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Hi Folks!
We went to Chatham this weekend, this time on a holiday.
Driver Ed and personal assistant Sue did a great job looking after P.J and made sure all went went smoothly on and off stage. Margaret did a great job looking after the merchandise and made a very professional presentation. Thanks guys!
I read so many good reports about the Proby&Friends shows, I wanted to see it for myself and this was my last chance as unfortunately this was the last of these show.
I assure you folks, it was worth the trip from Amsterdam.
The show started with a drum solo intro by Mark Ellen from Vanity Fare. This was a great beginning of a great night. Not knowing what to expect I waited on the edge of my seat in anticipation. I was not disappointed.
Vanity Fare were at their very best . Top coordination. They played a lot of their hits and also a Sixties Medley starting with Steve Oakman doing a wonderful job on his 12 string guitar with Mr Tambourine Man. The sound of the 12 string guitar really brought back the atmosphere of the Sixties.
There was a great roar of applaus when Mark announced that guitar player Eddie Wheeler was born in Gillenham. Maybe that was the reason he delivered top form for his home game. What a guitarist!
After the brilliant show from Vanity Fare came Brian “Tremeloes” Poole. I find Brian Poole a great artist and entertainer, and always the perfect gentleman. He knows how to get people out of their seats and on their feet dancing. He had the audience dancing in the aisles with his twisting&shouting and rocking&rolling. He had them gob-struck with ballads like Someone Someone and the great "a capella" song The Three Bells together with Vanity Fare. Even little Jimmy Brown would have got goosebumps.
During the short break everybody got a chance to digest the first half of the show and get ready for the second half.
This started with an "a capella" song from Vanity Fare “It’s the longest time”, followed by Steve Oakman singing the song Picture Of You, written by his father for Joe Brown, when he was a bass player in the Bruvvers. Then they did their hit Hitching a Ride, where the bass player Bernie Hagley gave a very energetic demonstration of the dance The Hitch hike across stage. Again the crowd was dancing in the aisles, doing the Hitch hike.
And then - wait for it folks - it’s Mr P.J. Proby!
The lights dimmed and Sophie joined the guys on stage, receiving a big applause.
After the intro music Proby entered the stage in his usual professional manner, looking quite stunning in his white suit, white boots and black shirt. I wished I looked that good and I’m only 64. He moved energetically and briskly from left to right on the stage during Lonely Weekends, playing to the stalls and upper ring, which in this theatre was very cosily close. After Proby shouted: Sophieee!!!!!!! she joined him in front with her saxophone solo, looking great with her smart mini dress and new hairdo.
It still amazes me that Proby finds the energy to jump around and rock&roll, using the whole stage the way he does, showing no sign of fatigue, only slight perspiration.
The show as always, was 120%. Proby gave his all. There was a slight problem with his voice, when hitting the high notes on Maria, due to a cold, but like the old soldier he is, he battled on, under loud applause and shouts from the crowd.
He carried on the rest of his performance with flying colours, what an artist.
After a lot of applauding, cheering, handshakes and being encored a few times, Vanity Fare broke into the finale song Games People Play and Brian Poole and Proby were called back to the stage. The audience just couldn’t get enough! More , More they kept shouting, Brian asked Proby, can we do something else and Proby looked at his watch and said Maybe, we’re out of time. This was a cue for them to break into an amazing rendition of Chris Farlowe’s number one hit "Out Of Time". I would class their version up there with the best.
Although this was the last Proby&Friends Show, I hope this golden combination will get together again Someday, Somehow, Somewhere.
Thanks guys for a very enjoyable night of Top entertainment, You Made My Day
If you’ve missed the shows, make sure you’ll see the Oh Boy Show next week in Great Yarmouth, where Mike Pender and Mike d’Abo will be added to this line up as well.
Brian
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