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Food Chain Benefit, London, UK,02. Dec. 2006
London in December....
When I first heard about the idea that there was going to be a benefit
performance with Jimmy and Andy Bell in aid of the project "The Food Chain",
I thought, well, I definately want to experience that. I had to get to
London by all means and fortunately the trip wasn´t that sore on the wallet
thanks to Ryanair.
Besides being quite a unique event, the concert was an active contribution
to supporting a project, in which people infected by AIDS, receive and have
access to healthy nutritional food... for people who would normally not be
able to afford this and who rely on support.
The evening didn’t get off to a good start for us however as we arrived at
the wrong theatre. (If only we had read those directions given to us). A
friendly employee of the Barbican Theatre told us though that the Mermaid
Theatre, in which the concert was taking place, wasn´t that far away. So,
off we went in a taxi and 5 minutes later we were there.... and we even had
time to spare. German punctuality!
The
concert began with the number "Baby You Got What It Takes", which was sung
by Jimmy and Andy. It was really good to see and listen to Jimmy for the
first time in such a long tme with a live band on stage. I could pick out
Sally Herbert on stage who was among the people playing strings. Sally was
the co-producer of the album „Manage The Damage“ and member of the band
„Banderas“. Jimmy left the stage to Andy who, to much applause, began the
song "Blue Savannah". After that, Jimmy and Andy sang the song "The Man Who
Sold The World" together. Jimmy then sang an amazing version of the song
"For A Friend" by himself, only to be accompanied by piano and saxophone.
I
was pretty excited about seeing Heather Small who I knew from her time with
M-People. She sang „I loves you Porgy“. Jimmy and Andy came on stage again
and sang the song „It Takes Two“. Before the song started Andy said ...."...ok
I do the girl part."
It was clear to see that the scottish lad was having his fun on stage andthe
next number was clearly a reason for that. Jimmy sang „I´ve Been Down So
Long“ together with the comedian Julian Clary who threw in funnier
variations of the text and made cheeky comments while Jimmy enraptured him
with his singing voice.
Next up; the choir "The Guardian Angles" who sang "Something Inside So
Strong" and ABBA‘s " Super Trouper".
After the intermission various table dancers, while performing a piece from
the opera "The Queen Of Sheba", showed us how you can wrap your body around
a pole. It actually looked pretty impressive what they were doing however
pretty painful, too. Way to go for those who have such control of their
bodies.
Back on stage Jimmy and Andy performed "What Have You Done For Me Lately"
followed by "Heaven Knows". After that, Andy was alone on stage again
singing „Ship Of Fools“. I had the feeling that he was in his element while
singing the Erasure songs however the duets with Jimmy didn´t seem to be as
well prepared... or was that just my feeling?
It was Jimmy’s turn to be alone on stage again and he sang „My Old Piano“.
The comdeian Julian Clary joined him once more for the number „Summer Wine“
and the two of them on stage had the audience laughing.
Heather
Small impressed everyone once again with her amazing voice while singing „Preoud".
However the most impressive performance of all was Jimmy and Heather singing
"Don't Leave Me This Way" together. Heather’s deep, voluminous voice was in
sync with Jmmy’s high singing voice and I really got goose bumps listening
to both of them. The buzz from the audience got larger and louder because of
the way the band performed this classic number, vibrantly with increasing
tempo. I can hardly describe it. During this final number all of the people
involved in the show came on stage and were introduced once more by Jimmy.
Matthew and Gillian got a special mention and were introduced by Jimmy as „my
sisiers“.
After the show members of the audience could get autographs and their
picture taken together
with Andy and Jimmy. All for a small
donation toward "Food Chain".
If
you are interested in giving your support in any way to this amazing project,
you can get in contact with Food Chain via the internet
www.foodchain.org.uk or contact the
address below:
The Food Chain Email: info@foodchain.org.uk
25
Bertram Street
London N19 5DQ Tel. (0044) 020 7272 7272
"It
Takes Two" Setlist:
1.
Baby You Got What It Takes - Andy / Jimmy
2.
Blue Savannah - Andy
3.
The Man Who Sold The World - Andy / Jimmy
4.
For A Friend - Jimmy
5.
I Loves You Porgy - Heather
6.
It Takes Two - Andy / Jimmy
7.
I've Been Down So Long - Jimmy / Julian
8.
Something Inside So Strong - Choir
9.
Super Trouper - Choir
Intermission
10. The Queen Of Sheba - Instrumental
11. What Have You Done For Me Lately - Andy / Jimmy
12. Heaven Knows - Andy / Jimmy
13. Ship Of Fools - Andy
14. My Old Piano - Jimmy
15. Summer Wine - Jimmy / Julian
16. Proud - Heather
17. Don't Leave Me This Way - Heather / Jimmy