Kevin Grunill plays Technics FN3
Kevin Grunill
March 6th 2010
Technics FN3
The springtides of March had not quite arrived yet, so it was just as well that Kevin eased us into the evening with a lively rendition of The Trolley Song. Just to make sure that we did not get over excited, he immediately changed tempo and style with a hauntingly beautiful ballad by Josh Groban from Canada with The Broken Vow.
The third item in Kevin's concerts is always a waltz medley, hence Keith and I sometimes sit there trying to guess all the titles between us, but we do know that Elenora featured amongst the selection! After that rather dexterous finger exercise, the tempo slowed down once again with Misty, set to a soft bluey/greenish background which somewhat reminded me of a fresh morning gently dawning, before some big band sounds took us into Don't Blame Me before concluding with The Nearness Of You.
The team try their best to "convert" the schoolhall into a concert, but nevertheless Kevin thought it appropriate to play the High School Cadets March by John Sousa. Nice one. Rogers and Hammerstein go together like funfairs and carousels and from the musical of that name we heard If I Loved You, finishing off with some super pedal work and set to a romantic red background.
Robert Farnon stayed in Great Britain having emigrated from Canada during the war, composing the rather lively Peanut Polka in the 1950's, giving Keith the chance to play with some lights and shapes.
Another waltz medley with amongst others Answer Me My Love and Always. The first half had flown by and before we knew it, it was time for refreshments but not before we had an excerpt from the Can Can plus La Via Pariseienne, The Gallop, The Trish Trash Polka and The Thunder And Lightning Polka and a touch of the Czardas. Super stuff.
Kevin was, as we know, the resident organist at the North Pier in Blackpool from 1997 to 2005. He is also the proud holder of the 2001 Yorkshire award of the Special Personality of the Year. Now he is not only Organ Builder, General Manager, but also Resident Organist of "The Scarborough Fair Collection", which opened in June 2008. Plus the biggest Wurlitzer organ outside America is currently being restored. Well worth a visit by the sounds of it.
Kevin opened the 2nd half of the concert on his Technics FN3 with The Lady Is A Tramp, Stepping Out With My Baby, Midnight In Moscow where you could you could be Dancing Cheek To Cheek. Something totally different in the style of a Hungarian gypsy violin and harp in the left hand Play Fiddle Play, delightful.
Blue and green colours and Eric Coates were Calling All Workers and as you might as well enjoy it Music Whilst You Work! Some George Shearing sounds next for I'm In The Mood For Love, When You Wish Upon A Star and Fly Me To The Moon. Then it was time to head off to Chinatown, I Don't Want To Set The World On Fire, I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles and yes, It's A Sin To Tell A Lie. A nice leisurely rendition of Old Man River followed before Kevin concluded his concert with a selection from La Cage Aux Folles finishing off the medley with The Best Of Times.
Kevin knows the BKC rules by now, and with the audience asking for "more more" he duly obliged with The Devil's Gallop, which was, of course, the theme tune from Dick Barton.
What a super evening with delightful music we had enjoyed, many thanks Kevin. We look forward to your next visit.