Gerard at Lakeside. 17th July 2004

Gerard Kenny has been to glorious Hayling Island before, but this time, to a new venue. The Warners Lakeside Centre is typical of many modern holiday centres, fresh, bright and breezy, and that's how Gerard started his performance with a new song called COME FOLLOW THE BAND. After a few words to introduce himself, went straight into the wonderful song FANTASY.
Gerard next told the story of meeting Dennis Waterman, and the writing of his next song, I COULD BE SO GOOD FOR YOU. The house band 'Central Park' that's Steve on drums, Phil on bass and Paul on keyboards, ably assisted him on all of his songs, but this song showed Gerard and the band worked well together.
In contrast, Gerard alone played the Cole Porter song DO I LOVE YOU. Sung with so much feeling as always. In memory of Ray Charles, Gerard's rendition of GEORGIA was brilliant, and again Gerard and the band played it so well. A gentle version of IT HAD TO BE YOU was well received.
THE OTHER WOMAN THE OTHER MAN, one of my many favourites, which Gerard wrote with Barry Mason, came next. The holiday makers were coaxed into helping with NEW YORK NEW YORK. Very few of them refused to shout 'I like it' in the appropriate part of the song.
Next was mention of, as a child, seeing Sammy Davis on TV and Gerard sang his version of BIRTH OF THE BLUES.
Classical music was next on the menu. Frederick Chopin, no less, and Gerard ran it into a Barry Manilow medley of COULD IT BE MAGIC/CAN'T SMILE WITH OUT YOU/I WRITE THE SONGS, it was excellent.
He tried to end the set here but was brought back for an encore, and a request from the audience resulted in him playing THE ENTERTAINER.
After a story about snooker player Joe Johnson, and determination he ended with I MADE IT THROUGH THE RAIN, at least, that's what he thought, but a second encore was demanded, and he sang a solo version of I AM A SINGER. Finally the whole audience were more than willing to join in with the last song Charlie Chaplin's SMILE. and there was much applause, but after several minutes of 'bows' Gerard was gone. The end of another great night and all thanks to Rosie and Pat, The Gerardettes!
If you have never seen Gerard playing live, it's time you took very large steps to amend that, and book your tickets now.

* * * * * * * The Gerard Kenny Fan Club * * * * * * *

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