The Orchestra is music to our ears

1:31pm Tuesday 15th April 2008

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THE ORCHESTRA PRESTON GUILDHALL TUESDAY 1ST APRIL 2008 After a slight mix-up with the intro tape, The Orchestra (former members of ELO and ELO Part2) hit top gear straight away with a hit fest nobody wanted to end.

One or two comments were made about the size of the audience, but as the band members themselves said - "quality rather than quantity", and set about giving us true fans the night of our lives.

Most of the hits by ELO were played, and there were even a couple of instrumentals (one of them - Fire on High' has always been a particular favourite of mine).

The second half started slowly with Phil Bates (GREAT to see him back) and violinist Mik Kaminski playing together. There were also a couple of numbers from their own album No Rewind'. Even drummer Gordon Townsend took the mic and sang The Beatles' number Getting Better'. Staying with The Fab Four - from which the original ELO took their influence - there was a magnificent new arrangement of Twist and Shout'. And speaking of new arrangements, the version of Midnight Blue', as sung emotively by Kelly Groucutt was nothing less than phenomenal.

Small they may have been, but the audience played their part and the barnstormers of Do Ya' and Don't Bring Me Down' have everyone on their feet and singing.

These guys give their all in a show and we were privileged to see them in action.

Martin Hutchinson