Evening all. I'm not in a position to say much right now, for two reasons. The first is that I'm at my parents en route from Manchester to a 1930's garden party themed wedding in Hereford (cravat ahoy!).The second is that I simply don't know what I CAN say about the gig I was at last night: Elbow and the Halle Orchestra at the Bridgwater Hall in Manchester. Specially arranged and orchestrated by the Halle's Joe Duddell, the gig was part of the 2009 Manchester International Festival. It was, to say the least, an event.
Put simply I'm not sured I've ever been so overwhelmingly moved in a huge variety of ways by an evening of music in my life. At the interval, after the immense first half, Mrs Frod, myself and our two companions all agreed that we felt like we had been 'catharsised'. I was in bits during 'Switching Off' and '...Tower Crane Driver' defied belief.
The arrangements were sensitive and inventive. The orchestral additions and adaptations were thematically appropriate and musically rich. The whole crowd knew they were witnessing something special (even a rather passive R. Wainwright, sitting near us, was roused by it all in the end) and the communal sense of a tangible occasion was a real treat to experience.
Plus, to top it all, Guy Garvey was gracious enough to admit that winning the title of 'Spill album of the year 2008 had really made the whole thing worthwhile for the band...
If you don't believe me, you can read Dave Simpson's five star review on the Guardian right now. I think the Indo gave it five too. The only slight downside is that music may now have been ruined for me forever. But we'll see how that goes.
7 comments:
Dave's review, by the way, is here:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jul/09/elbow-halle-review
Plus, there is some footgae up on youtube, but I chose not to post it as the sound is so awful it hurts. If you want to just look at the pictures though, its here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HQ0OMlsIhk
To give you a rough idea, I was sat almost exactly opposite this guy. My view of the third bassooon was unbelievable.
I seriously considered flying over just for the gig. I think you might have seen the gig of the year, there. and yar boo sux to U2... Thrilled you went. (lip trembling) will there be a DVD for chrimbo....?
I have to say I knew the Manchester Festival Director, Alex Poots, at Uni. His Mom taught me French - she's French. Great guy and his taste clearly hasn't wavered. That's a storming line up. Proud of what he's achieved.
I give up. I've rewritten a comment five times, but still can't get it to sound anything other than spitefully envious at your attendance there, my friend.
@FP - You should always use your contacts. Its a good job I know someone who used to manage the Bridgwater Hall's box office, that's all I'll say... As for a DVD, tonight's show is being beamed live to a big-screen in Castlefield, so there's a good chance. I'm sorry to make your lip tremble, but it made mine tremble too.
@OOT7BPWDsDGTH - Hi there! I've no idea who you could be, but thanks for the comment. And don't worry about the spite. I probably deserve it...
I can't tell Guy's arse from your Hallbow .... the missus keeps humming that song of their's tho' ... Grounds for Divorce ... should I be worried?
Never knew the Gremlin had a brother.
Anyway, am green with jealousy Mr. Frod, maybe there will be a US tour at some point.
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