THE SEEKERS

[john]

Well, at one stage, I didn't think we were even going to get there on time. We set off at 4pm and were sailing along nicely until we were just coming into Manchester, roughly about 5 ish. It is about 10 years since I have been into Manchester and I stupidly got into the wrong lane and was too late before I realised and couldn't get across, so we were in the wrong lane and just couldn't get out of it, no idea where we were going. Eventually after being stuck in traffic jams for about half an hour we knew where we were, and then it took about another half hour to get to a car park near the Hall. So it was actually about 6.30 before we parked up, a complete nightmare journey over one simple mistake.
Anyhow, the concert was just amazing. . There were videos shown in the background, and Olivia Newton John, Cliff Richard and Andre Rieu all paid tribute to them. Then a video of them singing "In My Life", before they walked on stage to a standing ovation. They started off with "Come The Day", followed with "I'll Never Find Another You", "World Of Our Own". All through the first half there were videos in the background playing of them in the sixties, more songs, too many to recall, but "When Will The Good Apples Fall" was there and of course Morningtown Ride, "The Water Is Wide", the wonderful "Love Is Kind, Love Is Wine", The Springfields "Silver Threads and Golden Needles", of course, the wonderful "Colours Of My Life" and the Bruce Woodley composition that has kind of become an Australian anthem, "I Am Australian". The first half finished with the medley "This Little Light Of Mine/Open Up Them Pearly Gates and We Shall Not Be Moved to a standing ovation.
After a little fresh air break, the second half started with another video recorded in 1997 of a single they recorded, "Far Shore", super song. Back on stage to another rapturous applause they started with "Someday Oneday", another favourite of mine, the beautiful "When The Stars Begin To Fall", "Walk With Me", "Red Rubber Ball", A Keith Potger solo of "Guardian Angel, Guiding Light", then the three boys doing "Louisiana Man", before Judith doing a perfect "Olive Tree". A couple of other songs were "Myra" and beautiful version of "Just A Closer Walk With Thee", although in all honesty I can't remember if they were in the first half or second half of the show. They all thanked all the people who had a accompanied them on the tour, the musicians and Judith thanked the "boys", as they had helped her so much after her illness last year, you can see the love they all have for each other. "Georgy Girl"followed, and then "Keep A Dream In Your Pocket" before walking off stage to another standing ovation, before returning with of course, "The Carnival Is Over". Another standing ovation, and they sang part of it again, no one sat down again. Everyone was singing along, not wanting the night to end. A good ten minute ovation with The Seekers all smiling and waving. An absolutely wonderful evening and one to treasure forever. Judith was in perfect voice all the way through, they were all just brilliant.
Came back out of the theatre, still buzzing, found the car and got back home about an hour later, I was sure not to make a mistake going back as well.

[john]

I did see you Richard towards the end, we were on the balcony on the right side and was looking down and saw you a few rows back.
I am sure I have missed out a few songs in my review, perhaps Richard will remember what I have missed. And yes, it was packed last night, just the odd couple of empty seats. The audience loved them, we were all singing along right the way through. Pure magic.

[Lena & Harry Smith]

Wow John, what a marvellous review, thank you. I felt quite emotional reading it because we knew how much you were looking forward to seeing them.
Just a shame that you had the traffic problem before hand but you got there, so that's what was important.
The videos shown must have brought back many memories and the familiar songs that The Seekers made their own will be a concert that you'll treasure for always, and to see and hear the beautiful voice of Judith Durham singing as good as ever in spite of her recent illness.
They were in a class of their own, and may they carry on performing for their fans for a long long time to come.

[Marian]

Super review John. I could almost imagine we were there too. What a wonderful evening to remember always.
Lovely photos from the website on Facebook too. Thank you for adding them.
I expect you were worried when you got in the wrong lane getting to the theatre, but it all worked out in the end.

[Rmoore]

Not a lot I can add to that really. I too was a victim of the traffic and having left a little later than John discovered a crash had blocked the M602 and that one direction were playing the arena and brought much of the city to a stand still. One Direction is also quite an appropriate name for the road planning in Manchester. Their one way system is bad enough at the best of times but last night there were also a lot of roadworks and this of course confused my Sat Nav which then decided that it would only tell me I needed to make a turning just after I'd gone past it!

by 7.10 I could see the Bridgewater Hall - just couldn't get to it! the traffic at this point was so congested and I went round in circles so much by the time 7.30 came I discovered a car park and decided to walk instead. I therefore missed the very beginning film and arrived halfway through Come The Day - I blame it all on One Direction!

I have to say that they amaze me. The only 1960's group still performing with all of their original line up and a combined age of around 280 years is quite something in it's self. The fact that they still sound so good 50 years later is something you often can't say of a singer or group 20 or 30 years later!

Judith still sounds quite incredible, although both she and Bruce showed that they didn't have quite the range they used to have, sensibly altering bits of melody which would now have been too high (how many times have I heard singers still trying to get the top notes they sang many years before and failing!). At one point Athol Guy started to introduce the wrong song only to be told by Judith that perhaps they might want to sing 'When Will Those Good Apples Fall' first. There she was just one year after a brain hemorrhage and here memory was better than Athol's, although i did think that she looked a little frail when walking - you wouldn't know it though when she performed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening, I could perhaps have done without 'I Am An Australian'. It just seemed a bit odd, a bit like a British artist singing Rule Britannia at an Australian concert, but the only real criticism would be that it really wasn't long enough! The concert flew by in what seemed like 5 minutes not a couple of hours, I could have gone on listening all night.

It was the second time I had seen the perform - the last time was on their last 'farewell tour' back in the 1990's at Manchester Arena and I was glad to have seen them perform once more but also a bit sad that this would probably really be the last time.

Unfortunately my trip home was not much better! I found that the M602 was now closed in the opposite direction and was stuck in another jam for a while! Wouldn't have missed it for the world though!

[Lena & Harry Smith]

What with road works, accidents etc, travelling on roads is a nightmare, but in spite of all the hassle, it is a great and interesting review Richard, we enjoyed reading it and so glad that you also enjoyed the concert. This group are certainly delighting the fans on this tour, all wonderful musicians and Judith Durhams recent illness and her brave struggle to return to good health would deservedly add to the fans admiration and her distinctive voice alone will create an atmosphere to make a memorable night.

[Marian]

Sorry you had such a stressful journey to the theatre to see The Seekers Richard, but pleased you enjoyed the show.

[ROBERT M.]

Sounds like a really great show

[hpooch]

Great and Interesting Reviews from Richard & John.....I wish I was there!
Any chance that the concert will be recorded for a CD or DVD to be released in the near future??

[john]

I am not sure Henry, a lot of people have been asking this on Facebook, would be really great if one of the concerts had been recorded.

[Rmoore]

I think if it's been done it will either be tonight's show at the Royal Albert Hall or one of the Australian concerts.

The 25th reunion had a film & CD, the later on in 2000 the Night of Nights double CD so it depends if they think there is enough millage in another show. I hope so though!

I consider this as a Farewell just to the UK though not Australia where it was just billed as 50th Anniversary tour, so don't think this will be the last thing they will ever do together.

[karl]

Sounds like John and Richard really enjoyed the show.

I like them singing Come The Day so it was interesiting to read they opened with that. Richard the song you spoke of I Am An Australian seems to be a part of their act and there are a lot of Australians over here so maybe they sing it for them.

I am glad the audience reaction was so good I'm pleased for The Seekers. I also hope it will be recorded for a dvd release.