alphabetical evening

And we're back! The trip to London was a rousing success. However, my wireless connection at the hotel was marginal, at best. Hence the reason we all went quiet at The Rewind for a few days.

I can't even begin to tell you how MAGNIFICENT Martin Fry and co. were last Tuesday evening. Absolutely stunning! The "Lexicon Of Love" sounded brilliant as a live extravaganza at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in front of a sold out crowd.

Of course, the original album was only about half an hour long. How did they fill up the remainder of their time on stage? ABC played a lot of stuff they never performed live before this special show.



Here's the full set list...

ACT 1

1. Overture ("The Lexicon Of Love")
2. When Smokey Sings
3. S.O.S.
4. The Very First Time
5. The Night You Murdered Love
6. One Better World
7. Ocean Blue
8. (How To Be A) Millionaire
9. Be Near Me

INTERMISSION (20 MINUTES)

ACT 2

1. Introduction: The Lexicon Of Love - Trevor Horn
2. Show Me

3. Many Happy Returns

4. Tears Are Not Enough
5. Poison Arrow
6. Valentine's Day
7. The Look Of Love
8. Date Stamp
9. 4ever 2gether
10. All Of My Heart

ENCORE

1. The Look Of Love (Part IV)
2. The Look Of Love

For an ABC fan, of which I am one, it was incredible to hear songs they hadn't previously performed live. Songs like the plaintive "S.O.S.", the Chic inspired strains of "The Night You Murdered Love", and the luxurious "Ocean Blue" were welcomed by adoring fans. These songs, although released as singles, were never big hits but they are highly regarded classics by those that stood by ABC through eight fantastic albums over the last 27 years.

Act 2 of the evening began with a beautiful speech from Trevor Horn who produced "The Lexicon Of Love" way back in 1982. Trevor's first success came in the UK when he produced a handful of singles for duo, Dollar, in 1981. He was also a member of The Buggles who had a giant hit with "Video Killed The Radio Star" which is famous for being the very first video MTV broadcast when the music channel launched in late 1981. 

Trevor was also a member of Art Of Noise. From there he went on to produce "Welcome To The Pleasuredome", the debut album from Frankie Goes To Hollywood, in 1984. That album featured "Relax", an iconic, worldwide smash that defined the sound of the 80s. He twiddled the knobs for the album "90215" by Yes which included the hit, "Owner Of A Lonely Heart"; several tracks for Pet Shop Boys in the late 80s as well as their 2006 album, "Fundamental"; Grace Jones' album "Slave To The Rhythm" in 1985; Seal's debut album in 1991 and much, much more.

Anne Dudley, who was a member of Art Of Noise with Trevor, scored all the string arrangements for "The Lexicon Of Love". She conducted the BBC Concert Orchestra which provided the orchestral backdrop for the Royal Albert Hall performance.

Since I was sitting in the third row right next to the stage, I went up to the baby grand piano and snapped a photo of the set list for the second act. I got a great shot of it complete with misspellings.



And here's the view of the venue from behind me during intermission.



I even managed to smuggle my mini video recorded into the event. Shhhhh! I won't tell if you don't. Here's how the evening began right after they dimmed the house lights.

I might upload a few more performances over the next few days while I'm recovering from some pretty serious jet lag.

The excitement of the evening didn't end when the show did. I was invited to the after party and I got to hang with some old friends.

Here's yours truly having a laugh with Peter Cox and Richard Drummie from Go West!



Tony Hadley from Spandau Ballet was there! Got to chat with him about the forthcoming reunion tour. We got a chance to catch up with each other. Can't wait to see him and the guys in London in October.



Met Tessa Niles. She sang all the backing vocals on the album, "The Lexicon Of Love", all those years ago. She came out of retirement to sing with ABC for this very special event. She is one of the loveliest people I've ever met. We had a wonderful discussion about music. I wanted to squeeze her to pieces!



And then I got to meet the man of the hour, Mr. Martin Fry! It was a truly magical evening from beginning to end.



I even managed to meet Trevor Horn and Anne Dudley. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to snap a photo with either of them. David Palmer, the original drummer with ABC, played with Martin this evening. He was very warm, charming and chatty. He had to get on a plane to head back being in Rod Stewart's touring band.

All in all, the musicians were fantastic. The audience was fabulous. Hands down, this had to be one of the most memorable shows I ever attended. Although it was a nostalgic trip back to the 80s, it felt very fresh and new. It was also an incredible evening where we paid tribute to a landmark album that changed the way the world viewed pop music. It was simultaneously grand and simple. It combined the luxury of orchestral arrangements with the raw emotions about love and loss, so beautifully sung by Martin Fry. And it gave us an evening to remember.