By Charlie McGroarty

This is a name that many of you will say; didn't he used to be on the telly? The answer to that is well yes he did.

He had his own television series where he displayed his amazing skills of mimicry and his own singing voice which should have made him a far bigger star than he is now.

He has had the sort of life that if you sent his story to film producers they would throw it out of the window saying a story like this could never be true.

He is still as popular however without the media behind him because he has a fan base in this country in particular which is second to none.

He hates to let his fans ( or as he calls them his friends) down so soon after more hospital treatment.

He is now fighting fit and ready to come on tour, which started earlier this month covering all England Scotland and Wales.

If you are toying with the idea of booking up to go and see him, check out his most recent Video/Dvd “The Genius of Joe Longthorne”

This show was part of a very successful summer season at the Grand Theatre in Blackpool in 2001 and shows Joe where he seems to be in his element on stage playing to a capacity audience.

This dvd starts with an interview with Joe backstage in the dressing room relaxing in a nice and calm environment .

The interview over, we quickly move on to the show itself and the man himself being welcomed on stage to a rapturous applause easing into a superb version of Its as if we never said goodbye from Sunset Boulevard.

This is the start of what is basically a love affair between star and audience.

The women of all ages worship him, bring him loads of presents, flowers and much more. It’d be safe to think at times you were actually at a prize giving.

The men in the audience sit in admiration at just how good a singer and impersonator this gentleman is .

The impersonations range from Barry White to Shirley Bassey to Elvis and that's only a little taste of what the man is capable of.

In the 25 years or so that he's been in the business, these days more emphasis seems to be put on his own singing voice.

This shows that to be a prudent move because the highlights for me are his own renditions of John Rowles’ If I only had time and a superb song called Perfect Love.

He also gets a chance to show his prowess on the piano with a lively rendition of the Jerry Lee Lewis classic- Great Balls of Fire.

What I especially like about Joe Longthorne is that you could go and see him twice within a week and witness 2 completely different shows so when you buy this dvd (which I know you will) you will then go and see him in concert of this up coming tour and be just amazed at the range this act has to offer.

My only problem with the dvd is that there is ample scope for extras that could have been added, for example TV appearances, words from his fans witness the signing sessions at the end of the gigs.

This disc doesn't have any...shame on the organisers!

I cant recommend this dvd highly enough. The title sums him up perfectly.

Then after the tour he will be in Blackpool for the summer season at the Opera House.

I’ll see you all there

HOME