Claire Greig

May 6^th 2006

It's just under three years since Claire played for us and despite a rather drizzly evening, (John's daughter calls it 'lumpy fog'), most of the seats were taken.

Claire started playing on the organ circuit in mid 1998 and recently celebrated her 26th birthday. She plays the Wersi Performer which has many fine reed and pipe-organ voices.

Claire opened with a lively rendition of the Spanish Gypsy Dance, a popular Pasadoble number. Next was a scintillating Samba entitled Delicado highlighted by a super 'moody 'orange backlight stage, courtesy of Keith. This was followed by 'medley of rags' such as 'Root beer, The Black & White Rag, Elite Syncopations, The Maple Leaf Rag, all nicely played to a great 'honky-tonk' rhythm with lovely orchestral accompaniment.

Claire carried on with Mozart's Rondo Alla Turca, played with flute and strings. Claire reminded us that this year saw the Masters 250th birthday! Claire has played at the Darley Park Festival with the East of England Orchestra, accompanied by fireworks and pouring rain. Next she played the Spitfire Prelude, a quick-march with full orchestral backing, following with a song recognised by the 'line dancers' among us called Ho-down taken from Aaron Copland's Rodeo, a nice fiddle , honky-tonk piano with hand-clap, backed this number.

Claire asked us if we could all sing? Well, of course we could, but instead we had a medley of George Gershwin songs including Rhapsody in Blue with a lovely 'Electric' blue background , Someone To Watch Over Me, Summertime, with real summer-sunshine lighting by Keith, followed with a foot tapping Nice Work If You Can Get It, Lady Be Good & Fascinating Rhythm. The Blue Danube Waltz & Tales From Vienna Woods followed, with a dazzling display of spinning lights from a Mirror Ball suspended above Claire's head! The alternating green and blue backdrops really set the scene, well done Keith!

A slow Somewhere In Time, played 'straight', no rhythm box, just full strings and a nice orchestral backing. This time Claire brought her CD '1st Impressions' with a cassette for those among us who haven't yet mastered the CD thingy! From her CD we had Red Roses For A Blue Lady, Keith was in his element with a vivid blue background fading to a lovely red. Wanting to end the first half with, "something fast and difficult", she played a nimble fingered Toccata in F by Vidor.

After the break Claire was resplendent in a different sparkly top of jade green, opening with the rousing Dam Busters March, played with plenty of crashing cymbals, snare-drums and sirens wailing! Followed by Ghostbusters taken from the film of the same title. More film music, Missing was taken from the film 'Frantic', played 'straight' with lovely piano plus strings.

Claire is a fan of the inimitable Klaus Wunderlich, playing a lovely medley of tunes, Dreaming Organist, Lonely Wanderer & The Happy Organ Player using drawbar sounds. The signature tune to The Mickey Mouse Club followed, played with great Brass Band registrations and highlighted by Keith's 'Marching Lights Show'. Then a song, written by Raymond, (Gilbert) O'Sullivan entitled, why "Claire", of course, but she likes to think it was written for her!

Ennio Morricone, best known for his 'Spaghetti Western' themes, the theme from "The Mission" called Gabriel's Oboe was played using a haunting Oboe and full Orchestra registration. Claire said that some numbers she only liked when she'd finished playing them! To a hot Samba rhythm, phew, and lighting to match we got a very busy medley Tico Tico, Cavaquino & Brazil using trumpet and Hammond Organ sounds, very nice.

Big band sounds for the Saint Louis Blues march. Keith was very busy as many of Claire's songs mentioned colours in their title tonight which Keith matched very nicely indeed.

A lovely rendition of Orpheus In The Underworld and the Can-Can followed with pizzicato and bowed strings finished her concert.

Nobody gets away from a BKC concert without the obligatory encore, Claire duly obliged with her nicely played Eine Kliene Nachtmusik by Mozart. Claire had entertained us with a varied program including some old favourites, all competently performed with full marks awarded for when registrations mysteriously vanished. She talked us through the finer points of the Wersi Performer whilst reloading the offending settings.

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.