Wet Wet Wet

what great find Helen - thanks for posting

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All I Want To Do Is Spend Time With You "Marti"

Excellent find Helen - thanks for posting. I see what you mean about the Soviet Union bit. Brilliant !

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xx Ange xx


I'm the quiet shy type....why don't you tell me all about it

Thanks for the link Helen  I think some of the comments that have been made about the sound quality may be right if thats what they heard where this was recorded from, I was sitting in the middle of the central area and i could hear the words and music very clearly,  still great to hear though

Helen-C:

I've just got back from London.  As Jo has said, what a great night on Monday - we had some fabulous seats - I had geared myself up for the 8th row thinking that was going to be a great view -but when I got in and saw Row 8 was Row 2 - wow. 

The whole cast were on top form - simply amazing amazing voices.  Marti of course, playing the Arbiter - was the first one on to set the story of Chess and sing - if I had a criticism of anything on the Monday - the sound was just a tad 'off' at first, but that could have been my ears adjusting to the change in style, i.e. huge orchestra good venue etc.  However, it didn't detract from Marti's performance, and on the way out afterwards I heard only good comments about his performance from those around me. 

In the end, as I haven't got a job to rush back for - (but should have been job hunting)  - I had decided at the last minute to stay down another night - I never quite did get my priorities right (or did I) - I managed to get myself a ticket for the Tuesday - which again turned out to be an amazing seat.  In my opinion the Tuesday night was the best of the two, the whole cast seemed to have settled down, and where Marti pulled those notes from, and held them, well, there really is no end to his talent, or his voice.  Amazing performance - and he kept the proceedings in order - as that's the Arbiters job.

All in all - one hell of a couple of days.  It was a lot different to what I had expected - I thought Chess in concert meant artists just singing the songs from the show - but no - there were the moves there - and in fact it was like a full performance of what I remembered from when I saw it way back when, but with a huge magnificent cast lasting about 2.5 hours excluding the interval - therefore - I got a lot more than I expected - and Marti was on the stage for quite a lot of the time as the Arbiter has to oversee the proceedings - the arbiter has the opening scene to introduce the show - 2 specific songs to sing with the soloists and several songs in which he plays a large part, so he must have worked his socks (and gloves) off to not only learn the songs, but to learn the whole part as well, when to enter the proceedings, where to stand, which door to come from, the lines he had to say etc etc, and all while he's been carrying on his own solo tour - I should imagine a really difficult thing to do - but clearly - done to perfection. 

I didn't take any pictures on the Monday due to how close to the proceedings we actually were, so as not to detract from anyone elses pleasure.  There were really strict 'no camera' rules on the Tuesday - possibly because of the filming - but I did rattle a few pictures off during the bow at the end, and I'll upload them and post them shortly, I've amazed myself at how well they have turned out. 

Great to see a few familiar faces there as well.

Marti I admire your discipline and dedication to your profession - and take my hat off to you.  Absolutely brilliant.

 

Hi Helen

I c u and Jo @ the Royal Albert Hall Tuesday sorry I never had a chance to say hello, I only saw Gina and her mum. I saw u after the show only. It were so packed! Did  u continue staying around, I never met Marti in the end. Marti wouldn't come out with a big crowd like that, I wonder if he went through another door. Did see Robin Gibb from the Bee Gees though. My mum spotted him first!

Yeah they were quite strict about cameras. Like u I only took @ the end, and I only took 1 photo, and I am quite please about it. Looking forward to seeing ur pics from Tuesday Helen. yeah they were fliming Tuesday, do u know if its for a Dvd or tv showing. Do u know anything Helen?

Anyway u take care now Helen and see u real soon hopefully when Marti does Witches Of Eastwick.

I hope u find a job soon Helen Good Luck with that. I just found myself another job with Nissian and start June 16th, I leave Bt on June 13th.

Karen

www.thewetswebsite.piczo.com

 

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I AM WAITING 4 U DOWN ON SCARLET AVENUE! xxxx

Karen,

The pics I took are on page 2 of this thread I think, if you want to take a look.

They were filming both Monday and Tuesday nights, and apparently, according to the cameramen - it was being filmed for American t.v. and a DVD to come out towards the end of the year.  I saw on Youtube yesterday, someone had filmed the cameraman's monitor of what he was filming - and there were some nice close-ups there of Marti so if they edit the whole thing well - it should be good.  Plus I'm pretty certain the sound will be brilliant on the DVD as well as I believe the microphones were going straight through to the soundeck for the mixing of the t.v./DVD so there shouldn't be the echos on the film and it should be extremely clear for both the singing and the spoken voice.

I've had one job offer - but I'm holding out for the 'right' job offer - so I've turned that one down.  All the best for your new job.

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Come tell me all about it!

Great pics and reviews helen and Jo. Its funny wot a difference a tie makes isn't it lol. Seen marti in a suit many times but not very often a tie he looks so yummy lol.

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Just found a review of this Chess show which I think is from someone's blog in a magazine, with some nice comments about Marti's performance. 

Full article: http://www.countrylife.co.uk/blogs/article/257459/Chess_makes_all_the_right_moves.html

Marti Pellow brought real charisma to the Arbiter and David Bedella was a wickedly wonderful Molotov – The Arbiter and The Soviet Machine Advances being two of the night’s standout numbers.

As Chess is such a pop-oriented score, everyone thinks it’s a doddle to sing, but it’s not – as our security guards could attest – and everyone came out with a greater appreciation for Elaine Paige, Tommy Korberg and all the others who delivered it eight times a week, week after week.

It’s hoped that the two concerts will create interest in reviving Chess in the West End – they’ve certainly proved that the material still works (especially as it’s now been slightly updated and rewritten). A DVD should be available soon, so if you didn’t manage to get along to the Albert Hall, you won’t miss out.

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http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/acts/thetrixx

http://www.lastbandstanding.co.uk/band.asp?band=451

Helen,

Thanks for the you tube link! Although no filming or pictures the sound of Marti's voice is just amazing!! A pity that I have missed it but I am curious after the DVD......

Helen-C:

Karen,

The pics I took are on page 2 of this thread I think, if you want to take a look.

They were filming both Monday and Tuesday nights, and apparently, according to the cameramen - it was being filmed for American t.v. and a DVD to come out towards the end of the year.  I saw on Youtube yesterday, someone had filmed the cameraman's monitor of what he was filming - and there were some nice close-ups there of Marti so if they edit the whole thing well - it should be good.  Plus I'm pretty certain the sound will be brilliant on the DVD as well as I believe the microphones were going straight through to the soundeck for the mixing of the t.v./DVD so there shouldn't be the echos on the film and it should be extremely clear for both the singing and the spoken voice.

I've had one job offer - but I'm holding out for the 'right' job offer - so I've turned that one down.  All the best for your new job.

Hi Helen

Hope u find the right job ur looking for, and going to be happy! Thanks I can't wait I will be manager there, but this time in the Car industry, I  have will be doing a weeks course when I start June 16th. I already passed my test @ the Interview almost 2 weeks ago, but I really didn't think I were going to get it.I had been @ Bt for several years time for pasture new now.

Looking forward to seeing the DVD of Chess. I can't believe where the week as gone.

I will have a peak @ ur pics have seen my one on my site quite clear considering I were in Box 78 2nd tier.

U take care now Helen! All best on the job hunting!

Karen

www.thewetswebsite.piczo.com

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I AM WAITING 4 U DOWN ON SCARLET AVENUE! xxxx

Helen-C:

Okay here goes.

First of all - a relaxed Marti arrives at the Albert Hall on a gloriously sunny afternoon for the soundcheck - being a real entertainer even on the way in practising his plummy English accent:

And ... being the true gent he is - is only too happy to oblige in signing the Chess programme - thank you so much for that.

Then onto the performance - cameras not really allowed but at the end I took a chance and clicked away - enjoy ....

And finally ...... exit Stage Left

What a Knight.

 

 

 

Hi Helen

They are lovely pics!

Love

Karenxx

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I AM WAITING 4 U DOWN ON SCARLET AVENUE! xxxx

I was so fortunate as to attend both nights of "Chess" at Royal Albert Hall the 12. and 13. of May. Marti played the Arbiter and he was wonderful! Boy, I wish he had had a bigger part!

This was my first time ever hearing Marti sing live, so I was so happy! I live in Norway, and Marti and the Wets have only sung here once back in 1996, I think.

I sure would love to see Wet Wet Wet live in concert some day!

Diane in Norway

Hello Diane

So happy you enjoyed Marti in Chess.

You would love the Wet Wet Wet concerts and the solo concerts that Marti has done.

Best wishes

Sue

Glad you enjoyed it Diane, I was there also, and thought it was on the best things I'd seen in a long time (maybe ever).  I don't know if you've seen it or not, but I've put a few pictures I took on the Tuesday on this thread.

http://www.wetwetwet.co.uk/forums/thread/80260.aspx

 

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Come tell me all about it!

How fun to find this thread - I think I'm in the right place now!

I have been a huge fan of the Wets ever since the beginning, so it was wonderful finally getting to hear Marti sing live. I came over to London just to see Chess, together with a big group of norwegian Grobanites. Yes, I'm a huge fan of Josh Groban! Seeing my nr.1 favorite and my nr.2 favorite on the stage at the same time was absolutely a gift from above! It is so wonderful that they are making a DVD from those two nights. On Josh's website, there have been reports of the DVD coming out either in December or next spring, according to who you talk to.... let's hope it's sooner rather than later!

After the first night, I stood outside hoping to see Josh. It was quite chaotic when he came out, lots of pushing and shouting. There's been lots of flak about it on Josh's website, people are being taken to task for their bad conduct. It only takes a few to ruin things for everyone else. Usually after Josh's concerts, things are quite peaceful and everyone waits their turn, but this didn't happen in London, unfortunately for us all.

The second night, I stood outside the other door hoping to get a glimpse of Marti, and I did see his face through the door. But I think because there were so many people hoping for an autograph that he ducked out a different door. I so wanted to ask him if he was ever going to come to Norway to sing!

 I agree with your reviews that I've read: there were some sound problems at the beginning of the show, and Idina Menzel got a bit shrill. We met Clarke Peters after the show, and he commented on Idina's performance (he wasn't impressed, to put it mildly). Otherwise, it was magnificent, and Josh blew the roof off of RAH with his rendition of "Anthem", etc. Marti was an excellent Arbiter - very smart and exact in his movements on stage and he really belted out his songs. Night nr.2 was better because he didn't look down at the prompter as often, he'd gotten it down pat by then.

Boy, I'm going to have to talk my husband into a trip to London to see Witches of Eastwick!

I've merged three threads giving reviews of Marti in Chess.

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http://orangeunsignedact.co.uk/acts/thetrixx

http://www.lastbandstanding.co.uk/band.asp?band=451