Up Close and Personal was Aptly Named
Bristol Evening Post
March 12, 2012
Submitted by Dave Wyatt
The scene was set at the sold out Colston Hall, for the first date of the Osmonds final British tour entitled Up Close and Personal.
The evening started for their adoring public with a trivia quiz featuring, of course, the stars of the show.
Having whetted the audience’s appetite Jimmy, Jay and Merrill appeared on stage to their best selling and signature tune Crazy Horses. The atmosphere was raised to fever pitch with everyone rising to their feet.
They sang many of their classics, interspersed with new material from their latest album.
Jimmy was his usual youthful self playing to the crowd, Merrill’s vocals are as strong as ever and Jay again demonstrated his superior drumming skills, although a little short of breath after his vigorous solo.
The three brothers obviously love touring and the interaction with the audience; with the tours spanning over 50 years and their multi-selling albums being testament to this.
As the Osmonds started their career in Barber shop, they went back to their roots and sang a selection of Barber shop songs, which demonstrated their excellent harmonising.
We were then treated to a medley of B sides to include the Rainbow End, Love On The Line and Hold On.
After much persuasion from the audience Jimmy sang the Long Haired Lover From Liverpool with the assistance of his little Jimmy puppet.
We knew that the party was in full swing as large balloons floated about the auditorium.
The crowd were now in full voice singing along to Love Me For A Reason.
The guys then left the stage and there were resounding chants of “We want the Osmonds” to bring them back for an encore which was Remember Me, an emotional piece backed by old movies of the family’s life. The concert proved to be aptly named, Up Close and Personal as it certainly was.
Although not having been a fan in my youth I thoroughly enjoyed the evening. The Osmonds certainly provide an entertaining and humorous show. The crowd went home happy, having relived a moment in time from their youth. |
