Byron Jones
Byron Jones
The
Welsh Wizard
March 7th 2009
Byron Jones
Concert Pictureswill appear here
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Byron's return visit to Basildon was long overdue, after his last appearance with Peter Hayward in 2000. Byron is known for creating magical registrations on his Wersi Scala, one look at his console and the computer screen and a mere mortal could easily be confused.
However, it comes as no surprise that he still gives many concerts all over the world. Looking resplendent in his black sequinned jacket (purchased on a recent visit to Thailand), Byron opened his concert with one of his own compositions, namely the Wizard March against a backdrop of "brass band" colours.
The audience having admired his Union Jack socks, Byron launched into Misty and Once In A While. Showing off the different theatre organ sounds we were treated to When Days Are Done, Pack Up Your Troubles before you head to Sussex By The Sea, enjoying Happy Days Are Here Again and Oh I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside.
The softest of Glockenspiel sounds accompanied The Rose; you could almost "see" the dewdrops on the rose petals. Byron's career has spanned some 43 years starting off on a Hammond B200, well that's enough to be Getting Sentimental About You, Sleepy Lagoon, a nice rumba before upping the tempo to a samba with I Love You And Don't You Forget It and all sorts of patterns circulating round the ceiling.
Changing to a green background to signal spring along with church bells tolling, you could not but enjoy the Sound Of Music, sing a long to Do Re Mi, and oh, and those delightful guitar sounds accompanying Edelweiss, before the rich strings provided a rousing finale with Climb Every Mountain.
Then it was 'S Wonderful and time to take in some refreshments. There were plenty of CD's & DVD's for sale as well some very pretty silk scarves for the ladies and ties for the gents, both an absolute bargain.
For the second half Byron sported a silvery sequinned jacket. 1492 Conquest Of Paradise by Vangelis was a much enjoyed request, a hugely successful composition which we don't hear that often.
More dancing shapes on the ceiling set the scene for a medley which culminated in We'll Gather Lilacs In The Spring & England's Green and Pleasant Land with church organ, strings and vocals to the fore.
Another request and a chance to show off the bagpipes and drums with Highland Cathedral. Time for some music from the shows, opening with Phantom Of The Opera with a hidden singer in the organ! Music Of The Night before Tonight and I Feel Pretty from West Side Story concluding with I Won't Send Roses from Mack & Mabel.
A green background was obligatory for the Irish "National Anthem" Londonderry Air or Danny boy, published in a compendium of Irish music by George Petrie in 1855. And if you needed any more culture, the Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco and Nessun Dorma surely filled the gap.
Finishing off his superb concert we heard The White Horse Inn and Land Of Hope And Glory. What a concert, what a night - the traditional Basildon encore was called for which included The Best Of Times and When I Grow Too Old To Dream.
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.