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Smokin Tunes A place for musicians and music lovers (that also smoke cigars!) to discuss their passion. |
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07-02-2012, 10:00 AM | #1 |
Self Exiled
Herf God
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Kearny, NJ
Posts: 40,584
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The old man still has it
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons appeared at the Manchester Arena on Sunday
night. This is how Manchester Evening News reviewer Dianne Bourne saw it: Manchester Arena July 1, 2012 HAVING inspired the smash hit musical Jersey Boys, the pop currency of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons has rarely been higher since their 60s heyday. And so its little surprise that fans are packing in at the Manchester Arena to hear the original Jersey Boy Frankie belt out those classic hits. They may not be the original Four Seasons alongside him - indeed the four smartly be-suited young bucks on backing vocals are more in the Springtime of their careers than the Autumn - but of course there's no doubting who is the star here on stage. Valli is now the ripe old age of 78, but that unique falsetto voice is as powerful, crisp and mind-bogglingly high-pitched as ever. Indeed, at times you can barely believe this isn't a recording such is the clarity of his vocals. Right from the off he has the audience clapping and toe-tapping in the aisles with show opener, 1978 hit Grease. "Are we all ready out there to have some fun tonight?", he enquires to a booming response of 'yeah' from us old groovers in the crowd.There's a rip-roaring rendition of Beggin', and a shoulder-shimmying romp through Stay. But Valli drops the pace to do his tribute to that other famous American-Italian Frank - Sinatra - in his version of I've Got You Under My Skin. It leads elegantly into My Eyes Adored You, the opening strains eliciting a groan of joy in unison across the crowds. It's old school schmaltz, but the audience lap it up. And when Frankie bemoans the state of the pop world today, saying: "Some of this music today, I just don't quite understand it. I mean, do people really make love to this music? No wonder everybody is crazy!", there are huge cheers of support. It leads into a medley of his favourite 60s songs, including Spanish Harlem when one fans takes the opportunity to present a giant bouquet of red roses. As we edge towards the finale the "Four Seaons" move centrestage for a bit of coordinated shimmying and finger-snapping on the likes of Working My Way Back To You, Walk Like A Man and Big Girls Don't Cry, and then a rambunctious crowd singalong to Can't Take My Eyes Off You "This is the way the world should be, everybody happy and everybody in harmony," smiles Frankie. And as the crowd bop along to December 1963 (Oh What a Night) you can't help but agree. |