Debut ‘Elvis Presley Songbook’ concert a success
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Thanks to everyone who turned up to what was a very enjoyable night for the band in the Olympia Theatre. There was a great atmosphere generated that was fitting to the august 16th anniversary.
What a great way to premier of our new show ‘Kevin Doyle sings The Elvis Presley Songbook’. From the opening chords of Thus Spake Zarathustra (the 2001 theme) the show was met with great enthusiasm. Sunday evenings aren’t meant to be this lively… are they?
After a high energy ‘See See Rider’ where all the band and choir announced their arrival, Kevin started a soulful, gospel intro to ‘Proud Mary’. The scene was set.
The first half of the set seemed to fly after that, the hits flowing and the banter between crowd and Kevin as good as ever. The news of a couple getting engaged reached the stage and was met with the immortal lines from ‘My Way’: “And now, the end is near…” The price of spuds was discussed along with regular golf updates.
‘Bridge Over Troubled Water’ and ‘If I Can Dream’ brought the curtain down on a first half that left all of us backstage happy but aware that we had to maintain a good level of application and concentration to deliver a similar second half.
The bell rings, seconds away - well the curtain call announcement actually. Using a brass intro straight from Las Vegas Kevin and the band launched into some rock & roll in the shape of ‘Blue Suede Shoes’ and ‘Promised Land’ followed quickly with ‘Polk Salad Annie’ and a guitar duelling ‘Johnny B Goode’. And now we’re at them…
‘American Trilogy’ found the audience in great voice and this was continued throughout this half. With a slight infestation of Beatles in the form of ‘Something/Hey Jude’ (á la Elvis circa 1971,) the band turned for home with hit after hit from what must be the most recognisable song catalogue any artist has ever produced.
Last night all of us involved realised how fortunate we are to be playing classic songs in a great venue and to such appreciative crowds. We are very lucky.
Rockin’ on the Radio
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To kick off Elvis week Kevin called into some of Ireland’s finest radio stations for a chat.
His first stop was Dublin’s Country Mix 106.8FM where he met Lynsey Dolan on her show ‘Dublin’s Talking’, Country Mix’s flagship programme. Lynsey and Kevin discussed the origins of the new show as well as the history of Kevin’s collaborations with Elvis’ own musicians. If you get a chance do tune in to ‘Dublin’s Talking for two hours of chat every morning from 9am - from major topics of the day to whats what in Entertainment. [ http://www.countrymix.ie ]
Kevin then visited Declan Meehan in East Coast FM during his morning show. Again the conversation was about all things Elvis and Declan played a recording of Kevin and the band performing the king’s classic cut ‘I Just Can’t Help Believing’. The Morning Show with Declan Meehan weekdays at 9am. [ http://www.eastcoast.fm ]
Armed with members of the Way it Was Orchestra Kevin next visited Ray, Jenny, Will and Mairead on the Ray D’arcy show on Today FM. The lads got to play a session live in the studio that consisted of the Elvis staple ‘A Little Less Conversation’ (not a really appropriate title for radio in hindsight!) and a request from Mairead for ‘The Look You Give That Guy’, originally sung by the Eels. In between times there was some chat about work, (as opposed to music!) and we got in the requisite plug for the concert in the Olympia at the weekend.
By the way, before I forget, get your ticket for the concert this Sunday, 16th August in the Olympia Theatre, before they sell out!
Ray D’Arcy
