REVIEW
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
The Carpenters Story
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
Sunday 23rd June 2019
✭✭✭✭☆ 4/5
The Carpenters Story
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend on Sea
Sunday 23rd June 2019
The Carpenters Story returned to a near capacity Cliffs Pavilion on Sunday. The eight-piece band performed an array of Carpenters' classics such as We've Only Just Begun and Close to You.
A rather cheaply produced piece of footage started the show off, where a radio presenter in a bad Hawaiian shirt is seen speaking into a microphone in an equally poor American accent. We are told that it is 1970 and he gives us some headlines of the day about Nixon, the Beatles etc. This adds nothing to the show as a voice-over with the appropriate footage would have been more effective. Thankfully this only lasted a few seconds!
A rather cheaply produced piece of footage started the show off, where a radio presenter in a bad Hawaiian shirt is seen speaking into a microphone in an equally poor American accent. We are told that it is 1970 and he gives us some headlines of the day about Nixon, the Beatles etc. This adds nothing to the show as a voice-over with the appropriate footage would have been more effective. Thankfully this only lasted a few seconds!
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The songs were sung beautifully by Claire Furley, whose voice was as close to Karen Carpenter's as I've ever heard, and whose charisma easily won over the crowd in a matter of seconds. Phil Aldridge is the musical director and Richard Carpenter of the production. The group boasts a seriously talented group of musicians such as Richard Pardy, a multi instrumentalist who, we are told, was invited to tour with Westlife. If he actually did or not remains unknown. The Carpenters Story also has two classically trained musicians classing up the show: Jude Bridges on violin and Vicky Oliver on oboe.
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The second half had a slightly more upbeat feel with a little more chat from Phil to the audience, photos taken for Facebook and some rocking guitar solos.
The only sombre note came when some news footage reminded us that Karen Carpenter was only 32 when she passed. Her and her brother's music live on through acts such as The Carpenters Story. They have so many songs that several were condensed into a medley. The crowd loved it and the band will be back next year to make The Carpenters Story an ongoing one.
An extremely entertaining evening and must for all Carpenters fans.
Review: James Harrington
The tour continues. See below for details.
An extremely entertaining evening and must for all Carpenters fans.
Review: James Harrington
The tour continues. See below for details.
This highly acclaimed concert style production continues to captivate audiences across the UK with its spectacular celebration of the classic songbook that made The Carpenters a legend in the world of popular music, selling over 100 million albums and singles.
This brand new show for 2019 once again features the outstanding vocal talents of Claire Furley, with Musical Director Phil Aldridge leading The Carpenters Story Orchestra as they re-create Richard Carpenter’s original orchestral arrangements.
Featuring all of the Carpenters hit songs including (They Long To Be) Close To You, Yesterday Once More, We’ve Only Just Begun, Superstar, A Song For You, Rainy Days & Mondays, Goodbye to Love and many more!
For tour information visit The Carpenters Story website link - www.thecarpentersstory.com
This brand new show for 2019 once again features the outstanding vocal talents of Claire Furley, with Musical Director Phil Aldridge leading The Carpenters Story Orchestra as they re-create Richard Carpenter’s original orchestral arrangements.
Featuring all of the Carpenters hit songs including (They Long To Be) Close To You, Yesterday Once More, We’ve Only Just Begun, Superstar, A Song For You, Rainy Days & Mondays, Goodbye to Love and many more!
For tour information visit The Carpenters Story website link - www.thecarpentersstory.com