Anyone feel festive yet?
It's always an uphill battle in the ECHO office - while most people are knocking back the mince pies and sherry and counting down the days until their festive break, we are trying to find extra news and stories to tide us over the Christmas slowdown.
But I did feel the glimmer of goodwill to all men and women last night after attending the Christmas Wishes concert at the Phil starring Carl Davis and Sir Willard White.
There was an interesting mixture of music on offer courtesy of Mr Davis in his trademark lurid lurex threads. He must have a wardrobe of frock coats for every occasion - Christmas, Proms, shopping.
Half the 16 pieces on the programme were either composed or arranged by the irrepressible New Yorker who was on fine conducting form.
Willard White's voice is a wonder and I really enjoyed his performance although as I've said in today's review, I really didn't think he needed a microphone - it made some of the more delicate pieces feel too strident.
My favourite non-carol, non-pop (because as far as I'm concerned Slade's Merry Xmas Everybody is THE best festive song ever, even better than Fairytale of New York) Christmas song is Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
Willard went for it, but it lacked that wonderful, wistful quality of the original recording by Judy Garland which was a shame. I blame the mic!
Anyway, for anyone currently similarly devoid of any Yuletide spirit, I recommend a carol service or similar.
For instance, next Wednesday lunchtime St Nicks is doing its annual rolling carol singing - between noon and 2pm you can just turn up and join in.
