They called him Hansi, I call him a legend

THE Gentleman of Music, The Emperor of Elevator Music, The King of Easy Listening or just ‘Hansi’, however you knew James Last, you couldn’t fail to ignore his ‘Happy Music’.

Born Hans Last in Germany in 1929, both he and his brother Werner made music their life’s work and both were anglicised for the international market and Werner became ‘Kai Warner’.

Hans became ‘James Last’ but before too long his friends, anyone who simply enjoyed his music, knew him as Hansi.

Over an incredible five decades, this German bandleader broke record after record and shattered the conceptions surrounding music.

Nothing was off limits as Hansi ‘borrowed’ music from Mozart to Madonna and adapted it to his own ‘happy’ sound. In the process he served up an entire musical palette to audiences who might never have heard of Rihanna, Lady Gaga or even LMFAO.

And that was the mark of the man, he made music accessible to all, I’ve been to concerts where members of the older generation loved a particular new track but looked puzzled when told it was by The Wanted!

However, last night The Gentleman of Music moved on to become part of heaven’s orchestra, leaving me along with many thousands of fans distraught.

Quite simply, Hansi was my music teacher, my first musical memories are of James Last which is no surprise when you consider my dear mum was going to his concerts while pregnant with me.

There is a picture of a six year old me sitting on Hansi’s lap, I hope once this grief has subsided I’ll be able to find it and look at it with a smile on my face.

I’ve travelled thanks to James Last, seeing countries I may never have seen and learned more about music than I may ever have known.

Much more importantly, I’ve got to know hundreds and hundreds of people united by the love of the music of James Last. No not friends, more like an extended family.

To be at the historic Royal Albert Hall to witness a James Last concert was something to behold, to see the warmth this German was greeted with in a quintessentially English venue year after year reminded us to always make peace not war.

To have known the music of James Last was to have experienced an education in song, in verse but also in life.

I have tears in my eyes as I write this as 14 hours on I somehow still can’t believe it to be true.

But I also raise a glass to toast his memory and in keeping with the spirit of the man, I will do so with a ‘Happy Heart’.

Sleep well Hansi, may you Rest in Peace

REVIEW: About Time we heard such great music

SIMON Bell's first release since 'Givin' It Plenty', the theme from No.1 Of The Secret Service in 1976 is entitled 'About Time', I wonder why it took so long.

This EP showcases the full range of his considerable vocal talent, from the deep, sorrowful and soul vocals to the high, punchy notes meaning About Time is a rollercoaster of human emotion.

The self-penned lyrics are emotive and strong and easily to pick up as Bell is a master of his craft and provides clear diction throughout.

About Time begins with 'Next To Me' a tale of love and loss, full of anger but also recrimination and loss, beautifully woven together with words and a fine sorrowful sound.

Play (If Life's a Game) is in a similar soulful vein and creates a very relaxed atmosphere which allows you as a music lover to take in the deep vocals.

Bell, together with producer Justin Whittingham, has put together a masterclass in EP recording, for as soon as you've relaxed into your chilled out zone, up comes Partner in Crime.

Within the first few chords, the atmosphere of the EP changes with a foot tapping, guitar heavy bouncy tune which fans of the Eagles might appreciate as the sound is quite similar.

For me Partner in Crime is the most addictive track on the EP, with just a few listens I was humming the tune when I finished the car journey.

To close a very fine EP, Bell wishes us a Happy New Year and returns to the sorrow and soulful sound which serves him well.

The track is very poignant and brings together nicely the mood around the change of year, one of celebration yes but also reflection and occasionally emotion.

Music can make you happy and make you sad, but it can also make you reflect and think.

About Time does that, based on this effort I reckon it's About Time we heard an album!

* About Time is available for download from iTunes, Amazon and all other music download sites.

Concerts show Hansi certainly can make the party Last

Hello Blog! It's been a great six days away from work again in the company of friends in the James Last Appreciation Society viewing concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London and Bournemouth.

In my opinion, James Last just gets better and better! If you told the layman the guy was 84 you would probably get a few raised eyebrows.

The magic of the RAH was only matched by the wonderful programme on offer with the band even doing Skyfall this year.

Have to admit as well as hearing the wonderful tones of Ingrid Arthur I was rather emotional on the first evening because of course Derek Watkins, who lost his battle against cancer earlier this year, played not only for Hansi but on all the James Bond movies.

Ingrid's voice gets better and better and the whole choir; Simon Bell, Mac Kissoon, Tracey Duncan and Sonia Jones make it a night to remember.

Erland Krauser's guitar solo again left me fascinated, I love the sound of the electric guitar played by a true professional – and Erland is certainly that!

I would die a happy man listening to James Last's version of 'Moves Like Jagger' and the simply brilliant 'Glad you Came' made famous by The Wanted of course.

What makes me all the more proud to be a fan of James Last is the way he makes music from today ie Maroon Five and The Wanted accessible fors his members and fans, many of whom are of a certain age.

One day I am determined to do a poll at a venue and ask the audience if they knew who first performed tracks like Moves like Jagger, I reckon less than one in 10 would give me the right answer!

And that for me is the genius of James Last, taking music from today and widening its appeal. Can you think of someone in the market nowadays that does that? No me neither.

On the whole it was a great break with some great friends and did include a fair share of sprinkler dancing! The story of that though is for another blog!

We waived many of them off on Monday and myself and Pam stayed in Bournemouth for a couple more days of food, crazy golf and some R and R. It was heaven but then again, Bournemouth always is for us.

Came back to work for a new job, the editor's post of the Evesham and Pershore Observer, first paper done, looking forward to the challenges ahead!!