Review: The Osmonds
Portsmouth Evening News
March 3, 2006
by Colin Channon

The dance routines are slower - a lot slower. They may need the lyrics of their biggest hits written down, when once the words were burned in their minds. And there may be only four of them on the road (Donny has bigger fish to fry). But anyone who thought the Osmonds these days were Ford Escort compared to the Mercedes of their heyday were in for a shock. They're still as smooth and classy as a Rolls Royce - and then some.

Little Jimmy - he's not so little any more, mind - is the leader on stage, with Jay, Alan and Merrill combining to recreate that unique Osmond sound. They still sound superb. And now they have added experience - a lot of it - to their repertoire.

They can take the mickey out of themselves. They can have a good time on stage. They are now visibly humbled by the reception they are given by their adoring fans. They take time to shake hands with anyone who can force their way to the stage.

And boy, can they sing.

Everyone was there to wallow in nostalgia. They didn't want new stuff, if there is any in the pipeline. They wanted Crazy Horses, One Bad Apple, Love Me for a Reason, Yo-Yo, The Proud One and, of course, the Long Haired Lover from Liverpool - and they got it.

It was the first night of their nationwide tour, so they needed that little bit of help with the words. Their routines were not as slick as they will be at Birmingham when their tour ends at the end of the month. And the Guildhall show was all the more real because of it.

This was a night to remember the old adage - that class is truly permanent."