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concerts and club nights up and down the country.
IDMC - 13TH ANNIVERSARY
& REUNION CONCERT live
1 December 2007
Dominion Centre, Wood Green
The
celebrations were about to get underway at the Dominion
Centre in Woodgreen, London as it played host to
IDMC's 13th Anniversary Reunion and Live
Recording Concert.
There was a nice mellow atmosphere around the
Auditorium as it slowly filled with people who were
gathered to see what South London's front man of
UK Gospel John Fisher had in store this time around.
IDMC (Individuals Dedicated to the Ministry of Christ)
have successfully been a choir since forming in
1994 under the direction of John is the founder.
As with any standard show there needed to be a
great compeer, someone to keep you amused, and fully
keeping them in tune with what to expect next. The
humorous talking Dave McQueen did
just this.
Some time after the choir emerged on to the stage.
They looked slightly unrecognisable of course because
faces of past and present were combined together.
They went into their first set which was all about
their old albums such as 'Take it to the
streets’ and 'Lift your head
up'.
I couldn't name every song line for line but some
particularly struck a chord. Classics like 'Only
You' and the golden oldie by Walter
Hawkins 'If anybody asks you' instantly
captured the minds around the building. You could
see and hear people singing along confidently as
they reminisced on the early years.
This was enjoyable and kept people on their toes
dancing with the help of the band who were on point
throughout.
To some surprise, John hopped onto the drums for
one number as you might have thought those days
were long gone. But it was clearly obvious that
he still remembered how to make a beat!.
The set carried on for a good amount of time, and
it didn't drag on as it may have appeared in the
beginning. This went well as it gave you more of
a chance to hear the variety of songs.
The choir then came off for the end of their first
set and their supporting acts did their thing.
Natalie Philips, a former member
of IDMC featured and performed a couple of songs
which gave a wholehearted performance that embraced
the crowd.
Also flowing lyricist Alan Charles
who is well known for his explorative poems excited
everyone. Particulary when he did his 'Everybody
Ought to Know’ piece. It brought
laughter and passion to the meaning of what God
was. He got everyone involved but they didn’t
need any help with the words as they became catchy
after a time.
Other highlights of the night included
Juliet Fletcher, a UK pioneer on the gospel
scene, paying homage to John. She appreciated his
contribution and called him "A Hero of British
Gospel Music". This was nice to hear more fetching
words said about him.
It was now time for the Grande finale, which was
to be memorable. John promised that he would do
as much as he could before they had to vacate the
premises!.
His old pal and renowned worship leader Noel
Robinson, joined him for the song Noel
wrote and has been famously recognised 'It
is to you'. They also performed a few new
tracks that will be on their new album, including
'Yes' and 'It's not about me’.
This had a motowny, 70's feel and took some getting
used to but it goes to show that a new era had approached
the choir, so this meant bravely attempting new
styles.
The new album would be a compilation,’ The
Best of IDMC’; the first of it's kind as John
pointed out to be done by any choir in the UK.
There was no disputing that the show was good as
it was entertaining. The singing and music blessed
people but it would have been nice to perhaps have
other features to the show since it was an Anniversary
Celebration.
I'm sure this was just a taster for more albums
and shows that IDMC will do, so let's keep watching
this space!.
Reviewed
by Charlene Marshall
December 2007
Previous
Live 'n' Directs:
• Shirley
Ceasar and Tye Trybett - November 2007
• Barbados
Gospelfest - May 2007
• The
Abolotion of Slave Trade Act - March 2007
•
Noel Robinson's Album Launch - February 2007
• Souled
Out - February 2007
•
Amazing Grace - February 2007
• Kirk
Franklin - November 2006
•
Life on the Stairs - August 2006
•
Oasis Awards - August 2006
•
Israel Houghton and New Breed in Concert - April
2006
