concert in Lucca
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 11:38 am
I'm back home in windy London after going to the concert in Lucca last night.
Big crowd - several thousand I'd say - on a warm evening, in one of the picture perfect squares in this divine Tuscan walled town.
Mario Biondi was warm-up - much loved by the Italian audience, songs too samey for me.
Then Burt did a full 2-hour set. It followed the usual format of 3 blocks of medleys, with some add-in songs.
The interesting points were:
1 Burt has decided to sing more songs himself - not sure that's a good thing! - including the whole vocal on Wives and Lovers. At one point his voice gave out completely (during A House is Not A Home), and he had to be bravely rescued by Eliza James on the violin
2 absolute highlight - Josie James singing a full length "Are You There With Another Boy" - I have long adored this song
3 John Pagano was stunning, best I've ever heard him. He outsung Mario Biondi if you ask me.....
4 other unexpected songs - the theme music to Butch Cassidy and the SDK - played twice for no obvious reason!; and super super super My Little Red Book
Other observations:
1 Italian audiences often applaud hard during a song, when the singer reaches a crescendo point; for example at "I want him, I want him to hurt..."; it's an odd habit, but it kind of engages the audience into the performance more and I found myself doing it too
2 nice moment for Eliza when Burt briefly halted the concert to allow her to tune her violin, then thanked her and shook her hand (David will be able to give us the full story of tonight)
3 trademark Bosendorfer piano as always
4 both John and Josie seem to have lost half a stone and looked lean, tanned and toned. I have to say Burt is looking his age, though, especially his walking speed on and off the stage.
Great evening, the Italians know how to enjoy their wonderful summers, the bars and restaurants were still open after midnight.
Big crowd - several thousand I'd say - on a warm evening, in one of the picture perfect squares in this divine Tuscan walled town.
Mario Biondi was warm-up - much loved by the Italian audience, songs too samey for me.
Then Burt did a full 2-hour set. It followed the usual format of 3 blocks of medleys, with some add-in songs.
The interesting points were:
1 Burt has decided to sing more songs himself - not sure that's a good thing! - including the whole vocal on Wives and Lovers. At one point his voice gave out completely (during A House is Not A Home), and he had to be bravely rescued by Eliza James on the violin
2 absolute highlight - Josie James singing a full length "Are You There With Another Boy" - I have long adored this song
3 John Pagano was stunning, best I've ever heard him. He outsung Mario Biondi if you ask me.....
4 other unexpected songs - the theme music to Butch Cassidy and the SDK - played twice for no obvious reason!; and super super super My Little Red Book
Other observations:
1 Italian audiences often applaud hard during a song, when the singer reaches a crescendo point; for example at "I want him, I want him to hurt..."; it's an odd habit, but it kind of engages the audience into the performance more and I found myself doing it too
2 nice moment for Eliza when Burt briefly halted the concert to allow her to tune her violin, then thanked her and shook her hand (David will be able to give us the full story of tonight)
3 trademark Bosendorfer piano as always
4 both John and Josie seem to have lost half a stone and looked lean, tanned and toned. I have to say Burt is looking his age, though, especially his walking speed on and off the stage.
Great evening, the Italians know how to enjoy their wonderful summers, the bars and restaurants were still open after midnight.