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The rapturous applause and excited calls for more at the end of their recent appearance in the Pforzheimer “Kulturhaus Osterfeld” indicated to the five vocalists of the Flying Pickets that their one-and-a-half-hour concert again had reached the hearts of the listeners.
And what´s more, the reactions of the audience showed the vocal quintet that it had landed a direct hit with its programme composition, for the mood rose continuously so that most visitors would have gladly listened longer to the outstanding voices of Andrea Figallo, Dylan Foster, Andy Laycock, Simon John Foster and Michael Henry.
The enthusiasm did not come without reason. With its selection of songs exceptionally arranged and perfectly coordinated with the voices of the five singers,the British ensemble once more proved that melodiousness in rock and pop music is not at all stringently dependent on massive keyboard sounds or thrilling guitar riffs. |
Perfect arrangements: The British singers once again left a lasting impression in the “city of gold”.
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Also the very fact that the Flying Pickets succeed in making all instruments dispensable, just by the employment of their voices, ennobles them. Obviously the five singers take much pleasure in their doing, providing a laid back atmosphere from the first minute on.
The musical mixture the vocal pop quintet came up with was downright perfect. Beginning with Sheryl Crow’s "Every Day is a Winding Road" the singers presented a set of catchy songs in which the harmonious sound structure of the quintet came into its own. The evening hit its first peak when Simon John Foster and the vocal percussionist Andrea Figallo sent comforting shivers down the spines of the listeners, performing The Police’s "Roxanne".
It was astounding with how much strength and dynamics the powerful voiced S.J. Foster vocalised the composition penned by Sting, while the svelte Figallo “framed” the melody with fine rhythms, sometimes gently whispering, sometimes propulsive. The same happened to the "Moon over Bourbon Street" sung by Figallo and Andy Laycock. What was also amazing at the Osterfeld concert was that the ensemble did not only perform big international hits from Michael Jackson ("Billie Jean") to Bob Marley ("Buffalo Soldier") and "Kool and the Gang" ("Celebration").
They skilfully used the opportunity to make people realise that besides the smash hit "Only You"- which they also presented in a modern version- they have written a number of interesting original compositions, like “Chapel on a Cloud“.
(27.10.2005. Review and Picture: Ralf Recklies, Pforzheimer Zeitung)
Thanks to Sylvia Schmidt for the translation. |
