Monday 15 May 2017

Band of the Royal Marines Scotland raise the roof

I grew up in a house of music. My dad played in a military band for many years and we still take any opportunity we can to go to a concert and enjoy some military tunes. 
The latest outing was to hear the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland, who are on a six day visit to Northern Ireland. 

 

After playing a Beating Retreat in my hometown of Lisburn on Saturday (May 13), they also performed a concert at Alexandra Presbyterian Church in Belfast on Monday (May 15), which is where Dad and I saw them on our latest daddy daughter date night. 
There were plenty of rousing anthems and well known military tunes, with one of the favourites being the William Tell Overture. 

 

There was even a touch of the 70s and 80s thrown in with a medley which included a Lady In Red solo on the sax and Whiter Shade of Pale on the flugelhorn. 
The bandmaster told the audience his percussion section "weren't really musicians because they just hit things" but Musician Alisdair Chatterton certainly "hit things" with great musicianship and skill when he performed a xylophone solo 'Root Beer Rag', which was breathtaking in its speed and complexity. 
The audience seemed to agree when he got a standing ovation for his efforts. 
Special mention must go to the drum corps, who made an appearance to show off their awe inspiring skills of precision. 
There was also some toe tapping and hand clapping when the Ceilidh Band played a selection of reels and Scottish melodies. 
There was even a spot of big band swing music thrown in for good measure. 
The concert rounded off with evening hymns, including Rule Brittania and, of course, the much loved Regimental Marches Heart of Oak, A Life on the Ocean Waves, and We're No Awa Tae Bide Awa. 
Without a doubt the evening was a fantastic showcase for the wealth of talent in the band. It was the perfect opportunity for them to show off their wide ranging and hugely varied repertoire. If you ever get a change to catch them in concert or on parade, you definitely won't be disappointed  

Thursday 4 May 2017

Spend the night with 'The Kinks'

The swinging sixties arrived at the Grand Opera House in Belfast this week as The Kinks musical 'Sunny Afternoon' came to town. 
A couple of weeks ago I had a chat with Ryan O'Donnell, who plays frontman Ray Davies and I must confess before I prepared for the interview I didn't think I knew any Kinks songs. It turns out I know LOADS of them. And so do you, even if you don't realise it. 

 

The show is a typical jukebox musical with the hits of the band carrying along the story of their rise to fame - from humble beginnings in Muswell Hill, getting banned from the States to their triumphant return to Madison Square Garden.  
At times you feel like you are in the middle of a Kinks gig as the electric guitar blasts out and the audience certainly seemed to be rocking along with the hits. 
The show is much funnier than I expected, with plenty of laughs coming, especially from younger, troubled brother David Davies. 
Without a doubt Ryan O'Donnell and Mark Newnham stole the show as brothers Ray and Dave Davies, as you follow the rollercoaster of their complicated relationship. 
I was sitting beside a lovely couple who had seenThe  Kinks live some forty years ago and they were blown away by the show, singing the praises of Ryan who took on the tough job of living up to the legendary Ray. 
The show culminates with the band rocking out Madison Square Garden and the audience couldn't help jumping to their feet to join in the party. 
If you are a fan of The Kinks, a fan of their music, or for that matter even if you aren't a fan but you just want a good night out, then this is the show for you. 
It's funny, moving, emotional, and the music is, of course, outstanding. 
Sunny Afternoon runs at the Grand Opera House in Belfast until Saturday May 6 so do yourself a favour and get tickets now. You won't regret it.