Report by: June Clark

Performer : Chris Powell - Roland AT 80SL

Chris entertained us with truly amazing sounds from Roland's AT80SL. At the age of 17, Chris was invited to play the "Mighty Wurlitzer" at Blackpools Tower Ballroom and certainly brought a touch of magic and very happy memories back to so many of us this evening.

To start, from the film "Brassed Off - The Clog Dance" and "The Floral Dance". Exquisite sounds from the Pan Pipes for an orchestral arrangement of "Morning in Cornwall", followed by a medley of swing Quicksteps - from "Let's Face The Music and Dance", to "42nd Street"

"Ghost Raiders in the Sky" (Samba Style) then on to music from the Shows: "Jesus Christ Superstar" - "I Don't Know How To Love Him" - "Master of the House" from Les Miserables - "Bring Him Home" from Les Miserables, "Phantom of the Opera Introduction", "Music of the Night", and from Sound of Music "Do Re Me" and "Climb Every Mountain"

Memories from the 60's - from the Shadows "Apache", Romantic Latin Cha Cha styles of "Kiss Me, Honey Honey" and "Kiss Me on a Sunday".

James Last's "Games That Lovers Play" and "La Cucaracha".

To complete the first half, Chris delighted us with some fantastic Roland organ sounds "Beside the Seaside", "Bye Bye Blues", "Moon River", "Love Me Tender" and "Everyone Thinks You're Wonderful".

A lively, foot tapping start to the second half of tonight's concert - "This Old House" and "Rock Around the Clock".

"You Raise Me Up". This one brought tears to my eyes - it was played at George Best's funeral as he was lifted up to continue on his resting place alongside his mother - Westlife's chart topping, emotional ballad.

Tom Jone's big band sounds of "Delilah" and "It's Not Unusual". Playing a special request - in Piano style - "Misty". James Bond, main theme plus "Nobody Does it Better", and "Goldfinger". Offenbach's - outstanding sounds of the "Can Can Overture".

Raising the tempo "Alexander's Rag Time Band", "Has Anybody Seen My Gal", "King of the Swingers", and "When the Saints Go Marching In".

More sounds from the mighty Wurlitzer, "Don't Dilly Dally", "Pack Up Your Troubles", "Coming Round the Mountain", "Deep in the Heart of Texas", (hand clapping from the audience without any prompting and in the right places!) "You'll Never Know", "Bless 'Em All" and "Daisy Bell"

A wonderful evening of entertainment - something for everyone. Please join me in thanking Chris and to wish him well. He and his wife have taken over the Burntwood Organ Society, now known as "Burntwood Music for All" , near Cannock, in Staffordshire to keep it from closing.

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