Russell Watson Sheffield Concert 2009

Sheffield City Hall - 7th April 2009
Russell Watson

I came to Sheffield, with my Dad to see Russell's concert in Sheffield as part of his 2009 UK tour. Once inside the venue I automatically went to the merchandise desk and got my programme and my tour mug, (I seem to have quite a collection of these now).  

After a while of waiting we were eventually allowed through the foyer and into the main hall to our seats.
Once everybody was seated the orchestra, (which consisted of 6 female violinists, 2 drummers, 2 on guitar and Jeff Leach, the MD/pianist) and Sense of Sound choir took to the stage and played a medley of tunes from Russell's recorded repertoire. 

After about 5minutes or so of this Russell came out as the orchestra began to play O Sole Mio. Russell was wearing a dark grey suit with a pale blue shirt with a few darker blue stripes on it, and a matching tie. With a smile to the audience, at the microphone stand he burst into song. O Sole Mio is a fabulous starting song to show off The Voice, all big and booming. 

After the song Russell spoke to the audience saying "Hello Sheffield" and waved with both hands, and then in a thick Yorkshire accent said, "It's great to be back. We had such a fantastic time last year I think this time will be the same." He asked for the lights to go up a bit so he could see everybody at the back and in the balconies, which goes to show Russell's genuine appreciation for everybody who comes to see and support him on tour. 

Russell also mentioned that his children were here with him tonight and did a cheeky wave and a Hello towards them. They were in fact just a few rows ahead of where we were seated. 

Back to the mic' and Russell introduced that he would now sing a few Sacred Arias as the music for Panis Angelicus started. The backdrop at the back of the stage, became a screen, changing from plain black to showing an image of a carved cross. Russell looked again towards his girls and gave them a wink and a smile. 

After Panis Angelicus he went straight into singing Ave Maria and this time the image at the back changed into a stone-carved angel. Russell's voice always amazes me, especially with the classical songs, and his ability to go from very gentle and soft to holding long falsetto notes to the almost baritone feeling, which could be heard in the Amen's of this particular song. Which has to be testament to the success of Russell's professional career lasting 10years and still going strong. 

During those two arias Sense of Sound were backing Russell with soft melodious harmonies, which to be honest really impressed me as when seeing them on Last Choir Standing, I would never have thought about them singing classical music. 

When Ave Maria had finished with rapturous applause Russell started to take off his tie, receiving quite a few wolf whistles in the process. He explained that although they look good, ties are not that good for breathing. As he was folding it up someone in the audience shouted that they would like the tie. Russell lifts it to his shirt and with a soft voice says, "But it matches my shirt, it was made especially to match. Not this one but if you ask me later I might give you one." With that the audience laughed at the innuendo and Russell realising what he had said raises an eyebrow and in a hushed cheeky voice told us all to Behave and with a nod in the direction of his girls, says "my kids are here, shhh." Then he smiles that wondrous smile as if to say, I'm only joking. 

The orchestra started to play again and Russell mentioned that for this tour he wanted to go back to the songs that are on his earlier albums. Introducing the next song as one of his all time favourites, which can be found on his very first album and then he started to softly sing Caruso. 

Although for the majority of the classical songs Russell sings he is stood behind the mic' stand, I do love the way that he uses his arms to emphasize the song, almost as if he is conducting himself. With slow movements and arms in and in front of him for the softer and slower tones and then spread out with bigger bolder movements for the more deeper and more dramatic parts to the songs. 

After Caruso, Russell introduced and praised Sense of Sound for being his choir tonight and as we applauded they started to sing an acapella version of Justin Timberlake's Cry Me A River as Russell left the stage. The song was a wonderful arrangement with all the music coming from just their voices. But on a personal level for me the song didn't feel right for the concert so far. It felt to be too diverse and different after four very well known and loved classical pieces, especially with two of them being sacred arias. It was good, but felt out of place. 

Russell came bouncing back on stage applauding the choir as the music to Amore e Musica began to play. The background images came back and this time it was a moon above some water, and rather than just a still picture the water seemed to be moving. Russell sang beautifully and even walked around the stage a little bit for this song. 

After Amore e Musica Russell did the traditional mention of noticing that people have been using flash photography and then started posing for photos. So with this I switched the flash on and joined in with the photo session, managing a few shots, (as I don't really like to use the flash much during concerts). He posed at either end of the stage and also climbed onto the speakers in the middle for the people at the back to see, and joked about how he probably looks a bit scared in some of those as he was balanced a bit precariously. As he stepped down, Russell said, "Oh I forgot the singing pose." and holding the mic' had his arms and mouth wide open as if he's singing ‘Vincero’, 

With the fun of the poses over, Russell got back to the singing and sang a song from his latest album, that song being Georgia. Although not classical like the rest of the concert so far, this song fitted a lot more than the choirs solo, because it is such a soft melodious sensual track and also with my biased ness, because it was Russell. ;) 

Russell then introduced the next song as the most requested song that he has never actually recorded. But that he still might put it on an album yet. Maybe even his next one. With that I instantly thought Oh yes this has got to be Music of the Night, but then thought maybe I'm wrong as the music that started playing was not what I was expecting. Instead it was more dramatic. Billowing smoke started to cover the stage floor, and the background picture changed to a turning, very regal looking chandelier. Russell, using his big tenor voice was speak singing and I suddenly realised that Russell was The Phantom, acting out the intro to the song we all know and love, before he delves in to sing it. It was so powerful and emotional that I was stock still in amazement, and that was just the intro. The softness of the song began to play and within an instant the voice changed, yet all that power and emotions were still there in abundance. 

From the very first time I have heard Music of the Night; it got me. It is such a beautiful song and with that voice singing it I didn't think that it could get any better, but I have to admit I was proven wrong. The intro just lifted it up to a whole new level and if Russell ever does record the song for an album I really hope he records the intro too. This was the highlight of the night so far and with that came pretty much a standing ovation and many bouquets of flowers as Russell left the stage for the interval. 



The second half started with very loud banging drums and stomping footsteps coming out of the speakers. After a while Russell however this time it was Mr Crowe rather than Watson, began speaking in the character from Gladiator, which is a big clue for what this song is to be - Il Gladiatore. The back screen again was very much in keeping with the song, as the camera seemed to pan all around a Roman coliseum. Russell came back out, this time wearing a black suit with a long jacket and a crisp white shirt, no tie this time. 

As with the way the first half of the concert ended on the powerful voice, that momentum was continued with this song. Russell was singing big and bold and again accentuating the power of the voice with his grand arm movements. 

After a massive round of applause a quiet intro to Volare began. Russell told us that this was where we, the audience, were to be the choir. Then looked towards Sense of Sound and in a cheeky voice said how he has a bit of experience of being a judge to choirs. So Russell started singing and after the first line the front half of the audience started to sing the 'Volare' part. Russell then pulled a face as if to say wait for me to finish first, did the 'Volare' himself and gestured for us to do the 'Oh Ooh's', which was louder and better than our first attempt. Again it just seemed to be the front half of the audience singing and we continued from there with the ’nel blu, dipinto di blu’, but it slowly faded out to nothingness. As we were 'singing' Russell was walking towards the side of the stage as if to leave, but as the audience had quietened he came back. Walked to Jeff at the piano and asked him what he thought of us. After a mumbled chat and a couple of head nods Russell looks towards us and tells us that Jeff thought we were the best choir they'd had. Then Russell says for himself that he thought we were.....(big pause), and to be perfectly honest I was expecting him to say Rubbish, as we were. But no Russell was nice as ever and again in his cheeky judge voice told us we were "Fantastic!", pointed out to us and smiled that big smile. 

Finally the song started properly and about half way through Russell jumped down off the stage and walked down the left aisle for the trademark Volare Walkabout. Many women burst out of their seats for a kiss and a hug and even one woman grabbed Russell and started waking him away, towards someone else to have a photo taken. Russell didn't manage to sing much of the song while off stage, but it didn't matter. By the time Russell had gotten back near the stage the drum roll for the final 'Volare' had been going for quite a while and Russell asked the drummer if her arms were alright, then asked Jeff if he could borrow the piano stool to get back up onto the stage. When climbing up Russell said that this was where he could potentially split his trousers, so of course all eyes were on him even more now. The final drum roll finished as Russell was back on stage and behind the mic' for the last blast of the song. 

As usual the song to follow Volare was Funiculi Funicula. Again it only seemed to be the front half of the audience who clapped along to the tune, but that too died down after a while, as everyone listened to the song, 

Russell re-introduced Sense of Sound as he went off stage, probably to catch his breath after those two lively songs and the adventurous walkabout, 

Sense of Sound then sang Mas Qua Nada , and I have to say I much preferred this song to their first song, as it seemed to fit better with the concert programme. 

Russell came back out and clapped towards the choir and then the intro to the next song began, a soft melody, which I recognised as one of my favourite Va Pensiero. I have not heard this one live very much, so to have it tonight was very special for me. My face was beaming a massive smile throughout the song. 

The next song was one which Russell dedicated to his two girls, Rebecca and Hannah. He looked in the direction to where they were sat; smiled and raised his eyebrow is if it was a wave to them. The background picture was black but had large glittery white fairy lights dangling down, very girly, and the song was You Are So Beautiful. Throughout the song his eyes kept glancing towards his daughters and you could see in his face and hear in his voice how happy they make him and that he is a very proud father. He finished the song with a massive smile and the applause was just as big. 

Russell then spoke his thanks to everybody on stage, the orchestra, choir and finally Jeff Leach "My MD, mentor in life and best friend".......(big pause)......"couldn't be here tonight." Then giggled and shook Jeff's hand and patted him on the back. 

Back at the mic' the deep music started and it was classic signature Russell, it was now time for Nessun Dorma. Russell has sung this for over 10years and he never ceases to amaze me with it, sending shivers down my spine with the power and emotion. After a few 'Vincero's' Russell leaves the stage with the audience up on their feet applauding loudly, within a few seconds he returns with a wave for the final 'Vincero', again conducting himself, gesturing the power that is used. With a smile and a bow Russell then leaves the stage again this time to cries of, "More!" 

I have seen Russell in concert for the past 5years and it has always seemed to me that Nessun Dorma is the penultimate official song before the encores and this concert seemed the same as the orchestra began to play. Russell stood behind the mic' stand and at first I did not recognise the song as it wasn't one of his earlier classical songs, but it was obvious that it was classical. It was a fairly new one to us and eventually I realised it was Jill's America from the Outside In album. It is such a beautiful song and I only wish I had recognised it earlier to fully enjoy it properly. 

The applause was loud and after Russell bowed and left the stage it grew even louder with people standing and calling out for "More!" 



Now it was time for the encores. 

Again from the previous concerts, to me, the encore's seemed to be Russell's time to play, relax a bit and have fun, usually showing off songs that have never been recorded by him, but just ones he likes and thinks we'll like too. Those thoughts were proven right when Russell came bounding back on stage, jacket undone, looking looser and ready for a fun time. 

He introduced the first encore as from his latest album; this was in fact the title track and probably my favourite of the album - People Get Ready. Even with the non classical songs Russell's voice still conveys the emotions and sentiments behind the words, which shows that Russell is never on auto-pilot just singing along, he feels and lives them too, making each song feel all the more meaningful. 

Russell leaves the stage again and as is expected after each song of the encores feels like a kind of test to see how much we want him to come back out. The cries for more didn't die down though and Russell bounced back on stage, looking even more lively than last time, if possible. 

The next song was just as lively as Russell looked and we even saw Russell dance a bit, as did we (although seated), well you've got to haven't you, how could anybody not dance/move along a little to Twist and Shout. For this song Russell used the mic' with the long cable to wrap around a fling or whip the stage with to further emphasize the fun he was having with the song. The choir were swaying as they sang, and even the six violinists were dancing in their seats, swaying in time together and moving their violins (which they weren't playing at this moment), in synch with each other. 

The theme stayed upbeat for another Beatles song next - I Saw Her Standing There. This is not a song I know too well but that didn't matter as I was swaying along and Russell got us involved with the chorus of 'Ooooh's' It was definitely a song an performance to put a smile on anybodies face. 

After another little disappearance from the stage Russell returned to sing Try A Little Tenderness. Russell really put his all into this song, especially with the 'You got to' parts. He was holding onto and rotating the mic' stand and with the final blast of music Russell spun round and knocked or pushed the stand down to the floor. 

The tone for the next song got a bit mellower as the music played for If You Don't Know Me By Now. Russell's voice again acted through the meaning of the song making me really feel for the character singing the words. But I have to say I did get a little distracted though when a stage crew man came onto the stage, (wearing bright white combat shorts), to pick the mic' stand up off the floor that Russell had knocked down just a little earlier. 

The song finished to more cries for more songs. Russell asked Jeff if he should sing another and they agreed that he should. The next choice of song is one that I have never heard Russell sing live and I'm so glad that he did tonight at it yet another perfect song to show off his range. The song was Vienna. 

With a bow and a wave Russell left the stage and even with cries for "More" Russell didn't come back out after a few seconds like he did all the other times. After a while a few people in the row behind me started to move to leave, but after about a minute or so of being off stage Russell did indeed return and the people behind me shuffled back to their seats. Russell clarified that this would be the very last song as the intro to You Raise Me Up began. This song was released on Russell's fourth album, but has already become a classic Russell signature tune, just like Nessun Dorma. So even without Russell telling us, we would have known that this was the end of the concert. 

During this final song, some people stood by the stage with their programmes. Considering that I was in the 6th row I doubted that I'd be able to do that. As Russell finished the song the lights went up and Russell bowed, smiled, clapped and gestured his thanks towards the audience and again left the stage, only to return a short while later with his pen to sign autographs. 

After a few people had left and Russell was still on stage signing I grabbed my programme and People Get Ready album cover (which I brought along on the off chance) and headed towards the stage. Russell slowly came over to where I was stood, and then it was my turn. He signed both my things and with a beaming smile I shouted over the crowd, "Thank you Russell" and he winked and smiled that gorgeous smile of his and said "Thank you Love!"
I eventually left the concert hall, still smiling, and decided to chance another possible meeting with Russell by the Stage Door. After about 15minutes Gary came out and pretty much filled the boot of the car with all the flowers and gifts that fans had given Russell at the stage. A few minutes later Russell came out with his girls and as they got in the car Russell came over to greet the crowd. 

I had in my head a conversation all ready and planned out but in reality when Russell came to me, that seemed to fall out the window. A while back I had drawn a sketch of Russell, from a photo that was in last years tour programme, so for tonight I had made a few prints and when Russell came over to me I asked if he would sign my drawing. He happily obliged by saying "Aww that's lovely, really nice." I told him I have one for him to keep and with a smile beamed "Aww Thank you", which to me showed that he genuinely appreciated the art and the sentiment. I also asked if I could have a photo with him and he said "Of course Hun" and we both then smiled for the camera. Another memento to remember this special night.

Added: April 9th 2009
Reviewer: xrainy
Score: