Live Review - The Osmonds - MEN Arena

11:47am Sunday 25th May 2008

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"We Want The Osmonds!!!!" The crowd cried. And we got em! Not just Donny, or Jimmy or a couple of the brothers. No. ALL SEVEN performing Osmonds on stage at the same time!

From a mind blowing opener of Crazy Horses' right through to the emotional encore of Love Me For A Reason' the sell-out audience were treated to a trip into their own childhoods and through the careers of five - yes FIVE chart acts: The Osmonds, Donny Osmond, Marie Osmond, Jimmy Osmond and Donny and Marie Osmond.

There were two autobiographical numbers, the poignant Through The Years' receiving rapt attention and also the numbers featured photographs and film of the family - including their first audition for Walt Disney.

After a trio of numbers, Marie left the stage to her brothers as they went through The Proud One', Yo Yo' (they did promise us some different songs), and Let Me In' before Marie returned for a solo set.

Sadly, Marie was perhaps the weak link in the show as she did quite a few numbers that would have been unfamiliar to all but the biggest fans, but a highlight was when she brought one of the male members of the audience (and there were a lot of men there is has to be said) to sing with her - the lucky chap! She also duetted with brother Merrill before the whole family returned to sing He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother' The six brothers then launched into a rocking version of Hold Me Tight' before performing a medley of songs from their 1973 concept album The Plan'; this included One Way Ticket To Anywhere' as well as a stupendous drum solo from Jay.

All that - and that was just the first half!

The audience were having the party of their lives and so were The Osmonds as they opened the second half with We're Having A Party' and after two songs we were left in the hands of the "special guests".

Donny was up first and his set had The Twelfth Of Never' plus Any Dream Will Do' with excellent backing vocals from the massed choir of the MEN Arena. Marie joined him, and she was much more relaxed onstage with Donny at her side than she was alone. Following It Takes Two' and the theme from their TV show. They took it in turns to sing snippets of their solo hits, and it was here that we enjoyed Paper Roses' and Puppy Love' which threw the distaff side of the crowd into ecstasies.

The stage went dark, and in a flash of light Jimmy appeared to perform - yes, you've guessed it - Long Haired Lover From Liverpool'. This was a great version though, starting slowly before segueing into a filmed version from 1972 and then Jimmy taking over again with a version bordering on rock.

"Support" acts over, the whole family was back for One Bad Apple' before the Brothers did a medley of half a dozen numbers that they particularly liked.

Marie returned for Through The Years' and Goin' Home'.

The chanting started up again. "We Want The Osmonds! We Want The Osmonds!" It was like being back in 1973! They did return for a rousing rendition of Love Me For A Reason'.

Yes, we do love The Osmonds, and do you know why? They are GREAT! Faultless singing, superb musicianship and a desire to make the evening special for their many fans who had flocked to Manchester to see this historical event.

It won't happen again, Jimmy has said that the older brothers do not want to tour the world indefinitely and there are other considerations.

Special mention has to go to Alan, the oldest. He is suffering with the crippling disease Multiple Sclerosis. However, that didn't stop him from taking a full part in the proceedings. Sometimes throwing his walking stick away to join in with the dancing.

Yes, a special night which won't happen again sadly. Once again The Osmonds have conquered the UK, and I was privileged to witness it.