Engelbert Humperdinck, his live band and international touring production team will visit South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8pm, tickets are selling fast and on sale through Webtickets.co.za.

Pretoria Rekord June 25, 2024

Footsteps of a Legend #1 : “4 shilling and frozen fingers”!

It is 1947, in Leicester, England. From the Dorsey household, packed with 10 siblings, we hear the notes of an 11 year old boy, playing ‘My Blue Heaven’. Just an hour ago, a young Arnold Dorsey had received his first ever saxophone from his Dad. Not even the dented bell on the instrument could stop his enthusiasm.

For the next four years he delivered the morning paper, earning 4 shillings per week – the precise amount Mr.Parker asked for a saxophone lesson. To keep his fingers protected against the cold, knowing he could not play the keys with frozen fingers, he strapped his saxophone around his chest, to be able to keep his hands in his pockets.

Nevertheless, he still arrived at Mr.Parker’s house, with icy, chilled fingers. The teacher would warm him up first, in front of the fireplace, before commencing the lesson. And this, was the humble beginning of a legend who would become known to us, as Engelbert Humperdinck.

Footsteps of a Legend #2 : “Sheffield, The Milk Train and Telephone Boxes”!

November 1956, Arnold Dorsey was walking down a muddy road in Leicester, in a white suit, carrying a special girl With his saxophone and voice, he could lift an entire army off their seats. Music had its claws properly stuck in him, which drove him to Sheffield every weekend. After a long week’s work at Cannon & Stokes’ engineering factory, he would do 3 shows on Saturday evenings, 3 on Sunday afternoons and end with another 3 on Sunday evening.

With his saxophone and voice, he could lift an entire army off their seats. Music had its claws properly stuck in him, which drove him to Sheffield every weekend. After a long week’s work at Cannon & Stokes’ engineering factory, he would do 3 shows on Saturday evenings, 3 on Sunday afternoons and end with another 3 on Sunday evening.

If he had enough money, he got lodging on Saturday nights, but mostly he could not afford it. He slept on railway-station benches and in telephone boxes. On Monday, at the crack of dawn, he would catch the milk train back to Leicester and start his work week all over again, all for the moment he got to see Sheffield again.

And the girl on his shoulders stayed with him through it all, to become the love of his life. She played an integral role in keeping her man on the right path… the path that lead to being Engelbert Humperdinck. Although she is not with us anymore, she left behind decades of footsteps shared with a legend, Engelbert Humperdinck!

Footsteps of a Legend #3 : “A cup of tea for Mr.Bland”!

A few years along in the footsteps of our legend, we find him married to the love of his life, Patricia, or Popea as he called her. They were living in a flat above a furniture shop, with their first baby, Louise. It was humble and innocent, in the sense of a father doing everything he can to care for his family, but somedays it was not enough for the world out there – like the world of a tax man…

Mr.Bland came knocking on the Dorsey’s door regularly. The couple really did not have the means to pay. Instead of dodging the doorbell, they invited him inside for a cup of tea, for three consecutive years. At the end, the man who made it as Engelbert Humperdinck, with Release Me, was able to pay all the taxes he owed to Mr.Bland.

In the same year Mr.Bland retired with these final words to Gerry Dorsey/Engelbert Humperdinck ,”if there is anyone I’d work for , it would be you.” Nothing meant more to Mr.Bland than the honesty he saw in Engelbert and his wife Popea. That is the show of character that not only earned the admiration of a taxman, but of everyone who ever crosses paths with the legend of Engelbert.

Footsteps of a Legend #4 : “Release me…. the soundtrack that changed life”!

It was the beginning of 1967. ‘Release Me’ had just been released, but had not taken off yet. Gerry Dorsey, now dubbed Engelbert Humperdinck by his manager, Gordon Mills, was sitting restlessly at home, staring at his shoes full of holes in the soles. His friend Tony, had made him paper insoles from Woolworth shopping bags, and even varnished the bottoms.

That was the moment everyhing changed. The phone rang. They urgently needed a replacement for Dickie Valentine, on the show Sunday Night at the Palladium. Life would never be the same again. Engelbert performed ‘Release Me’, and the very next day his records started flying off the shelf, at 80 000 units per day.

He had to rapidly borrow furniture from the shop above which he lived, for the journalists who swarmed his apartment for interviews. Saying ‘yes’ to The Palladium that night, changed the soundtrack of all our lives and we have never been more grateful, Sir !

Footsteps of a Legend #5 : “A Man for all the Nations”!

Late in 1969, Engelbert Humperdinck embarked on his first South African trip. He agreed he wanted to play his music to ALL the cultures of South Africa. This was a pioneering decision in the times of the 60’s.

Upon arrival at Johannesburg airport, he was very surprised that the crowd of Zulu warriors who were gathered on the tarmac, were there to welcome him. The chief of the Zulu tribe greeted him, and a ritual dance followed that made Engelbert feel the rhythm in the ground underneath his feet.

He was then gifted a shield and spear and joined them in some of their dancing movements. This is one of many reasons why South Africans are excited to see Engelbert Humperdinck this July… not only because he is the king of romance, but because he is the man who brings nations together !

Footsteps of a Legend #6 : “Singing to the Soul of Soweto”!

On the first opening night of his 1969 South African tour, Engelbert Humperdinck played at the Presidential Theatre, but afterwards jumped in a car and travelled to Soweto. The first time a British singer dared to do this.

The British Embassy in South Africa never thought it to be a good idea. The crowd at The Look Shirama in Soweto were so extremely overexcited to get into the venue, that their collective body weight turned over one of Engelbert’s empty cars. Many other crowds were not so happy with him for his decision to play to all the cultures, accusing him of interfering with the country’s politics, but he just kept repeating “We’re only here to entertain people,” and went on to perform in Port Elizabeth, as well as Cape Town.

In the Wynberg area of Cape Town, he also performed at The Luxurama Theatre, a pioneer in its own right, who only segregated their audiences by 1967, after force from the government. But nothing could stop Engelbert from spreading his music across all boundaries. Keep reading in our next section to hear how he took the limousine into a village to enjoy a local man’s curry.

Footsteps of a Legend #7 : “Curry in an African Village”!

There was a night during his South African tour of 1969, that Engelbert gave a tip of 10 pounds to the man who was cooking for him in his suite at his hotel.

The cook’s colleagues took the tip away from him later, with violence. The cook then asked Engelbert the next day to not give him any more tips and explained why. An astonished Engelbert asked what he could do to make up for it. The cook asked him with a big smile if he could come to his house in the village on Sunday, for dinner. Engelbert agreed….

That Sunday he set out with his road manager, Tony, and a nervous driver, in a limousine, heading for the village. They drove through a swarming community of terrifyingly excited people, arriving at a small house, in the shape of a thimble. They ate the special curry the cook had made for them, while mayhem continued outside.

Engelbert Humperdinck was the first British man ever to visit that particular area, which explains why he at times felt that the crowd would make his cook’s house tumble in. One can’t help but make the ties to the sense of service that Engelbert was raised in. A true soldier of the British nation, always ready to shake hands with every single civilian. A legend, but with his feet firmly planted in the African soil.

It is a testimony and the reason why Mr. Humperdinck is so immensely loved in South Africa.

Engelbert Humperdinck, his live band and international touring production team will visit two prestigious venues in South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8pm, followed by a performance at the Grand Arena at GrandWest in Cape Town on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at 4pm – tickets are selling fast and on sale through Webtickets.co.za.

https://www.citizen.co.za/rekord/news-headlines/2024/06/25/great-stories-to-know-about-engelbert-humperdinck/ 

by PAUL CASHMERE on JUNE 19, 2024 Noise 11

Two of Engelbert Humperdinck’s earliest classics, the first album ‘Release Me’ (1967) and his third album ‘A Man Without Love’ (1968) have been remastered and will be rereleased on 19 July 2024.

‘Release Me’ the album also featured ‘Release Me’ the single, Engelbert Humperdinck’s very first hit. The song reached no 1 in the UK, no 3 in Australia and no 4 in the USA, establishing Engelbert as one of the biggest stars of 1967.

Tracklist:
A-Side:
1. Release Me
2. Quiet Nights
3. Yours Until Tomorrow
4. There’s A Kind Of Hush
5. This Is My Song
6. Misty Blue

B-Side:
1. Take My Heart
2. How Near Is Love
3. Walk Through This World
4. If I Were You
5. Talking Love
6. My World
7. Ten Guitars

‘A Man Without Love’, the title track of the ‘A Man Without Love’ album, was also a massive global hit reaching no 2 in the UK, no 5 in Australia and no 19 in the USA. 

The song has a recent resurgence when it was used in the hit Disney+ TV series ‘Moon Knight’.

Tracklist:
A-Side:
A Man Without Love
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
From Here To Eternity
Spanish Eyes
A Man And A Woman
Quando Quando Quando

B-Side:
Up Up And Away
Wonderland By Night
What A Wonderful World
Call On Me
By The Time I Get To Phoenix
The Shadow Of Your Smile

Engelbert Humperdinck released 12 albums on Decca Records between 1967 and 1973. 

Pre-orders of the first two Engelbert remasters are at the Decca website.

https://www.noise11.com/news/classic-engelbert-humperdinck-to-be-remastered-and-reissued-20240619

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https://galaxycon.com/blogs/events/engelbert-humperdinck

The iconic Engelbert Humperdinck has announced reissues of two of his most iconic albums as part of a major reissue campaign by Decca Records exploring the music legend’s back catalogue.

The remastered reissues of ‘Release Me’ and ‘ A Man Without Love’ will be released on 19th July on Decca Records and available on CD, coloured LP, and digitally.

The releases coincide with a handful of UK concert dates including The London Palladium (September 8), Manchester Opera House (September 9), Birmingham Symphony Hall (September 10) and Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (September 12) as part of his huge ‘The Last Waltz Farewell Tour 2024’.

Engelbert has also released brand new lyric videos for Release Me and Can’t Take My Eyes Off You  available to watch now.

The album ‘Release Me’, originally released in 1967, catapulted Engelbert into superstardom. Featuring Engelbert’s trademark debut No.1 song ‘Release Me’, written in the 1940’s by Eddie Miller, the song kept The Beatles’ ‘Penny Lane’ / ‘Strawberry Fields’ from the top spot.

The ‘Release Me’ album made No.6 on the UK charts, and stayed on the best-sellers list for over a year, selling in very large numbers, making Engelbert the biggest-selling artist of 1967, making him the real soundtrack to the Summer of Love.

Released in 1968 and reaching No.3 in the UK charts, remaining in them for 45 weeks, ‘A Man Without Love’ compounded Engelbert’s reach as an international superstar, with its title-track being a Top 20 single in the UK.

In an incredible career that has spanned over 60 years, Engelbert Humperdinck has sold over 140 million records worldwide, with songs ranging from the most romantic ballads to movie theme songs, disco, rock, and even gospel.

These records have earned 64 gold and 35 platinum albums, four Grammy Award nominations, a Golden Globe, and his own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

The following decades saw Engelbert constantly touring the world to sell-out crowds. He takes great pleasure in every moment on stage. His music has transcended time and his voice continues to reach out to people now – serving to transport and inspire, to embrace and to provoke feelings and emotions…ingredients that are no doubt the essence of his long-lasting success.

Engelbert was awarded the Honour of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) by Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.

Engelbert Humperdinck Confirms Last Australian Tour Is Not His Last Australian Tour

by PAUL CASHMERE on JUNE 6, 2024  NEWS11.com

While Engelbert Humperdinck’s current tour was billed ‘The Last Waltz Farewell Tour’ the 88-year old entertainment says the last Australian tour was not his last Australian tour. In fact, quoting the lyrics of his classic song “The last waltz will last forever”.

Engelbert posted a video to Facebook in which he confirms he will tour Australia again. “I’m just from my Last Waltz tour of Australia. It was the beginning of my Last Waltz tour and everything was superb.  The audiences were delightful and I had wonderful comments from the critics of the show. It was just great to read such a wonderful response from my Australian fans indeed. 

“I look forward to coming back. It may be my Last Waltz tour but “the last waltz will last forever”. You know what I’m saying? I just can’t wait to get back”.

Engelbert Humperdinck has a major touring schedule ahead of him for 2024. There are 50 more dates to go before the end of the year with Engelbert travelling to South Africa, Europe and North America.

There is also another album on the way, a concept album he said during his recent Australian shows. He was performing a song from the album, a cover of Journey’s ‘Faithfully’.

Engelbert’s next show in June 11 in New Jersey.

https://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-confirms-last-australian-tour-is-not-his-last-australian-tour-20240606

News24.com

• British musical legend Engelbert Humperdinck's ‘The Last Waltz’ Farewell Tour’ to Cape Town and Gauteng in July

• With a career spanning over six decades, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and received numerous awards, including four Grammy nominations and a Golden Globe.

• Humperdinck is known for songs like Quando, Quando, Quando and A Man Without Love.

Engelbert Humperdinck, born Gerry Dorsey, rose to international fame in 1965, enchanting listeners with his romantic melodies. With hits like 'Release Me’, ‘A Man Without Love’ and 'The Last Waltz’, he has sold over 150 million records worldwide and received numerous accolades, including four Grammy nominations, a Golden Globe for Entertainer of the Year, and he is one of only a handful of artists with a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Las Vegas Walk of Fame.

His story started in 1947, in Leicester, England. From the Dorsey household, packed with 10 siblings, we hear the notes of an 11-year-old boy, playing 'My Blue Heaven'. Just an hour ago, a young Arnold Dorsey had received his first ever saxophone from his Dad. Not even the dented bell on the instrument could stop his enthusiasm. 

For the next four years he delivered the morning paper, earning 4 shillings per week - the precise amount Mr.Parker asked for a saxophone lesson. To keep his fingers protected against the cold, knowing he could not play the keys with frozen fingers, he strapped his saxophone around his chest, to be able to keep his hands in his pockets. 

Nevertheless, he still arrived at Mr.Parker's house, with icy, chilled fingers. The teacher would warm him up first, in front of the fireplace, before commencing the lesson. And this, was the humble beginning of a legend who would become known to us, as Engelbert Humperdinck.

Don't miss the chance to witness a music icon bid farewell to the stage, in style. Audiences can expect an unforgettable evening of timeless classics and heartfelt performances as Engelbert Humperdinck takes them on a journey through his remarkable musical legacy. 

• The tour will visit two prestigious venues in South Africa, starting with the SunBet Arena at Time Square Casino in Pretoria on Friday, 12 July 2024, at 8 pm, followed by a performance at the Grand Arena at Grand West Casino in Cape Town on Sunday, 14 July 2024, at 4 pm, and tickets are on sale now through Webtickets.co.za. Concerts in the UK and Australia were sold out in a matter of days so be sure to book yours quickly.  

https://www.news24.com/news24/community-newspaper/peoples-post/sponsored-engelbert-humperdinck-the-birth-of-a-legend-20240604

Live Review: Engelbert Humperdinck @ Hamer Hall

27 May 2024 | 12:17 pm | Christie Eliezer TheMusic.com AU

The show was a masterclass in stagecraft, turning a large theatre into a small living room that touched each of the 2,500 people in Hamer Hall. 

Engelbert Humperdinck said farewell to Australia with eight sell-out shows made up of original ‘60s fans and younger fans of romantic pop.

He made a career out of deep-voiced love songs and matinee looks, his early songs diving into versions of country and Italo-pop where the most emotional stories lay. 

On his 2017 album The Man I Want To Be, he mined similar newer romantic songs by Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran. The title track sent a powerful message of where he was at the time as an 81-year-old —looking at the highs and lows of his life and still enthusiastically looking to make changes.

The farewell show started with that sentiment, with Funny How Time Slips Away (“I gotta go now” goes one line) and Am I That Easy To Forget, before moving to familiar ground as A Man Without Love and early b-side Ten Guitars.

Another message to his audience about positively dealing with advancing age came with his choice of US country singer Toby Keith’s Don’t Let The Old Man In. Keith wrote the song after meeting actor-director Clint Eastwood at a charity golf tournament in California in 2018.

He told Eastwood he was surprised at how much energy the 88-year-old (he was filming The Mule at the time), and Eastwood responded, "Toby, I don't let the old man in". 

The voice was still velvety even at 88, and there were tried-and-true tricks, such as removing his jacket to shrieks, wolf whistles, and wink-wink good-natured humour that sometimes bordered on the bawdy.

Fronting a cracking band, the first high came with the jaunty Quando, Quando, Quando, the uptempo early ‘60s Italo-pop, followed by Simply Red’s If You Don’t Know Me By Now.

His tribute to his late wife Patricia, Everywhere I Go, for which he explained,  "I promised I would sing this everywhere I go,” visibly struck a chord. The upcoming cover of Journey’s piano ballad Faithfully could easily be the song’s bookend.

Spanish Eyes and The Last Waltz followed and peaked with Release Me. Trivia on the latter: Jimmy Page played on the studio version, and it kept The Beatles’ Strawberry Fields Forever / Penny Lane off the top spot in the UK in 1967.

Through How Do You Keep The Music Playing and Kris Kristofferson’s For The Good Times, the Hump said farewell. After a stage exit, he returned in a red Versace dressing gown and gold cuffs and threw red hankies to the crowd. Neither the crowd nor the star wanted to say goodbye, and it showed.

https://themusic.com.au/reviews/engelbert-humperdinck-hamer-hall/48FZ9_b5-Ps/27-05-24

by PAUL CASHMERE on MAY 27, 2024 Noise 11.comin NEWS

Engelbert Humperdinck has wrapped up his The Last Waltz tour in Australia with eight shows in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth and is now back at his home in Los Angeles. 

This was a remarkable tour. For starters Engelbert is 88 years old. He is officially the oldest performer I have now ever seen in concert (edging out blues legend Buddy Guy who I saw in 2023 when he was 86). 

This tour was billed “The Last Waltz Farewell Tour” so for Australia that is probably it (but never discount Engelbert coming back and maybe doing a one-off show). The energy this man still has puts men 30 years younger to shame. The Australian tour might be over but Engelbert still has 50 more shows booked this year for Europe, North America and South Africa.

Engelbert’s setlist is not just nostalgia, there are also some surprises. Journey’s ‘Faithfully’ will feature on his next album, something he described as a concept record. Toby Keith’s ‘Don’t Let The Old Man In’ references Clint Eastwood’s famous line about not getting old “because he doesn’t let the old man in” and is obviously a charter Engelbert lives by as well. 

Clearly the opening song, a cover of Willie Nelson’s ‘Funny How Time Slips Away’ was a reference to his 50+ years in the business and Don McLean’s ‘For The Good Times’ at the end of the show bookended the sentiment.

However, the most touching moment of the show was his performance of ‘Everywhere I Go’, a song for his late wife Patricia, who passed away in 2021. They were married for 57 years. Engelbert dedicated the song to Patricia and said he vowed to sing it at every show he does from now on. 

This was Engelbert’s first time back in Australia since 2019 because of the pandemic. Prior to that he was a regular visitor touring almost every two years in the previous decade, which was basically a good excuse to see his Aussie family, son Scott Dorsey and his two Aussie grandchildren. And thanks to my friendship all these years, I have been gifted the opportunity to interview Engelbert often.

The stories in this show were wonderful. (The jokes not so wonderful but hey, Dad jokes and Grandad jokes get a few pass for this audience). His pisstake of Tom Jones was hilarious though. Can you believe two people who were managed by the same guy (as was Gilbert O’Sullivan) have never recorded together after all these years. An Engelbert, Tom collaboration should happen now while they are all still here.

For that matter, why hasn’t Engelbert ever been knighted. King Charles, I know you are on the Noise11 mailing list MAKE.IT.HAPPEN.

The achievements continue. When ‘A Man Without Love’ was used repeatedly in the 2022 series Moon Knight, Engelbert had the most played song on Spotify that week. That song resonated as much with under 30s as over 80s today.

Of course, all the hits were there. ‘After The Lovin’, ‘The Last Waltz’, ‘Release Me’ are iconic.

Engelbert has a couple of weeks off before resuming his The Last Waltz world tour in New Jersey on June 11. He has dates through until December 12, 2024. 

Retirement then, you say? I say … unlikely.

Engelbert Humperdinck setlist Melbourne 2024

Funny How Time Slips Away (Willie Nelson cover)
Am I That Easy to Forget
Let Me Into Your Life
A Man Without Love
After the Lovin’
Ten Guitars
If You Don’t Know Me by Now (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes cover)
Faithfully (Journey cover)
Bésame mucho
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You (Frankie Valli cover)
Quando, quando, quando
You’re the First, the Last, My Everything (Barry White cover)
Don’t Let the Old Man In (Toby Keith cover)
Old Time Rock and Roll (George Jackson cover) (Band Introduction)
Everywhere I Go
The Last Waltz
Medley: This Moment in Time / The Way It Used to Be / Les bicyclettes de Belsize / There Goes My Everything / Spanish Eyes
Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)

Encore:
How Do You Keep The Music Playing (James Ingram cover)
For the Good Times

https://www.noise11.com/news/engelbert-humperdinck-ends-his-australian-the-last-waltz-tour-to-rave-reviews-20240527

Grace Stokes 22 May 2024 scenestr

The lights of Vivid blaze across Sydney Harbour drawing patterns in the sky as soft drizzle settles in for the evening.

However, inside the Opera House (20 May) it is warm, dry and packed to capacity for Engelbert Humperdinck's farewell tour.

The show begins with a '50s television announcing 'An Evening with Engelbert Humperdinck'. Bond-esque videos of the young man play, with him shooting and driving recklessly. The real Humperdinck enters to rapturous applause. "Well hello there," he sings. Why talk when you can sing your entire entrance?

"My it's been a long, long time. How are you doing? I guess I'm doing fine," the notes roll out like a red carpet. "It seems like it was only yesterday," he sings from 'Funny How Time Slips Away', his voice strong and beautiful, belying his years.

"This is a strange line," Humperdinck speaks for the first time, interjecting before singing, "I gotta go now," then shrugging. He is feeling cheeky, swaying across the stage in his black tuxedo and slightly unbuttoned white shirt. "Time slips away," he brings down a lovely opening.

The band flow straight into 'Am I That Easy To Forget', as the stage floods stunning pinks and purples that blend to an electric orange. The crowd adore the song, singing with all their might.

"It's been five, six years I've been performing," Humperdinck begins the first conversation of the night with tongue firmly in cheek. "I still get nervous." The crowd laugh. "My legs were shaking, I thought I was going to have to do this," Humperdinck mimics lying down, before transitioning to sentimentality.

"Music has been my passport," he shares emotionally. "Thank you for coming to the farewell tour. Just let me into your life," he begs passionately, as the stage glows a glorious orange. It feels like Vegas in the '70s, a warm, nostalgic feeling.

Humperdinck sustains a note, climaxing the song before blowing a kiss to the crowd. They clearly adore him. "I got lucky twice with this one," he shares regarding 'A Man Without Love'. "It was in 'Moon Knight' and went to number one on Spotify. Can you believe that? I recorded it 50 years ago!" The crowd cheer.

He places his foot on the fold-back, leaning forward like an enticing Lothario, much to the audience's delight. "My back is giving me agony," he changes one of the song's lyrics, gripping it and hopping as he returns to centre-stage. Humperdinck is one heck of an entertainer. The lights fade down like a sunrise, and you have just obtained a core life memory.

'After The Lovin' is smooth and sad like the last whiskey of a long night. The curtains drip purple appearing like jellyfish, and Humperdinck characteristically commands the stage from end to end.

"It's time to make myself a little loose," he declares, an attendant taking his jacket while Humperdinck unbuttons his shirt more than a couple. The crowd reacts to the scandal. "There's no alcohol in here," Humperdinck states, gesturing to his drinks table. "It's been many moons time since any alcohol has passed these lips. And. . . I also lie."

He starts 'It's Not Unusual' in Tom Jones style, miming a hip thrust before abandoning the song. The crowd laughs hysterically for their man. 'Ten Guitars' jives along before Humperdinck announces it's request time. Yells ring out before he replies, "we'll do my one first".

"I'm really going to sit down for this," Humperdinck says before 'If You Don't Know Me By Now’. "It's the only time I get to rest. I don't get any in bed," he jokes. "All the women banging on my door. Finally, I go and let them out." The crowd erupts.

The song is another deeply touching sing-along, before 'Faithfully' – a Journey cover – carries on the sentimentality.

Frankie Valli's 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You' begins under pink beams. Humperdinck grabs the chorus by the collar and turns it upside down. Not many can take this song like he does. What a man.

"I'm going to ask my keyboard player Alicia to dance with me for this one," he says. "I can't dance Engelbert," she replies. "I will!" one patron screams.

Humperdinck tells Alicia he learnt to dance from the hokey pokey. "I shouldn't sing that," he stops. "The writer died recently and they buried him in a very strange way." "How?" Alicia asks. "One foot in then one foot out," Humperdinck jokes.

The crowd groans with wry smiles as 'Quando, Quando, Quando' begins. Humperdinck gyrates, before the decidedly metal-haired guitarist takes front of stage, shredding his telecaster. The fusion works.

Humperdinck dons a Crocodile Dundee hat for 'You're The First, The Last, My Everything' as the lights shine yellow circles on the ground. Another guitar solo takes the bridge, flowing smooth and silky.

Humperdinck tells a story of golfing with Clint Eastwood who was asked by Toby Keith how he does so much in his 90s. "Clint said, 'Toby I just don't let the old man in'." The song, like Humperdinck himself, is a touching reminder that life is what you make it, at any age.

'Old Time Rock And Roll' plays with solos from each band member. Alicia shines with her vocal rendition. Humperdinck then tears our hearts out by sharing he wrote 

'Everywhere I Go' for his wife, who is now in heaven. "I promised I would sing this everywhere I go." It is everything you imagine it would be, and you wonder if anyone will ever write a song about you. It climaxes in crashing drums and searing guitar notes.

'The Last Waltz' provides the heartiest sing-along of the night. A wonderfully crafted song and a stunning rendition. A medley of hits follows as Humperdinck dabs his forehead with his red handkerchief. He has worked hard here this evening.

'Release Me' proves popular and closes the regular set, as the band play through the obligatory stage exit. "Thank you for being a wonderful audience," Humperdinck gestures. "Applause is the food of an artist, and thank you for not starving me or my band tonight."

He adds: "Singers are lucky, because we can use our tools to vent our feelings. I hope you felt our emotion here tonight."

'How Do You Keep The Music Playing' is a beautiful start to the encore as blue smoke swirls around the stage. Humperdinck stuns with a heart wrenching, elongated final note. 

'For The Good Times' closes the set gently, as Humperdinck declares: "Well I've had a good time." He sings out the finals chorus shaking every hand in the front row.

"You remember I love you," he says, donning in a freshly supplied red bathrobe with gold cuffs. After handing out many of his signature red handkerchiefs, he departs all too soon.

Time flew as we were transported to another place. Humperdinck is astounding. To do what he does at any age is a feat of performance. The love he endues within so many is well deserved. A treasure, it was an absolute pleasure to have seen such a legend in such an iconic venue.

https://scenestr.com.au/music/review-engelbert-humperdinck-sydney-opera-house-20240522

18 May 2024 Written By Matthew Hocter Beyond the Encore

So much of my childhood has been shaped by the melodies that danced through our house, weaving themselves into the very air I breathed. Curated mostly by my mothers hand, her musical selections filled our home with the heart-stopping tremors of Elvis' growl, the aching vulnerability of Roy Orbison's balladry, and the smoldering intensity of Tom Jones. But then there was Engelbert Humperdinck, a name that rolled off the tongue like a forbidden foreign phrase. Unlike the others, his wasn't a voice that ignited, but one that enveloped. A velvet cloak of sound draped over heartache and hope, his music resonated on a deeper level, a timeless echo that has continued to transcend generations. He wasn't just another pretty face amongst a plethora of handsome crooners; but rather a constant hum that shaped not just the memories of my childhood, but provided a large part of the musical landscape within our home.

The 88-year-old Humperdinck's The Last Waltz Tour in Australia is more than just a victory lap for one of musics most accomplished artists; it's a carefully curated farewell symphony, ensuring a vibrant final note for a career that has spanned in excess of six decades. Sold-out venues across the country, packed with his devoted "Humperdincksters," speak volumes about the emotional resonance his music has held to them and all those that have joined them at his shows. Adelaide's Her Majesty's Theatre became a place that showcased the testament of the indelible mark that Humperdinck has etched on the lives of his fans, a poignant reminder of the enduring power that his music has had, and continues to have on them.

While age is a topic that generally isn’t relevant to performance, especially given the unfortunate prevalence of ageism, Humperdinck's The Last Waltz Tour is a reminder of the respect and acknowledgement that his 88 years on this earth so deserves. Here, age becomes a badge of honor, a testament of unwavering dedication to his craft. Though his voice may have matured over the years, his stage presence remains undeniably captivating. It's an unforced blend of charisma, intellect, along with a disarming  and self depreciating sense of humor.

With a catalogue of work as extensive as his, curating a setlist to please most, was clearly no easy feat. Opening with the poignant Willie Nelson cover "Funny How Time Slips Away" and setting a tone of reflection, it was also a subtle acknowledgment of the passing years. Seamlessly transitioning into classics like "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" and "A Man Without Love," again reminded the audience of the enduring power of his music. Backed by his tight five-piece band and beautifully guided by the musical direction of pianist Anne Shuttlesworth, Humperdinck delivered a performance that for the most part, could best be described as ageless.

As the show continued, emotions were running high with the Humperdincksters dancing and clapping to numbers like "Quando, Quando, Quando" and "Bésame Mucho." Yet, the evening offered more than just revelry. Poignant ballads like "If You Don't Know Me By Now" eased their way through the sentimental crowd, prompting introspective moments. Particularly noteworthy was "Don't Let The Old Man In," a song that felt less like a performance and more like a shared philosophy. Humperdinck seemed to offer a subtle wink, perhaps even a secret to his own enduring career – a refusal to surrender to the limitations of age. This harmony between infectious energy and heartfelt reflection created a truly beautiful experience. Music doesn't just move us physically, more often than not it's the emotional and intellectual that cuts the deepest.

As the show drew to a close, the final two encores capped an evening steeped in nostalgia and the privilege of witnessing a living legend live. But it was the moment after a heartfelt rendition of "Release Me (And Let Me Love Again)," that Humperdinck, bathing in the warm glow of the spotlight, turned to the crowd and said with thanks “Applause is the food of an artist." If that adage holds truth, then Adelaide tonight served up a banquet fit for a king. The standing ovation that followed wasn't merely an acknowledgment of his performance; it was a testament to the enduring power of music to nourish the soul, a feast that would sustain him not just for a lifetime, but for many lifetimes. This is when the true meaning of legendary becomes clear.

https://www.beyondtheencore.com/live/engelbert-humperdinck-the-last-waltz-tour-her-majestys-theatre-adelaide