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| Photo: Kerstin Wohlgemuth |
I think from that little outburst you can tell I loved the opening night of Michaels Tour 2005 in Blackpool.
The sun was shining down and there was quite a crowd waiting at the stage door, to catch their first glimpse of Michael
at the start of his tour. As the bus turned into the street a huge cheer went up, and we could see Michael through the huge
front window, sat on the step in the front middle of the bus. When Michael saw his fans he started waving to everyone, then
sat pretending to chew his nails as if nervous and making the sign of the cross, he looked so wonderful.
I was so thrilled to be going to the opening night of the tour and had been wondering whether, with the heavy work
load Michael has had of late he would manage any new songs in the concert. The first hint that we might have new songs, was
when Michael emerged from the bus in the afternoon and told us he had to get in, as he had masses to get through. Oh! Does
that mean new material I thought? Michael said that he was nervous and asked that we be gentle with him later on, with
a chuckle and then introduced his new assistant Andrew.
The first part of the show was Michaels support artist Lucia Micarelli, a very young but accomplished Violinist, who
certainly knew how to make that violin talk to you. She spoke for a short while to say she was very nervous and was thrilled
to be accompanying Michael on his tour, she was a very young and sweet girl. When she ended her performance she was
given well-deserved applause from the audience.
After the short intermission the theatre lights dimmed, and you could sense the anticipation and the electric atmosphere
buzzing round the theatre. After the overture from the orchestra, the music to ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ struck
up and you could hear Michael begin to sing. An enormous spotlight appeared behind the black backdrop casting a huge silhouette
of Michael, and if you were near the front there was just enough light to be able to make the form of Michael out within it.
That was it, the audience erupted with applause, the curtain fell, Michael appeared and then bounded down the steps to the
stage. Michael was wearing blue jeans, black shirt and silky black jacket for the first part of his concert. By this
time the audience were up on their foot, which now seems to have become customary for the first song, and were clapping and
dancing along to Michael’s music. Michael always strives to make a grand entrance on to the stage during his concerts
and I have to say this was a very dramatic entrance.
After the opening number, Michael unexpectedly sang a song that as been a huge favourite of mine since it was first sang
by Love Affair in 1968…’Everlasting Love’. That for me was a real blast from the past and I have to say
Michael did the song beautifully, and I look forward to hearing this sung again many times.
Next came the sound of an African intro from the backing singers, to the beautiful song ‘Circle of Life’,
which Michael performed so beautifully.
I knew at that stage that we were in for a real treat that night and wondered what other surprises Michael was going
to treat us to. When 'LCE' was sang early in the show I knew that Michael was making changes this tour. It did
seem a little odd hearing this song early in the concert and not at the end, but hey we had plenty more songs to come after
it, unlike other times when it is at the end of the night and we go home after 'LCE'.
When Michael performed the trilogy of love songs ‘As if we never said goodbye’, ‘When you tell me that
you love me’ and ‘What love is for’ followed by ’ LCE’ I was moved to tears, as one of the songs
holds a very special memory for me. This was Michael at his best, performing beautiful ballads.
The familiar sounds of ‘On the Barricades’ were then played by the orchestra, and as Michael perched on his
stool, we all knew that we were to hear another, of what can be called one of Michael’s signature tunes…….’Empty
Chairs and Empty Tables’, a song Michael sings with such feeling and emotion.
When the first chords from the WIW were played, you could sense the anticipation around the theatre, as fans recognised
the chords, and hoped Michael was going to sing songs from the show. Would Michael perform the song that so many who
have seen WIW have wanted him to perform ‘I believe my heart’? Yes he did, and ooooh! It just made the hairs on
the back of your neck stand up, and this was preceded by a lovely rendition of ‘Ever on my mind’, two beautiful
ballads. Michael made comment that they were the two songs he didn’t get to sing in WIW but that the next was
the song he did. Michael then sang his (Count Fosca’s) trademark song from WIW - ‘You can get away with
anything’, although it did seem rather odd and so funny seeing a gorgeous slim line Michael singing it, instead of the
middle aged, murderous, fat B*****D (Michaels very words on stage last night) At some point during the song Michael introduced
on to the stage his co-star direct from the Palace Theatre, West End……leaving everyone wondering who was coming
on. Enter on stage Annie carrying ‘Missy’ that talented white rat, the ohs and the ahs and the laughter could
be heard around the auditorium, and the applause and cheers when Missy performed her tricks whilst Michael sang were deafening.
I did have a thought at what would happen should Missy escape amongst the audience…….I know I would have been
up on my seat.
Michael then proceeded to tell us very tongue in cheek, that as soon as he had finished in WIW, he had the hard task
of having to go on a plane, be put up in a top hotel, go to all the new shows on Broadway and then to interview the stars
of the shows………….some job if you can get it, and all to give us the radio show ‘Ball Over Broadway’…..this
was an introduction to a brilliant rendition of Broadway Baby’.
Another new song to the tour was ‘Being Alive’ and one that was received with great applause. As Michael
started to sing the very poignant song ‘Music is my first love’ he climbed the centre steps and after a short
burst of the song, he then introduced Lucia Micarelli back on stage. Lucia played the instrumentals of the song whilst
Michael went off to change, but part way through you could hear Michael sing a few lines from the song, which made you wonder
whether these lines were pre recorded or whether Michael was indeed trying to sing and change at the same time, very multi
talented is Michael. When he came back on stage, wearing a dark suit and pale pink shirt, Michael continued, accompanied
by Lucia, singing ‘Music is my first love’, which I personally think is a song that can sum Michael up very aptly.
Before Lucia left the stage she accompanied Michael with ‘The Dance’, and what a performance it was from
two very accomplished entertainers, and one that I so enjoyed hearing.
Michael entertained and delighted us with another Queen number ‘The show must go on’. We were not disappointed
by his rendition, as his performance was truly amazing.....a very different version to that of Queens, but one that was very
pleasing to his fans.
I personally was so thrilled to hear Michaels very moving version of ‘Bridge over troubled waters’, as this
again was another of my old time favourites back from 1970, and had me just sat enthralled listening to Michael’s very
moving version. This is one song that I do hope we will find on a future album of Michael’s.
Michael took the time to indulge himself in, and to sing a very meaningful song, dedicated to one of his passions……….Welsh
rugby. The audience did not need asking twice to join in with the singing and the actions of the popular ‘Wales
Forever’ / ‘Bread of Heaven’. When I didn’t think he could surprise me anymore Michael did just
that, when he sang the lovely ballad and a personal favourite of mine, from 1968 of Andy Williams….’Cant take
my eyes of you’…….Michael was truly surpassing himself in my eyes, he sang this song with such passion and
feeling, not to mention the wonderful actions, and he had that knack of making each of us think that he was singing just to
you…..oh how we all wish.
Did I say he couldn’t surprise us anymore ……mmmmmmm. I had heard a whisper before the concert
that Michael was to do ‘Is this the way to Amarillo’, but dismissed it thinking ‘No he wouldn’t jump
on the bandwagon’, but no he did just that, and gave us a brilliant, fun version of ‘Amirillo’, it
was just a superb way to start the party time off.
A popular song of many of Michael’s fans was the next, what is now a cheeky version of ‘Help Yourself’,
and Michael did not disappoint his fans, it was just as cheeky.
There had been talk that Michael was going to revive ‘One Step’ on this tour, and I think many fans were
waiting to see if this would be the case……. Yes he did, and we all enjoyed dancing, singing along and punching
the air to that familiar song once again. I personally enjoy this song and never tire of it, and feel it is still a popular
song.
During party time we once again heard a favourite from the past 'From here to Eternity', again another of what I believe
is an old time classic song of Michaels, and one I am thrilled he has revived in concert and hope to hear many times.
What can I say we had that song we all love, the one many fans have badgered Michael to sing 'This is the moment', and
I swear you could have heard a pin drop around the theatre from the audience. Fans were already on their feet at this
stage of the concert, and swayed along to Michaels singing, giving him a huge ovation at the end of it.
The final surprise of the evening was when the familiar music of ‘You raise me up’ began and Michael gave
us a very moving and beautiful rendition of this song. Towards the end of the song Lucia appeared at the top of the steps,
and accompanied Michael, adding to the poignancy of this song. I know this song is a favourite of many people, me included,
and one that fans have been asking Michael to sing in concert for a while, but it did bring tears to a lot of fans eyes, me
included. It was a beautiful song to end the concert with.
I think Michael was on top form at Blackpool, enjoying himself, and he was in a very teasing mood, and must have set
the old pulse rates going of many of us......
All too soon the first concert had ended but oh the memories will last for ever.
Following the concert the stage door was packed with fans after this opening night, and I think Michael was eager to
come out and learn how his fans had received his show…… No worries on that score Michael…….. You gave
your all, and then some more. You could see that Michael was so thrilled to know from fans comments, that he had been successful
in giving the fans just what they wanted, and that he was going to have a successful tour if first night was anything to go
by I firmly believe Michael has been listening to many fans requests, in both format of concerts and in choice of songs performed,
and has tried to give everyone a little of what they wanted - THANK YOU MICHAEL!!
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