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Neil Sedaka

Show Goes On – Live at the Royal Albert Hall

Review by Gary Hill

Whether you appreciate his style of music or not, one really has to recognize the song-writing genius that is Neil Sedaka. This live album finds him in fine form performing a number of his well-known tunes. It’s not for everyone, but I have to admit that for the most part I really enjoyed the album.

This review is available in book format (hardcover and paperback) in Music Street Journal: 2012  Volume 6 at lulu.com/strangesound.

Track by Track Review
The Other Side of Me

The piano opens this with some pretty melodies and the vocals come over the top. This is a gentle and accessible piece of music that’s effective.

Standing on the Inside

There’s a real bluesy vibe to the bouncy piano line that serves as the backdrop for this catchy tune.

The Queen of 1964

 A bouncy and somewhat risqué (from Neil Sedaka, even) cut, this is fun and clever, but very old fashioned in style and tone.

Oh Carol

There’s a definite 1950s rock and roll sound to the music that serves as the backdrop here. This is bouncy and fun.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen

More 1950s styled sounds are heard on this tune.

Where the Boys Are

This mellow cut is one that pretty much everyone has heard at one time or another.

Calendar Girl

Here’s another little pop dittie. It’s another that’s familiar.

You

This is a mellow piano ballad that’s quite pretty.

Laughter in the Rain

I love this song and always have. This is a great performance of it.

Should Have Never Let You Go with Dara Sedaka

Via video, Sedaka does this performance as a duet with Dara Sedaka. It’s a pretty, intricate and poignant song.

Is This the Way to Amarillo (with Tony Christie)

A bouncy little number, this works quite well here, even though it’s not really my cup of tea.

Solitaire

Emotionally powerful, the lyrics to this one are clever and the balladic song itself is potent and sad.

Betty Grable

A rather bouncy number, this is entertaining.

Breaking up Is Hard to Do

Here’s another Neil Sedaka classic. I’m not overly impressed by this version, but it’s fun nonetheless.

I Go Ape

This rock and roller is a lot of fun. It’s energetic and feels like something Jerry Lee Lewis would do.

The Hungry Years

Another potent balladic cut, this is one that has a lot of emotion packed within it.

Fantasy Impromptu

Here Sedaka shows off both a love of classical music and his mastery of the piano by tackling a Chopin composition.

Super Bird

Starting with more classically styled piano, this works out into a rather rocking little tune. It’s quite an intricate and entertaining number and one of my favorites of the set.

The Immigrant

Here is another highlight. It’s got some great lyrical content and the piano melodies are strong. In addition, the vocal hook is a real winner.

Love Will Keep Us Together

With a bit of an explanation of the song writing process, Sedaka plays another great tune. This is one of my all time favorites of his and this performance is strong.

That’s when the Music Takes Me

Another bouncy number, this works pretty well.

 
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