Dance to the music

[George Geddes]

I'm not a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing, though I do watch it sometimes, particularly in the latter stages. Like others on this site, though, I think that the unsung heroes of the show are the band and singers who turn in great performances week in, week out, with a whole range of material. Someone at the BBC or elsewhere had the idea of giving the band a tour of their own - with some dancers thrown in for good measure.

I think the tour is about halfway through, and it is worth a look. The ten-piece band and four singers are first rate on a wide variety of songs with the highlights for me being a steaming take on the Zombies' "She's not there", the Blues Brothers version of "Keep on running" and Andrea Grant belting out "Licence to kill"... The dancing ain't half bad either, with a beautiful routine to Tori Beaumant's "Over the rainbow". I saw criticism on the Ticketmaster site that there was not enough dancing. That misses the point - this is a chance to showcase the band, the dancers (2 couples) are a bonus.

Another bonus for me - Paul Dunne's tasty selection of guitars!!

George

[dave robinson]

I have to agree George, the band are superb and deserve all the credit they can get.

[Arpeggio]

Couldn't agree more with George. Dave Arch and his band (musicians and singers) are just superb. Dave's father, Gwyn Arch, is a respected conductor / arranger. He was head of music at Bulmershe College (part of Reading University) when both Di & myself were there during the 1970s. Although now in his 80s (& long since retired from Bulmershe), he still conducts the Reading Male Voice Choir as well as other choral groups. Until two years ago he was still rehearsing and 'pulling together' huge primary schools music events in Berkshire. Why do I mention this? Simple - a colleague of mine (also a fine musician) was Dave Arch's music teacher and headmaster back in the 1970s. Having lots of contact with Gwyn Arch....I do remember Dave (more often called David in those days) Arch as a young boy. The choirs I sang in then often gave concerts in schools (for fund -raising purposes). My colleague (also a headteacher) ran a fine school Jazz group. Even as a youngster - Dave Arch was remarkably proficient on guitar, piano, keyboards and vibraphone. OK - my main point is that (even way back then - nearly 40 years ago) he was well on his way to becoming a fine arranger. I recall several occasions when the polite, but earnest, youngster would point out minor errors in the arrangements / scores provided by my colleague for his Jazz group - as well as suggesting improvements and offering to write arrangements of his own. As my friend said (& I still see him regularly) - "The thing was...he was always right.....and some of his arrangements were at least as good, if not better, than mine!" He was a lovely boy.....with a precocious natural talent (allied to hard work). It's great to see what he has achieved in the music world. Just thought I'd share that memory with you all! Go see the show - it's great.

Bests....Rob

[George Geddes]

From where we were sitting, the other keyboard player looked like Gary Oldman in his Commissioner Gordon role in the Batman movies...


George