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For the purpose of this report the personnel on stage were: String Quartet: Laura Stanford [violin], Eleanor Stanford [violin], Amy Stanford [viola] and Jessica Cox [cello]. Band: Martin Ditcham [drums + percussion], Bill Shanley [guitars] and Nick Scott [bass]. Backing Vocals: Charlotte James and Niamh McNally. Saxophone, Flute & Harmonica: Julian Webster Greaves. Keyboard and Accordion: Mick Parker.
Tonight's show was at the Espace Cardin, a beautiful theatre a hundred metres from the Champs Elysees. The sound check was interesting because Gilbert had invited French singing star Laurent Voulzy along to sing a duet with him on the song "Clair". Laurent had recorded a version of the song for his album "Septieme Vague" [Seventh Wave]. Both Gilbert and Laurent sta at the keyboard and ran through the song twice to establish who would sing what. Laurent had a cameraman with him throughout the rehearsal for a possible documentary?
With such a great venue in such a beautiful city I was bound to see some old friends and to make some new ones. It was great to see my dear friend Jane Bozian once again. Gilbert's daughter Helen-Marie and boyfriend Kenny flew in especially for the show as did Gilbert's brother John, wife Jackie with Tom and Ellen. It was nice to see Nicole Tonglet [Belgium] and her daughter who subsequently fell asleep during the show. Henry and Valerie Soderstrom [France] were there. Nice to meet Brigette and Cathy. It was also good to meet Yona from Swindon and Audrey. Gilbert's friend Bobby Davro [UK comedian and now soapstar] was there also. A new fan Nacera came along because she heard and liked Gilbert's voice on the radio. It was nice meeting you.
The front of house team lead by Richard, ably assisted by Lisa were very helpful and professional. Merci beacoup.
The show was scheduled for an 8.30pm start but Gilbert didn't arrive on stage until 8.50pm. Normally he walks on stage unannounced but this time he was introduced by theatre manager Richard.
TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF MY TOE - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + String Quartet
A PROPER FOOL - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet
MY PLACE OR YOURS - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] Gilbert said "Merci, bonjour, bon soir - that's it. [Audience laughter]. You will have to bear with my English. They have trouble in England with my English [Audience laughter]. It's incredible to think that the last time I was here was in 1974 before most of you were born. [Audience gasp and cheer] I have toured regularly since 1990 and it's not that I didn't want to come to France, it was just that it was very difficult with promoters so I'm very pleased that our promoters have invited us this time. After all this time it is fascinating for me to see who would be here, I thought that you'd all be home watching the Eurovision Song Contest. You know when some foreign artists come to France and say they love France, you know they are only saying it. Well on the CD booklet of the Berry Vest Of which I released 3 years ago, no 4 years ago now. Doesn't time fly? I wrote when asked my likes and dislikes: I like the French and I love walking in Paris." [Audience cheers].
NOTHING RHYMED - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet + Nick [Bass] + Julian [Flute]
OUT OF THE QUESTION - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] Because Gilbert played an extended intro, he said "This is an instrumental."
"When you look back over a career that has spanned 35-40 years there are songs that everybody knows. Some people's favourites are songs that are played on the radio. But many people write to me about songs they like but that are not that well known. This is one of those songs."
MISS MY LOVE TODAY - [From the album "SOUTHPAW"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Mick [Keyboard] "We started this tour last October with dates in Ireland and England, so this is the second part of the tour. We have come from Zurich and from here we go to Antwerp and Amsterdam, then we do a festival and then America in the Autumn, I think."
KNOW WHAT, YOU'RE RIGHT - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet "2-3-4"
JULIAN & BILL [SOUND CHECK]
WE WILL - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Bill [guitar] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] The string quartet are very prominent on this track. "I wrote the next song in way back in '67-'68 and it's very close to my heart.. People talk about "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" and ask what was John Lennon on when he wrote it. Well I wrote: Now down among the Partridge trees Lives a "Don" who loves his knees So much so he's framed them in a jar
So what do you think I on when I wrote that. I was probably on tea and biscuits."
MR. MOODY'S GARDEN - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Mick [Accordion] + Julian [Voices] Mick played a slightly different accordion solo which drew a smile from Gilbert. A count of 2-3-4 led into the next song.
I'M IN LOVE WITH LOVE AGAIN - [From the album "A SCRUFF AT HEART"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet
SOMETIMES - [From the album "SOUNDS OF THE LOOP"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Julian [Flute] "I never used to play this song because of the bad critique I would get for this particular song. But I say 'To hell with critics, I started to do this song in October and I feel good about it.'"
OOH-WAKKA-DOO-WAKKA-DAY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] A cartoon featuring Gilbert is played on the screen at the back of the stage during the song. Tonight it worked well with the song.
CLAIR - [From the album "BACK TO FRONT"] Gilbert [Electric Piano] + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Harmonica] Gilbert introduced Laurent Voulzy explaining how he had recorded a lovely version of one of his songs on his album [holding up the album]. "It was so good that I thought that maybe one day I could sing with him. So we asked Laurent if he would like to come on and do a duet with me for 'Clair', and he said yes, so would you please mesdames et messieurs please welcome Laurent Voulzy."
Laurent came on stage to wild applause and cheers and addressed the crowd in French and then in English explained how he was very touched to sing with and meet Gilbert, who replied in kind. Laurent did the whistle intro and Gilbert sang the first verse, Laurent taking the second verse. Then they sang together. Laurent then had a memory lapse and forgot the lyrics. Gilbert picked it up and when Laurent rejoined the song there was loud applause from the audience. The crowd clapped along as Laurent whistled along with the harmonica solo. They finished the song together, shook hands and Laurent left to warm applause.
Gilbert leaned into the microphone to announce a 15 minute break.
STICK IN THE MUD - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
CAN'T GET YOU TO LOVE ME - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] For the line 'I can go down to a hoe down? Have one hell of a....' [Gilbert turned to the girls who sang yippee!]. "1-2-3-4."
MAKE MY DAY - [From the album "PIANO FOREPLAY"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band+ Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
NO MATTER HOW I TRY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band+ Mick [Keyboard] "2-3-4."
A FRIEND OF MINE - [From the album "I'M A WRITER, NOT A FIGHTER"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] "1-2-3-4."
IF I DON'T GET YOU (BACK AGAIN) - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] "I don't know how France is doing in the Eurovision song contest but isn't it strange that the French entry is being sung in English. Maybe next year the English should sing in French? I think the east European counties have dominated the competition of late"
THUNDER AND LIGHTNING - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] Gilbert said "When you review your catalogue of songs for a concert it's interesting to change the tempo of a song and to change the style. There's something nice about treating an old song differently but this is normally done by somebody else when they cover your song. It's not usually the person who wrote the song who changes it. This next song is an example of that."
WHY, OH WHY, OH WHY - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Caxixi] Gilbert continued "When growing up listening to music, usually your heroes in terms of music are guitar heroes like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Pete Townsend. But if you play piano it's difficult to get much influence from Chopin or Mozart. There are some great piano players in jazz like Carl Gardiner and Oscar Peterson but not for me who liked pop music. So one of the few influences I had as a young person was Fats Domino. I love Fats Domino. So I've written a some songs in his famous tempo, so we are going to do one for you know. 1-2-3-4."
FOREVER WONDERING - [From the album "FROBISHER DRIVE / IN THE KEY OF G"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
CAN'T GET ENOUGH OF YOU - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] "Do you liked country music? [muted yes response]. Liars!"
HOLD ON TO WHAT YOU GOT - [From the album "BY LARRY / THE LITTLE ALBUM"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard & Accordion] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
HAPPINESS IS ME AND YOU - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Vocal] + Bill [Spanish Acoustic Guitar] + Julian [Flute] + Martin [Percussion] Gilbert stood in the centre of the stage and was joined there by Bill on acoustic guitar for this song.
In singing the song Gilbert swapped the "There may be girls" verse with the "There may be days" verse.
THE MARRIAGE MACHINE - [From the album "A STRANGER IN MY OWN BACK YARD"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Charlotte [Vocal] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] "I don't always see the audience but sometimes I do and always when I see the audience I see somebody who looks like they shouldn't be here, didn't want to be here. At the moment I'm looking at a little girl who is fast asleep. [Audience laughter]. [Well it was 11.15pm]. She probably wishes that she was home in bed.
CHARLOTTE
WHAT'S IN A KISS? - [From the album "OFF CENTRE"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard]
SAY GOODBYE - [From the album "IRLISH"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Flute] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals] + Charlotte [Tambourine] Gilbert sang the chorus in French. The string quartet clapped their hands above their heads and encouraged the crowd to join in.
ALONE AGAIN (NATURALLY) - [From the album "THE BERRY VEST OF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] The crowd cheering on recognising the intro at which time Gilbert stopped and said "Next". [Audience laughter]. Gilbert leaves the stage to a standing ovation.
ENCORE
MATRIMONY - [From the album "HIMSELF"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Julian [Saxophone] + Charlotte & Niamh [Backing Vocals]
GET DOWN - [From the album "I'M A WRITER NOT A FIGHTER"] Gilbert [Keyboard] + Band + String Quartet + Mick [Keyboard] + Charlotte & Niamh [ Backing Vocals] Laurent Voulzy once again came on stage at the end of the song and sat at the piano to sing a chorus or two. Second standing ovation. Gilbert acknowledged the crowd and left saying "J'aime Paris."
STATS Gilbert played and sang 31 songs tonight representing material from 13 different albums. The breakdown was as follows:
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