David Harrild plays Roland E80
David Harild
February 3rd 2007
David Harrild
Concert Pictures
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David's return to the Basildon Keyboard Club was long overdue. We had a very good turnout for this concert, giving all present the chance to hear what this new keyboard could do.
Yes, the sun had been shining all day, appropriately David began with On The Sunny Side Of The Street showing off the Big Band sounds on the E80. A nice relaxed slow swing and piano sounds for Let's Fall In Love, before jazzing things up for I've Got Rhythm using the organ and mighty Wurlitzer sounds set to a vivid blue background by Keith.
David had a pedalboard midied to the keyboard, if you closed your eyes and just listened to the music you would be forgiven for thinking there was an organ on stage. So - no rhythm for A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square and Hello Dolly. The Shadows had their very own inimitable style and sounds and so it was with David's rendition of Wonderful Land.
Like all organs and keyboards, there are always 'fun items' to explore, therefore Stranger On The Shore was accompanied by harp arpeggios, the sounds of the sea and birdtwitter! My one claim to fame is that James Last and I both lived in Hamburg for many years…………, great to hear the sounds of his orchestra again with Man Without Love and Do You Know The Way To Amarillo?
A nicely set blue background took us back to the Forties with Glenn Miller's Moonlight Serenade and a lovely rendition of Memories before concluding the first half of his concert with Chinatown set to a very lively Dixieland style.
Refreshments taken and the raffle done, David opened the second half of his concert with Zambesi accompanied by a Latin Pop/Samba style, the background appearing in a myriad of different colours.
Keith and I both 'scratched' our heads for the title of the next song, normally played as a quickstep; this time played as a beautiful ballad with piano sounds - the tune? 'S Wonderful! Another Big Band number in a jazzy style followed, Keith and I both thought it was Green Door (it wasn't), so the title remains a mystery!
Strings, the panflute, mandolin and the violin with guitar arpeggios in the left hand made for a great rendition of Unchained Melody. A complete contrast with a very lively Country & Western tune Mary Lou with an ever colour changing background for this famous hit.
Nat King Cole was often accompanied on the piano or the saxophone, giving us the chance to enjoy the Breezy Swing rhythm on the E80 with Let Be There Be Love. Then it was back to James Last, now a sprightly 77 years young!!, with Goody Goody (originally made famous by none other than Ella Fitzgerald) and Mac The Knife.
A soft red background and piano sounds set the scene for Once I Had A Secret Love. Big Band Sounds once more, this time the tune was Little Brown Jug, swiftly followed by Dixieland sounds and The Bare Necessities from Junglebook. With that a very pleasant two hours of good entertainment had passed. Thank you for a great concert, David.
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.