Bringing on Back the 60s
New Amen Corner, Chris Farlowe and Mike D’Abo
A TIME machine landed at the Palace Theatre on Friday night and what a journey it took a packed house on.
In a week that marked the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper release, the New Amen Corner reminded the audience that there was more to the Sixties than just the Fab Four.
Blasting out hit after hit, the years rolled away in a non-stop surge of great music from the great bands of the era.
The songs of The Beach Boys, The Tremeloes, The Turtles, Scott Mackenzie,The Flower Pot Men, Herman’s Hermits and more were all magically brought to life against a backdrop of Sixties movie reels that brought the decade alive.
And all this before Chris Farlowe and Mike D’Abo came on stage. Farlowe’s magnificent set included his Jagger/Richards hit ‘Out of Time’ and a fantastic rendition of Stand by Me (which included the ad lib couplet ‘If you’re in trouble, I’ll give you a cuddle’).
If Farlowe got the biggest cheer of the evening, D’Abo’s bubbly pop had everyone bopping, especially his ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’, which was a smash hit for The Foundations.
It was then time for a soul medley from the band with lead singer and rhythm guitarist Glen Leon to the fore, backed b y a band which was so together it was uncanny.
The evening ended with a Marvin Gaye tribute, and of course The Beatles, who else?
All in all a stunning evening of entertainment.
Ross Crawford
