NOTP Fanpage

Archive for November, 2011

The Godfather of soul, James Brown, was enthusiastic about his performance to NOTP in Antwerp. He came with a bunch of musicians so it took a while before everyone got set up. Then, he was announced by the man who is announcing him for about 40 years, Danny Ray. Surprising small man, James Brown, but what an energy at his age! It must have been very hard for Franck van der Heyden to arrange, Il Novecento is proving once more to be very funcky to guide a star like James Brown. Here, we got the chance to see a legend in action.

Our review of the party in Rotterdam can be read here !

Joe Cocker has a thing for Night of the Proms. In 1992, when is career was on a slow point, Jan & Jan got him to NOTP and Joe will never forget it. In 2004 Carl Huybrechts was giving a lot of explanation about the accordion, a folk instrument, played by Damian, the man with the panpipes. We were misled because after a few seconds Joe Cocker enters the stage with the beautiful ‘N’oubliez Jamais’. Unfortunately, Catherine Deneuve isn’t joining him on stage! Even after a few misunderstandings and the conflict between generations, every person doesn’t only get the DNS from his parents, but also the advice. Joe has a lot of experience from life to bring the message in a fantastic way!

Dirk Hohmeyer, the German organizer, convinced Mike Oldfield to take part in the German NOTP. The first part was about half way and John Miles had just sung Music. Robert Groslot started playing the theme on the piano for a surprised audience. After 35 seconds the lights are pointed towards Mike on his base. Mike is standing still on stage: luckily his music is full of life! From 1:45 John miles is joining with his guitar. The calm Mike Oldfield changes guitar around 3:15 and moves on to the famous rhythm change. At that time, we can hear a Spanish guy shouting ‘Madre de Dios’ around 5:40 because all the powerful music became too much. Laurie Wisefield and John Miles are playing the themes after which Mikes (around 6:45) is putting the cherry on top of this magical music with the backing vocals.

We had a nice interview with DIV4S.

You can read more here!

The eight concerts in Antwerp have finished. Mich Hucknall’s setlist has seen some changes since the premiere. During the first weekend Mick Hucknall sang For your babies and The right thing. But those numbers have been replaced. Instead he brought Something got me started, where John Miles added his voice to the backing vocals ! And Mick ended his set with the beautiful If you don’t know me by now. It’s going to be a big Mick Hucknall in Rotterdam!
The surprise acts were Sioen and Koen Buysse, the Zornik singer.

Were you someone who enjoyed Rolling in the Deep, sung a capella by Fine Fleur as well? The arrangement was by the hand of the conductor, Edwig Abrath.
The cooperation between Patrick De Smedt and the volunteers at The Typewriter went very smoothly. You can see here how he empathizes with them.

And if you want to see the matching clip, look at this!

About hunderd years ago, Edward Elgar wrote his Pomp and Circumstance Marches, of which the first, Land of Hope And Glory, is an annual item both here as during the Last Night of the Proms shows in London. Traditionally, this is the last but one song of the show. You can see the young Robert Groslot conducting Il Novecento. Compare this version with the clip during the 2002 edition in Rotterdam. The audience looks to sing with more joy in 1994 but in 2002 the orchestra is enthusiastically standing up. In 2002, it is played faster. Stand up if you’re singing along!

Read the rest of this entry »

We’re still excited about the premiere of the Night of the Proms in Antwerp, but we managed to make a review of the show: Click here!