EDDY GRANT'S on top form tonight. With a full backing band, three lively singers and dancers and a carefully-chosen scheme tonight's show is a crisp, professional affair.
This is Grant's return to the UK after 20 years. It's a mixed affair, with classics such as Gimme Hope Jo'anna, Electric Avenue and I Don't Wanna Dance, but it's also peppered with newer material such as Reparation.
Reparation opens with clatteri
ng drums and conga, heavy fused by distorted spiky guitar. Ragga-style dancing dominates the stage as the three backing singers, clad in purple, red and yellow (each singer having her own colour) frantically sway from side to side. It's clear that Grant is saving the classics for later – but that does not deter the crowd from throwing itself in to the newer material.
At moments songs are laden with gushy melodies and corny lyrics: "Do you love me?" he sings as he breaks into I Love You, circling his pelvis seductively as he sings. At one point, he and a backing singer engage in a tongue-in-cheek grind. The ladies – most of whom are in their 40s, love it, as does Grant. But for the prudish, it's time to look away. Grant looks exceptionally well for his age (he's 60 this year) – but not that well.
But pelvic thrusts aside – Electric Avenue steals the show tonight. As soon as the instantly recognisable synth sound opens the song the audience erupts. Grant's vocals are spot on – a fact aided by his backing singers.
Few people would have been disappointed with tonight's set. Grant's romantic numbers may be painfully sentimental, crudely predictable, but he can equally turn out a classic. And tonight is packed with them.
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