Report by: June Clark

Performer :: Michael Farrar
Instruments: Yamaha HX1, PSR 3000 and PSR 9000

On the 9 th November, Michael Farrar paid his first visit and was given a very warm welcome. He was brought up in Grimethorpe, Yorkshire and now lives in Barnsley. His love for brass bands was very apparent during his performance this evening.

Taking us on a “Musical Journey Around The World“, Michael performed :

“I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Miserables, followed by a March - “Under The Double Eagle”

“On A Wonderful Day Like Today” and “Happy Days Are Here Again” - great organ quickstep sounds.

“Getting Sentimental Over You” - smooth Foxtrot.

Next - Big Band - Frank Sinatra - “I’ve Got You Under My Skin” and “Who Can I Turn To?”

Irish waltz - “Shamrock Sunrise” - with haunting flutes.

James Last - “Mornings at Seven”.

Western Movies - memories of John Wayne - “The Big Country”, complete with all the sound affects! Michael turned his stool round, having placed a white scarf hanging down from the lid which represented the horse’s tail - whilst playing all three instruments! This definitely has to be a first!

Italian Classical - “Gabriel’s Oboe”.

“Love Is All” - a number 1 chart hit for Engelbert Humperdinck - music quiz time - Who beat him to the no 1 spot? Answer - Malcolm Roberts - his one and only hit.

“Home In Pasadena” and “Has Anybody Seen My Girl“ - foot tapping Dixie.

“Highland Cathedral” - as performed at the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo.

- Interval -

Latin Samba - “Amour, Amour, Amour”.

Classical guitar sounds for “Cavatina”.

“Save The Last Dance For Me” - Cha Cha Cha.

“You Raise Me Up” - which Michael referred to as “The Baker’s Song”!

Tom Jones’ “It’s Not Unusual”.

A beautiful classical guitar arrangement - “Concerto Rodrigo”.

“The Last Farewell” and “Yorkshire Parade” - Brass Band Marches, the latter being Michael’s own composition which was published in one of the Yamaha Club’s Magazine in 2005.

The Shadows - “Wonderful Land”.

Italian Rumba - “Amigos Para Siempre” - “Friends For Life”.

Big Bands of the 40’s - “The Nearness Of You“, “At Last“, “Sing as You Go“, and “We Wish You All the Luck”.

Theme music from “The White Horse Inn”.

And for Michael’s encore - “My Way”.

A great evening of musical magic with something for everyone. Thank you, Michael, for all the music and for the all fun and laughter too. We look forward to welcoming you back.

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