Daniel Watt
July 2nd 2011
Korg PA3X
Full recording of this concert available on
D.V.D.
Daniel has changed from his trusted Wersi to the Korg PA3X system, consisting of two keyboards, a full Hammond pedal board and a Wersi expander. There were screens either side of the stage showing us not only what Daniel was getting up to on stage, finger~ and footwise, but also various clips of other celebrities in the music world.
So, starting off with a picture of Michael Buble in concert and a mauvish background courtesy of Keith, we had some very big orchestral sounds from the PA3X for Cry Me A River. Using just the top PA3X keyboard, a red backdrop for a romantic number entitled The Look Of Love, a beautiful ballad enhanced by some great piano playing and superb strings.
Just by magic Three Little Brown Jugs appeared on the screens, some big band music by a certain Glenn Miller to go with it, great fun. If you had not heard of Josh Groban by now, you certainly did tonight, Gira Con Me Questa Notte (the world wanders with me) was from his first album, the choir voices Daniel produced were out of this world and also heavenly strings, all enhanced by Keith's kaleidoscope of colours and patterns which were to make appearances throughout the concert.
Opening with some more of those exceptional piano sounds, we heard Imagine by the late John Lennon. Mr. Van Gellis 1492 - A Conquest Of Paradise was next, a red/green background and pictures of the Spanish Armada all set to a huge orchestral arrangement, great stuff.
Our very own Ann and John are keen dancers with Daniel managing to entice them to just in front of the stage dancing to an Argentinean Tango Libertango, with Keith showing off one of his new lights, which could be described as a set of coloured tennis balls, very effective and anyway, it had been Ladies Final Day at Wimbledon.
Time to calm down with a ballad Don't Know Why, made famous by Nora Jones, for which Daniel used a super mixture of Hammond and harmonica sounds. Magical.
Saxophones to the fore with a couple of dance tunes, i.e. Days Of Wine And Roses and Be My Love.
The last piece of music before the break was a tribute to gospel singers using some more Hammond sounds for Amazing Grace.
Thanks must go to Alan and Doreen who were coping with our video cameras as well as Daniel's additional pictures, you did a fantastic job!
Another superb arrangement opened the second half in the shape of Superman before we were treated to a Beatles Medley which included amongst others Let It Be, Obladi Oblada and Michelle.
Daniel pointed out how nice it is to ring the changes, say play a tune, normally played as a quickstep and set it to a Bossanova instead, great to hear 'S Wonderful by Cole Porter, featuring some scat guitar sounds.
The next tune has been recorded by both Rosemary Cluny and Michael Buble; this was Daniel's arrangement of their arrangement of Sway played in salsa style.
I'll Stand By You was a big hit for The Pretenders, featuring some of those great vocal sounds once more. Most of us probably won't make it to San Francisco, but at least we could admire some pictures whilst listening to If You Go To San Francisco, this being the only hit for Scott McKenzie.
Harmonized vocals were just great for a tune recorded by various artists, The Prayer, absolutely beautiful. If you had not heard of the group The Secret Garden, then you did now with Elan, set to a green backdrop. Daniel also included a stint with him singing, Angels by Robbie Williams. Well done Mr. Watt!
Daniel not only travels all over the country, but takes frequent trips to the States, hence he was pleased to feature Home in his program for us.
Daniel knows the BKC "rules" as well as anybody and anyway, we were not going to let him get away without an encore after his superb concert. He duly obliged with Music by John Miles. Watching his footwork during this piece of music was enough to make you feel dizzy!
Korg PA3X
For more information on the Korg PA3X visit the Korg web site