'Elvis Forever' 2010 London Concert

The producer Anthony Cherry commenced the proceedings by introducing himself and saying a few words about the Concert. He then introduced Chris Evans (BBC Radio 2 DJ) the compere for the night. Chris bounded on the stage in a typical 'garish' shirt and was in good humour and spirits throughout the Concert. He performed his role admirably and when introducing the artists and tracks proved that he knew what he was talking about with lots of accurate information.

'Elvis Overture' - BBC Concert Orchestra
The Orchestra was a massive 60 piece one with the men dressed in white Tuxedos and the women in black. They opened in traditional Elvis style by playing what we all know as the '2001 Theme'. I love this music and always get a buzz every time I hear it. A first rate Orchestra with years of experience behind them.

'Blue Suede Shoes' - Scouting For Girls
This is a very popular group with today's teenagers and they got the show going with a classic Elvis track. The band were 'tight' and the bass player was particularly effective, coming across loud and clear. I was not that impressed with the lead singer but they seemed to be having fun and are known Elvis supporters as they had a Top10 release in the UK recently with 'Elvis Ain't Dead'.

'Can't Help Falling In Love' - Fran Healy - TCB Band, BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices. I must be honest in that I found Fran Healy to have a weak voice and not very impressive. He did a routine job on the Elvis track from 'Blue Hawaii'.   'I Just Can't Help Believing' - Marti Pellow - TCB Band, BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices. Marti Pellow, former lead singer with popular group 'Wet Wet Wet' has a nice voice and gave a competent rendition of this popular classic track from Elvis' Vegas era. Not an easy song to sing but the TCB Band and Capital Voices (all professional singers in their own right) helped Marti deliver the goods. (Right; Marti Pellow formerly of 'Wet Wet Wet')

 

'My Baby Left Me/That's All Right Mama' - Imelda May + Band I had been looking forward to seeing Imelda May after viewing her performances on YouTube and she did not disappoint. Lots of energy and a great voice and backing band. The classic Elvis tracks were done in true 50's style with slap bass producing a great sound. Most surprisingly, after delivering what had been the highlight of the show so far she did not appear to get the applause she deserved. Most strange and I cannot fathom this one out. Following her performance the compare Chris Evans came on stage and said 'Imelda will be back later if you want her'. Unfortunately she did not return for an encore later as most of the other artists did. Strange!! (Right:Imelda May impressed with her rockabilly style)

'Always On My Mind' - Fyfe Dangerfield - TCB Band, BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices
A new artist on the scene and one I had never heard of before. His hair style was unkempt covering a lot of his face and I thought that aspect let him down. However, he has a beautiful clear voice and sang 'Always On My Mind' to perfection. Playing acoustic guitar he had minimal backing and did not need it. No doubt we will be hearing more of Fyfe in the future.

'You've Lost That Loving' Feelin' - Tony Hadley - TCB Band, BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices
Former member of Spandau Ballet, Tony Hadley, is an accomplished singer and did an excellent job on 'Feelin'. He has a strong voice and looked as though he was enjoying the experience.

'Burning Love' - Jon Allen - BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices
Another new face on the scene, Jon Allen,  did a good version of 'Burning Love' without being outstanding.

'Are You Lonesome Tonight' - Craig David - BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices A real surprise here for me. Craig David was outstanding and for me was the best singer at the Concert. His rendition of 'Lonesome' was sung with real sensitivity and he made a fan of me instantly. I had never listened to any of his records before but I will now. (Right;Craig David) 'Such A Night' - Elio Pace - BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices Elio is also a new name for me and whilst doing 'Such A Night' justice was not particularly outstanding. However, he used the stage well and showed off his piano playing skills by joining the Concert Orchestra player in the middle of the song. 'It's Now Or Never' - Tony Christie - BBC Concert Orchestra An old favourite, Tony Christie, sang a straightforward version of 'Never'. Whilst having a good voice, Tony did not add anything to the Elvis original.

'If I Can Dream'/'You're The Devil In Disguise' - Nell Bryden + Band
Yet another artist I had not heard of before but she performed both tracks well. She is very much in the style of Imelda May and really gave both tracks her all. We will no doubt be hearing more from her in the future.

'Return To Sender/'She's Not You' - The Magnets (Acapella)
Using only their voices, The Magnets attempted to deliver both songs in novel fashion. Personally I feel they did not come across too well and needed more experience in this genre. However, they were enjoying themselves and did their best.

'Love Me Tender' - Fyfe Dangerfield
Fyfe's second visit to the stage was to sing the classic Elvis movie track. Again he had no backing but certainly had the crowd singing along with him. This artist has a promising career ahead of him. A good find.

'All Shook Up'/Johnny B. Goode - Suzi Quatro & TCB Band Suzi Quatro has been an Elvis fan since 1956. She came on stage in her traditional black leathers, turned to the TCB Band and said "Tonight we are going to kick some..." She then paused and said "Oh I don't know if we are allowed to say that on air - however we are going to kick ASS!!" And she certainly did with the help of the TCB Band. She performed both tracks well, particularly 'Johnny B. Goode'. Excellent. She looked a little tired tonight no doubt due to her playing in Germany the night before. A class act.

'Leiber And Stoller Medley - BBC Concert Orchestra
Now it was the turn of the Orchestra to shine on some Elvis songs and they were very good.

'Heartbreak Hotel' - Jon Allen - BBC Concert Orchestra
Jon did a fairly good version of this track without being anything special.

'I've Lost You' - Mica Paris - BBC Concert Orchestra And Capital Voices
Mica, known as the UK's 'Queen Of Soul', has been around a long time and in fact appeared on the first Elvis Tribute Show as mentioned above. She has a powerful voice and delivered an excellent version of the rarely performed Elvis track 'I've Lost You'. She had a minor upset during the first few bars of the song when the microphone was playing up.

'Bridge Over Troubled Water' - Tony Hadley - The TCB Band and BBC Concert Orchestra.
The second performance by Tony Hadley and he again proved that he has a strong voice singing voice perfectly suited to this type of song. He commented what a great night this was.

'You Don't Have To Say You Love Me' - Michael Ball - TCB Band, BBC Concert Orchestra & Capital Voices Michael Ball is better known for his theatrical performances and his most famous role was in the stage production of 'Jolson'. He has an excellent voice and certainly sang this Elvis and Dusty Springfield classic to perfection.

'In The Ghetto' - Marty Pellow - TCB Band - BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices
Marty's second song at this Concert and he did a really nice version of 'Ghetto' without being exceptional.

'Hound Dog' - Scouting For Girls
The second song for this young group. Not as good as their first effort mainly due to this track being more suited to a 'performance' a la Elvis.

'A Little Less Conversation' - BBC Concert Orchestra and Capital Voices
KT Tunstall, a new name to me, sang this very well without adding much to the original. She used the stage throughout.

Priscilla with BBC radio personality Chris Evans.

Priscilla Presley
It was now the turn of Priscilla to be introduced to the audience and I must say she came over very well and did Elvis proud. She spoke of lost opportunities by Elvis to tour overseas, specifying the UK as being particularly loyal to The King. She emphasized how much Elvis loved his fans and that although he was no longer here in person his spirit was here this night and that his main love was singing for his fans. On behalf of all the Presley family she thanked the fans for their continuing loyalty.

At this stage of the proceedings quite a few fans were expecting Lisa Marie to be introduced to the audience by Priscilla but apparently she was not in attendance. Personally, I find this very strange behaviour by Lisa. Now living about forty miles from the Concert venue she cannot bother to attend. Very disappointing.

Tom Jones Priscilla then introduced Sir Tom Jones, who had received top billing. He performed three Elvis tracks, one of them 'Run On' being his latest single release and two others - 'Tryin' To Get To You' and an unrehearsed 'One Night'. All three were performed very well but in a routine fashion for Jones. Of course one can see why he became famous - his voice. However, he belts songs out without thought for 'feeling'. He said that he had been friends with 'Elvis Presley' (note he did not use the more friendly 'term 'Elvis'). He gave a plug to his latest album and then was off. Interestingly, prior to leaving the stage he appeared to be in deep conversation with James Burton and I'm sure the crowd thought he was going to do another encore but he did not. Be interesting to know what they were talking about - I would not be surprised to find Burton or the TCB band on Jones' next album!!

Then came the highlight of the evening....

ELVIS Then came the highlight of the evening - THE KING on the big screen singing 'The Wonder Of You' backed by the TCB Band, of course, and the BBC Concert Orchestra. James got a big cheer when Elvis said "Play The Song James" and the big screen focused on James as he was then and now. Again, I appreciate that this was a Tribute Concert but I do feel that Elvis should have sang three songs, perhaps 'Suspicious Minds' and 'American Trilogy' or 'If I Can Dream'. They would really have got a great crowd response.

VIVA ELVIS - 'Suspicious Minds'
Then Chris Evans introduced 'Suspicious Minds' from the Las Vegas Cirque Du Soleil production 'Viva Elvis' and as it happens, Elvis' forthcoming single release here in the UK. The single is taken from the 'Viva Elvis' album but the BBC Concert Orchestra played along with it. The crowd were bopping and moving around to this. At the same time as the track was being played a firework display lit up the sky all around the big stage.