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Elly Roberts reviews

Don Williams: Greatest Hits Live Yee Haaaa! So you thought Country Music was dead and buried. Not so. Golden voiced ‘ Gentle Giant ‘ Don Williams’ (right) double bill with Judy Collins is going down a storm. With only two British chart hits back in the 70’s - I Recall A Gypsy Woman and You’re My Best Friend, you’d think he was all but forgotten. His fanbase are turning out in droves as he tours the UK and Ireland promoting his new album, ‘My Heart To You‘. He popped - in at the North Wales Theatre in Llandudno, proving he’s a big star as ever. Now, I’m not one of the biggest fans of the genre, but I’ve had my moments via Crystal Gayle, Billie Jo Spears et al, and I’m glad I didn’t miss this one. Dressed in appropriate gear : stetson, cowboy boots, and jeans, he created a wonderfully-relaxed atmosphere. A man of few words, “I dawn’t say mach,“ he said in his deep Texan drawl. “Why not?”, shouted a fan in the front row. “Caauuse I aalways put ma foot in it!“, he replied, as the crowd roared with laughter. Laid back is an understatement: he takes top prize in that department. Playing his music is another issue, as there’s no hanging around. Flanked by his band – Billy Sanford on guitars, Charles Cochran on keys, Matt McKenzie on bass, John Clausi on guitar and Steve Turner on drums they took us into the wonderful world where the lyrics are paramount, along with some glorious melodies. His famous voice, described as, “..a rich, thick, barbecue sauce thing, as warm and honest as a preacher’s country handshake, as calming as a light rain…“ , is something to behold. Most of the evening turned into a mass – sing a long. You might think that this was music for a certain age group, but by the crowd make – up, it was evident that he has mass appeal for both sexes and all ages. During a 21-song setlist he thrilled his devotees with past and present gems, which at their core are, simple, unpretentious and above all deeply emotional. My favourites of the night were: the hit singles, Dr. Hook’s Years From Now and It Must Be Love. Finger lickin’ good! ..and a Greatest Hits Collection – Volume One is now available on R1 DVD.

Judy Colllins: Live at Wolf Trap Graceful, tall and elegant, former 60’s flower – child Judy Collins (right) was a fantastic support act. Known for the quality of her beautiful voice, at 65 years of age, she would shame most of today’s young pretenders. A mass of long grey hair swept back into a hair comb, long flared trousers and sparkly jacket, she is appearing in the UK for the first time in 20 years, and still very much in love with American Folk music. Heavily influenced by her father’s love of Irish songs, she moved from her classical piano tuition to guitar by her late teens. Setting high standards in Greenwich Village in New York, she opened up the world to up and coming singer – songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and Pete Seeger, who she regularly covers. She greeted everyone with, “Hi there. It’s my first visit to Wales. It’s beautiful. I’m only sorry I’m not on vacation,“ as the crowd roared with approval. There was no band, just her and a pianist, and she began with Carole King’s Both Sides Now. Then we got Country Roads, The Beatles’ In My Life and a stirring acappella version of Amazing Grace. Highlights included solos of songs from her childhood like My Funny Valentine. She took to the piano herself for a few songs, dazzling everyone with her skills.

Review & pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004.

DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TXW32R4 32" widescreen TV connected to either a Creative Dxr2 DVD-ROM player or Microsoft Xbox and played through a Sony STR-DB930 amplifier.

PC games reviewed by the editor are on: