ALFIE BOE IN CONCERT

[karl]

Last night's concert was absolutely great, I knew Alfie woudl be good but he was superb!

When you see a singer on tv they get one or two songs so they don't get to show their full potential until you see them live. Until last night I never realised Alfie was such a mover - he loves to dance and he was all over the stage.

His humour also came through with things he said and did, he evern jumped off the stage twice to be with the audience, the second time he was offstage for about five minutes while the band played on.

The applause was loud but when he got to Bring Him Home I thought the roof was going to come off - he also mentioned the film with Hugh Jackman and jokingly said he was a B*****D meaning the role should have beeen his.

When he lef the stage nobody moved and we kept applauding, the house lights stayed down so we knew something else was coming, he finally came back on wearing different clothes and gave us another song.

Alfie's voice filled that vast 3000 seater theatre but when he did some classical pieces with just a guitar or two you could have heard a pin drop. Much as I like Alfie singing contermprary material his Classical repetoire is wonderful. He had a 15 piece band and two backing singers which I felt he did not really need, good as they were Alfie's voice eclipsed everybody's.

Alfie's opening act is Emelia Mitiku and she is from Stockholm, I really enjoyed her too - she's quite jazzy and there are shades of Billy Holliday in her voice, she was signing her cd after the show but when I got there it was sold out.

The only downside to the show was the nose bleed seats, we were three rows from the back of THE GODS despite booking last October that was all I coudl get and after that he was completely sold out.

I would definitely go and see Alfie again and if anyone here has tickets to see him you are in for a great night!

[Eman]

Sounds wonderful!! Too bad about the seats though Karl, but hey being there live was an experience of a lifetime. I hope they had jumbo tron screens so you guys and the Gods could see. Alfie dance? I've seen some clips on you tube of him playing the drums but never dancing.

Yes, I think the film would have benefitted more if Alfie was in it. Hugh was ok, but with Alfie's vocal range and power it would have been epic!!

[karl]

Screens? Eamon you must be joking this is The Playhouse that boasts that it's Scotlands top venue. They get all the big shows and stars and yet it's a dingy dump - I never did like it, We have two beautiful theatres, the Kings & The Festival (also the Lyceum) that are a joy to enter but whenever I walk into The Playhouse I am depressed as the decor is do dull. Infact lookking at the doors inside I don't think they've had a lick of varnish for years

The Kings & The Festival theatrea are so well litand cheerful, but The Playhouse Oi Vay!!!!! However Alife set the place alight last night with his performance, also I forgot to say Emilia Mitiku had a female drummer, boy was she good!

Alfie didn't play the drums but he did play guitar for his final song.

[Eman]

Wow I guess it would depend on the venue then. Most concerts I go to now Karl, they screens that show what the artist is doing. Pretty cool if you're in the nose bleeds.

Sounds like a good concert. Did you buy a programme or a concert t-shirt? Then again maybe they only do that at Pop/Rock shows?

[karl]

They were selling a lot of things but I no longer do programmes as once the show is over what do you do with them? I'd rather put the money to his next cd or dvd.

[Marian]

So pleased to hear you had a good evening with Alfie Karl!

[karl]

Marian to say I enjoyed Alfie is an understatement. I just wish I'd had better seats,

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Know what you mean Karl, also nothing worse than sitting behind concrete posts, big hair or big hats, and being short I've been a victim of this more than once.

We haven't seen Alfie in his concerts yet, but first saw him in 2008 in The Merry Widow when he played La Camille De Rosillon, with the strange choice of Roy Hudd playing Njegus, but it worked.

[karl]

The seat was ok L&H just too high up But nothing was blocking our view..

Anyway I was less than impressed with the review in last nght's Evening News so I have emailed the Arts & Entertainment editor to complain. Credit where credit is due I say.

Alfie was given three stars which equals good, not enough I said - I would gladly have given him ten. I also pointed out the reviewers are obvously given complimentary tickets while I paid for mine. Reviewers I feel should go by audience reaction, the audience gave him one of the best applauses I have ever heard so that means a lot.

I remember years ago seeing Andy Williams in concert and John Gibson from the same newspaper absolutely slated him, again the audience were on Andy's side as the man sang his heart out and received a standing ovation. Perhaps Mr. Gibson was not given enough to drink in the green room that night? He was well known for being less than complimentary and he is still on the paper - he must be about 100 by now !!!

[Eman]

Karl, do you think some of these journalists go in there with the intent on ragging on the performer based on their personal biases? Sometimes I think they do because as in the world of rock/pop music some of these journalists go in there with that attitude and don't even give the performers a chance based on their opinion and how these artists are viewed by the general public. I read a review where One Direction was just slammed every which way but the concert had sold out and the fans loved it. The same with artists like Clapton, Zeppelin etc. Maybe these writers fear they will lose their credibility of being cool and elitist if they say they liked the performance of say Alfie, 1D or anyone that is not deemed cool.
Yet for me, I just say journalists who are there to review the show should put aside their personal preferences and be fair and impartial and give a honest review. I watched the Alfie concert dvd and both my Mum, Dad and I loved it!! He is a stellar performer and singer.

[karl]

Yes I often think although they are the journalist for arts & entertainment they are really not that interested in music and it's just a job to them. As I said to you in private I have gone to concerts where I did not care for the performer and ended up really enjoying them, I have also gone to people I did really like and walked out on them as they were either bad or the sound was far too loud. But that's in the minority.

[karl]

I finally watched my blu ray Alfie Boe concert and enjoyed it - however I think his current Storyteller tour is even better I hope that is also recorded for dvd.

Marian I remember you saying the mike was close to his mouth, it was and I know people with a voice as strong as Alfie's used to stand well away from the mike but perhaps the new style of mike is different?

Also you said you were briefly seen in the audience, I had a feeling I may have seen you but could not remember what part of the show you said.

Alfie's humour is very evident, he's quite mad at times!!!

[Marian]

We were in the fifth row on the right centre aisle, and it is in a break from Alfie's singing, looking from the stage.

[karl]

I remember that scene Marian but can't remember where I thought I maybe saw you, will check it when I watch it again.

[Marian]

At the Royal Albert Hall last night, Alfie spotted John Owen Jones (a former Jean Valjean) in the audience, and called him up on stage to sing "Bring Him Home" with him, to great applause.