Royal Hall, Harrogate – 4 July 2015
with guest vocals Annalene Beechey, Anna-Jane Casey, Matt Ford & Richard Morrison
The John Wilson Orchestra return to Harrogate as part of the International Festival. The hand picked ensemble with its mixture of symphony orchestra and big band replicate the sound of the great Broadway and Hollywood orchestras. At its heart is a high-gloss sound of magnificence and sophistication. Put together and conducted with prodigious flair and attention to detail by the debonair figure of John Wilson. It is truly something very special.
Wilson has shied away from an evening of just familiar tunes, but instead has mixed the big hitters like “I Get a Kick Out of You”, “Your the Top” and “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” with lesser known numbers such as “Love of my Life”, “The Physician” and “Please Don’t Monkey with Broadway” and provides a broad representation of Porter.
The soloists were sensitive to the music of Cole Porter’s vocal lines. Annalene Beechey cast an almost operatic aura over So in Love, Richard Morrison brought a huge personality to Where is the Life that late I led and Night and Day. Matthew Ford and Anna-Jane Casey, both remarkably engaging performers, were simply stunning in Who wants to be a Millionaire. But it is the stunningly talented Ms Casey who steals the entire show with the show stopping Blow Gabriel Blow from Anything Goes. From the beautiful dresses to the outstanding vocals the whole show shines from top to bottom.
The John Wilson Orchestra are touring again in the autumn with a show based on the songs of Gershwin, which is sure to be s’wonderful and s’marvellous