In a new departure for Lee, he performed a series of intimate cabaret shows at The Pheasantry on the King's Road, London from Wednesday 14 to Saturday 17 August 2013, with an extra date added on Monday 19 August due to high demand.Lee was joined by three people already well known to his fans - the lovely Ashleigh Gray, special guest on the November 2012 West End Men tour dates (and for one night only during the more recent West End Men Vaudeville run); and two multi-talented musicians, Will Stuart and Mason Neely, who have both worked closely with Lee in the past as musical directors for West End Men and his solo tours respectively.
There were some extra guests too - on Friday night, the lovely Lily Streames, singing Bewitched; on Saturday, the irrepressible (and very late) Stephen Rahman-Hughes, singing his wonderful Nature Boy; and on Monday, young singer/songwriter Oliver Healey.
The Pheasantry is one of Pizza Express's popular music venues, holding just 80 people in cabaret style seating, and providing a rare opportunity for the audience to get 'up close and personal' with the performers.
The gigs were quite simply outstanding - full of warmth, laughter and exquisite emotion and a showcase for some serious musical talent from all involved. The simplicity of the arrangements, with just piano and guitar (occasionally flipped over to provide drums!) allowed Lee to perform at his very best, showing both his incredible vocal power and range and his extraordinary feel for a song - a stunning combination! I have never heard Lee in finer voice, which fills me with excitement for the the mini-tour in September, with an early stop-off on the Isle of Man on 23 August.
Indeed, Lee told me after the final show that he viewed these gigs as a warm-up for those concerts, giving him the chance to try out some new material and see how it was received. He can have been left in no doubt that it was received extremely well, and we will be enjoying much of the Pheasantry set list again in September - for that reason, I include it on a separate page to avoid spoilers for those who wish to retain the element of surprise for those concerts.
I am pleased almost everyone respected the request to avoid flash photography during the gigs, and delighted that so many fabulous flash-free photos have emerged. I include a few of my own here - from the first night and the sell-out Saturday night of the run.
Lee's full concert schedule (including past appearances) can be found at - CONCERT DATESLast updated: 7 November 2014