DAVID ARNOLD IN CONCERT

BONDMISC SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT BOB FOSTER REVIEWS DAVID ARNOLD'S RECENT CONCERT

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David Arnold (and John Barry) fans had been contacting each other for weeks before the event - as soon as the Poster went online, (see above).

The day had finally arrived. Myself and fellow Bond/Arnold/Barry fans, met up earlier in the day - and visited the Bond In Motion exhibition on Covent Garden. The evening eventually came upon us and we made our way to The Royal Festival Hall, on the Southbank.

After "star-spotting" (David Walliams and Charlie Higson amongst them),and meeting up with other known fans/friends, we made our way into the auditorium.

DAVID WALLIAMS TWEETS ABOUT GOING TO SEE DAVID ARNOLD IN CONCERT

The lights dimmed and Nicholas Dodd took to the podium and led the 75 Piece Orchestra into the first number which was Wing Commander - Overture. When the last few bars died down - a familiar voice (to mostly everyone there) came over the sound system:

 "Ladies & Gentlemen, will you please welcome to the London Stage, on his concert debut, sorry - My concert debut...ME!" 

Which was how David Arnold introduced himself - drawing the first of many laughes from the audience, throughout the evening.

He sat himself down at the front of the stage behind a synthesizer & a selection of guitars.The first tune with David joining in was Last Of The Dogmen (Main Theme) followed by Godzilla (Main Theme) and The Stepford Wives (Opening Titles). Next up was the Medal Ceremony music from the 2012 Olympics, followed by the Opening Title music from Four Brothers.

David then told us about his new Stage Show entitled Made In Dagenham which tells the story of the strikes at the Dagenham Car factory, told from the perspective of the wives, left at home. He sung one of the songs from it  - We Nearly Had It All. He got a huge cheer when he finished and he got another laugh from the appreciative audience when he courtsied after the rapturous applause. He then left the stage and Goodbye was then played from Paul.

David re-appeared and was tinkering around with his synthesizer " You'll have to excuse me - just checking my emails!!" which got another laugh from the audience.

David then introduced David McAlmont to us and they played Play Dead - which was sung by David McAlmont. Afterwards he received a standing ovation - He walked offstage and David signalled him back onto the stage where the audience were still showing their loud appreciation. The two Davids walked offstage as Nicholas Dodd conducted the 75 piece orchestra through a 20 minute long Suite from Stargate.

THE TWO DAVID'S ON THE COVER OF THE DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER SINGLE.

Following a 20 minute interval the orchestra gathered itself together again, followed by Nicholas Dodd and finally, David Arnold. They all busied themselves, tuning etc. then after a little look between David and Conductor, they launched straight into White Knight from Tomorrow Never Dies which sent the audience into a frenzy of clapping and cheering. After the 9 plus minute track had reached it's conclusion, David said that this was his initiation into the Bond world. He complemented the "Bond Crew" in particular Barbara Brocolli & Michael G. Wilson.This was followed by Only Myself To Blame (the instrumental of this was in the film The World Is Not Enough) sung by Arnold, who was alone accompanying himself on piano, "to give the orchestra a break". Surrender followed (from "Tomorrow Never Dies") sung by David McAlmont with Arnold on acoustic guitar. He (Arnold) then forgot that he had to go off - and hurriedly left the stage - amusing the audience, further! 

After David had left - the conductor lead the orchestra through City of Lovers from Casino Royale.

David then re-appeared to sing and play the piano to The World Is Not Enough. This was followed by A Night at The Opera (from Quantum of Solace) and an instrumental version of You Know My Name (from Casino Royale).

David then introduced the 28 piece Urban Voice Collective who had been sitting, patiently, since coming onstage after the intermission. They sung Dying and Triumph from Amazing Grace which David dedicated to Paul Apted. Nick Dodd left the stage after this duo of songs. (Paul Apted was a sound Editor and son of The World Is Not Enough director Michael Apted. He recently passed away after complications with Colon Cancer).

David then introduced Mark Gatiss & Amanda Abbington. Mark had joked that it was an award ceremony "And the winner is - oh sorry - wrong show!" and complementing David on the music to Skyfall... "Oh sorry you didn't do that one did you!" which set the audience off again. They both then introduced the Sherlock Suite. David mentioned to the audience that Nick had left the stage and in his place came Michael Price (who had composed the music to Sherlock in conjuction with Arnold). He conducted the orchestra through the suite.

Nicholas Dodd reappeared to conduct the End Titles to Independance Day The audience rose to it's feet and gave a rapturous applause and after several bows, David said that he couldn't leave without playing this. He took up his electric guitar and Nick Dodd lead the orchestra into The James Bond Theme with Arnold on electric guitar.

The audience then gave the entire ensemble a standing ovation for around 5/6 minutes before the stage emptied. A fabulous night was had by all. Roll on, hopefully, the next time. David was gracious enough to sign autographs and have his picture taken, afterwards, but we had to miss out on this - having to catch the last train home...maybe next time!

FOOTNOTE:

Thank you Bob for that review - it's a pity that I missed out and couldn't make it due to work commitments.

However all might not be lost as I have recently had the following Twitter conversation with Mr. Arnold: