Al Martino UK Tour

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 11:24 am

Thank you for telling us all about yet another wonderful night Lena and Harry.
Hope you have a fantastic time tonight John. We'll all be thinking about you I'm sure.

Looking forward to your account too John.

Marian

john · Post by **john** » Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:43 pm

Yes Thanks everyone, will speak to you all tomorrow.

john · Post by **john** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:48 pm

What an absolutely fantastic evening it was. Al was in absolute tip top form belting out his favourites Mary In The Morning, Spanish Eyes, I love you More and More Everyday, plus surprises like A Time For Us and Vaya Con Dias. He did a brilliant version of Al Di La and of course the wonderful Once Upon A Time. Classics like Volare and Fly Me To The Moon were there plus How Deep Is The Ocean. His performance was absolutely flawless from beginning to the end where he brought the house down with Here In My Heart. It was packed out as well.
The journey to Liverpool was a bit daunting though, although it is onlt about 65 miles from Blackpool I had never driven to Liverpool before and We entered Liverpool from the M58 motorway instead of M62 and therfore the directions I had were useless because we came in from a different end into the city centre and didn't have a clue where we were going. But luckily we did give ourselves plenty of time we set off at 2.45 pm to allow for delays/setbacks. Anyhow we found it and got there about 4.30pm and parked up and had a walk round before going for a chinese meal, which was lovely.
But all in all we had a truly great evening and managed to take a few pictures, plus recorded bits on the video camera on the phone, decided not to get a dictaphone after all, but I don't think it would have been a problem if I had got one. I will wait till September next year for that!
Hope I haven't bored you all with that rundown of a wonderful memorable evening.

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 5:55 pm

Of course you have not bored us, John---It was great to read about Al's concert from another viewpoint. Apart from the hassle getting there, it seems you had a superb evening.

Glad you managed to get a few [unofficial] souvenirs of the concert!

The recorder that I use is not a dictaphone, but a personal cassette recorder, with a recording facility, including an external mike--it fits easily into a small camera or make up bag, and I get some good results from it.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 6:41 pm

Hi John, you could never bore us talking about Al or anyone else come to that, and thanks for telling us about the show.
We are so glad that in spite of the driving hassle you had a great evening and you enjoyed all those beautiful songs. Al is something else isn't he. He gives his all.
Who else particularly at that age could sing with such amazing power one minute and then create an atmosphere singing a tender ballad that melts your heart away the next. He's truly amazing.

Marian · Post by **Marian** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 7:13 pm

Really enjoyed your account of your wonderful evening John. You sound to have had an excellent time with Al!
I have a small Walkman recorder which has been with me to many Jack Jones concerts, and never fails to give a very good recording. I know I use old fashioned audio tapes, but it's fine and gives lovely memories of the different concerts I've been to over the years. I use 120 tapes, so you don't have to worry about turning it over, just fast forward at the interval and record the second half on side 2.

Marian.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:56 pm

Marian, we have a Sony and an Olympus recorder with the small micro tapes that we finally transfer on to CD. As you say it's for your memories of those concerts so perfect sound or not it's better than nothing.
John we have sent you the report from the Liverpool Newspaper It's fantastic.

Also we saw your nice posting on Al's web-site. Al and Judi really appreciate those messages.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sun Feb 25, 2007 7:47 pm

We listened to Eric's interview with Al this afternoon , this was the interview that took place last Wednesday the 14th at Cliff's Pavillion.
Eric interviewed Al many years ago, and the last time was Two or Three years ago.
Al spoke about his N0 1 hit "Here In My Heart" and of Mario Lanza and the interview included some of Al's songs too.
It can be heard on the "Listen Again" feature on BBC Essex Eric Hall "Monster Memories" for the next Seven days.
Our Matt wasn't forgotten and Eric played a request for "Real Live Girl." and Jack Jones was part of the quiz today for prizes to be won.

john · Post by **john** » Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:45 am

Yes I managed to listen to the interview, great selection of songs. Nice to hear Matt as well of course. Eric plays some fine music.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:12 am

Al's got a heavy schedule of concerts for Germany this coming September and October, and will be receiving a lifetime award of some kind while he is there. There's a nice e-mail sent from a reader in our latest "IN TUNE" magazine about Al from a fan who first saw him in concert over Fifty years ago.
There can't be a better or more informative magazine as this one, for wonderful stories and interviews, readers forum, and the latest up to date and future CDs, DVDs etc.

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:50 am

Just read the IN TUNE letter-lovely!

mariana44 · Post by **mariana44** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:36 am

Yes, I received mine this morning--had to change plans to read it---ie. skip the ironing, skip the hoovering, etc, etc, etc.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 10:39 pm

We were probably skipping together then Marian

I can never put a magazine down until i've finished reading it.

Agree entirely with your comments too Mark.

Mark Fox · Post by **Mark Fox** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 9:40 am

Didn't expect Gerry to print my e-mail about the FAS release.
No bigger Sinatra than than me(&you two,too),but why compilations-get the original full albums-but then everyone who wants them,have'em already.
See you in London.

Lena & Harry Smith · Post by **Lena & Harry Smith** » Sat Apr 21, 2007 10:24 am

That's what the readers forum is about Mark, and Gerry knows that most of us have this gripe.