Tag Archives: David Essex

David Essex, Gig Review. Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

Some people should know better, the rush of excitement though becomes too much and whilst not done in malice, it could see such moments of venues tolerating the rush to the front to see the sex symbols, the musical icons and the true stars of longevity, disappear into the night quicker than a reality television star’s career. No harm done of course as the interloper to David Essex’s stage was dealt with in the same off hand manner that accompanied the likes of Rugby pitch invader Erica Rowe, but it did for a moment detract from what was the power of a man to whom there never has been any doubt, his place in the annals of British music.

Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version Of War Of The Worlds, Theatre Review. Dominion Theatre, London.

Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Liam Neeson, Michael Praed, Madalena Alberto, Jimmy Nail, Heide Range, Daniel Bedingfield, David Essex, Jerry Wayne, Will Barratt, Ethan Bradshaw, Charlie Bell, Antony Hansen, Matt Holland, Tash Holway, Chris Jenkins, Grace McKee, Jack Mitchell, Marios Nicolaidos, Simon Shorten, Jodie Steele.

The music is still the same, the feeling of beauty, of enormity unchanged from its conception and aside from the last arena tour, more than able to bring a tear to the eye of anyone who has taken Jeff Wayne’s musical War of the Worlds to their hearts; yet as the production enters a new phase of performance, the dynamic has shifted, it now resonates with a feeling of positive creativity and the truth of theatre, that all should be able to see the actors reactions to the immensity, the scale of the music on offer.

David Essex, Gig Review. Civic Hall, Wolverhampton.

Originally published by The Birmingham Mail. October 2006.

Modern acts could learn a valuable lesson in endurance from the evergreen David Essex, who spurned his advancing years to give a stunning performance.

An appreciative audience cheered and clapped throughout the two-hour show that opened with Beautiful Day from the album of the same name.

After the song Dust To Dust he thrilled the crowd by going back to his roots with Silver Dream Machine, set against a montage of scenes from the film, and perennial favourite Rock On.