Key Klix Klan

Andy Oakley as Elvis Presley

Richard Bower, Ian Griffin
& Andy Oakley

Are The Key Klix Klan

September 1^st 2007

BKC 20^th Birthday Bash

Just as we had hoped, it was near enough a sell out concert, with people ringing at the last minute to secure tickets. Alan Gwinell, one of our welcome players, did a superb job on stage playing a brand new Clavinova CVP409. Well done Alan & thanks to Messrs. Musicland for the kind loan.

The team had worked very hard to make this a very special evening by booking the "Keyklix Klan", namely Ian Griffin who played for the clubs very first concert (tonight on Ketron keyboards SD5 & X1 plus Roland PK5 pedalboard), Richard Bower (on the Yamaha Tryos2 & P70 with a Hammond XT200 pedalboard) and the one and only comedian Andy Oakley.

Andy announced the beginning of proceedings in several different languages, whilst Ian & Richard gave visual handsignals acting as "aircraft stewards" when John made the safety announcements!

The scene having thus been set, Ian & Richard opened with Lonely Is A Man & The Rose, enhanced by a pink backdrop by Keith. With that Andy appeared on stage. Oh yes, he knew how to get everybody going by getting us all to sing along and wave our arms along to Sweet Caroline. The atmosphere had hotted up, Andy launching into a cracking series of jokes, too numerous for me to even attempt to recount. He soon had the audience in hysterics. Just like he had "lived" in every corner of the UK - and abroad - he had also "worked" with Tom Jones. He soon had the ladies screaming, imagening the Welshman was there. To a lively back ground and a lot of hip wriggling he sang Delilah.

Yes, of course, he had lived in Spain and even played Al Martino's trumpet (oh yes??) - and thus we were were entertained by Andy playing Spanish Eyes, or was it Andy dressed up as Les Dawson judging by the wrong notes coming forth!!!!

Andy then announced our surprise star guest as the finest vocalist in his pricerange - better known to us playing a Wersi organ - none other than Daniel Watt who sang Pizzerico & If Tomorrow Never Comes set to a romantic reddish background.

We were then transported to the Birmingham Hippodrome. Who was that hiding behind a black cape, top hat and white facemask - singing a delightful version of The Music Of The Night, accompanied by Keyklix? Ah, it could only have been the Phantom Of The Opera.

Ian and Richard could not resist the lure of the Clavinova and played some nice background music during the break.

Following refreshments and the raffle, with some smashing prizes donated, Keyklix opened the second half with a lively rendition of Amor and now with Richard back on the Clavinova and Ian back on his keyboards, we were treated to a beautifully played Solitaire.

Andy then rejoined Keyklix and with lots of audience participation it was decided to Let's Dance The Night Away. Andy is a superb comedian with a very quick and sharp wit, he soon had the audience in stitches again.

Now it was the turn of the Gay Cowboy set to the music of Ghostriders In The Sky, there was not a dry eye in the house. Time for Daniel to return to the stage, Keyklix providing the accompaniment to his vocal performance of Tears On My Pillow & Achy Breaky Heart with a matching breakground by our very own Mr. Supreme.

Andy reminded us that Pavarotti's brother Trevor had dropped by from Southend to bring back memories of the world cup (at the time of writing it has been announced that the giant of the opera world, Luciano Pavarotti has sadly passed away). Who can forget the performance of Nessun Dorma - Andy singing a stupendous rendition for us with an unmistakable likeness to the real man!

Thus the Birthday Party was nearly at an end, but not quite! Yes, the King is dead, long live the King - thankfully he made it to Basildon. Was that really Andy hiding in Elvis' clothes? Yes, it appeared so as he sang and Keyklix played the American Trilogy which also included Glory Glory Halleluja.

John said before that this show would be talked about for a long time, it's not that often that there are three such first class artists on stage together plus our surprise guest. A big THANK YOU to all of them.

The audience had thoroughly enjoyed themselves having had some great music to listen to as well as enjoying the wit and humour of Andy Oakley. All this enhanced by Keith's lighting skills, all in all it made for a great atmosphere for this very special evening.

There was a terrific buzz at the end of the evening, everybody had obviously enjoyed themselves. Thanks to Ann & John for their hospitality both prior and after the concert , all the hard work of the team, and to you the audience for turning out in such numbers, helping to make the evening such a success. Next month we welcome Dirkjan Ranzijn, the little Dutchman playing the big Boehm organ. See you all then. Catharina.

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.