Is anyone watching the British Legion Festival?

[AnnListersBlister]

I'm crying watching it!
I usually do to be fair.

The awful situations some people have gone through to have us be where we are.

I'm watching, always so moving

Some amazing singers.

It puts me in awe, truly does. I'd never have that amount of courage.

Yes I'm watching- very moving as always. The poppies always get me going.
Re the singers - I was shocked at how badly Gregory Porter came across - I normally enjoy his singing. Bad tv? Bad acoustics or something?

Ramon Karimloo was off too (which is unusual). Cynthia Erivo was flawless as usual.

I cry the whole way through

I wonder if Alexandra Burke could hear the music. She was dreadful

The young man who spoke after his severely injured father was seriously impressive. What composure.

I was thinking that about him, @bowednotbroken. Flawless.

Absolutely!

@Bloodypunkrockers

I cry the whole way through

I wonder if Alexandra Burke could hear the music. She was dreadful

Yes I wonder that too. I thought the whole event was good as usual but Alexandra Burke was out of time and out of tune regardless of whether you appreciated her interpretation or not (I didn't really, Abide with Me is a Hymn and should be sung together). Not to sure about Gregory Porters "He Ain't Heavy" either.

However, some really great moments such as the first poem and the testimonies of the veterans supported by the RBL.

Lamin and Musa Maneh were so inspirational. I find some of the musical interludes in recent festivals of remembrance a bit 'warbly' and reminiscent of TV talent shows. Not the time or place.

Jenny Agutter's reading was very moving.

Dennis Woolons was wonderful - it brings home that there aren't many WW2 veterans left.

She didn't sing the end of the second line correctly — the second to last note is a semitone higher than she was singing it.

Alexandra Burke that is.

@Gohugatree

Lamin and Musa Maneh were so inspirational. I find some of the musical interludes in recent festivals of remembrance a bit 'warbly' and reminiscent of TV talent shows. Not the time or place.

Jenny Agutter's reading was very moving.

Dennis Woolons was wonderful - it brings home that there aren't many WW2 veterans left.

I think about that a lot. A lot of them no longer with us :( And yes, he was wonderful. Life's short isn't it.. it wasn't really that long ago.

@PolkadotsAndMoonbeams

She didn't sing the end of the second line correctly — the second to last note is a semitone higher than she was singing it.

Sadly I wish that was all that was wrong with it. She was rushing ahead of the orchestra and choir and she was flat in a few phrases.

Thought Cynthia Ervio was much better, but she had the easier task of singing her own song I suppose. Again I was a bit unclear what that song had to do with the festival though.

Gregory Porter went a bit too 'jazz' on he ain't heavy and there just wasn't enough of the tune left to really make it clear that that was the song he was singing.

Alfie was great as always, but again wondered what "Greatest Day" had to do with the occasion and why he was singing a pop song.

Ramin was really good and made You'll Never Wall Alone into something poignant and powerful which was needed as they were constructing the drum altar.

However, choirs and bands were excellent, really enjoyed the version of the Lord's Prayer by the gospel choir, they were very good. I know that a sung lord's prayer isn't everyone's cup of tea, but it is actually quite traditional.

I thought some of the songs were a bit odd too. Have they tried to modernise it a bit too much perhaps.

I didn't like you'll never walk alone although fitting, I think too many people associate it with football now.

Whereas I associate it with Carousel, a musical written in 1945. The song resonated with audiences at the time due to WW2.

@Comefromaway

Whereas I associate it with Carousel, a musical written in 1945. The song resonated with audiences at the time due to WW2.

I do too, I just thought of people I know, many of whom think of it as a football song. It was played at my graduation too which is how I think of it :)

I'm watching the cenotaph now. The Royals are so dignified. Did he say the queen's hurt her back, hence her absence? I only half heard that part.