ShareTrevor Horn with The Sarm Orchestra performing Trevor Horn Reimagines The Eighties at The Royal Concert Hall Nottingham on Sunday 3rd August 2019
Images and Review by Kevin Cooper
Legendary producer Trevor Horn took to the stage at the Royal Concert Hall last night to deliver a set that included many classics from his impressive back catalogue; all songs that he has across his forty year career, either written or produced.
Taking the opportunity before a packed crowd to showcase songs from his latest album, Trevor Horn Reimagines The Eighties, Horn with the eighteen piece Sarm Orchestra filled the stage. Included was the tirelessly tremendous drummer Steve Ferrone (formerly of the Average White Band) and lead guitarist Phil Palmer, the nephew of Kinks legends Ray and Dave Davies.
Also needing an accordion player, ex Simple Minds keyboard player Mick MacNeil was drafted in, as were guest vocalists with huge pedigrees. The likes of Steve Hogarth (from Marillion), and Danny Cummings (Dire Straits) were joined by Horn’s main sideman, pop genius and 10cc co-founder Lol Creme, who sang, played guitar, bass and keyboards and who was hilariously good value, constantly having banter with Horn as well as providing major musical highlights.
Beginning promptly with massive hit, Two Tribes, performed by Ryan Molloy, they immediately captured the big studio sound. Following up with a splendid version of Godley & Creme’s Cry performed by the Italian singer Roberto Angrisani, before Crème himself delivered a fantastic Rubber Bullets.
With Horn rapidly going through the first set, he had the crowd’s full attention for the likes of Ashes To Ashes, Slave To The Rhythm and The Power Of Love before 10cc’s haunting I’m Not In Love was performed by Hogarth and was a real highlight. Going into the break with Everybody Wants To Rule The World, the crowd was ready for a sit down and some liquid refreshment.
Opening the second set with an epic, string driven toe tapping version of Yes’ blockbuster Owner Of A Lonely Heart, they followed up with a brilliant reconstruction of Duran Duran’s Girls On Film, and a re-arrangement of Bruce Springsteen’s Dancing In The Dark, turning the hit single into a ballad which worked wonderfully.
There was a poignant re-arrangement of Knopfler’s Brothers In Arms, a lush version by Hogarth of Seal’s Kiss From A Rose which saw the crowd stand in appreciation, and Horn’s overhaul of New Order’s Blue Monday which was even better than the original.
The evening ended with a powerful version of Relax with Molloy in charge of the vocals as he was for the encore song, Money For Nothing which showcased his soaring vocals. Taking the time to thank even the sound crew, the humble Horn showed why on this performance people say that he is the man who invented the 80s decade.