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David
Essex: Wonderful Tour
Musical Director and Keyboards: Ian Wherry
Musicians: Gerry Moffet (bass guitar); Martin Bliss (guitar);
Dave Wallace (drums)
Supporting Act: Ethan Allen
Venue: Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh
Date: 24 October 2001
Reviewer: Mairi Anderson
David Essex gave a wonderful performance
with his Edinburgh fans on Wednesday evening. I say "with" his fans,
as his style of performing is very relaxed and he is so easy and comfortable
with his audience. He has that wonderful knack of making each person
feel involved in creating a unique experience. It is a partnership.
When he has everyone joining in with (we're) Gonna Make You a Star
you know that he realises that this is precisely what makes a "star"
performance. It is a collaboration between the talent of the performer
and the enjoyment of the audience and the magic they create together.
Neil Diamond has the same ability to create intimicy and excitement
with hundreds or thousands of people and make each member of the audience
feel special which is, I think, the secret of the charisma of the "greats".
Iin the 1980's David Essex had a brief foray into the world of situation
comedy with The river. His sense of fun and quick wit really
adds to his shows. He adlibbed with the whole audience on-mike and the
front rows off-mike throughout. At the end of Me and you he was
distracted by the repartee and lost the key in the final notes. Quick
as a flash, he hammed up the remaining notes as impossibly low, high
and flat. Such is his personality that, far from ruining the song, it
created so much laughter that it was turned into a highlight. He takes
his "sex symbol" image with a pinch of salt but still draws women of
three generations flocking to the front.
The show's format is well structured, interspersing tracks from the
new album with classic hits. From his new album called Wonderful,
the song Lets talk about it was popular as a dance number and
A place in the sun was well received and lyrically strong. The
golden oldie hits were fun:- Silver dream machine, Lamplight,
Hold me close, Oh what a circus etc., though I've always felt that
David Essex doesn't use the full range of his voice on many of his popular
songs. He is strongest in the ballads which allow him the opportunity
to show that he really can sing. A Winter's Tale was delivered
with sensitivity, subtlety and emotional power.
Lighting, sound quality and sets were good, and the renovations to the
Usher Hall have created a fantastic venue. The backing band was strong
on vocals as well as instrumentally. The support act was Ethan Allen
of Cheap Seats and he was superb, particularly when he performed his
own material. Not that different is one of the best-written songs
I've heard.
David Essex's 3-song encore was a fitting climax to the show. Rock
on had everyone on their feet dancing (as they had been for most
of the show). You Really Got Me he sang as a thank you to the
audience. I'll be missing you was an emotional farewell between
David and each individual there. Since his residence in Edinburgh for
a panto a few years ago, there has been a strong bond between David
Essex and his Scottish fans. The message from that fan base was a strong
"haste ye back!"
© Mairi Anderson 25 October 2001
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