Another faultless performance in the lovely North Wales valley town, on an
uncomfortably hot and humid stage.
The Eisteddfod pavilion was filled to its maximum capacity of 4,500+ with many
more enjoying picnics on the grassy areas outside, listening to the concert
through loudspeakers.
It was the final gala concert of a successful week for the new festival
management. They had brought it back from financial difficulties.
At 7.40pm the orchestra struck up the familiar Goldfinger chords, after a
charming introduction from the announcer, using words like megastar and icon to
describe their special guest.
She was wearing one of the 2003 tour gold gowns, the one with the middle split,
and had her hair up over her ears. Looking as good as ever. Of course a standing
ovation, and straight into Goldfinger to instantly stun the mainly Welsh crowd.
The stage was limited in size. Just before the start, drummer Mike Smith fell
off the back. No injuries though, and his fellow musicians laughed at the
"You've Been Framed" type of incident.
It had been blazing hot all day. The pavilion is basically a very large tent, in
an impressive modern design. There were no electric fans on stage, which was a
mistake, because Shirley and the orchestra had to sweat their way through the
concert.
Some of the stewards chatted to me afterwards saying that they had felt sorry
for her as she was drenched. The stage lights made it ever hotter.
It's just as well Shirley works out daily in the gym. Even so she was visibly
flagging towards the end.
They say that men sweat and ladies glisten. Shirley had a box of Kleenex tissues
on the piano, which she used after the third number, just before 'Never Never
Never'.
The song list was the same as the recent tour, but excluded that brilliant
brassy version of 'History Repeating'. Perhaps she thought it was too modern for
the classics-oriented audience. Shame, because we love it. Also missed were
"What Now My Love" and "The Lady is a Tramp".
Humour was at a high level. At the welcome she said that this concert was a
first for her, at Llangollen (pronounced correctly with the hard double 'ch').
"They never invited me! After 2,000 years, no, 1,000 years!" referring to the
long history of the Eisteddfod tradition.
She explained that this was her Golden Anniversary, and if the Queen could have
one last year, so could she this year.
"Is she here? Oh, there you are!" She made a very funny impromptu curtsey to an
imaginary Queen in the stalls. The audience roared with laughter.
With one Kleenex, she mopped her brow during the musical intro to a song. Being
at the mike, she looked around wondering whether to take it back to the piano
(not enough time) or drop it (untidy). So she tucked it down her bodice, with a
coquettish smile.
During the skipping part of 'Big Spender' #Wouldn't you like to have fun, fun,
fun...# she quipped "It's too hot for that!"
Another hysterical moment was when she introduced the ladies and gentlemen of
the orchestra. By this time it was so hot for her, she must have been on
autopilot.
"...And two gentlemen who travel around the world with me. On drums, Mike Smith
(applause) and.... and... Oh God I've done it again!" She bent forward with her
hand covering her face, laughing. She had forgotten her new Musical Director's
name. Who can blame her in that heat? I couldn't remember his name either.
Pretending to ignore the gaffe, she picked up some Kleenex and dusted the top of
the piano, as if nothing was happening. It was really funny and Shirley at her
most playful. The pianist whispered "Peter Hagen".
Soon afterwards she gave Peter a great big hug. There was a lot of affection and
fun. "He'll never let me live that down!" It's clear that Peter's
professionalism, his nice attitude and style have been a contributing factor to
her recent performances.
'Hey Jude' went down well. Her rendition of 'Thank You For The Years' was
perhaps the best ever. The operatic sustained notes in 'Johnny One Note' left
even the most avid classical music fans in shock. Finally, 'I Am What I Am' was
the signal for the end at 9.00pm, in her usual spectacular style with billowing
gold coat. No amount of standing applause would bring her back. Shirley must
have been at melting point and wanting to get back to the Grosvenor hotel in
Chester.
Another highlight was the amateur nature of the event, run by volunteers. Polite
local schoolchildren did a good job as ushers and usherettes. There were none of
the scary radioed up security men we saw at Wembley. The stewards were ultra
friendly and amazingly helpful. After the concert, the audience were invited to
take bunches of flowers from the stage display, and make a donation.
This concert could not have been as historic as Wembley because of the heat.
There was only one gift and one bunch of flowers. But it was at a special venue
in the heart of beautiful green, steep hilled countryside. With a midsummer
village fete charm.
Thanks to Peggy for providing this excellent review.