Chris Farlowe chuckled as he counted the candles on top of a cake presented mid-set to celebrate his 75th birthday: “There’s too many of them.”
The crowd laughed and sang Happy Birthday as Farlowe blew them out – and everyone away with his performance.
This might be seen as self-indulgent but perceptions are often deceptions.
And so it was in a touching moment during this Sensational 60s Experience.
There was genuine love and respect as one of the great voices in British popular music proved it was still intact.
The Voice remains The Real Deal. Farlowe regaled the crowd with the story of how Otis Redding invited him to appear with him on TV before launching into the legendary soul giant’s Mr Pitiful.
The crowd lapped it as, backed by The New Amen Corner, Farlowe belted out bluesy soul, finishing with his signature Out Of Time which had the crowd on their feet.
Herman’s Hermits, in their 51st year, the Union Gap UK and the New Amen Corner played the hits the audience wanted to hear.
And Steve Ellis, the voice of Love Affair, proved his soul as well as pop credentials on a night of mutual affection between those on and off-stage.
Four stars
The show is at The Hawth, Crawley, on Thursday, November 12
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