Review: Bryan Ferry at Thetford Forest

With more than 14 band members on stage including two drum sets and the usual bevy of attractive backing singers and dancers he launched into a string of numbers mixing old and new.

The large crowd were on their feet from the opening number, a mix of 'Put a Spell on You 'and 'Slave to Love'.

Ferry, dressed in a cool dark suit, tie and scarf, effortlessly moved from song to song with superb ease and had us right in his hand from the start.

He proved that at over 60 he can still rock but has lost none of his wonderfully mellow voice, often playing keyboards and harmonica too. It was also apparent that he was really having a great time himself.

At one point a stunning rainbow appeared in the sky right above the stage almost as if it had been part of the excellent lighting mix-something missed by the masses close to the stage I guess.

The sound quality was faultless and the vision mixer presented a beautiful mix of live camera shots and recorded elements in a seamless ethereal backing film.

The band did a fabulous job and special mention must go the the female sax player who rightfully got a round of applause after her solos.

All the old favourites were there - a very haunting 'Avalon', 'Love is a Drug' (which got the biggest applause of the night), 'Let's Stick Together' and the encore 'Jealous Guy'

Some of the crowd of a certain age, were certainly re-living teenage years dancing away to the hits.

Ferry was ably supported by the pretty up and coming Liverpudlian blues singer Delta Maid. She has a an interesting mix of American soul singing style with her strong local accent.

Praise must go to the organising team at these Thetford concerts too. A very well organised traffic handling team ensured little or no hold ups often encountered at other live music events.

The thoroughly enjoyable show was recorded by BBC Radio Two and is due to air this Thursday evening for those who missed it.

Richard Tree