Beatles, Blues & Blue Violin live at The Keys Restaurant, Huddersfield - 1st March 2009
Here is my review of the superb 'Beatles, Blues & Blue Violin' concert featuring Mik Kaminski, Phil Bates and Tina McBain performed at a very unusual venue. This sold-out concert took place in The Keys Restaurant which is situated in the crypt below St. Peters Church in central Huddersfield on Sunday, March 1st 2009.
It was a late decision by myself & Sue to travel across to see Mik, Phil and Tina but we are now really pleased we did go. Prior to the concert, we were treated to a superb three-course meal with every table booked. The Keys Restaurant is situated in the crypt below St. Peters Church and what a stunning venue for both a meal and a concert, the acoustics are amazing.
We chatted with Tina and Ian prior to the concert and they were really looking forward to this second tour of BBBV. It was also going to be an emotional show for everybody, particularly Mik and Phil who are devastated after the dreadful news of their long-time friend and colleague from The Orchestra, Kelly Groucutt who sadly passed-away on the 19th February after suffering a heart attack.
Phil & the 'legendary' Mik took to the stage shortly before 8pm and performed a blues track by JJ Cale and then the first Beatles song of the night, 'In My Life'.
Tina came onto stage to join Phil & Mik to sing the Beatles track 'Can't Buy Me Love' which she sang beautifully. The audience applauding loudly to this performance.
Tina left the stage as Phil introduced the first of only two of his own songs to be played this evening. This being 'Port In A Storm' which he and Mik performed during last years Orchestra U.K. shows. This is one of mine and Sue's favourites, and again it was well received by the audience.
Tina then returned to the stage for the final songs of the first half of the show, 'Old Love', 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Come Together'. The on-stage 'banter' between Phil and Tina is very amusing with the audience in stitches at times, and with Mik joining in with a few quips 'off-mic' there is a great chemistry between the three. The first half of the show ended with Phil saying the second part of the show would sound even better after everybody had been for a few drinks from the bar, a comment made regularly by Kelly at Orchestra gigs :-)
Phil took to the stage after the short break and played an excellent acoustic instrumental version of 'Here Comes The Sun', followed by the livelier 'She's A Woman'. Next up was to be Phil's second solo song of the night and definitely my own personal favourite Phil song. There was much laughter as Phil explained about the audience participation required for this song and as we were in the crypt of a church, he hoped the 'locals' would not be too upset. The song of course being 'Waiting For The Shit To Hit The Fan'. I think everybody eventually joined in the singing on this and loud applause followed.
After the laughter of the previous song, the next was always going to be a 'difficult' one for Phil, Mik and the E.L.O. / Orchestra fans in the audience as Phil introduced the first of three E.L.O. songs they would be performing which he dedicated to Kelly who he knew would be looking down on us all tonight. A stunning acoustic arrangement of 'Showdown' followed which received great applause.
Another Beatles song 'I Feel Fine' followed next and then the E.L.O. classic 'Evil Woman'. Tina then rejoined Mik and Phil for 'I'd Rather Go Blind', 'Get Back', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and the final song 'With A Little Help From My Friends'. Loud applause followed the final song and we were all cheering 'more, more'.
Phil and Mik then returned for one final track, again Phil dedicating the song to Kelly Groucutt. As Phil played the opening chords of 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head', the tears welled-up in our eyes and certainly a few tears were being shed by many others in the audience throughout this wonderful, emotional song. What a lovely ending to a very emotional concert.
An excellent show to start off this second BBBV tour which is a must-see for any Beatles and E.L.O. fan. Phil, Mik and Tina have put together a truly original concept with unusual and unique reworkings of classic songs. The tour deserves to be a big success and we are already looking forward to the November 2009 tour.
Review & Photos (c) Jim Hoban [except where stated] - 3rd March 2009
Here is my review of the superb 'Beatles, Blues & Blue Violin' concert featuring Mik Kaminski, Phil Bates and Tina McBain performed at a very unusual venue. This sold-out concert took place in The Keys Restaurant which is situated in the crypt below St. Peters Church in central Huddersfield on Sunday, March 1st 2009.
It was a late decision by myself & Sue to travel across to see Mik, Phil and Tina but we are now really pleased we did go. Prior to the concert, we were treated to a superb three-course meal with every table booked. The Keys Restaurant is situated in the crypt below St. Peters Church and what a stunning venue for both a meal and a concert, the acoustics are amazing.
We chatted with Tina and Ian prior to the concert and they were really looking forward to this second tour of BBBV. It was also going to be an emotional show for everybody, particularly Mik and Phil who are devastated after the dreadful news of their long-time friend and colleague from The Orchestra, Kelly Groucutt who sadly passed-away on the 19th February after suffering a heart attack.
Phil & the 'legendary' Mik took to the stage shortly before 8pm and performed a blues track by JJ Cale and then the first Beatles song of the night, 'In My Life'.
Tina came onto stage to join Phil & Mik to sing the Beatles track 'Can't Buy Me Love' which she sang beautifully. The audience applauding loudly to this performance.
Tina left the stage as Phil introduced the first of only two of his own songs to be played this evening. This being 'Port In A Storm' which he and Mik performed during last years Orchestra U.K. shows. This is one of mine and Sue's favourites, and again it was well received by the audience.
Tina then returned to the stage for the final songs of the first half of the show, 'Old Love', 'Eleanor Rigby' and 'Come Together'. The on-stage 'banter' between Phil and Tina is very amusing with the audience in stitches at times, and with Mik joining in with a few quips 'off-mic' there is a great chemistry between the three. The first half of the show ended with Phil saying the second part of the show would sound even better after everybody had been for a few drinks from the bar, a comment made regularly by Kelly at Orchestra gigs :-)
Phil took to the stage after the short break and played an excellent acoustic instrumental version of 'Here Comes The Sun', followed by the livelier 'She's A Woman'. Next up was to be Phil's second solo song of the night and definitely my own personal favourite Phil song. There was much laughter as Phil explained about the audience participation required for this song and as we were in the crypt of a church, he hoped the 'locals' would not be too upset. The song of course being 'Waiting For The Shit To Hit The Fan'. I think everybody eventually joined in the singing on this and loud applause followed.
After the laughter of the previous song, the next was always going to be a 'difficult' one for Phil, Mik and the E.L.O. / Orchestra fans in the audience as Phil introduced the first of three E.L.O. songs they would be performing which he dedicated to Kelly who he knew would be looking down on us all tonight. A stunning acoustic arrangement of 'Showdown' followed which received great applause.
Another Beatles song 'I Feel Fine' followed next and then the E.L.O. classic 'Evil Woman'. Tina then rejoined Mik and Phil for 'I'd Rather Go Blind', 'Get Back', 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' and the final song 'With A Little Help From My Friends'. Loud applause followed the final song and we were all cheering 'more, more'.
Phil and Mik then returned for one final track, again Phil dedicating the song to Kelly Groucutt. As Phil played the opening chords of 'Can't Get It Out Of My Head', the tears welled-up in our eyes and certainly a few tears were being shed by many others in the audience throughout this wonderful, emotional song. What a lovely ending to a very emotional concert.
An excellent show to start off this second BBBV tour which is a must-see for any Beatles and E.L.O. fan. Phil, Mik and Tina have put together a truly original concept with unusual and unique reworkings of classic songs. The tour deserves to be a big success and we are already looking forward to the November 2009 tour.
Review & Photos (c) Jim Hoban [except where stated] - 3rd March 2009
