Roy Wood.... ROY WOOD! After years of prevaricating and diary clashes the time was right at last.
He and the band didn't disappoint - with the addition of strings for a portion of the show and a muddle-tastic 'Are You Ready To Rock' with bagpipe troupe ("It was perfect in rehearsal!"). With a bit of luck this will end up a regular Christmas rendezvous with the bearded genius - a setlist as amazing as this can't be experienced just the once.
Thursday 31 December 2015
2015: Alan Parsons at Abbey Road (November)
Third time in studio 2 and the thrill doesn't dissipate with familiarity. An hour of photos and drinking in the space, before a two hour career-spanning chat with Alan Parsons, hosted by David Hepworth. Taking place a day after the terrorist attacks in Paris, Hepworth's intro, connecting music and humanity, was spot on. Pink Floyd in surround sound, mixing desk breakdowns by Parsons himself and a glimpse of some rare pics of Pilot recoring their first album - well worth the hefty ticket price.
2015: Slade Convention, Bilston (April)
It may not have impressed on the scale of, say, Beatleweek, but the camaraderie of some very friendly fans (most notably Marlies and her amazing scrapbooks) and presence of the lovely Don Powell made for a memorable day away.
Monday 14 December 2015
Sunday 29 November 2015
Thursday 22 October 2015
Monday 12 October 2015
Yeah!
In honour of the dependably ace T.Rextasy, who totally do it justice in their live shows, any excuse to see Marc and his merry band of sessioneers on Get It Together again.
One of the great live Bolan clips...
One of the great live Bolan clips...
Friday 9 October 2015
Friday 7 August 2015
Tuesday 30 June 2015
A Life in Song
Not even initial sound issues and Michael Grade's sometimes ham-fisted interview technique could blight Friday's evening with Burt Bacharach at the Royal Festival Hall. Hearing the man responsible for 'Alfie' performing the song was a 'gulp' moment for the ages. The all-star finale, with the cast of guest singers (Alfie Boe, Laura Mvula and Sophie Ellis-Bextor amongst them) joining Burt for 'That's What Friends Are For', might have been saccharine but was pure unadulterated joy.
A privilege to have been there.
A privilege to have been there.
Tuesday 9 June 2015
Wednesday 20 May 2015
Born 2-12-39. Musician: organist.
Musical tastes ebb and flow but the Doors, for me, have always endured.
Whenever Robbie Krieger and Ray Manzarek came to the UK I made a concerted effort to see them. On each occasion, whether it be at some enormodome like Wembley Arena, or Shepherd's Bush Empire (below, 2010), fittingly, the audience reaction would be frenzied, all whipped up by their greying keyboardist.
And, like the rest of us watching, he looked as though he was having the time of his life.
RIP.
Whenever Robbie Krieger and Ray Manzarek came to the UK I made a concerted effort to see them. On each occasion, whether it be at some enormodome like Wembley Arena, or Shepherd's Bush Empire (below, 2010), fittingly, the audience reaction would be frenzied, all whipped up by their greying keyboardist.
And, like the rest of us watching, he looked as though he was having the time of his life.
RIP.
Sunday 19 April 2015
Nasty, Barry ... and Elliott
I was jealous of the girls in this clip when I first saw All You Need Is Cash in the late '80s - and nothing has changed!
Despite its absence from the set on Friday at Koko (but who could complain at 'Ouch', 'Doubleback Alley', 'With A Girl Like You' and many more), it was great to be with friends who understood.
Guitarist Elliott Randall swelled the 'genius' quotient on stage somewhat, the band breaking into this mid-Rutling. Turns out you can buy a thrill...
Despite its absence from the set on Friday at Koko (but who could complain at 'Ouch', 'Doubleback Alley', 'With A Girl Like You' and many more), it was great to be with friends who understood.
Guitarist Elliott Randall swelled the 'genius' quotient on stage somewhat, the band breaking into this mid-Rutling. Turns out you can buy a thrill...
Friday 30 January 2015
Once upon a long ago
19 years ago today I found myself in Liverpool, enjoying Beatley adventures at the opening of the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts.
Besides the innocent fun and fandom my overriding memory is of how bitterly cold it was that day.
But the hats helped.
Besides the innocent fun and fandom my overriding memory is of how bitterly cold it was that day.
But the hats helped.
Saturday 3 January 2015
2014 - some highlights
Jeff Lynne at Hyde Park in September. Special mention for violinist Chereene Allen, who nailed the intro to 'Livin' Thing', just one of endless highlights. A tie for music event of the year along with...
Status Quo 'Aquostic' at the Roundhouse. I can't remember the last time I watched a live gig on TV and instantly wanted to watch it all over again.
BBC Radio Four's lovely appreciation of Judee Sill.
'Dance Tonight' (who knew a seemingly innocent 'throwaway' would end up being a bit of an unsung classic?) / 'Wild Honey Pie' performed by the Trellebelle Ukelele Orchestra at Liverpool Beatleweek. Unexpected moments like this tempt me to break my 10-year festival absence...(maybe)
My friend Colin's book launch at Waterstone's Piccadilly, in conversation with Peter Doggett and Andy Roberts. A fun night.
Wishbone Ash at the Stables, Milton Keynes. A late and embarrassing realisation that Andy Powell is an incredible guitarist - one of the best I've witnessed live.
Another late-to-the-party discovery via Youtube - Stevie Riks, pop impersonator extraordinaire, a true 'one man Beatles' (though his McCartney tops them all). Mad as a hatter, of course. (Doooooh).
John Mayall at St. Albans Arena.
Michael Caine at the Royal Albert Hall.
BBC Four's broadcast of the 2013 RFH Bert Jansch tribute - beautifully filmed and thankfully shown mostly intact.
Friars Exhibition in Aylesbury.
Finally buying Tune In. A revelation a page...
The 50th Anniversary showing of A Hard Day's Night at the BFI.
Stackridge at The Stables, Milton Keynes.
Status Quo 'Aquostic' at the Roundhouse. I can't remember the last time I watched a live gig on TV and instantly wanted to watch it all over again.
BBC Radio Four's lovely appreciation of Judee Sill.
'Dance Tonight' (who knew a seemingly innocent 'throwaway' would end up being a bit of an unsung classic?) / 'Wild Honey Pie' performed by the Trellebelle Ukelele Orchestra at Liverpool Beatleweek. Unexpected moments like this tempt me to break my 10-year festival absence...(maybe)
My friend Colin's book launch at Waterstone's Piccadilly, in conversation with Peter Doggett and Andy Roberts. A fun night.
Wishbone Ash at the Stables, Milton Keynes. A late and embarrassing realisation that Andy Powell is an incredible guitarist - one of the best I've witnessed live.
Another late-to-the-party discovery via Youtube - Stevie Riks, pop impersonator extraordinaire, a true 'one man Beatles' (though his McCartney tops them all). Mad as a hatter, of course. (Doooooh).
John Mayall at St. Albans Arena.
Michael Caine at the Royal Albert Hall.
BBC Four's broadcast of the 2013 RFH Bert Jansch tribute - beautifully filmed and thankfully shown mostly intact.
Finally buying Tune In. A revelation a page...
The 50th Anniversary showing of A Hard Day's Night at the BFI.
Stackridge at The Stables, Milton Keynes.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)