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Post by BSJ on Nov 22, 2014 18:28:40 GMT
You will have had a 20 day wait! Went faster then you thought, didn't it? Give them a few Toots for us!
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Post by unomusette on Nov 22, 2014 21:00:56 GMT
Yay, not too long to wait now, QOTH! Bet you're on pins, I would be. Oi! What happened to my Royal Blood clip? I'll put one at the end of this. Rouen was fab, we weren't sure if it would go ahead as they'd cancelled the UK gigs leading up to it because the singer had tonsilitis. And they did cancel more gigs after this one for the same reason, how lucky were we? The gig was in a converted hangar next to the Seine, there was a HUUGEEE funfair on right next to it so parking was a bit of a free-for all. But once inside they were playing in a small side venue - by a stroke of luck we were just happening past when they opened the door and were able to stroll right down to the front of the stage. I was right at the singer/bassist's feet. The french crowd were bonkers, they always are, and made it a really atmospheric and lively event. The support band (Bad Breeding) were surprisingly good too which was a bonus. A lot of shouting and frenzied guitar, brilliant! Royal Blood rocked the place too, no trace of a problem with the vocals, nice and loud, played all their best songs. Looking forward to seeing them again next year in Newport Centre. Afterwards the fair was still going strong so we had a wander round there, some of the rides looked terrifying All in all, a good trip. Here's the clip, the gig/venue was almost exactly like this My next gig is Saxon next Sunday, I've seen them billions of times but they still make me smile and recall my misspent youth
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Post by queenofthehours on Nov 23, 2014 17:20:12 GMT
Some very bad news on the Procol front . Guitarist Geoff Whitehorn won't be playing due to a chest infection . But the band have got a replacement, a guy called Dave Colquhoun.
Procol Harum always remind me of ELO if they hadn’t developed past Face the Music.
You will have had a 20 day wait! Went faster then you thought, didn't it? Give them a few Toots for us! Longer than that - I've had my ticket since the end of September! As the concert will be broadcast later on BBC Radio 2, I'll remember to give you all a wave during 'A Whiter Shade of Pale' . You may not see it on the radio but I'll do it anyway . I couldn't resist posting this taster of the show - a very short clip of the Crouch End Festival Chorus in rehearsal with the band at Abbey Road:
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Post by unomusette on Nov 23, 2014 20:34:15 GMT
Bad news about the poorly guitarist, but at least it hasn't led to a cancellation. I bet it's on the red button so make sure you wave good and hard - take a sparkly scarf perhaps?
Not long now...
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Post by Horacewimp on Nov 26, 2014 8:22:44 GMT
Look out for Chereene queenofthehours as I think she might be in the BBC Concert Orchestra
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Post by unomusette on Nov 26, 2014 23:07:11 GMT
But Chereene will be sitting down - how would anyone recognise her when her legs are hidden? Hope it was fab queenofthehours, hurry back and tell all as soon as poss.
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Post by queenofthehours on Nov 27, 2014 22:02:46 GMT
Well, I’m back from seeing Procol Harum in the big city and very glad to return to our little ELO village. I'm still feeling a little woozy so I'll save my review for a short time while I get my thoughts together.
What an amazing concert! It was indeed epic to say the least . Listen to BBC Radio 2's Friday Night is Music Night tomorrow evening and you will not be disappointed (if someone more technical than I could make it possible for those of us who cannot receive the BBC to hear the show it would be marvellous). Sadly I don't think it will be avalible on the Red Button .
I did my bit for the ELO gang by giving you all a wave during 'Broken Barricades' . I also wore my ELO badge which nobody seemed to think was out of place.
As the BBC Concert Orchestra was accompanying the band, I would imagine that "our" Chereene was present. Indeed, I did see a blonde lady close to the front of the violin section and the violins featured very prominently in certain songs.
I won't spoil anyone's enjoyment by telling you about the set list or any of Gary's entertaining little tales and comments but both Gary and the band were on top form and genuinely having a fantastic time. No one would think that new boy Dave Colquhoun had been playing with the band for only a few days .
Apparently on Sky News Gary Brooker commented that "...one of the things we hope we can do in playing here is demonstrate to a lot of people that in fact we do a lot more than that one song ... otherwise we wouldn't have lasted that long | ... you have to like music a bit to like Procol Harum, but you know, there are people that like music ..." - A point that would be just as fitting for Jeff and ELO, don't you think?
A review from the Independent newspaper: www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/reviews/procol-harum-dominion-theatre-gig-review-poised-to-reclaim-their-rightful-place-alongside-pink-floyd-in-the-prog-rock-pantheon-9882262.html
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Post by unomusette on Nov 27, 2014 23:44:04 GMT
Sounds fab! The cookery guy on Radio 2 was raving about it too, and made special mention of how good Dave Colquhoun was at short notice (and with a broken ankle?) I'll be giving it a listen for sure
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Post by queenofthehours on Nov 28, 2014 19:24:53 GMT
Procol Harum, Dominion Theatre, London (Monday 24th November 2014). Friday Night is Music Night (for BBC Radio 2).
Gary Brooker (piano, vocals), Dave Colquhoun (guitar), Matt Pegg (bass), Geoff Dunn (drums), Josh Phillips (organ). BBC Concert Orchestra (cond. David Firman), Crouch End Festival Chorus
I made sure to get to Tottenham Court Road early enough to admire the Dominion Theatre’s décor which has just been restored – all reds and golds and decorated beautifully for Christmas in the foyer. The theatre is supposed to be one of the biggest in London yet to me it seemed very compact and intimate, I don’t believe there was a bad seat in the house. The band came on stage at 7.30 with new boy Dave Colquhoun sporting crutches! Later Gary commented that it was “The Procol Luck” that caused them to replace an ill guitarist with another ill guitarist!
The concert opened with ‘Homburg’, a track that I had never previously been blown away with but this performance, with Gary singing so beautifully, bathed in a ray of white light, was just spine tingling. Continuing with ‘Simple Sister’ and ‘Grand Hotel’ GB couldn’t resist a little dig at his old Chrysalis record label and commented that he had to finish on time in order to catch the last train home. He said that the days of grand hotels had passed for the band and they were now reduced to traveling on the tube and eating hamburgers!
The orchestra took a break for ‘Missing Person’ (a GB solo track) which was played by the band only. This song was new to me and it proved to be one of my favourites of the night; a great pop-rock track. ‘Something Magic’, which always works well with an orchestra, followed and then ‘Broken Barricades’ - which apparently features every known chord as well as some not known! Gary’s own ‘Symphathy for the Hard of Hearing’ came next. He told us the story of his neighbour Sid and his time imprisoned in the German work camps during the war. Gary dedicated the track to those who have fought for their country. The big highlight and one of the most highly anticipated tracks of the night came next, ‘A Salty Dog’, which was dedicated to Alvin Stardust and Jack Bruce. GB sang this song perfectly and it was a beautiful moment in the concert, the chorus sang gorgeously and the drums were perfect.
After the interval Gary announced that they were going to have to remedy a technical fault (which nobody had noticed) for the benefit of the radio listeners as the BBC could easily iron out the mistake in post-production. Apparently “the harpsichordist broke wind” according to GB. The band then proceeded to play the intro to ‘A Salty Dog’ again without the fault. Another of my favourites of the night, 'Into the Flood', was an unusual choice for the concert as Procol have never actually gotten around to recording it yet. However, it features a terrific choral and violin break.
'A Whiter Shade of Pale' was the undisputed highlight of the whole show and provided the band with the first of three standing ovations. Gary's vocals were exceptional as was the crowd's reception. GB, humble as ever, quipped that was "always nice to go down well"! It was an amazing moment. ‘The Blink of an Eye’ was introduced by Gary who told us how the track was written about 9/11 and he explained how the band would often talk to the New York fireman as they passed by the fire station whenever they played the city and how many of those men lost their lives. The track segued into the epic 'Grand Finale' cue another standing ovation. 'Conquistador' was the encore with some lively piano by GB followed by a final standing ovation.
Conductor David Firman was arguably more energetic than any of the group; is energy and enthusiasm never let up, he was incredibly animated. While the band as a whole had enough relaxed camaraderie and good feeling on stage that you'd think you were watching them in rehearsal.
Dave Colquhoun, despite being called on at short notice to replace Procol’s guitarist of 23 years Geoff Whitehorn, who was sadly in hospital suffering from a chest infection, had a great rapport with the rest of the band. He played discreetly but could blast out a tasteful solo when called upon despite his broken ankle. As Gary quipped “If he plays like this…I’d like to hear him without a broken ankle”. Dave sat down to play most of the time and also used a music stand but this did nothing to impair his spontaneity.
Gary Brooker himself was in great humour, the perfect host, giving the whole concert the feeling that you had just been invited round to his house for an intimate performance. He was in fantastic voice and full of energy putting his all into every song. It was obvious that both he and the band were having a whale of a time.
I feel very privileged to have seen this concert. From beginning to end it was utterly amazing. I was surprised that it was the newer tracks I enjoyed the most, perhaps it was because of their unfamiliarity. Sadly there was no 'Pandora's Box' but I did come away with a new respect for 'Homburg'. I took a few photos but none of them came out unfuzzy so I'm unsure whether I should share any here.
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Post by BSJ on Nov 29, 2014 19:22:26 GMT
Enjoyed your review, Queenofthehours! I bet it's still all in your head on a loop! What the heck throw at least a photo up! As Uno says - we want proof! I'm hoping that I will be able to hear it one day. Do they put these shows on cd?
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Post by unomusette on Nov 29, 2014 22:03:00 GMT
I'm listening to it now, it's really good even through my digibox. Must have been stunning to actually be there, the orchestra and especially the choir are fantastic. Gary Brooker does some lovely spoken links, he sounds so relaxed and it makes the whole thing extra intimate. Post those pics, your maj!
Can you not listen to BBC stuff online in the US? Bah! I bet someone round here has a way of ripping it... smiley-music025
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Post by BSJ on Nov 29, 2014 22:04:48 GMT
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Post by unomusette on Nov 29, 2014 22:30:59 GMT
Nice one! I bet you love it too, it's fab! Edit: shame there's no Pandora's Box though, it's my absolute favourite and it was in all the trailers
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Post by PowWow on Nov 29, 2014 22:47:05 GMT
Do you think Genesis will have a reunion gig by any chance?
I'd love to see Tony Banks and his magic hands, his wife is bloody lucky to have a man like him!
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Post by unomusette on Nov 29, 2014 23:19:34 GMT
I'd love to see Tony Banks and his magic hands, his wife is bloody lucky to have a man like him! Oh, and no. They all hate Phil Collins innit?
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