2008 Classic Urban
Harmony European
Road Trip
by Pamela Horner
First Stop - The Netherlands
In October, 2008, Charlie and I decided to spend our third
anniversary visiting some of our music friends in Europe. Leaving out of
Newark, NJ, seven-and-a-half hours later, our plane touched down in
Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport. We were met there by, our friends, Sybrandus and
Roelie Finck. Sy and Roelie manage the Deep River Quartet, for which Sy
sings bass. The Deep River Quartet is one of Europe’s premier vocal
harmony quartets. The Dutch vocal group has been singing since 1971 and
does a mix of African-American Spirituals, Jazz, R&B and Soul. [We’ll be
posting an profile on the Deep River Quartet's history soon. In the meantime, to visit the Deeps’
website, see our Links page.]
Deep River Quartet's "For the Good Times Tour" Poster
We enjoyed Roelie and Sy’s hospitality and traveled with them
to the Dutch city of Purmerend, where the “Deeps” were scheduled to sing. We
first visited the Theater De Purmaryn where we met up with the rest of the
group in time to watch their sound-check. The members of the Deep River
Quartet are the same personnel who came to sing at our wedding: Sybrandus
Finck (bass singer & leader); Ace Vincent (tenor); Brian Sporkslede (tenor); and Dick Rietveld
(baritone).
Their band members for this performance were Joop Van Deuren (piano and
keyboards), Joep Lumeij (guitar), Erik Robaard (upright bass & electric bass) and Inigo Grimbergen
(drums and percussion). The theater which was built in 1990 is
very modern with 550 red velvet seats and a very stylish backstage area with a
waiting area complete with flat screen TV and microwave. This contrasted the old town outside, that we had time to enjoy a walk around.
Sybrandus Finck,
deep in thought,
outside the Theater De Purmaryn
The Deep River
Quartet during sound check: (l to r): Sy, Brian, Ace, Dick
Some more photos
from the Deeps' sound check. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this page.
Purmerend was established in the 15th century and
thrives now with a population of 78,000. A pedestrian mall is full of shops
and cafes. By the time we returned for the performance, the theater was
filled with an almost sold out crowd. The Deep River Quartet was in the
middle of their “For The Good Times” tour, a program that consisted of “old
skool” rhythm‘n’blues, gospel, jazz & soul. After the band warmed the
audience with a short number, the Deep River Quartet entered the stage wearing
brown suits with white shirts and began their set singing “When the Saints Go
Marching In”. Other songs followed in quick order, including “Rock My Soul,”
“I Cover The Waterfront” (lead by Dick Rietveld), “Peace in the Valley” (lead
by Brian Sporkslede) and “Sixty Minute Man” (lead by Sy Finck). Next Ace and
Dick sang a duet on “Bring It On Home to Me.” The first act ended with “Swing
Down Chariot.” The Deeps wowed everyone with their first act.
The Deep River Quartet in Purmerend
After a short intermission, the second act opened with the band
playing “Lady Be Good.” The Deep River Quartet entered. again looking very
stylish wearing white suits with black shirts singing the Ink Spots’ “Into
Each Life Some Rain Must Fall” with Sy doing the talking base and Dick the
lead. Other tunes sung were “Blueberry Hill”, “Whiter Shade of Pale” and
“It’s a Sin to Tell a Lie.” They then sang a melody made famous by the late
Dutch singer/songwriter Robert Long. Performed in Dutch, the song was called
“de Lont” (“The Wick”). I’ve always enjoyed the quick, humorous version of
“Rigoletto” that the Deeps vocalize. In the middle of the second act, Dick
Rietveld made some comments in Dutch that we didn’t understand and said
“Charlie and Pam Horner.” We both stood up and then everyone cheered. We’re
not sure what Dick said, but from the way people were applauding us, we
suspect he told the crowd we’d come from America to solve the current economic
crisis. The group then closed their second act with my all time favorite, “Go
Like Elijah” which is now viewable on YouTube. What an extraordinary group
this is! They received an eight minute standing ovation. Returned for an
encore, the Deep River Quartet closed with “He’s Got the Whole World in His
Hands.” Just a fantastic memorable night of music for fans of the Deep River
Quartet who were celebration twenty-five years of performing in the theatres
of The Netherlands.
The Deep River Quartet and Their Band
After their performance the Deeps came out to the lobby to pose
for photos and autograph copies of their CD’s for the fans. People were
drinking wine and having a good time talking to the group members. One Dutch
gentleman bragged to us that he’d seen the group sing six times! The Deeps
stayed there until they’d greeted all their fans.
The Deep River
Quartet signing autographs
Ace, Brian,
Dick, Pam, Charlie and Sy
Posing for
photos
More backstage photos with the
Deeps. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this page.
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Pam & Dick
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Charlie & Dick
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Pam & Sy
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Pam & Roelie
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Don't forget to visit the Deep River Quartet's website through
our Links page. It contains lots of great
photos, their show schedule and tells how to purchase their CD's and DVD's.
When you're done, hit the Back button to return to us.
The Deep River Quartet's latest CD
On to France
After saying goodbye to the Deep River Quartet, we caught a
quick flight to Toulouse, France to see the amazing Golden Gate Quartet.
Possibly one of the greatest vocal quartets of all time, the “Gates” have been
officially performing for 74 years, with some evidence the group started even
before that. The group began in Norfolk, VA, in the 1930’s and relocated to
Paris in the mid-1950’s. They are known worldwide.
Toulouse, France
Checking into our hotel, we received a message that the Golden
Gate Quartet would be performing live on French TV that evening. The event, a
telethon in tribute to Paris star Edith Piaf, was being telecast live from a
small theatre on Paris’ Avenue des
Champs-
Élysées.
From our hotel room, we sat through two hours of a benefit, broadcast
in French, which neither of us comprehended. Finally we were rewarded with
the Gates singing “La Vie En Rose.” Coming at the end of the broadcast, the
images of the Gates were squeezed to one side of the screen while the ending
credits scrolled, but they still sounded terrific! The next day we strolled
the “old city” part of Toulouse and sipped wine in an outdoor cafe. Later
that afternoon, we entered our hotel to find Paul Brembly, the Gates’
long-time baritone sitting in the lobby. Paul had been visiting with guitar
legend Mickey “Guitar” Baker, who now lives in Toulouse and was turning 83 the
next day. Paul informed us that we would all leave by taxi for a sound check
at the Casino of Toulouse.
The Casino
Théâtre Barrière de Toulouse is only a year old and this was
the Gates’ first appearance there. This magnificently modern theater seats
1200 people. The Golden Gate Quartet consists of Clyde Wright (lead tenor),
Paul Brembly (baritone & guitar), Frank Davis (first tenor) and Terry
Francoise (bass). We were happy to see the Gates, having not seen them since
we traveled to Spain with them in 2004. The group’s musicians are Joel Rocher
(bass), Daniel Pines (piano), and Pascal Riou (drums). Paul directed the
sound check, testing and retesting each microphone as we sat in the first row
of the then empty theater. Soon Paul was joined on stage with the rest of the
Golden gate quartet. The group ran through a few songs. When they finished,
we greeted them on stage and then prepared for dinner. The Casino provided a
long table and complimentary dinner for the group, musicians, promoters,
Charlie and me. Over dinner, Clyde reminisced about old times and Paul
revealed that the Gates were going into the studio the next week to work on
their next CD. We also learned that the Gates had recently taped a couple of
Christmas songs for a TV show in Geneva that would air in December.
The Golden Gate Quartet during sound check
Some more photos
from the Gates' sound check. Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this page.
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Paul Brembly
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Clyde Wright
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Paul Brembly
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The Golden Gate Quartet during sound check
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After dinner, we excitedly took our seats in the now packed
concert hall. The Golden Gate Quartet entered the stage without the band,
looking handsome in black tuxes. They were alternately bathed with blue and
red spot lights. They opened up with and acappella versions of “The Troubles
of This World” and “Swing Low Sweet Chariot.” Clyde lead the second number
with Terry doing a talking bass part. On the next song “God Almighty’s Gonna
Cut You Down,” Clyde played guitar and Paul did the narration. The Gates sang
just about all of their songs in English. Paul spoke to the crowd in English
but Clyde sometimes spoke in French. Though Clyde did many of the leads, each
member of the Gates got a chance to lead on some songs. Clyde led with his
own composition, “Child Of God.” Frank Davis, a former nine-year member of
the Soul Stirrers, usually led on the straight Gospel numbers like “Only
Believe” and “Sit Down Servant.” Paul did the narration leads on many of the
Spirituals. Terry did the bass leads on songs like “Cheer the Weary
Traveler.” The Gates sang many songs and I can’t mention them all but some
favorites were “Down By The Riverside (Study War No More),” “Gospel Train”
where Frank did a vocal imitation of a horn and a very powerful song led by
Clyde called “The Waterside.” Paul also demonstrated some great footwork
during the group’s version of “Noah.” Another powerfully emotional song
written and led by Clyde Wright. The song was "My Pay," and its lyrics
were a prayer for the victims worldwide of AIDS and drug addiction. The
Gates did two sets, each lasting for over an hour. The group ended the second set with “Oh Happy Day”
and left the stage. The audience was on it’s feet stamping and clapping for
what seemed like five minutes. Finally, the Gates returned to sing “The
Banana Boat Song (Day-O).” They left the stage again and more rhythm clapping
and foot stomping occurred until the group again returned to do a second encore of
“Amen.” Clyde snapped his fingers and the audience joined with him. What a
remarkable concert this was!
The Golden Gate Quartet: (l to r): Terry, Paul, Clyde & Frank
Some more photos
from the Golden Gate Quartet performance in Toulouse.
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this page.
After the show, the casino had a champagne reception for the
Gates, the band, and a few guests. We all celebrated a job well done.
Paul, Frank Terry & Charlie
Gislaine, Clyde & Charlie
Pam & Paul
More backstage photos of the
Golden Gate Quartet in Toulouse.
Click on the photo to enlarge.
Then use the back button to return to this page.
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Terry & Frank
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Charlie & Pam (Photo by Paul Brembly)
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Charlie, Pam & Joel
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On to Paris
The next day Charlie and I flew to Paris for some sightseeing.
The following evening, we were pleased to get an invitation to visit the home
of Clyde Wright. The always charming Clyde entertained us with stories of
growing up in Charlotte and singing with quartets like the Southern Brothers,
the Golden Bell Quintet, the Selah Jubilee Singers and the Sultans, all before
joining the Golden Gate Quartet in 1954. He talked to us about returning to
the States recently to attend the funeral of his cousin Nappy Brown (Clyde
wrote “Don’t Be Angry”). Charlie has known Clyde for more than fifteen years
and thought he knew a lot about Clyde’s career but was amazed by what Clyde
told him. As Clyde related information to us about his early years as a
performer, Charlie feverishly scribbled notes. We’ll post a nice feature
about Clyde Wright on this website in the near future. In the meantime, if
you read French, Clyde’s biography is still available. We're considering
learning French, just to read this great book! The Gates also have a
great new CD ("Live &0 Years Around the World") and DVD ""The Golden gate
Quartet: Live du jazz a Vienne") out. The CD is available through
Amazon.com as an mp3 download only, though we obtained a hard copy of the CD
in France. The DVD and biography are available through Amazon.fr or
through Clyde's website, which can be reached through out Links page. We also went out to dinner with Clyde
and Gislaine in a wonderful French Bistro and thank all of the Gates for their
kind hospitality.
Pam, Clyde, Gislaine and Charlie in Paris
Clyde Wright's biography
The Golden Gate Quartet's new DVD
The Golden Gate Quartet's new CD
On to Spain
Madrid's Plaza de la Cibeles, where Spanish acappella groups
sometimes
gather near the fountain for a "battle of the groups"
From Paris we flew to Barcelona and then Madrid, hoping to
catch some Spanish acappella groups. Unfortunately, we missed seeing some of
the Barcelona groups and by the time we got to Madrid, the weather was rainy,
preventing acappella groups from competing around the fountain at the Plaza de
la Cibeles. Oh well, there’s always next year.
We did run across a great
rock & roll street band on Calle Preciados in Madrid. These guys were great.
Sort of a cross between Jimmy Preston’s Prestonaires and Joe Houston’s band.
And they did sing on a couple numbers. If anyone can identify them from these
photos, please let us know.
Madrid's mystery street band... Who are they?
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