Jean Martyn
Jean Martyn
November 3rd 2007
Jean Martyn
Concert Pictures
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Jean opened the show dressed in a long black skirt and a black sequinned jacket, she opened her program on the Yamaha EL900 in sparkling form with a couple of lively numbers, namely On A Wonderful Day Like Today & I've Got Rhythm. Slowing the tempo down a little, it was strings, guitars and the piano to the fore with Unchained Melody and Somewhere In Time.
Following an accident last year, Jean was unable to pedal with her left foot and showed us how to do it with the right foot in what I believe was called Amperita Roco - well done Jean - and for good measure The March Of The Cobblers from "Brassed Off" with spots going off in all directions in the background.
Showing off the wonderful theatre organ sounds we were treated to a show at the Circus Renz, followed by the Czardas and to finish off Dizzy Fingers. Watching her fingerwork by way of the mirror above, it was a job not to feel dizzy!! So to calm us all down, a lovely rendition of Amazing Grace, The Musicbox Dancer and Mr. Woo, all set to differently coloured shades by Keith.
Jean knows how much I love Latin American music and kindly included some in her program. Two rumbas in the shape of Spanish Eyes & Something Stupid followed by the Girl From Ipenema set to a Bossa. The More I See You was next, and then Brazil and Caravan, the latter played to a samba rhythm and set to a lively background.
A complete contrast, using the oboes and clarinets for bird sounds, we heard the Thieving Magpie. Time to go to the pictures with Take My Breath Away from the film "Topgun" and Up Where We Belong. From the cinema to the West End with some music from the ever popular Westside Story and the Sound of Music.
Now it was time for refreshments and the raffle, Jean was chatting and nearly forgot to change! She rushed upstairs to change into a beautiful full length black dress set off with a black & white ruffle over her shoulders for her return to the West End for Any Dream Will Do, The Phantom Of The Opera & The Music Of The Night, set to the night blue of the evening sky. Nice Keith! - Jean has been on the organ circuit now for some 25 years, congratulations Jean and well done!
Carrying on with some classical music and again some very nifty fingerwork for Bach's Toccata, a Prelude In Classical Style and the Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba. No wonder she needed a slice of Hovis, with Jean playing us the Largo from the Hovis Advert, taken from Dvorak's New World Symphony.
Oh When The Saints Go Marching In was set to a lively rock'n'roll rhythm, before slowing the tempo once more with Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Jean occasionally helps out with the music at a local crematorium and thus the "Crem" medley came into being: Blaze Away; Smoke Gets Into Your Eyes and the Ring Of Fire.
In November we remember those who have served our country and We Remember Them and all the Forces they serve in. Jean paid her own tribute to the Airforce, the Army and the Navy with the RAF Marchpast, Rule Britannia and Life On The Ocean Waves. During the war years people managed to find some relaxation with music in the Glenn Miller style, like a String of Pearls -Don't Sit under the Appletree - Chattanooga Choo Choo and Moonlight Serenade. There were many more popular tunes like It's A Long Way To Tipperary, The White Cliffs Of Dover, Lily Marlene, Now Is The Hour, Abide With Me & Nimrod.
To close her program Jean played us a selection of Big Band music from the Forties and for her encore Feelings, dedicated to Bob, who is now her manager and drives her to concerts all over the country. It was lovely to have you back Jean. You presented a very well rounded program of music, much enjoyed by all those present. All enhanced as usual by Keith's supreme lighting skills.
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.