Saturday February 12, 2011

Guilty Pleasures Hosted by John Regan: Orchestra London's Red Hot Weekends; February 2011

by Brian Hay

The show began with a wonderfully spirited rendition of 'Physical' from Kathryn Rose. She was on fire. After the song ended host John Regan took over and gave a short introduction as to the nature of the program. It was warm, witty and as filled with affection as Kathryn's take on 'Physical' was with passion and enthusiasm. Gavin Hope came out and delivered a spectacular cover of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give Up on You'. He followed it with A-Ha's 'Take On Me' and the stage was almost set. David Blamires did Gilbert O'Sullivan's 'Alone Again, Naturally' and that was it. The audience was entirely ready to go scuba diving in the waters of our musical guilt. Hell, I was ready to add a few leagues to those depths.

The program was one highlight after another. Kathryn Rose gave a fabulous rendition of 'Can't Get You Out of My Head'. Rique Franks reminded everybody why we loved Cher's 'Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves' (even while we were harping about how bad the song was). She also gave a stellar performance of Britney Spears hit, 'Toxic'. It's nice to hear it done by a singer who doesn't need Auto-Tune or some kind of pitch correction processor to do it justice. Rique more than gave it that. David Blamires made fans of people who ever criticized 'Babe'. He cracked the house up with his commentary about the song as well. I won't say what it was in case he repeats it. Gavin Hope made the Village People's 'YMCA' a thing to like, and even love. It was amazing.

The execution involved in every facet of this show was magnificent. The arrangements that Peter Brennan and Jeff Christmas created set up a wonderful dynamic that allowed the orchestra and ensemble to play with and off of each other. The rhythm parts, especially those for the drums, were very elaborate. Dale Anne Brendon made them seem as easy as falling off a log. She and bass player Kevin Muir formed a platform that set the band and orchestra up to rock. Peter Brennan, as he always does, played some incredibly tasteful licks on the guitar. His playing and sense of expression is matched only by the restraint he shows. The string arrangements were exquisite and the rendering given to them by the orchestra was gorgeous. The dialogue between the percussion and the brass was stellar. Conductor Mitch Tyler and Associate Concertmaster Mary Elizabeth had the orchestra hopping. She's doing a great job while Joe Lanza is away.

There really isn't a word (or I can't think of one anyway) to do justice to the excellence of the singers who performed in this show. The arrangements for vocal harmony were complex and demanding. This group made them seem effortless. Kathryn Rose, as she always does, showed her writer's gift for finding the expression inside a song. That she can belt songs out or inject a touch of silk doesn't hurt either. Rique Franks can blow the roof off a place or turn a song into a caress. She's captivating to watch and listen to. David Blamires and Gavin Hope both have a range that spans several octaves. Blamires brings wit, affection and joy to everything he sings. On his lips pieces like 'Silly Love Songs' (Maple Syrup on Corn Syrup but brilliantly crafted) work because he makes them believable. Hope is a consummate performer. He sings so as to move the heavens. He moves like a cat. He's funny. And he's a catalyst. His energy spreads to everyone around him. John Regan was a fabulous host who tied all this together beautifully. He's funny, warm and entirely engaging. And he never stops working to engage both the audience and performers in the extracurricular fun a live show has to offer.

This show provided another stellar illustration of the calibre of the entire organization that makes up Orchestra London. They embrace a repertoire that includes everything from baroque to pop and perform it with panache. Their ability to bring new ideas to things they've already touched is phenomenal. Both 'Daydream Believer' and 'Ben' were covered recently in their Pops Series. Those arrangements, for orchestra and singer, (if memory serves) were created by Jeff Christmas. The arrangements for this show, for orchestra, singer(s) and rock band, were written by Peter Brennan and Jeff Christmas. Every one retained the integrity of the original pieces while bringing something fresh to them. These songs are guilty pleasures to be sure. But they endure because they're also extremely well crafted pieces of music. When they're performed by ensembles with the level of talent, dedication and enthusiasm this group had they stop being guilty pleasures and simply become as good it ever gets.

If this is something to be guilty about let my cup flow over, please. And when it does, fill another, okay.

This show was performed at Centennial Hall in London Ontario on Friday the Eleventh of February, 2011. It's being played again tonight (Saturday February 12, 2011) at the same venue. Anyone who can should attend and bask in their guilt.

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