Diana Krall - Aug 5

She has been well written about over the last few months and it has to be admitted, it was well founded. There was not the clapping and shouting you find at a rock concert but this was a truly professional show. Her piano playing along with what must be a smokers voice, were superb.

She played some great standards, covering the likes of Frank Sinatra and many more to perfection. Sadly her husband was not around to join in, perhaps he was baby sitting the twins?

Before going you felt that this concert really needed a smaller venue, but this would have left the 4000 or so in a long line outside the Jazz Voyeur Club in La Llonja, Palma. But with what was obviously a lot of hard work and a very expensive (off island) production team Jazz Voyeur has yet again come up trumps. To be able to watch her piano playing close up was a real treat with the fantastic big screen set up that had been aranged. (Surely a first for Mallorca, especially at this quality level)

Well done guys, keep bringing them in.

Simply Red - Aug 3

A highly anticipated concert by many and avoided by the same amount. What is it about Mick Hucknall that make people either love him or loath him? There seemed to be a few people enjoying themselves despite this at Palma's Bullring this Sunday. On he bounced with his 70's suit and bashed out one of his big hits that wafted straight over you while you waited for another one.
A bit like Chinese food, once eaten, quickly forgotten and still hungry for more, but it never really seems to satisfy. Oh that's not the Ken Hom type of Chinese food, now that is good. He used to have a top notch restaurant in Victoria somewhere, one of my favorites. Oh and why can't we get proper crispy duck in Mallorca. Shredded properly with great plum sauce, pancakes, spring onions and cucumber. If anyone knows where I can get this can they let me know at info@digamemallorca.com.

Oh yeah Simply Red, well what can I say ........................? Not a lot.

Richard Hawley - 26 July

How to describe this guy? He's not really rock or roll, nor would I describe him as Indie, Country & Western or folk. He seems to fit somewhere in amongst all of the above. The Sheffield songster, who was rightly nominated for a Mercury award a couple of years ago, gave a stunning and beautiful performance in Bellver Castle, Palma.

Reminding you slightly of Roy Orbison or Johnny Cash, with that deep resonant voice. This guy, who has had his pop days with Pulp, kept a packed house silent throughout what was yet another magical night under the stars. Silent apart from the few Brits, who thought they were at a football match, with chants of "cum on Richard" hmmm?

As this was the last of The Waiting for Waits concerts, Richard dutifully performed a Tom Waits number at the end, which he performed well, if not with just a little too much of a Western accent, but yee hah, I suppose that's what it's all about!

One of the best of the Waiting for Waits concerts, c'mon Tomeu don't give up yet!

Simone Zanchini - July 25

This was the last of the Cala Rajada summer concerts. Every year they have a series of different concerts performed in the beautiful gardens of Torre Cega overlooking the bay and the pretty harbour of Cala Rajada.
Not knowing quite what to expect apart from quality performers it is very difficult to prepare yourself for a night of accordion listening. It was an unusual concert from this Italian trio but one that turned out to be very enjoyable, with them playing some great jazz classics under the stars - three excellent musicians. Simone on the accordion was just fantastic, getting an incredible array of music from what looks like a very cumbersome instrument. There was a moment somewhere in the middle where they did their jazz thing, but I think they can be forgiven for that as overall it was a well put together performance
On a personal note I do think is very difficult to do a solo on double bass, maybe it's just me?

Farruquito - July 24

After a 3 year absence the highly anticipated return of 26 year old Juan Manuel Fernandez Montoya - Farruquito - was as good as expected. This was the premiere of his new spectacular Puro, with a stage full of performers this promised to be a Flamenco show to top anything else seen on Mallorca. It did not disappoint!

7 singers, 3 guitars, a violin, a piano & percussion were all there to back up this amazing talent. The only way to describe him is as the Michael Jackson of the Flamenco world. His movement was precise, extremely energetic and totally exhilarating. He does not appear to have lost any of his style during his enforced absence, neither has he lost any of his looks judging by the ladies reactions in the audience.

All in all a fantastic show full of good music and dancing which would grace any theatre in the world as a showcase for the best of Spain and Flamenco.

Roger Hodgson (Supertramp) - Sun 13 July

The second of the Pollensa Festival concerts and a bit of a break from the normal classical performances. Roger Hodgson as most of you know was the writer and voice of Supertramp throughout their glory years. Since parting company with the other members he has pursued a very successful solo career, performing not only the Supertramp music that we all know and love but also a lot of new material.

He was joined on stage by just one person, Aaron MacDonald, but such is the nature of this music megastar it seemed that there was a complete band with them. Rogers talent on keyboards and guitar were astounding, making you fully appreciate what a talent this guy is. When performing all those great songs, Dreamer, The Logical Song, Give a little bit as well as more recent songs including the great Lovers in the wind you were listening to the same voice of 30 years ago.

But to really cap the whole show of, young Aaron also showed that he was no music stoolie, just there to make up the numbers. He too had an enormous amount of talent, playing sax, keyboard and various other instruments to add to the whole effect. This was an exceptional concert in the most beautiful surroundings of The Claustre de Sant Domingo in Pollensa and one that will not be forgotten in a hurry!