Extraordinary « Mister » Paul Anka

Palais Dès Congrès, Paris (17th) last night. The American Crooner, icon of the 1950's, has taken the audience on for an explosive show. Paul Anka is classy. That we already knew. But last night at the Palais des Congrès, the American Crooner, icon of the 1950's and 1960's has put on a neat 3 piece Lord's costume, white dress shirt, tie, and not a fluff, not even 20 meters around him.

But Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin's buddy is far more than a good-looking singer and his copper voice is one great asset.
He is a true "stage man". Pure TNT in a 160cm tall body. Only 5 minutes were enough for worthily meeting again with his French audience. Only 5 little minutes to dynamite the whole concert room.

Seats above heads, unbalanced and mixed up rows filled with an enthusiastic singing crowd which spent 2 beautiful hours dancing, running back and forth to the stage, standing up and sitting down.

Paul Anka's fans, more likely elderly and fancy, had been waiting for him with a strong emotion. And when Anka comes in from inside the room, as on his most glorious times, groups of women stand up, amazed by the man.

King Anka, 64 and thin as a liana, touches hands, holds and kiss people, and delightfully smiles when pictures are taken. "It feels so good to see you again". As he performs "Diana" and "Destiny", the first rows are already stuck to the stage.

With his impressive voice, his way of swinging his arms and playing with his legs, the crooner handles classics with brio: "Mack The Knife", "Shoulder", "She's A Lady". There were also tracks of his last album which makes rock hits from the 1980's and 1990's swing "The name of the album is Rock Swings" says Anka as a good salesman.

At the Palais Des Congrès it was "Wonderwall" by Oasis sung with four other tracks by dazzled and dynamic sexagenarians and an "Eye Of The Tiger" sung along with the crowd.

After a short movie dedicated to his success and another in the memory of his "pal" Sammy Davis Jr., Paul Anka performed "My Way" and a boosted version of "New York, New York".

The "New Idol" students were given a wonderful lesson.

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