Post by wingsj0 on Dec 28, 2005 16:37:23 GMT
A Concert with Joe Brown - 2004 UK Tour - By Marilyn Reynolds.
The lights dimmed, Joe Brown strolled on, with that oh so familiar grin. He still has the trademark shock of hair, not quite so blond as it used to be but still trim and boyish and somehow unchanged by time. He stood there on stage, looking all around and grinning whilst we kept clapping. He asked how we were doin’ and then The Bruvvers, equally casually, joined him on stage and without any fuss , Joe and his Bruvvers launched into a Gospel song called "Rock My Soul". They stood around one single mic and sang without any musical accompaniment whatsoever. Their harmonies were spot on and it was clear that we were in for a very good evening’s entertainment.
After the opening number, The Bruvvers collected their musical instruments and it was at this point, realisation dawned that the stage was pretty bare. There was none of the usual paraphernalia that accompanies a band; just two mic’s, a double bass and a couple of guitars. Joe, picked up an acoustic guitar, all the while carrying on his banter with us and then played "Memories You Gave To Me" followed by "Sally Ann". He then started Henry V111, much to our delight, but then suddenly stopped. He teased us for a while, pretending that he wasn’t going to do it, but of course, he did - and didn’t we just love it!
After a few more numbers Joe produced a guitar, the like of which I have never seen before. It was the most peculiar shaped thing and he called it his "Go" guitar! Joe gave a very funny explanation of how it came to be called that, which had us all in stitches. However, when the first few notes of Amazing Grace drifted into the auditorium there was instant silence from the audience - this guitar and Joe, produced a truly amazing sound. And so the show continued. In between hilarious anecdotes and banter, Joe Brown and his Bruvvers hit you with every style of music in their amazing repetoire. There was Blues, Gospel, Skiffle, Country & Western as well as Rock & Pop.
When Joe and the Bruvvers came on stage for the second half - this time, the stage was set for a band. One Bruvver was in a suit and got whistled at as he strolled over to the right hand side of the stage, which made everyone laugh; The drummer literally disappeared behind his drums and we didn’t see him for the rest of the show! This certainly was a twist on the old adage of being "seen and not heard"!
They started with a Rock number entitled "Something Else" and after a few more numbers Joe picked up a Mandolin and played an Italian Wedding Waltz. This was delightful and underlined what a great musician he is. Then in complete contrast, he hit us with an Irish Reel, after which, he actually got round to introducing The Bruvvers!! We then learned that it is Dave on Bass and Double Bass; Phil on Drums and Neil on Guitar. The introductions complete, Joe started the intro to the classic "Picture of You" and we were right there with him. We clapped, we stomped and sang and loved every minute of it.
After a couple more numbers, they finished the concert with "Boogie Woogie Flu" - it was great fun to see that Joe could still swivel his hips and after an encore, he left the stage. I thought that was it! However, he came back on stage, with his hands behind his back, looking very mischievous as he bowed and I wondered what he was up to. With a flourish, he produced a ukulele and walked to the mic; there he stood alone in the spotlight, playing the uke, and singing the beautiful "I’ll See You In My Dreams". I was so moved that I had a huge lump in my throat. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, because when he finished there was a moment of total silence before everyone broke into rapturous applause. After more bowing and with a cheery wave, Joe finally left the stage along with his very talented Bruvvers.
After the show, Joe came into the bar to sign autographs and have a chat before leaving. Joe Brown is a charming, funny and talented musician. I, for one, can’t wait to see one of his shows again. It had been a brilliant evening - a total revelation to me, for I had thought that Joe Brown just did his sixties stuff! I came out of that show with a huge grin on my face - it’s obviously very infectious, that Joe Brown grin!
Marilyn Reynolds
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.
The lights dimmed, Joe Brown strolled on, with that oh so familiar grin. He still has the trademark shock of hair, not quite so blond as it used to be but still trim and boyish and somehow unchanged by time. He stood there on stage, looking all around and grinning whilst we kept clapping. He asked how we were doin’ and then The Bruvvers, equally casually, joined him on stage and without any fuss , Joe and his Bruvvers launched into a Gospel song called "Rock My Soul". They stood around one single mic and sang without any musical accompaniment whatsoever. Their harmonies were spot on and it was clear that we were in for a very good evening’s entertainment.
After the opening number, The Bruvvers collected their musical instruments and it was at this point, realisation dawned that the stage was pretty bare. There was none of the usual paraphernalia that accompanies a band; just two mic’s, a double bass and a couple of guitars. Joe, picked up an acoustic guitar, all the while carrying on his banter with us and then played "Memories You Gave To Me" followed by "Sally Ann". He then started Henry V111, much to our delight, but then suddenly stopped. He teased us for a while, pretending that he wasn’t going to do it, but of course, he did - and didn’t we just love it!
After a few more numbers Joe produced a guitar, the like of which I have never seen before. It was the most peculiar shaped thing and he called it his "Go" guitar! Joe gave a very funny explanation of how it came to be called that, which had us all in stitches. However, when the first few notes of Amazing Grace drifted into the auditorium there was instant silence from the audience - this guitar and Joe, produced a truly amazing sound. And so the show continued. In between hilarious anecdotes and banter, Joe Brown and his Bruvvers hit you with every style of music in their amazing repetoire. There was Blues, Gospel, Skiffle, Country & Western as well as Rock & Pop.
When Joe and the Bruvvers came on stage for the second half - this time, the stage was set for a band. One Bruvver was in a suit and got whistled at as he strolled over to the right hand side of the stage, which made everyone laugh; The drummer literally disappeared behind his drums and we didn’t see him for the rest of the show! This certainly was a twist on the old adage of being "seen and not heard"!
They started with a Rock number entitled "Something Else" and after a few more numbers Joe picked up a Mandolin and played an Italian Wedding Waltz. This was delightful and underlined what a great musician he is. Then in complete contrast, he hit us with an Irish Reel, after which, he actually got round to introducing The Bruvvers!! We then learned that it is Dave on Bass and Double Bass; Phil on Drums and Neil on Guitar. The introductions complete, Joe started the intro to the classic "Picture of You" and we were right there with him. We clapped, we stomped and sang and loved every minute of it.
After a couple more numbers, they finished the concert with "Boogie Woogie Flu" - it was great fun to see that Joe could still swivel his hips and after an encore, he left the stage. I thought that was it! However, he came back on stage, with his hands behind his back, looking very mischievous as he bowed and I wondered what he was up to. With a flourish, he produced a ukulele and walked to the mic; there he stood alone in the spotlight, playing the uke, and singing the beautiful "I’ll See You In My Dreams". I was so moved that I had a huge lump in my throat. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one, because when he finished there was a moment of total silence before everyone broke into rapturous applause. After more bowing and with a cheery wave, Joe finally left the stage along with his very talented Bruvvers.
After the show, Joe came into the bar to sign autographs and have a chat before leaving. Joe Brown is a charming, funny and talented musician. I, for one, can’t wait to see one of his shows again. It had been a brilliant evening - a total revelation to me, for I had thought that Joe Brown just did his sixties stuff! I came out of that show with a huge grin on my face - it’s obviously very infectious, that Joe Brown grin!
Marilyn Reynolds
Please note all articles on this site are (C) to The Beat Goes On And On Fanzine and may not be used without permission.