PATSY CLINE - THE CONCERT

PATSY CLINE THE CONCERT, THEATRE SEVERN SHREWSBURY WEDNESDAY 3rd APRIL 2013

Billed as recreating the 50th Anniversary concert, this was more a musical biography. Headline artistes were Sandy Kelly as Patsy Cline and George Hamilton iv as himself.

Backed by a 5 piece band George would come on stage talk about his career and the Grand Ole Oprey then narrates bits of Patsy's life story, before Sandy would come on as Patsy singing songs from the Cline song book along with talking of how her career & family life was going or not going at that particular time of the story.

For me the first half was somewhat flat and never got out of first gear, whilst the second half was more bouncy with some more up tempo material. In the interval I over heard a couple of ladies talking when the one said " I thought I would have known more of her songs, and I didn't know any that he sang". This summed up the first half for me and also reflects on the promotional material for the show if you hadn't heard of the two headliners there was nothing to inform you of who they were, no website or other social network links. This probably answers why the audience was only at approximately 50% capacity.

For an encore we wwere treated to a medley of Patsy Cline hits - Crazy, Back In My Baby's Arms, San Antone Rose, and Blue Moon of Kentucky. With the final song being Rocky Top. to me the sign of a memorable concert is when you go home and cannot get the last tune out of your head, great if it had been  Crazy, Blue Moon of Kentucky, but Rocky Top was not the one to do it.

Having seen a number of shows that use screens projecting original images and footage of the idols being portrayed I think this show would be enhanced conciderably by such technology, cutting down the slow paced narration.

Whilst the stars of the show are well respected artistes in their own rights, for me for this show to last and improve audience figures it would need to be rebilled as Patsy Cline & Friends and introduce tributes of other top country music stars which would have more universal appeal.

Saying all this, those that were there bought programmes and other merchandise so it appealed to them, and they certainly joined in with the more popular singalong numbers of the second half.

All the songs were there - Crazy, Blue moon of Kentucky, After Midnight, Your Cheatin' Heart, I Fall To Pieces, Sweet Dreams, San Antone Rose, and 2 Cigarettes in an Ashtray.

Alan Crowe

If you were at this or any show on the current tour please feel free to add your comments on how you saw the show!

BILLY FURY YEARS

BILLY FURY YEARS - THEATRE SEVERN SHREWSBURY 8th MARCH 2013.

From the outset this was not going to be just a tribute act but a show dedicated to keeping the memory of Billy Fury alive.

As the curtain raised the back screen showed a film clip of early Liverpool, setting the scene for Billy's early life. Then comes the year 1959 and the start of Billy's musical career.

The band, fronted by Michael King go into a selection of Billy's songs including - That's Love (from Sound of Fury album), Wondrous Place, Just Because, Margo, plus others before Michael left the stage with the band going into Shakin' All Over.

Shindig from 1965 appears on the screen and Michael returns to the stage dressed in a gold lame suit and straight into "Lost Without You" followed by my personal Fury song apart from the hits - "Nothing Shakin' But The Leaves On The Trees" and then "If I Love You" which was also covered by Shakin' Stevens. Followed by "Find Another You" and "Fools Errand", then "Rip It Up" on which the bass player showed his showmanship by picking up his double-bass and playing it like a guitar, standing on it, and lying on it whilst playing. Time for Michael to live the stage leaving the band to play "Wipe Out".

The screen informs us it is now 1973 and with another change of stagewear Michael gives us "A Thousand Stars", "Once Upon A Dream", "Like I've Never Been Gone" Jackie DeShannon's "I Must Be Dreaming" before closing the first half with "A King For Tonight".

Opening the second half Michael is dressed identically to the image of Billy on the screen and gave superb covers of "Give Me Your Love" and "Last Night Was Made For Love". Then followed Chuck Berry's "Sweet Little 16", "My Baby Left Me" "Unchain My Heart" and "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" with lead guitarist on harmony.

Next up was the "Hippy Hippy Shake", "Run To My Loving Arms" and "I Will" along with others. Sat upon two stools Michael and the lead guitarist played an accoustic  "Help Us" in tribute to Billy's brother Albie (aka Jason Eddie) who passed away about 15 months ago.

"In Thoughts Of You" came next, followed by the last song that Billy had sung live which was in Northampton "Maybe Tomorrow" then another Chuck Berry classic "Johnny Be Goode" and so not to be out done by the bass players earlier antics the lead guitarist used the instrumental breaks to play his instrument behind his neck.

Then came a clip from 1983 with Alan Freeman introducing Billy on the TV show "Unforgettable". Again dressed identical to the screen image of Billy, Michael took us to Billy's highest chart position of No2 with "Jealousy". One new that the concert was coming to a close when Michael delivered "Devil Or Angel" and then "Forget Him" which was Billy's last ever record release.

With the entire audience on their feet swaying their arms the show closed with "Only Make Believe", bidding farewell to the audience Michael left the stage with the band going into a drum solo.

Of course no Billy Fury show is complete without the anthem - "Half Way To Paradise", with Michael returning to the stage, the audience were up on their feet and joining in. Sadly the concert was over all too quickly and it was time to go home, but not without stopping in the foyer to chat with Michael who posed with photos with fans, signed autographs and chatted with the assembled crowds.

One thing that I was really pleased to see is the branding of this show - the fliers, posters, bass drum skin, and slide on the screen were identical. It is nice to see acts are spending time enhancing the overall image of the show.

If you want to know more about the show, forthcoming dates etc click here!

If you were at this show or any of the others on the tour please feel free to add your own comments!

Billy, Cliff and Jess

Many thanks to Jess Conrad for sending in this excellent photograph of himself with Billy Fury and Cliff Richard.

Fort Perch Rock March 2013

Mike White, Don Woods, Cliff Roberts, Alan Crowe

The monthly Merseybeat Story took place at Fort Perch Rock New Brighton on Sunday 17th March. MC for the afternoon was revivalist DJ Ala Cra (Alan Crowe) who had travelled up from Mid Wales, and who as each month got the afternoon off to a flying start with a 60s music quiz with a few questions that got the audience scratching their heads.

Dave Williams (L) presents certificate to Don Woods

Next up was Don Woods a longtime Liverpool musician who treated the crowd to a number of songs that they could sing a long with, a few irish numbers because it was St Patricks day. Following Don's spot, he was inducted into the Merseybeat story Hall of Fame by Dave Williams another longstanding Liverpool musician.

Following a short break Don Woods interviewed Arty Davies a drummer with numerous Liverpool bands over the years, who talked how he never let his disability (Polio) stop him from achieving. This was followed by Dave Williams interviewing the Panda Footed Prince of Prance - Faron of Faron's Flamingoes.

Faron, Joe Flannery, Tony Booth
. (Posters on wall were painted by Tony)

Colin McCourt & Faron

Others present included Cliff Roberts (Cliff Roberts & the Rockers), Joe Flannery, Tony Booth (poster artist), Mike White, David Garrick, & Colin McCourt.

If you were present why not add your comments!

REG PRESLEY RIP

60s rock star Reg Presley of The Troggs has died of lung cancer.

Aged 71 Reg was lead singer with The Troggs, best known for their 1960s hit "Wild Thing". He died in his home in Andover, Hampshire surrounded by family and friends.

Presley founded The Troggs in the 1960s and became famous with hits like "Wild Thing" and "A Girl Like You". His career received a boost in the mid 1990s when first REM and then Wet wet Wet covered the Toggs' 1967 hit "Love Is All Around".

GOLD DISC FOR JESS

Jess Conrad goes for Gold. Received Gold Disc for 100,00 sales for Three Steps to Heaven, a compilation album on the Universal Lable which was devised by Jess and features some of his hits.

JAMES BURTON WEEKEND

JAMES BURTON, Friday 19th July, 7-30pm, Floral Pavilion Theatre

ALOHA from New Brighton (Part One)

James Burton one of the world greatest guitarist who has played with Elvis, Rick Nelson, John Denver to name a few will be joined on stage by friends and fellow musicians

in a Rock 'n' Roll tribute to his musical life, on this the 40th anniversary year of 'Aloha from Hawaii'.

Joining James on stage will be Suzi Quatro, Liverpool Express, Chris Clayton, Eric Faulkner, 

Tony Davis and Count John McCormack (The Spinners), Dave Sharp (The Alarm),

The Passionettes and Susan Hedges. Your compere for the evening is Comedian Hal Nolan

Ticket Price £23-00

JAMES BURTON Saturday 20th July, 7-30pm, Floral Pavilion Theatre

ALOHA from New Brighton (Part Two)

For this second evening of tribute to the legendary guitarist James will be joined by a strong 'Best of Merseyside'.

Charlie Landsbourgh and his band, Pete Wylie, Brian 'Nasher' Nash (Frankie goes to Hollywood), Vince Earl, Don Woods, Dean Johnson, Cliff Roberts, Geoff Nugent, Nicky Crouch,

The Passionettes and The Liverpool Ukulele Orchestra, with your compere for the evening Billy Butler MBE.

  

Ticket Price £23-00

 JAMES BURTON Sunday 21st July, 7-30pm, Fort Perch Rock.

ALOHA from New Brighton (The Final)

To bring the weekend to a close, James Burton, Los Pacaminos (featuring Paul Young) and Rip Roaring Success.

An evening of singing, dancing and Tequila. 

Compere "Ala Cra".

Ticket Price £14-00

Various discounted tickets and many add on events all available on www.floralpavilion.com or www.fortperchrock.org