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.
David Essex, even the name just inspires the Philharmonic Hall to be a little grander, a little more secure in its place in the city, there are legends that come and go too easily, there are those who you can scratch your head till the hair root becomes terrified at the approach of yet another stubby finger attacking it in confusion, and then there are those to whom just radiate the panache and style of someone so close to the epicentre of it all that you cannot help but be overwhelmed by what others see, feel and understand about them.
David Essex showed exactly why to a packed house inside the Philharmonic Hall, a year that like any other has seen him busy and reflective, the sparkle in the fox’s eyes shining brightly and the appeal of his fans to cheer at every possible moment, this was heaven for the multitude and even if you were a casual observer, a person with just the vested interest in seeing music, you could not help but be drawn in, you wouldn’t exactly rush the stage but you would understand why so many others felt the need to.
The set combined many of Mr. Essex’s most glorious moments, the reflection in Technicolor, in the wizard’s dream made real and as songs such as Beautiful Day, If I Could, All The Fun of the Fair, Hold Me Close, Stardust, Rock On, Imperial Wizard and Gonna Make You A Star all pounded the surrounding air, as each line was delivered with what could only be described as the very matter that glues and binds audience to the object of their affections.
A superb, warm, high spirited evening of music from a man who has never truly been out of style; David Essex has never lost the ability to make anyone feel like a star.
Ian D. Hall