Greg Lake at the Orchard, Dartford
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Live Performance Reviews
Forum Description: Performance Reviews by Members
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=14388
Printed Date: December 22 2024 at 08:32
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Topic: Greg Lake at the Orchard, Dartford
Posted By: chopper
Subject: Greg Lake at the Orchard, Dartford
Date Posted: November 13 2005 at 10:15
|
It's so much nicer to see a concert in a small, intimate theatre such
as this, rather than venues like Wembley where you're miles from the
stage and the sound is terrible. The gigs I go to nowadays are more
like the theatre - they start on time and there's even an interval with
ice creams! I even felt quite young last night as well. The only
problem is a slight lack of atmosphere as everyone remains seated, but
this is more listening music than get-up-and-boogie music. Starting off with "In the court of the crimson king", Greg provided almost 2 hours of great entertainment. This is an excellent venue and the sound was almost perfect (only the bass was mixed a bit low, but I'm biased in this respect being a bass player myself. Mind you, he made up for it later on with the fretboard lights!). A great version of "From the beginning" followed, with Greg making everyone wait for the guitar bit that leads back into the title line. There were also great versions of A Farewell To Arms and an epic "Take A Pebble", featuring a virtuoso acoustic performance from the 22-year old Florian Opahle. He certainly has all the guitar god moves and is definitely one to watch. Greg himself was in fine voice - some people (including me) have said that his voice was going, but tonight it sounded as good as ever. A nice version of "I believe in Father Christmas" followed, complete with audience wisecrack about it being Greg's pension. Greg introduced two members of his charity band who joined in "Lucky Man", complete with Moog solo. They even did a brilliant version of 21st Schizoid Man with the full diddly-diddly middle section. They stormed back after the afore-mentioned interval with "Fanfare for the common man", we got "Pictures at an exhibition" (parts of which I didn't recognise, but then I haven't heard the full version for a while) and the obligatory encore was the "Welcome back my friends" section of "Karn Evil 9". All in all a fantastic gig - where else can you see one of the giants of prog playing King Crimson and ELP classics in a great venue for £23? Gig of the year? - no contest. |
Replies:
Posted By: richardh
Date Posted: November 13 2005 at 16:43
|
Nice review and I agree with most of it especially about Greg's voice.My highlight was 'Lucky Man' when he was joined by Richard Desmond and Russ Ballard from their charity band The Crusaders.Richard on drums was exceptional I thought! btw the version of Pictures was actually the version that appeared on the box set 'Return Of The Manticore'. If I was being hyper critical of the show then it was the keyboard sound.The attempt at a Hammond sound was atrocious on some tracks.I also thought the drummer was a little too 'stiff' ,especially compared to Carl Palmer the night before! On the plus side the guitarist was indeed amazing and comes form the same German music school that Carl guitarist comes from interestingly. I should also mention that I met up with another ELP fan called Linda who has posted here as 'Three Fates' and was joined by her boyfriend (a nice chap called Jon) as well as a few other friends.We had a good time needless to say. Oh and re the venue ..they need a bigger bar! Getting a drink at the interval and standing in a long queue was a pain in the arse! |
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: November 14 2005 at 11:50
|
Great stuff chopper/richardh, it sounds like it was a corker (barring
the keyboard sound it would seem) and I wish I could have been there
for it. Happy to see that Greg has included some of the Crimson
material as well. I felt it was a pretty good bet that threefates was going to be there.  ------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |
Posted By: threefates
Date Posted: December 05 2005 at 20:15
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Yep Sigod.. that was a bet you could of easily of won. I saw about 5 of Greg's shows... from Dartford to the last one in Llandudno, Wales. Had a wonderful time, Greg was really great with me and my boyfriend.. and I even got to meet Greg's wife. I know, shocked him also. But after all these years, we are still so cute together.. don't cha think??
I agree with the reviews, his voice was just excellent in all the shows I saw, including the last 3 which he was nursing a cold. The songs were done really well, even tho his keyboardist (both of them) are no Keith Emerson, but I have to say (even barring my feelings for Greg), I thought his show was tops over Keith and Carl's. Excellent version of "In the Court of the Crimson King" starts the show... the funny thing is that it ends with an encore of "Welcome Back My Friends"... Got some 300 great shots tho. He's a few
------------- THIS IS ELP 
|
sigod wrote:
Posted By: sigod
Date Posted: December 06 2005 at 05:02
The perfect couple Threefates.  ------------- I must remind the right honourable gentleman that a monologue is not a decision. - Clement Atlee, on Winston Churchill |