ARTICLE: JAMES LAST LIVE - UK PROGRAM TOUR 1981
- JAMES LAST LIVE -
It is more than possible that you might be attending your very first Last concert (if that doesn't sound a contradiction in terms). Apart from stating the obvious - that you're in for a musical ball - it might be instructive to let you know just how extraordinarily diverse this evening's programme is likely to be. An obvious checkpoint is the marvellous "James Last Live In London" double-LP (Polydor 2672 046). Recorded at the Royal Albert Hall, to be exact, at a totally unforgettable concert that has been faitfully recaptured - aurally at least - by James' personal sound engineer, Peter Klemt. Quite apart from the uniformly superlative way the orchestra played and the singers sang, or the superfine recording quality, the music is archetypal Last in its diversity. Included are tunes as wide apart in style and genre as the Theme From "Star Wars" written by Award-winning John Wiliams; the hillbilly Turkey In The Straw (personally arranged in brilliant individual style by Last); Paul Simon's moving Bridge Over Troubled Water; the Lloyd-Webber-Rice modern classic Don't Cry For Me Argentina (from "Evita", of course); an Elvis Presley medley (comprising Love Me Tender, Rip It Up, Don't Be Cruel, Jailhouse Rock and Hound Dog); Cole Porter's I've Got You Under My Skin; and Games That Lovers Play (just about the biggest hit song for songwriter James Last). To put it euphemistically, there are, of course, a gang of other contrasting opuses to be found elsewhere on a particularly rewarding album...
One other important aspect of tonight's performance you wil surely remember for a long, long time after it is over is the sheer quality of the musicians and singers. Perfectionist James sees to it that whatever the instrument, only the very best players are included as members of the huge orchestra. And if you don't know too much about the Last background, don't be fooled into thinking he's just one of those guys who stands in front of his band, in best bib-and-tucker, holding a gleaming baton which he waves in front of the ensemble from time to time.
For Last is a musician through and through. And, moreover, a musician of some impressive pedigree. As a player, he demands an awful lot from his players - but no more than he demands of himself. The mutual respect between leader and orchestra another significant aspect of James Last's success. And don't think that just because you're fan that he thinks any less of you - for James Last has long since become a byword in the music business for giving his legion of admirers only the very best, at all times.
