The Orchestra live at Newcastle Journal Tyne Theatre - 2nd November 2009
Here is my review of The Orchestra's great gig at Newcastle Journal Tyne Theatre on Monday, November 2nd 2009.
A nice short 60 mile drive across the A69 for the nearest venue to Carlisle on this years tour. Two friends came along with me this time for their 'fix' of The Orchestra live. Having arrived in Newcastle early we decided to have a couple of drinks and a meal in a local Persian Restaurant close to the theatre. The meal was superb and we also had a few members of The Orchestra having their pre-gig meal there too. Off to the venue just after 7 o'clock where I chatted with Serena on the merchandise stall and Jeff Brooks who had travelled over to the U.K. from the U.S. for the gigs in Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow.
We took our seats in the fourth row slightly to the right side of the stage, and concert start time approached, the theatre was filling up to about half-full (a case of poor promotion locally).
The lights dimmed and the new intro music started as the band came out of the shadows to take their places on stage. We all started to clap and cheer as the band started off with 'Rock & Roll Is King', which was followed by 'All Over The World'. Loud applause and cheering followed as Mik came into the spotlight as the band performed the classic 'Livin' Thing'.
Next up was the return of 'Strange Magic', nicely sung by Eric. Phil then came to the front to introduce the next song which has never been performed live by either E.L.O, E.L.O. Part 2 or The Orchestra and that only the 'die-hard' E.L.O. fans would know the song - 'Four Little Diamonds' from the album 'Secret Messages'. With Mik Kaminski taking to the keyboards, this was a great performance and has now become one of my favourite live songs by the band.
'Wild West Hero' up next followed 'Showdown' with stunning guitar and vocals by Phil. 'Sweet Talking Woman' which was next got a loud cheer from us all, as a few of the audience finally stood up, singing and clapping along to the track and a couple of fans even venturing up close to the stage for a bit of dancing. Lou Clark then came down to the front to introduce the band members, including his drinking buddy of the past 35 years Mik Kaminski and chatting about the sad loss of Kelly Groucutt earlier this year.
'Twilight' next, followed by the return of the early E.L.O. hit '10538 Overture'. Again an absolutely stunning performance of one of my favourite E.L.O. songs with a surprise twist at the end with the song ending with the outro of The Beatles track 'Dear Prudence'. My two friends loved this as they are huge Beatles fans.
Glen Burtnik on bass then intro'd the huge South American hit 'Last Train To London' which got a few of the audience up dancing and clapping along followed by 'Do Ya' with Eric Troyer front of stage on guitar with Phil & Glen. Phil then told the audience this was the end of the first part of the show, and as Kelly would have said, 'go and have a few drinks and the second part of the show will sound even better'!!
After the break, Glen came to the front to introduce the second half of the show beginning with an acoustic-style performance of his song 'Watching The World Go By', assisted by Phil on second acoustic guitar. Phil then introduced the next songs from E.L.O. Part 2, 'One More Tomorrow' written and sung by Phil, and '1000 Eyes' written and sung by Eric Troyer and my favourite E.L.O. Part 2 song. Both songs received polite applause from the audience.
The 'singing drummer' Gordon Townsend then took centre stage with a fantastic rendition of the George Harrison penned Beatles song 'If I Needed Someone'. Check out the video of this on my Youtube channel. Loud applause from the audience for this one.
Mik Kaminski then came under the spotlight with his violin solo which then blended into Eric's unique re-working of 'Twist And Shout'. Again the audience cheering to this superb song. Mik Kaminski then stepped up to the microphone to introduce his hit single with the band Violinski, 'Clog Dance'. This got the audience back on their feet clapping along.
More of the classic E.L.O. songs folllowed next with fans clapping along to 'Ma Ma Ma Belle' and 'Evil Woman'. 'Telephone Line' slowed things down for a moment with great vocals from Eric. Then Phil introduced another new addition to the set list 'Calling America', another of my favourites and the crew obviously having a bit of fun as on the screen behind the band was an arrow pointing down towards Eric Troyer with the comment 'Calling Him Erica'!! Superb.
More hits followed with the crowd clapping and singing along and more dancing up front by the stage to 'Hold On Tight', 'Turn To Stone', 'Roll Over Beethoven' and into the final song 'Mr Blue Sky' which received loud cheers and applause as the band took their bows.
The audience clapped and cheered until the band returned with 'Don't Bring Me Down'. Lots of audience participation with this the last song with Phil, Glen, Eric and Mik urging everybody to get on their feet and sing along. The band then came to the front to receive a standing ovation.
Another superb concert by the band, in front of a quietish audience, compared withthe rousing gig in Liverpool and the following night in Glasgow (see my reviews). Looking forward to my next gig in Glasgow the following night, as we headed back off to the car for the short journey back home to Carlisle.
The Set List.......
Intro
Rock & Roll Is King
All Over The World
Livin' Thing
Strange Magic
Four Little Diamonds (inc. Dear Prudence)
Wild West Hero
Showdown
Sweet Talking Woman
Lou Clark introduces the band members
Twilight
10538 Overture (with a touch of Dear Prudence)
Last Train To London
Do Ya
break
Watching The World Go By (ft Glen Burtnik & Phil Bates)
One More Tomorrow / 1000 Eyes
If I Needed Someone (ft Gordon Townsend on vocals)
Twist & Shout
Mik Kaminski comments
Clog Dance
Ma Ma Ma Belle
Evil Woman
Telephone Line
Calling America (inc. Jet)
Hold On Tight
Turn To Stone
Roll Over Beethoven
Mr Blue Sky
encore
Don't Bring Me Down
Check out the Videoclips page to access my Youtube channel to see some videos from this concert.
Review & photos (c) Jim Hoban - 8th November 2009
Here is my review of The Orchestra's great gig at Newcastle Journal Tyne Theatre on Monday, November 2nd 2009.
A nice short 60 mile drive across the A69 for the nearest venue to Carlisle on this years tour. Two friends came along with me this time for their 'fix' of The Orchestra live. Having arrived in Newcastle early we decided to have a couple of drinks and a meal in a local Persian Restaurant close to the theatre. The meal was superb and we also had a few members of The Orchestra having their pre-gig meal there too. Off to the venue just after 7 o'clock where I chatted with Serena on the merchandise stall and Jeff Brooks who had travelled over to the U.K. from the U.S. for the gigs in Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow.
We took our seats in the fourth row slightly to the right side of the stage, and concert start time approached, the theatre was filling up to about half-full (a case of poor promotion locally).
The lights dimmed and the new intro music started as the band came out of the shadows to take their places on stage. We all started to clap and cheer as the band started off with 'Rock & Roll Is King', which was followed by 'All Over The World'. Loud applause and cheering followed as Mik came into the spotlight as the band performed the classic 'Livin' Thing'.
Next up was the return of 'Strange Magic', nicely sung by Eric. Phil then came to the front to introduce the next song which has never been performed live by either E.L.O, E.L.O. Part 2 or The Orchestra and that only the 'die-hard' E.L.O. fans would know the song - 'Four Little Diamonds' from the album 'Secret Messages'. With Mik Kaminski taking to the keyboards, this was a great performance and has now become one of my favourite live songs by the band.
'Wild West Hero' up next followed 'Showdown' with stunning guitar and vocals by Phil. 'Sweet Talking Woman' which was next got a loud cheer from us all, as a few of the audience finally stood up, singing and clapping along to the track and a couple of fans even venturing up close to the stage for a bit of dancing. Lou Clark then came down to the front to introduce the band members, including his drinking buddy of the past 35 years Mik Kaminski and chatting about the sad loss of Kelly Groucutt earlier this year.
'Twilight' next, followed by the return of the early E.L.O. hit '10538 Overture'. Again an absolutely stunning performance of one of my favourite E.L.O. songs with a surprise twist at the end with the song ending with the outro of The Beatles track 'Dear Prudence'. My two friends loved this as they are huge Beatles fans.
Glen Burtnik on bass then intro'd the huge South American hit 'Last Train To London' which got a few of the audience up dancing and clapping along followed by 'Do Ya' with Eric Troyer front of stage on guitar with Phil & Glen. Phil then told the audience this was the end of the first part of the show, and as Kelly would have said, 'go and have a few drinks and the second part of the show will sound even better'!!
After the break, Glen came to the front to introduce the second half of the show beginning with an acoustic-style performance of his song 'Watching The World Go By', assisted by Phil on second acoustic guitar. Phil then introduced the next songs from E.L.O. Part 2, 'One More Tomorrow' written and sung by Phil, and '1000 Eyes' written and sung by Eric Troyer and my favourite E.L.O. Part 2 song. Both songs received polite applause from the audience.
The 'singing drummer' Gordon Townsend then took centre stage with a fantastic rendition of the George Harrison penned Beatles song 'If I Needed Someone'. Check out the video of this on my Youtube channel. Loud applause from the audience for this one.
Mik Kaminski then came under the spotlight with his violin solo which then blended into Eric's unique re-working of 'Twist And Shout'. Again the audience cheering to this superb song. Mik Kaminski then stepped up to the microphone to introduce his hit single with the band Violinski, 'Clog Dance'. This got the audience back on their feet clapping along.
More of the classic E.L.O. songs folllowed next with fans clapping along to 'Ma Ma Ma Belle' and 'Evil Woman'. 'Telephone Line' slowed things down for a moment with great vocals from Eric. Then Phil introduced another new addition to the set list 'Calling America', another of my favourites and the crew obviously having a bit of fun as on the screen behind the band was an arrow pointing down towards Eric Troyer with the comment 'Calling Him Erica'!! Superb.
More hits followed with the crowd clapping and singing along and more dancing up front by the stage to 'Hold On Tight', 'Turn To Stone', 'Roll Over Beethoven' and into the final song 'Mr Blue Sky' which received loud cheers and applause as the band took their bows.
The audience clapped and cheered until the band returned with 'Don't Bring Me Down'. Lots of audience participation with this the last song with Phil, Glen, Eric and Mik urging everybody to get on their feet and sing along. The band then came to the front to receive a standing ovation.
Another superb concert by the band, in front of a quietish audience, compared withthe rousing gig in Liverpool and the following night in Glasgow (see my reviews). Looking forward to my next gig in Glasgow the following night, as we headed back off to the car for the short journey back home to Carlisle.
The Set List.......
Intro
Rock & Roll Is King
All Over The World
Livin' Thing
Strange Magic
Four Little Diamonds (inc. Dear Prudence)
Wild West Hero
Showdown
Sweet Talking Woman
Lou Clark introduces the band members
Twilight
10538 Overture (with a touch of Dear Prudence)
Last Train To London
Do Ya
break
Watching The World Go By (ft Glen Burtnik & Phil Bates)
One More Tomorrow / 1000 Eyes
If I Needed Someone (ft Gordon Townsend on vocals)
Twist & Shout
Mik Kaminski comments
Clog Dance
Ma Ma Ma Belle
Evil Woman
Telephone Line
Calling America (inc. Jet)
Hold On Tight
Turn To Stone
Roll Over Beethoven
Mr Blue Sky
encore
Don't Bring Me Down
Check out the Videoclips page to access my Youtube channel to see some videos from this concert.
Review & photos (c) Jim Hoban - 8th November 2009
