of the ever popular Carpenters: The End Of The Road, a beautiful ballad featuring the panflute on his Yamaha HX1.

Showing off the big orchestral sounds, we had Frank Sinatra's Witchcraft. He then carried with his own arrangement of a 1920's number, namely The Parade Of The Tin Soldiers.

Now it was time to switch off the rhythm unit and using the Theatre Organ voices on the organ, we had Misty - On The Sunny Side Of The Street - A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square - Blue Moon & finally Is This In Town Tonight?

Keith then produced some eye shapes to accompany the next number; The Night Has A Thousand Eyes, played on a 1950's guitar. Next two of John's own compositions: Vistabella & The Village Parade. James Last's orchestra is well known for its very distinctive sound and style, showing off the fanfare trumpet we heard Go West. Whereas most of us will have a go at learning tunes which we hear in concert, the next one might just be an exception: Vidor's Toccata & Fugue in Fm, from his 5th Symphony.

Finally, to take us up to the interval Unchained Melody from the film Ghost. I must make mention of the 'flattened' pyramid shape at the back of the stage which had been decorated with a variety of rope lights over which a white sheet had been draped, making for a wonderful effect when lit.

The 2nd half opened with I'll Never Fall In Love Again which I believe has been sung by both Petula Clark and the late Sacha Distel. Once again time for Keith to have some fun with some swirling shapes, the tune appropriately: Dancing Queen.

One of my favorite tunes next, Forgotten Dreams followed closely by another Carpenter number Sing. Imagine yourself in Scotland with the glens looking their best echoing with the sound of the bagpipe and another of John's own compositions Glen Brae.

Elvis Presley next got a look in with Wooden Heart before Frank Sinatra made another appearance with New York New York. Roll an orchestra, a choir and a pipe organ all into one, and you had the setting for Astesde Fidelus or to most of us Oh Come All Ye Faithful, reminding us all that Christmas is less than 4 weeks away by the time this newsletter drops through your letterbox.

Following a beautiful harp intro John next played us The Blue Danube & The Cuckoo Waltz, followed by a Gilbert & Sullivan score Claire before taking us to Greece with a number often sung by Dennis Roussos Forever & Ever.

Some Big Band Treatment for Isn't She Lovely? - before playing Happy Birthday for Gladys Smith, no, she is not a member of the club; John had heard the request on the radio! With that we had reached the end of the concert with the audience not letting John go before he had played an encore for us, he duly obliged with Amor.

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.