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Elly Roberts reviews
Warner Music Vision
- Cert:
- Pressing: 2005
- Region(s): 0, PAL
- Running time: 118 minutes
- Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Stereo
- Languages: English
- Subtitles: (documentary only) English, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Portuguese
- Widescreen: 16:9
- Disc Format: DVD 9
- Price: £17.99
- Rating: 10/10
- Extras:Documentary / Photo Gallery / Perfect Love video
Before Mick Hucknall embarked on his current UK and European tour,he popped over to Havana Cuba to make a little bit of history.
Simply Red was thefirst non-classical act to be invited to perform at the historic El GranTeatro – a fitting venue for a stylish band. Promoting his recent SimplifiedCD, Hucknall attempted to bring some Latino stylings on its own door step.
Adding native Cuban players and classically-trained dancers, the band turnon the style as they roll back the years with a setlist of favourites fromtheir extensive back catalogue.
Using a new opening format of genteel re-workings accompanied by a localstring section, the blue-eyed soul boy showcases his incredible voice toperfection. Many years ago, Hucknall stated he hoped to be around a longtime in the Sinatra mould. Here he displays all that intent as he portrayshimself as a romantic crooner.
A lazy paced So Beautiful gets the crowdclapping as usual, and huge roar as he finishes. The voice sounds betterthan ever, a step up on the Simplified recording. Dramatic Smile lights upthe night : the crowd love every second of it. The steady groove runs onwith Sad Old Red. A quick change from suit to indigenous shirt he strollson. Ending the chilled first half, he launches into It’s Only Love, and thenturns up the heat on reggae standards. His shirt is showing signs of sweat
In the final run-in, out comes the regular fodder for raising the roof TheRight Thing, Come To My Aid with Huckers egging on the crowd get to theirfeet. An all singing all dancing Perfect Love, Fairground, Something Got MeStarted builds on the sensational Latin feel with local beauties gracing thefamous stage. Bringing a momentous night to close, Harold Melvin’s stunningsoul ballad once again brings the best out of band and singer. He walks offstage and disappears into the Cuban night.
The documentary, filmed two months before the concert, shows Hucknall mixingand singing with local musicians, a radio broadcast, photo shot and a strollon the waterfront. He reveals his plans for the gig and his musicalphilosophy which suits the resort’s relaxed atmosphere, bringing backmemories of Buena Vista Social Club.
Weblink: Simply Red.com
The full list of tracks included are :
1. A Song For You
2. Your Mirror
3. Stars
4. For Your Babies
5. So Beautiful
6. Smile
7. Home
8. Sad Old Red
9. Holding Back The Years
10. It’s Only Love
11. More
12. Love Fire
13. Sunrise
14. The Right Thing
15. Come To My Aid
16. Perfect Love
17. Fairground
18. Something Got Me Started
19. If You Don’t Know Me By Now
Elly Roberts passed away in 2011, but he was a man who was so passionate about all types of music and loved meeting his musical heroes, such as Mick Hucknall at a book signing at the Trafford Centre, Manchester in 2007.
A former teacher and also a music journalist, DJ and radio presenter on local community station Calon FM, plus appearances on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Radio 2, Elly started doing reviews for DVDfever.co.uk in 2004 and he did the majority of the CD and concerts reviews on the website.
I know also that he loved getting away for the summer to Spain and I hope that wherever he is now he is enjoying the hot sunshine and, as one of his friends has said on his Facebook page, that he is interviewing his musical heroes.