Friday Night is Music Night - 21 Sep 2007

[Stephany]

Awwwh, a million thanks Dave.
I really, REALLY like 'I feel pretty'. The live version is absolutely wonderful and - I think - definitely the highlight of the concert. A real gem. Bravo and thank you Hayley. Her other solo, 'Somewhere', was also good, but I personally prefered Woburn's version. Not sure why, though. Anyway, thanks again Dave for recording this amazing concert - it's a real joy to listen to it.

Stephany

[thomas]

Hi all!

I've found this thread today and I couldn't believe that I haven't found it earlier.
Thank you everybody for the fantasic repotrs and pictures. That was, without question, a perect performance and it's great to hear that you enjoyed it so much.

Of course I'm green with envy!

Thomas

[Oksana]

Thank you Dave for your recording, and everyone else for your reports and pictures! "I Feel Pretty" is without a doubt the highlight (or rather Haylight i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif) of the evening. It's so fun and expressive. I especially love her intonation on "such a pretty dress." I can't even imagine a different version of this song. It seems to me that Hayley's is definitely the definitive version.

Oksy

[graemek]

Many Thanks from me too Dave,
I'd add my request for Michael Xavier's Maria too for your later Post.

The guy is just too good....and hefty power too I thought.

Vittorio has such a marvellous voice that I'd written MX off with no hearing.
Sorry Micheal....you were absolutely brilliant !!!!

America too, Dave can't be passed over.
In fact, I'd better say, all the songs.

Many thanks Dave for all this,

Very greatly appreciated by both Marianne & I,
Graeme
And Hayley, you were utterly stupendous....love Graeme & Marianne

[Dave]

graemek said:

...America too, Dave can't be passed over.
In fact, I'd better say, all the songs.

Hi Graeme,

All the Songs - you missed it!

Night all!

Dave

[Richard]

Hello folks!

I listened to the whole programme last night and it was fantastic. I must agree that Hayley's 'I Feel Pretty' was the absolute highlight, but the whole show was superb from start to finish. It made a big difference being part of the audience, so thanks again to Stephany for finding the details in time for us to get tickets! i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I've made a couple of minor amendments to my version of the playlist, including crediting David Combes for his part in 'New York, New York'. He was one of Capital Voices.

Best Wishes,

Richard

[grant]

Hi Dave

Many thanks for your efforts putting this together. Didn't have time last night, but I'm listening to the WSS segment right now.

Seemed a bit strange listening to Paul Gambaccini's introduction and realising that I knew what he was going to say next!

My favourite's on now - One Hand, One Heart (swoons)

best wishes
Grant

[Jeff]

"Somewhere" and "Tonight" were the highlights for me and although Hayley was great in "I feel pretty" , the tone of the song does rather conflict with her demure personality. At 9pm I switched over to Classic FM for the other 50th anniversary being marked the moment, the death of Sibelius in 1957.

[grant]

Wowwweeeeeeeeee!!!!

Just finished listening to Dave's masterly recording and re-lived the whole thing again. What a superb evening it was. As Martin has already commented, I could clearly hear myself shouting more at the end (always wanted to be on the radio!)

I remember, as the applause went on and on, commenting to Martin "They'll cut most of this". Well they didn't!! and all credit to them. It was an incredibly well received performance by a 'full house' audience and deserved to be part of recording.

I still say that for me, the highlight on the night was the ensemble ending of "Tonight" but really, you had to be there to see and feel the tremendous effort put into it by all the performers, particularly Hayley, whose last note virtually lifted me out of my seat!!

As for the other songs, well, it seems we all have our particular favourites and I guess that's how it should be. One final point though. On the night, I was not that taken by Michael Xavier's "Maria", but I have to say, he sounded much better hearing it a second time.

Thanks Dave; thanks a million!

Best wishes
Grant

[Martin]

dave said:

The orchestra and backing singers were brilliant too!

Dave

I entirely agree Dave. More often than not support artists and musicians are overlooked in reviews but in this case we were treated to superb professionals enjoying their work. The BBC concert orchestra in particular deliver this high standard week in, week out on Friday nights.

There have been differing comments on Michael Xavier's performance. My own view was that he suited the part well as indeed his voice. He has considerable musical theatre experience and he recently took the part of Raoul in Phantom of the Opera in London. (Incidently Stephany you girls will find him quite "dishy" !).

Martin

[Richard]

Hello folks!

Our lady members might be interested to know that I've found Michael Xavier on MySpace HERE.

Mind you don't crash the Internet, girls!

Richard

[Dave]

richnorri said:

I've made a couple of minor amendments to my version of the playlist, including crediting David Combes for his part in 'New York, New York'. He was one of Capital Voices.

Thanks Richard for updating the incorrect BBC playlist! After listening to the programme and checking your playlist, I have now identified the members of the cast and added their names to my photo of the cast and orchestra here

Richard (or anyone!) would you mind checking my captions for correctness when you have a spare minute? In particular, have I correctly identified David Combes (of Capital Voices)?

Finally, here is the main outstanding problem. I know the names of the individual members of Capital Voices (Paul Gambaccini announced them after "America") but apart from David Combes, can we identify individually in the photo the members of Capital Voices? Their names are:

David Combes, James Spilling, Stephen Hill, Annie Skates, Jacqueline Barron, Emma Kershaw.

Cheers, Dave

[Martin]

dave said:

Finally, here is the main outstanding problem. I know the names of the individual members of Capital Voices (Paul Gambaccini announced them after "America") but apart from David Combes, can we identify individually in the photo the members of Capital Voices? Their names are:

David Combes, James Spilling, Stephen (Steven?) Hill, Annie Skates, Jacqueline Barron, Emma Kershaw.

Cheers, Dave

Hi Dave
I can name the Capital girls for you. In order on the photo (after Mary Carewe) they are; Jacqueline, Annie and Emma.

(Annie Skates is a very well known and respected vocal coach within the business).

Martin

[Richard]

Hello Dave!

I agree with Martin about the three girls. Capital Voices is actually an agency, and Annie Skates is the Director. See www.capitalvoices.com

You have correctly identified Jon-Paul Hevey and Michael Xavier, but I'm not certain about David Combes, because he has hair on his website: www.davidcombes.com

Actually it's on his head, not his website!

Edit (see Dave's next post): I've searched too, but I can't find any photographs of James Spilling or Stephen Hill either.

Richard

[Dave]

Thanks guys, I also found photos of the girls and brief mentions of the guys too, so I have updated the photo captions... hopefully now in the right order i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

I think David Combes is the same one... minus his hair! but I haven't been able to separate Stephen Hill and James Spilling as one is hidden and I can't find any internet photos of them.

Cheers, Dave