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.

In the Summertime

Judith Owen's Ebb and Flow hitting the spot right now. Wonderful album.

A wizard, a true star

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.

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...