The John Wilson Orchestra
The John Wilson Orchestra
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Alison KErr
Five stars
It used to be the Christmas edition of the Radio Times that would work classic movie lovers into a festive frenzy each year, but these days the biggest pre-Christmas thrill for film fans in Glasgow is the annual visit by the man who it wouldn't be far-fetched to describe as the patron saint of Hollywood musicals: John Wilson.
In previous years, Wilson and his wonderful orchestra have brought programmes themed around the musicals of MGM and Fox, as well as by Richard Rodgers. This time, it was the Hollywood oeuvre of the great songwriter/composer Cole Porter that was celebrated, to mark the 50th anniversary of his death.
Good humour abounded, thanks partly to Wilson's entertaining introductions and largely to the wit in Porter's lyrics, which the quartet of singers clearly relished performing. Anna-Jane Casey and Matthew Ford's You're the Top highlighted the fact that the song is akin to screwball comedy banter set to jazzy music. The dark side of Porter shone through on So In Love, while two less familiar ballads - Between You and Me and You Can Do No Wrong - were pure romance.
The star, however, was the band, with its joyful playing, its obvious devotion to its conductor and its brilliance creating both a sumptuous sound and a swinging big band vibe. It seduced the audience with its glorious opening medley, and enthralled throughout - notably on the swoonsomely romantic Silk Stockings ballet. As Mr Porter might have said: "You're the top, you're the Hepburn posture. You're the top; you're the Wilson Orch'stra…"
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