Chris Powell
Chris Powell
July 4th 2009
Chris Powell
Concert Pictureswill appear here
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It was over four years ago we were last entertained by Chris; how time fly's! Chris intersperses his engagements in Britain playing the AT-900C Roland Atelier organ, with overseas concert tours of the U.S, Australasia and Europe. His recordings have featured on BBC Radio 2's 'The Organist Entertains'.
Chris, in a plum coloured jacket, opened with Foot Tapper, a Shadow's hit of the 60's with guitar and voices registration. Facing the crowd sitting at the AT-900, Chris asked 'Feeling romantic'? He played a Carpenters medley including; Wont Last a Day, Day after Day, No getting over a Rainy Day and Top of the World with theatre organ, clarinet and voices to a red backdrop, lovely.
Chris then gave us I can't give you anything but love, ahh. Thanks to our newly acquired video setup, Pete our video guru captures every move! Using a big band sound we heard Lullaby of Birdland and 42nd Street with voices, piano, xylophone and trumpet.
Ring of Fire and Blanket on the Ground followed with a red and green backdrop. With bells and bagpipes, drums and choir, Highland Cathedral followed. Taking us back we heard Cliff Richard's Living Doll played to a slow jive. With a bright 'sun' and blue background courtesy of Keith we heard Summer Holiday, smashing. C.S Lang's Tuba Tune was next, using a Church Organ registration, lovely. Chris followed this classical piece with a medley of show tunes including from Oliver; Pick a Pocket or Two and Food Glorious Food, played with tuba and voices. Any Dream Will Do from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and then from Evita we heard Don't Cry for me Argentina with choir and lovely piano registration. From Fiddler on the Roof 'If I were a Rich Man' with fiddle, tambourine plus orchestral brass followed. 'Consider Yourself' from Oliver completed this medley.
Chris then launched into a Blackpool medley including Beside the Seaside, Tootsie, Bye Bye Blues, Around the World, Blue Moon and Goodnight Vienna played with a great Wurlitzer registration to neatly round off the first half of the evening.
After tea'n biscuits we were ready for a dazzling second half as Chris reappeared on stage resplendent in white jacket trimmed in silver, wow. He opened with the rousing Dam Busters march, complete with bursting shells! Back in romantic mood we heard You Raise me Up to a lovely clarinet and strings backing, delightful.
Glenn Miller's Pennsylvania 6-5000 came next with full backing group, Fabulous. My Love has Come Along and In the Mood was to follow. Elizabethan Serenade and Happy Music came up next played with flutes, strings and choir.
Chris then played 'History of Love' the lovely rhumba, immortalised by Torvill and Dean. The 'Shakin' Stevens number 'This Ole House' livened up proceedings along with Bill Haley's Rock Around the Clock played to Draw bar organ registration, guitar and piano. Misty was to follow using a breathy sax' and tremolo strings.
Returning to music from the shows, up next was I Don't Know How to Love Him from Jesus Christ Super Star and a medley of songs from Les Miserables. Climb Every Mountain from The Sound of Music rounded off this section. Back to swing, Muscat Ramble, Has Anybody Seen my Girl, Bill Bailey, I Wanna be Like You and 'Saints' with trad' band sounds with lots of clarinet registrations got us going!
Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance march and Land of Hope and Glory had our hands waving in the air! Of course, no BKC concert ends without an encore! Chris took us back to the Blackpool Tower once more, playing Tiger Rag at about 3 times normal speed, with the camera showing Chris's feet in a whirl! What an evening.
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.