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’ (รก 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.
