There’s no end to the possibilities when you match certain musicians
together for a one-off concert. Or, in this case, A Concert By The Lake.
While the lake itself remains an enigma, there’s little mystery behind
the members of the impromptu Band du Lac, the musical muscle who performed at
the historic Wintershall Estate in Surrey, England, to benefit HASTE (Heart
and Stroke Trust Endeavour), which aims to facilitate the prevention, early
detection and treatment of heart disease and stroke. Filmed in 2006, this two-hour
event featuring Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Queen’s Roger Taylor, Genesis
guitarist Michael Rutherford, the Drifters and Procol Harum’s Gary Brooker,
is now available exclusively on Blu-ray disc.
In what appears to be a black-tie affair, the concert lifts off with a rather
silly rendition of “Tequila.” It just goes to show you can’t
ever underestimate the British for their irreverent humor, even at the sacrifice
of the musical talent on stage. The group — led by Brooker and fill out
by guitarists Rutherford and Andy Fairweather-Low, keyboardist Paul Carrack,
drummers Henry Spinetti and Graham Broad, and bassist Dave Bronze — mixes
it up with a flotilla of light ditties, but digs in deep for those heavier moments.
A slick reading of the 1995 Mike + The Mechanics’ hit “Over My
Shoulder” featuring Carrack and Rutherford, sets the pace for a couple
quick highlights to follow, namely Clapton’s “Lay Down Sally”
and “How Long,” another hit from 1974 Carrack recorded with Ace.
Perhaps in an effort to stay topical, then-newcomer Katie Melua plucks three
unremarkable numbers before ceding the stage back to Fairweather-Low, whose
take on “Lay My Burden Down” becomes a joyful sing-along.
A cavalcade of guest stars follow. Queen drummer Roger Taylor grabs the mic
and nails a new one, “Say It’s Not True,” before breezily
sailing through comfy arrangements of post-70s Queen hits, “These Are
The Days Of Our Lives” and “I Want To Break Free.” Ringo Starr,
accompanied by Mark Hudson, turns in safe and satisfying renditions of “Act
Naturally,” “Photograph” and “With A Little Help From
My Friends.” In between, Brooker squeezes in a couple of Procol Harum
numbers, “This World Is Rich” and “A Whiter Shade Of Pale,”
with a sprite soprano sax solo from Frank Mead.
Clapton returns to the stage for “Stormy Monday” and lays it down
thick with famed jazz trombonist Chris’ Barber. His set is mildly disrupted
by the Drifters (not the originals) who trot out pedestrian versions of “Under
The Boardwalk” and “Stand By Me.” Clapton reclaims the spotlight
with an out-of-place “Cocaine.” The entire cast (minus Ringo) assembles
for a finale of “I Can’t Dance,” an oddity from the Genesis
songbook. Despite the quirky, uneven setlist, there are some spectacular performances
throughout. As a Blu-ray featuring lossless DTS-HD Master Audio, A Concert
By The Lake, despite any visual or reference to an actual “lake,”
is a feast for both the eyes and ears.
~ Shawn Perry
