Review: ABC, Colston Hall

ABC’s debut album, the platinum-selling lavish pop classic Lexicon of Love, was released in 1982 and it took frontman Martin Fry three and a half decades to produce its follow-up The Lexicon of Love II. Tonight Bristol fans are treated to a rarefied live outing of tracks from both records.

First up and fittingly, a sublime overture is delivered by the Southbank Sinfonia which builds to the joyous moment when debonair Fry takes to the stage for a fully orchestrated rendition of When Smokey Sings. The only original member of the band remaining, Fry cuts a dashing figure on stage, suited-up in a refined three-piece. Disappointingly there’s no lamé on display, but he can’t help but nod to those opulent, heady 80s days with a pair of gold plated Jimmy Choos.  We all appreciated the effort.

The orchestra is conducted by visionary Anne Dudley (Art of Noise) who not only played keys on the original Lexicon of Love, but also arranged the string and brass sections of the album for a 30-piece orchestra almost identical to the one appearing tonight. Inspired by soaring 70s disco, you can’t help noticing the orchestral flourishes of Gamble and Huff’s Sound of Philadelphia as well as string lines from the likes of the Bee Gees and Chic.  Anne even admits to having being inspired by Vaughan Williams and that’s how the epic album grew into the unapologetically profligate beast of a record it is. So, this concert makes perfect sense both musically and creatively. 

The first half is a collection of ABC’s greatest hits combined with tracks from Lexicon of Love II, which was released this summer. Making a sequel to a 34-year-old classic album must have been a huge challenge, but ABC managed it. The album shares many of the characteristics of its much-lauded predecessor: decadent orchestrations, hurtling brass and synth stabs and incredible pop songwriting. Viva Love and Ten Below Zero hark right back to massive hits like The Look of Love. Fry’s voice is in fine fettle; unaltered by age. He has no problem hitting every note with a clinical clarity that is deftly delivered. His coiffured head of hair may have receded ever so slightly, but he is delighted to be back in the spotlight and completely owns the stage.

After the interval, the moment that everyone has really been waiting for arrives: The Lexicon of Love performed live in its entirety by a full orchestra with Martin Fry at the helm. As Show Me begins, the hall erupts as nearly 2000 middle aged fans whoop with delight – a little embarrassing perhaps, but perfectly understandable. By the time pop-perfect Poison Arrow is underway, the audience is on its feet, clapping and singing along, threatening to out-do the dapper frontman. This album is all killer, no filler and so the hits burst forth at every turn.  

There’s brassy richness all over Tears are Not Enough and plangent strings charge the pathos-laden Valentine’s Day.  Each and every song from Lexicon of Love is performed with exquisite precision, with just the right combination of dandy showmanship, classy musicianship and top drawer arrangement.  When the band and orchestra return to the stage for their encore, a 2-part reprise of Look of Love, the crowd is utterly rapturous.

With the 80s nostalgia circuit being so popular, you could forgive ABC for cynically cashing in on the act.  But they haven’t. Instead, Fry has penned a follow-up to his pop masterpiece and although it borrows from the same template, being robust in romance and rhythmic tensions, the new work is stand-out in its own right. So, while many in the audience would have flocked to see ABC at any revival gig, we were all treated to a dazzling display of some of the best pop songs ever written, coupled with truly outstanding new works.