Jon Paul presents...A Few More Notes: SHOW REPORT – Mike & Eleanor’s Wedding – Norton House Hotel, Swansea- Gower, 18 June 2011

My services were recommended to Eleanor’s folks - Dad, Paul & his 'other half' Karen - who quickly booked me for a complete night of entertainment, including live music and disco. This wedding required a little more preparation than most, as Eleanor had her heart set on a very specific version of a song for their first dance, which was to be live and exclusive.

Eleanor directed me to a YouTube video of an unplugged or “live lounge” cover of a David Guetta & Kelly Roland dance anthem called ‘When Love Takes Over’. Backing tracks for the ‘dance’ version were available, but not of the stripped-down ‘lounge’ arrangement the couple had fallen in love with online. This featured just 2 guitar parts and a simple piano motif. No synths and drum machines this time, thank you! J

This simple version of the track was not available pre-recorded from any backing track suppliers anywhere in the world – and to my knowledge, at the time of writing this, still isn’t…

(There is a Pixie Lott version, although this differs significantly from the arrangement Eleanor liked, so wasn’t tenable.)

Quotations for bespoke music tracks obtained from on-line backing track manufacturers ranged from £200-500… L
The Phat Aahs’ team managed to beat that price and I was able to make Eleanor & Mike’s dream come true regardless.

I have been fortunate to work alongside some very talented musicians and producer/engineer in the 15-20 years I have been involved in making music. For a reasonable extra charge I was able to commission a similar version to the YouTube clip to be arranged, recorded and produced as an exclusive backing track by one of my own team members, the superb Rich Braithwaite, who had also been involved in producing my charity recording for the Changed Waters Katrina Project*, and produces and engineers my studio demos that you can hear on
my MAIN WEBSITE.

[*See also my article HERE for more information about this special charity recording and the team behind it.]

Despite the studio reclocating to West Wales, the music was produced in good time for the couple to practise their first dance to well before the wedding. The plan was to then perform the vocal as a live and exclusive premier on the night, as well as record a full vocal mix in the studio. This was then produced as a limited edition CD that was given as wedding favours to the families – all as part of the unique package we put together. These little finishing touches, to blow my own trumpet, are what sets Phat Aahs’ Entertainments apart from the many other singer-disco services out there.

The day after the wedding, Paul & Karen emailed me to say:

“Thank you so much for the wonderful performance last night. Many of the guests commented on how good the evening was - especially the "first dance". Both Eleanor and Mike were thrilled with the special recording and the wonderful way in which you delivered it.”

Now, exclusively for my Facebook friends & Blog readers, you can also dowload and listen to the track in your media player via THIS LINK.

An x-small set was used due to limited space.

The whole evening was planned extensively with Eleanor & Mike, including a meeting at the venue to plan layout and lightshow. The couple were keen to avoid too much nostalgic music as the DJ for their engagement had played what he wanted, and left swing & 50s music playing through the first half of the party – a style they dislike strongly, themselves. We set aside time to talk about the kind of music they liked, as well as what their guests would enjoy, so that the evening moved up through the proverbial gears more quickly.

The couple hoped to hear lots of chart and dance music, reminding them of the times they’d spent clubbing and getting to know each other & their groups of friends, many of who were there at the wedding. I was happy to oblige by playing up-to-date club floor-fillers between my 3 half-hour live sets.

Rockin' All Over The...er...room.

Eleanor also appreciated that her guest-list included older friends and family, so requested I incorporate classic floor-fillers that would appeal across the generations in the music I sang. Additionally, I was able to add live numbers the couple chose from my repertoire, as well as learn some additional new modern classics – including the huge nu-soul hit ‘Forget You’, as made famous by CeeLo Green – a number which was still climbing in the charts on the day of the wedding!

Mixing up the live entertainment with their disco requests segments meant throughout the evening, at some point all guests and family were hearing songs that appealed to them – and guest sang along and danced from early in the evening.

The intimate function suite also allowed me to get out among the guests, dancing with them and singing along as if I was a friend myself: just as the couple had wanted when we planned the party.

After returning from their Mexican honeymoon (…jealous, me?) Eleanor kindly emailed to say: “We can't thank you enough for all of your hard work on our wedding day you went down a treat with our guests they were all amazed by how amazing your voice is, it brought so much fun to the evening and we all really enjoyed having you with us.”

And I really enjoyed being there. Congratulations again to the new Mr & Mrs Evans!

Paul & Karen's earlier email also closed by commenting:

“If ever you need a reference or a recommendation then please pass on my contact details and we would be more than [happy] to recommend your wonderful services. Once again, many many thanks for a wonderful evening of top notch entertainment.”

Once again – and as always – it really was my pleasure.

Take care…and have fun

Jon Paul

Some more pictures of the event follow. All event photographs courtesy of Bob Grainger Photography