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Jon Lord memorial concert one year after his passing (review)29 July 2013, 22:54
The special show contained -among others -excerpts of the "Concerto for Group and Orchestra", Lord's breakthrough piece written in 1969 that had been the first major effort to combine a rock band with a symphony orchestra, and which the Maestro had performed on stage with Cry Free several times worldwide from 2009 to his premature death last year. This time Lord and the symphonics appeared virtually on a big screen with the Hungarian Deep Purple Cover Band joining in live on stage.
Other highlights of the evening were the performances of "Love Conquers All" and "Soldier Of Fortune" by the band accompanied by cellist Bori Klacsmann, who had already appeared with Cry Free earlier this year, when during their "Deep Purple Family Tree" tribute concert they had performed another masterpiece by Lord "Pictured Within" (see fan footage below). For Soldier Of Fortune the band had also invited charming lady singer Szilvia Sikos of Violent Moon (Blackmore's Night tribute) who joined Cry Free's Attila Scholtz to do a beautiful version of "Soldier" the Jon Lord way, with both male and female vocals.
All these moments along with the great many authentic Hammond interpretations of Jon's famous solos and intros (both studio and live) by Cry Free keysman Norbert Soós and his Hammond C3 (one of the very instruments Lord last used on stage himself - provided by Norbi) and his Leslie/Marshall amp combination helped fans relive some of that magical atmosphere the legendary keyboardist had always created during his concerts.
Cry Free will continue to make all efforts to help keep the 'Jon Lord spirit' alive. Watch this space as photos and videos of the memorial concert are soon to follow.