DirkJan Ranzijn
DirkJan Ranzijn
October 6th 2007
DirkJan Ranzijn
Concert Pictures
Will appear here after the concert
It was a delight to welcome back the "little" Dutchman playing his mighty big Boehm organ, which had been fitted with a whole new set of sounds. Accompanying him were Cath & Tom Penn (Cath runs his fanclub & does his stage lighting). They bring their complete stage set up, including two Egyptian statues, Mr. Tut & Mr. Amun!
If you have been to his concerts before you know that he does not like to be called an organist, as he puts on a complete entertainment show which is reflected in his program which opened with Hey That Is Music For You, with lots of hand clapping to get everybody going. Full orchestral sounds to the fore with a little known James Last composition When The Snow Is On The Roses, before continuing with a very lively rendition of I Only Want To Be With You.
Dirk does many shows on the continent, including a TV show in the Disney Park in Denmark, where he fell in love with a lovely girl. Alas no happy ending, but memories with Like A Copenhagen Girl. By the way, everything you hear during one of Dirk's shows is completely live; there are no midi files etc. and not a score in sight.
Dirk is not a Hammond player by nature, but still showed off the drawbar sounds on the Boehm with a much loved favorite 'S Wonderful. Changing the atmosphere, a beautiful rendition of Rodriguez guitar concerto, the proper title apparently being Aranjuez Mon Amour. From classical to pop music with an old Carpenter's number There's A Kind Of Hush which Dirk set to some James Last Big Band sounds, very effective too. From the Carpenters to Barbara Streisand with Wind Beneath My Wings set to a palette of colours on his side screens and at the back of the stage.
Remember the pop group Pussycats? When I mention the hit Mississippi, then I am sure you will!! The birds were tweeting along to the saxophone and the orchestra, the tune: The Power Of Love. Dirk then paid his own tribute to the late Luciano Pavarotto with Carouso, which was a huge hit for him around 1986/87. Played with much feeling, you could have heard a pin drop in the hall.
To close the first half we heard a selection of Viennese Music in the style of Andre Rieu and his Johann Strauss Orchestra. If you ever have the chance to see this show on TV, then please watch it. It is delightful to both ears and eyes, as the whole orchestra dresses up for their concerts.
Following the break, Dirk opened up with Roll Around The Clock and in the same style My Bonnie Lies Over The Ocean. Next a sad song about two people going their own ways after a long time together Broken Vow, before cheering us up with Abba's ever popular The Winner Takes All.
Following Dirk's trip up the Norwegian fjords Adagio, another light classical piece. Reviving memories of Grease inclusive of Tell Me More & You're The One That I Want. You could say Dirk loves Les Miserables (he's seen the show 15 times!), playing us the tear jerking Bring Him Home.
Dirk confesses to be a lover of the Eurovision Song Contest, hence his medley of winners from Holland, Israel, France, Sweden - Waterloo and the UK - Save All Your Kisses For Me plus the fanfare which is played at the beginning and end of the contest.
A gently jazzed up Autumn Leaves followed before continuing with Solitaire and Perhaps Love? by John Denver, recorded with Placido Domingo in 1982. Time flies when you are enjoying yourself, sadly it was the end of the show.
Naturally the audience wanted more, Dirk duly obliging with a lively organ samba in the shape of Masquenada. There were lots of favorable comments when people left the hall. Dirk is a super entertainer, has great musician- ship and is always full of enthusiasm for what he does.
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.