News and Reviews: May 20, 2013

On my radar.......
The 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show is on from Tuesday 21 May to Saturday 25 May.
Nearest tube station is Sloane Square.
Despite the past six months being a nightmare with the bad weather for growing, this world famous flower show looks set to be bigger and better than ever.
For the centenary of the 2013 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, many of the show gardens are promoting a greener, brighter future by highlighting sustainable living, ways to preserve Britain’s horticultural heritage and the protection of some of the world’s most vulnerable people.
Lots of daily tv coverage on BBC1 and BBC2.
Visit: www.rhs.org.uk
for more info and tickets for Chelsea Flower Show and other RHS events.
RUSH play five dates on their UK tour.....
Wed-22-May Manchester Arena.
Fri-24-May The 02 Arena,London.
Sun-26-May LG Arena,Birmingham.
Tue-28-May Motorpoint Arena,Sheffield.
Thur-30-May SECC, Glasgow.
Sat sees Chelsea + Night Of Treason play The Fighting Cocks Bar,Kingston,Surrey.£8 adv or £10 on the door.
Sat sees Roger Hodgson (the voice of Supertramp) play The Royal Albert Hall.
Sat and Sun sees Muse + Dizzee Rascal play The Emirates Stadium,North London.


19 May 2013.Rod Stewarts new album 'Time' has gone straight in at Number One in the UK charts.It is his first album of original songs for around 20 years after numerous albums of cover versions.
Rods UK arena tour starts 01 June 2013.

19 May 2013.....Check out your local car boot sales.
Spring is finally here so hopefully we can get the odd sunny day to do a popular Sunday morning habit by me which is looking for bargain cd albums,,vinyl albums and dvds at my local car boot sales.
Most are only a quid each and some are only 50p.
This was the best one i got this morning.
'Superstars Of The 70s' 4 album vinyl set on Warner Records Special Products.American release 1973.
The Stones, Doors, Hendrix, Allman's, ELP, CSN, The Kinks, Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, Faces, Black Sabbath, etc. Quite a lineup. Out of the 48 tracks on this set there are only a few weak ones (not that weak either).
All the above for one little pound coin...Amazing.

19 May 2013.....ABBA overtake The Beatles.....
ABBA's Gold: Greatest Hits has become the second biggest-selling album in UK chart history, after its sales surpassed that of The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.
The Swedish group's 1992 collection has now sold more than 5.1 million copies in the UK and has nudged ahead of the Liverpudlians' 1967 album by nearly 15,000 copies.
The Number One spot is still held by Queen 'Greatest Hits : Vol 1' with 5.9 million sales.

19 May 2013.....New book release out now.....
'As Seen In Blitz : Fashioning 80s Style'.
In London at the start of the 1980s, three new style magazines emerged to define an era. It was a time of change: after Punk, before the digital age, and at the dawn of a hedonistic club scene that saw the birth of the New Romantics. On the pages of 'BLITZ', 'The Face' and 'i-D', a new breed of young iconoclasts hoped to inspire revolution. As 'BLITZ' magazine's fashion editor from 1982-87, Iain R. Webb was at the centre of this world. His images manipulated fashion to explore ideas of transformation, beauty, glamour and sex. The magazine's arresting, subversive fashion pages, and its profiles of disparate designers and creative types, let the imagination run free. Lavishly presented here are over 100 'BLITZ' fashion stories.



18 May 2013.Eric Clapton live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Back again to see Eric for the second time.
Another totally sold out crowd.Again lots of Americans and folks from mainland Europe here.
Eric wearing simple t shirt and jeans.
Eric Clapton has played the Royal Albert Hall over 150 times which is an incredible figure really.
On one tour alone he played 24 shows.
The overall figure included the four Cream reunion shows of 2005.I attended all four of them.
I have seen Eric Clapton play loads of times including a couple of times in the 1970s.
In 1976 when Freddie King was the support act and in 1978 when Muddy Waters was the support act.
As expected the setlist is changed around by a few songs from last nights show.
On stage tonight for 2 hours 15 mins so we got five minutes longer than last night.
Not much chat between songs as he prefers to let his guitar do the talking.
Songs played tonight and not last night included 'I Shot The Sheriff' and 'Tears In Heaven' and songs dropped from the set for tonight included 'Badge',Lay Down Sally' and 'Wonderful Tonight'.
I like it when a band has a 'song rotation setlist' but there is an argument that says do this with lesser known songs as most people want to hear your best big tunes.
Again the crowd rush the front of stage for the two encores.Another really good show.
REMINDER....Eric Clapton gives interviews in the new Ginger Baker documentary 'Looking For Mr Baker' that is out now and has got some good reviews.




17 May 2013.Eric Clapton + Gary Clark Jr live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Up first we have Gary Clark Jr aged 29 from Austin, Texas.Described as being the future of Texas blues he played a good 40 mins set based around his recent album 'Blak And Blu'.He looks a cool cat with a Jimi Hendrix type swagger and plays well.He played on stage with The Rolling Stones in America in Dec 2012.
This was the first of seven shows at this venue on Erics '1963-2013' 50th anniversary tour of America and Europe to promote his 'Old Sock' album.
The venue is totally sold out with behind the stage choir seats and gallery standing all sold.
The two hours 10 mins set was a great mix of solo material,cover versions and gems from Cream and Derek And The Dominos.Paul Carrack is one of the keyboard players in his great band.The pedal steel guitar player was just superb.
Guitar legend Eric is now age 68 but he is still a really fantastic sublime guitar player.
Eric swopped guitars as the first 10 mins was with acoustic guitar,then 35 mins with electric guitar,
then 35 mins with acoustic guitar,then 50 mins with elecric guitar.
A great show.
A funny thing happened during the encore of
'Sunshine Of Your Love' as a chubby dickhead got on the stage and a black guy on security rugby tackled him and got him off the stage even though he was only half the size of the stage invader.
FULL SETLIST PLAYED.
Hello Old Friend
Behind the Sun
My Father's Eyes
Tell the Truth(Derek and the Dominos song)
Gotta Get Over
My Woman Got a Black Cat Bone(Hop Wilson cover)
Got to Get Better in a Little While
(Derek and the Dominos song)
Come Rain or Come Shine (Harold Arlen cover)
Badge (Cream song)
Driftin' Blues (Johnny Moore's Three Blazers cover)
Goodnight, Irene(Lead Belly cover)
Layla (Derek and the Dominos song)
It Ain't Easy (To Love Somebody)(Paul Carrack cover)
Nobody Knows You
Lay Down Sally
Wonderful Tonight
Blues Power
Love in Vain (Robert Johnson cover)
Crossroads (Robert Johnson cover)
Little Queen of Spades (Robert Johnson cover)
Cocaine (J.J. Cale cover)
Encore:...Sunshine of Your Love (Cream song)
High Time We Went (Joe Cocker cover)
LOOKS LIKE THE SETLIST WILL CHANGE BY A COUPLE OF SONGS EACH NIGHT JUDGING BY OTHER GIGS ON THE TOUR.




16 May 2013.I went to two events tonight.
6.15pm to 8.45pm was the F & F Autumn/Winter Fashion Show at Somerset House,Strand,London WC2.
A massive marquee in the middle of Somerset House which is of course the home of
London Fashion Week.
Lots of photographers and tv crews here.
Around 500 guests here including Denise Van Outen, Alexandra Burke, Jodie Kidd, Heidi Range, Lauren Pope, Downton Abbey's Laura Carmichael, former Made In Chelsea star Amber Atherton and Jade Parfitt as Tesco's clothing label unveiled their latest designs.Most of the girls were in stunning outfits.
JB Gill from JLS was also here.
Complimentary Tesco Finest champers,wines and lots of nice food including burgers and sushi before and after the catwalk show for all the guests.
In the middle section we had a 15 mins catwalk show featuring over 20 male and female models wearing the new value for money range.
Visit: www.clothingattesco.com
then 200 yards up the road to
LIZA(on an E) at The Vaudeville Theatre,Strand,
London WC2.
Popped in for the second half of this tribute show.The second half lasted around 60 mins and was really entertaining as we had Liza's best songs but some had some naughty lyrics etc.
Following several sell-out seasons and an acclaimed tour of Australia, Trevor Ashley, one of the foremost musical theatre stars from Down Under makes his West End debut as the irrepressible, incomparable and infamously iconic Liza Minnelli in LIZA (on an E).
From her marriage to Australia's song-and-dance darling, Peter Allen, to her notorious pill-popping and ubiquitous showbiz family, ‘Liza’ will dish the dirt on her extraordinary life like you've never seen her before, accompanied by a live on stage band, as she raises the rafters and brings the entire house down with power-packed performances of all her greatest hits.
The critically acclaimed and (at least a little bit) controversial Liza (on an E) is an evening that will have you laughing, crying and screaming for more as the supremely talented Ashley channels Liza (and her alter egos), with guest appearances by her mother. Raucous, ruinous and just the right (or wrong) side of risqué, it’s a rollercoaster ride of riotous proportions.
The week run ends Saturday 18 May 2013.
Check out the very funny promo clip on the weblink below.
Visit: www.vaudeville-theatre.co.uk




15 May 2013...6.45pm to 9pm.
THE LONDON SHOOTING CLUB : launch party at The Royal Automobile Club,Pall Mall,London SW1.
London Shooting Club is a Private Members' Club and Concierge Service that provides access to the best shooting experiences in the UK and abroad and a schedule of great social activities and events that bring together like-minded sporting enthusiasts.
The club can provide exciting and memorable shooting whatever level of shot you are. Whether you are a beginner or an accomplished shot they can supply the best tuition in the UK and in whatever area of the sport your interest lies in.
They also offer a concierge service for private and corporate members and their guests providing high quality shooting in all areas of field sports.
Visit: www.londonshootingclub.com
Complimentary champers,wines and tasty food at this stunning venue that is more a five star hotel than a club with luxury furnishings over multi floors and its own swimming pool and bedrooms.
You must wear a shirt and tie to come in here.
Founded in 1897 with the aim of encouraging the development of motoring in Britain, today the Royal Automobile Club is one of London’s finest private members' clubs, combining over 100 years of luxury and tradition with exceptional facilities and outstanding service. Members enjoy unlimited access to two superb clubhouses; the Pall Mall clubhouse, in the very heart of London, contains a unique range of accommodation, dining and sporting facilities, including what is arguably the finest swimming pool in London. The Woodcote Park clubhouse is set in 350 acres of Surrey parkland, complete with two 18 hole golf courses, together with a variety of other sports facilities, dining and accommodation.
Visit: www.royalautomobileclub.co.uk




14 May 2013....6pm to 10pm.
Official European Charts - launch party at
JuJu, 316–318 King’s Road,Chelsea,London SW3.
SEE THE PRE-FEATURE FROM MONDAY ON THIS EVENT.
These charts will get 15 countries across Europe to produce the definitive best selling singles and albums charts for Europe.
Guests here included Stooshe, Matt Cardle, Sway and a couple of new acts playing short sets.My faves were teenagers Carousel who played three really good catchy indie pop tunes.
Complimemtary cocktails,wines,Peroni beers and tasty food for all the guests here tonight.The organizers were really nice to everyone.
There was a fun photo booth in the corner.
Visit: www.officialeuropeancharts.com
This trendy bar in Chelsea won Best New Bar 2009 and Best Bar 2011 in The London Bar And Club Awards.
Visit: www.jujulondon.com



14 May 2013.Cannes Film Festival starts on Wednesday with The Great Gatsby the biggie but here is a little gem to look out for.
John Otway, Rock ‘n’ Roll’s greatest failure, flies to Cannes this week for the Film Festival premiere of the documentary about his career.
Titled Rock And Roll’s Greatest Failure: Otway The Movie, this surprisingly good film charts the all too frequent lows and spasmodic spectacular highs of this one man’s ongoing reach for stardom.
The screening takes place at 2pm on Sunday 19th May at Olympia 5, organised by Marche Du Film. It will be preceded by an Otway banquet and a live gig on the previous day and the ‘March of 100 Otways’ through the streets of Cannes at 12pm on Sunday morning.
John Otway’s live performances are legendary and as part of the ongoing promotion he is flying his band over for a special one-off midnight show at Morrison’s Bar on Saturday night.



13 May 2013....6.30pm to 10.15pm.
Launch party to celebrate the start of the 2013 Polo Season at PJs Bar and Grill,52 Fulham Road,
London SW3.
I have been to this event the fast five or six years so i know it is always really good.
Around 300 upmarket Chelsea/South Ken folks in ages ranging from in their 20s to their 70s here.
PJs is a really nice bar over two floors.
Complimentary Taittinger champers all night along with cocktails,wines,beers and some tasty food.
A great party atmosphere here.Most of The Made In Chelsea gang are here.The night before they won Best Reality TV Show at The Television BAFTAs.
Also here was model and presenter Jodie Kidd who loves and plays polo.
A really good event.
www.pjsbarandgrill.co.uk
www.taittinger.fr
www.guardspoloclub.com
www.cowdraypolo.co.uk




13 May 2013.
THE FIRST OFFICIAL CHARTS FOR EUROPE LAUNCHES
London, UK, 13/05/13- Today, sees the launch of the first ever Official European Charts. The Official European Charts is set to revolutionise the music industry as the biggest and only weekly
countdown of the best selling singles and albums across Europe.
Chart Nation, the multi-million pound global research and charts
company behind OEC invested heavily into the research and development of the Official European Charts platform from as far back as 2009.
With offices and partners across 15 European cities including ; London, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, and many more. The OEC has restructured the dated mechanics of the charts industry inline with the new digital , interactive and social media age.
Users can quickly and simply set up a profile, add their music and release directly into the chartnation shopping platform.
Once registered, they can also share their Youtube, Twitter and Facebook profiles and have access to their accounts to be in complete control
of 100% of their music sales and present/future releases.
As well as syndicating, the weekly charts across media, bookings agents and music fans via weekly newsletter. Chart nation in partnership with IEG Global will also produce a weekly Television and
Radio show which will be broadcast on Sky channel 191 each and every Saturday at 6.30pm. The weekly show will feature interviews, live performances and a Top 20 countdown of the biggest selling European singles.
For More Information on the Official European Charts:
Visit: www.officialeuropeancharts.com




12 May 2013.Eddie Izzard live at Wembley Arena,London.
Second of two shows for Eddie at this venue.
Eddie Izzard now aged 51 is a British stand-up comedian and actor who has been in over 20 films including Ocean's Twelve, Ocean's Thirteen, Mystery Men, Shadow of the Vampire, The Cat's Meow, Across the Universe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian and Valkyrie.
Izzard has cited his main comedy role model as Monty Python, and John Cleese once referred to him as the "Lost Python".
Izzard speaks French fluently and has performed stand up in French during his shows.
A massive UK arena tour for Eddie but other British stand up comedians like Peter Kay,Michael McIntyre and Lee Evans are more popular in the UK than Eddie Izzard but it is Izzard who is the only one that can play arenas around the world as his 'Force Majeure' World Tour will take him from mainland Europe to the UK to Russia and South Africa before North America dates including New York's Madison Square Garden.
On stage for around two hours over two sets.As expected his material is not really mainstream jokes but more zany and surreal.Some routines were better than others but overall a good show.
www.eddieizzard.com


11 May 2013.37 years ago in May 1976.
Check out the amazing gigs i went to aged 17 just in this month alone.See the site for full info.
Neil Sedaka,Barbara Dickson Hammersmith Odeon, Strife Marquee Club,
David Bowie Wembley Arena,
Nils Lofgren,Unicorn New Victoria Theatre,
Elton John Earls Court Arena,(2 shows)
AC/DC,Back Street Crawler Marquee Club,
KISS,Stray Hammersmith Odeon, (2 shows) first ever UK tour for KISS.
Second show I had front row centre seats.
Patti Smith,Stranglers Roundhouse, this was one of the first major punk gigs in London.It was four months before i would see The Sex Pistols play The 100 Club Punk Festival.
Rolling Stones Earls Court Arena,
my first Rolling Stones show. I saw four of their six shows at Earls Court.
AC/DC Fulham Greyhound Pub, Fulham
A pub gig playing to about 100 people.
Who,Alex Harvey Band,Little Feat, Charlton F.C.



11 May 2013.'Carnaby Street' 60s musical at The Theatre Royal,Windsor,Berkshire.
This was the last night of their week here.
Lovely cosy theatre opposite Windsor Castle.
The show was on for 2 hours 5 mins over two sets.
Around a dozen singers/actors on stage plus a four piece live band.
Carnaby Street tells the story of Jude, a working class boy from Liverpool, new in town and armed with nothing but his guitar and his dreams of fame and fortune. We follow the highs and lows, the passion and heartbreak, of his journey in pursuit of stardom.
Packed with over 30 Classic Hits including:
Shout, My Generation, Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood, Sweets for my Sweet, Roll Over Beethoven, Go Now, Keep On Running, I Only Want To Be With You, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, Twist And Shout, 54321, We've Gotta Get Out Of This Place, Do You Love Me?, and many more.
The songs tie in well with the story and there were lots of funny moments along with the fashions and mentions of 1960s happenings like The Marquee Club and Ready Steady Go.
A really enjoyable feelgood show.
www.Carnabystreetthemusical.com Their UK tour continues on to Tunbridge Wells next week.



09 May 2013.I went to three events tonight.
6.15pm to 7.15pm was Moss Bros with Ted Baker launch of the 'Tails of the UnexpecTed' collection
at Moss Bros,88 Regent Street,London W1.
Launch of their classic morning suit with a contemporary twist of vibrant peacock lining.
Just in time for Ascot,The Proms and the wedding season.
Complimentary champers and canapes for all.
www.mossbroshire.co.uk
then
7.30pm to 8.15pm was Alexis Dahan: 'The Sky is Shaped by Its City Buildings' - private view at
ROOK & RAVEN Gallery, 7/8 Rathbone Place,London W1.
The black and white art not really to my liking.
Complimentary wines and beers for all guests.
then
8.30pm to 11pm was the Coca Cola 'Share A Coke' launch party at One Marylebone,Marylebone,London.
All the events i have been to at this venue have been good so always worth keeping an eye out for anything going on here.
Very famous brand that is replacing its iconic logo with 150 of the most popular British names ranging from Aaron to Zoe.More than 100 million items will carry names.
A lively crowd here.We have BBC Radio 1 breakfast show dj Nick Grimshaw playing tunes before the live act who is AlunaGeorge who made all the critics lists as one to look out for in 2013.Just three songs played including the Top 20 hit 'Attracting Flies'.She has a kind of Lana Del Rey sound.
Her debut album comes out on Island in July.
Guests here included dance troupe Diversity who are always very friendly and chatty to all.Their UK arena tour in December includes The 02 Arena in London on 16 Dec 2013.
Guests had complimentary Rum and Coca Cola,Vodka and Coca Cola,wines,beers
and some nice canapes.
All guests got a goodie bag.
A good event.



08 May 2013.I went to two events tonight.
Harrods launch then Leona Lewis gig.
6.45pm to 8.15pm was the 'Cocktails And All That Jazz Great Gatsby' launch at The Wine Shop.Lower Ground Floor,Harrods,Knightsbridge,London.
Always nice to have a wander through this amazing store before i actually go into any event here.
The Tasting Room in The Wine Shop at Harrods comes over all Gatsby-esque at this pop-up devoted to the 1920s. Drop in throughout the day to learn how to make cocktails inspired by the era but given a 21st-century twist by Wayne Collins and the team at Mixxit, sample an array of bespoke cocktails from iconic spirits brands such as Hendrick’s Gin, Johnnie Walker Double Black, Courvoisier Exclusif VSOP Cognac, The Macallan Amber Malt Whisky and Stolichnaya Elit Vodka and soak up the sounds of the 1920s jazz band.They played tonight.
All the guests tonight had complimentary one each of the five cocktails made by the experts as well as champers and yummy canapes from Mango Tree who have a restaurant on the ground floor of Harrods as well as their main one at 46 Grosvenor Place,London SW1.
www.mangotree.org.uk
Harrods tastings are during shop opening times until Monday 20 May 2013: Mon-Sat 10am-8pm; Sun 11.30am-6pm Tasting times vary.
All guests got a goodie bag.
www.harrods.com
then
Leona Lewis live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
First of two shows for Leona at this venue who is
on a UK tour to promote her third album 'Glassheart' that came out Oct 2012.
She first came to prominence after winning the third series of The X Factor in 2006. Her debut album 'Spirit' was released in 2007, and sold over eight million copies worldwide. The album's most successful single, 'Bleeding Love', reached number one in over 30 countries around the world, and was the BEST SELLING SINGLE WORLDWIDE in 2008.
One of her more surreal moments was when she sung 'Whole Lotta Love' with Jimmy Page on guitar at the 2008 Beijing Olympics closing ceremony.
I am not a fan of these tv singing shows but i am interested on which acts can last the distance
and which acts just vanish without a trace.
Leona was on stage for 95 mins with a band,string quartet and a couple of backing singers.
Her first two albums were top heavy with ballads and her recent has been reviewed as more uptempo.
Leona still has a fantastic voice.There were four costume changes.More a gown wearer than the skimpy stuff that some female singers opt for.
There are still loads of ballads in the set.Most of them are pretty boring.The big single 'Bleeding Love' was good and her number one hit cover of Snow Patrols 'Run' was good but overall it was too many tame ballads for my liking.
Her loyal fans loved it though.
Full setlist played.....
Come Alive...Fireflies...A Moment Like This...
Collide...Forgive Me...Better In Time / Man Down...
Happy...Sugar...I to You...Broken...Trouble...
Locked Out of Heaven...Footprints in the Sand...
The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face... Bleeding Love...
Encore:...Glassheart...Run...



05 May 2013.Willie Nile + David Sinclair Trio live at The Tropic,Ruislip, Middlesex.
This show was the last night of their UK tour.
One of those hidden gem venues way out in Zone 6.
Holds around 250 people.Mainly used by tribute bands but every so often gets a good original act.
Most of the crowd arrive early and the venue quickly fills up to a near full house.
Support act David Sinclair Trio play another really good 45 mins set including 'The Illness And The Cure','America,Here's My Boy' and 'Coming Off The Rails'.
Willie Nile plays for 1 hour 45 mins which was 10 mins longer than The 100 Club gig three days ago.
It is another totally excellent gig.So many great songs from the new album 'American Ride' mixed in with older gems.His band are just brilliant.
The end of the set really is rockin' as we get
'House Of A Thousand Guitars','People Who Died' and his anthem 'One Guitar'.As usual he gets a few guests to help out on stage on this track so we get
support act David Sinclair,David Donley(drummer from Glen Matlock And The Philistines) and Maggi Ronson(sister of Mick Ronson).
We get an extra song tonight which was a cover of The Clash 'Police On My Back'.
Just like The 100 Club gig this was another corker.
www.tropicatruislip.co.uk
Willie Nile with Bruce Springsteen 'One Guitar' HD Version
Willie Nile with Mike Peters 'One Guitar' HD Version
Willie Nile with Glen Matlock 'People Who Died' HD Version From The 100 Club show earlier this week.
David Sinclair Trio 'America, Here's My Boy' HD Version Written By Beck.



04 May 2013.Michael Ball live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
Michael Ball is on a UK tour to promote his latest album 'Both Sides Now'.
For the past 25 years he has been one of the UKs most popular musical theatre stars.
Now aged 50 he is an actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song 'Love Changes Everything' and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables (which he originated in the London production), Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad in Hairspray for which he won the 2008 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.He most recently played the role of Sweeney Todd in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street at the Adelphi Theatre in the West End which earned him another Olivier award in 2013.
As expected it is a very middle of the road crowd of couples and mums with daughters.
On stage for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets of 55 mins and 80 mins.
His band included a string and brass section along with three backing vocals so a massive 19 people on stage including Michael.
Michael still has that boyish grin and a nice friendly stage manner that are making all the females here swoon.
The first set featured mainly the cover versions from the new album.Opening with Lady Gaga’s 'Edge of Glory'.He also re-imagined Katie Melua’s 'The Closest Thing to Crazy', Fleetwood Mac’s 'Songbird',Joan Armatrading’s 'Love and Affection', a sympathetically pared down version of 'I Will Always Love You' and Snow Patrol’s 'Run'.They were decent enough versions but did not really test his powerful voice.
This was done in the second half which was show tunes from musicals starting with 'Circle Of Life' from The Lion King and those of Andrew Lloyd Webber, through Phantom (All I Ask of You), to a heartfelt 'Tell Me On a Sunday' and 'Sunset Boulevard' and 'Oh What a Circus' from Evita.
Add in some tunes from Sweeney Todd, a spot of Chess, and a couple from from Les Mis.
His big hit 'Love Changes Everything' went down well and the four song encore of cover versions was lively with all the crowd up and dancing.
A good show.
Check aftershow page for this gig.




03 May 2013.Some great quality video clips of the three Converse Get Dirty gigs at The 100 Club from 17,18,19 April 2013 have been released by Converse.
The Cribs---'I'm A Realist'
DOOM---'Ballskin'
Gallows---'Cross Of Lorraine'
Drenge---'Bloodsports'



02 May 2013.An excellent evening as i went to three really good events with a Willie Nile gig in the middle and Rick Ross played at the third event.
6pm to 8pm Eton Shirts - store launch party at 53 South Molton Street,London W1.
The Swedish brand with the very English sounding name has been around for 85 years selling top of the range shirts and other bits n pieces.
The finest long fibre cotton available is used to create the Eton shirt. Woven in Zurich, Switzerland exclusively for Eton, in a unique process perfected to produce a 100% cotton fabric with very special properties.
The result is beautiful 100% cotton shirts that stay in shape all day long. Just give the shirt 15 minutes when you put it on in the morning and the heat from your body will make the creases drop out.
The store is very neat and very well presented.
Moet champers and canapes for all the guests here.
A couple of well known faces too including Gary Kemp from Spandau Ballet,BBC TV Football Focus presenter Dan Walker and ITV news presenter Mark Austin.
www.etonshirts.com
then
WILLIE NILE and DAVID SINCLAIR TRIO live at The 100 Club,London.
Up first we have The David Sinclair Trio who play a really good 45 mins set.Great lyrics to all the songs that tell you a proper story.
Their set included the pukka "America, Here's My Boy" which was one of my recent Record Store Day vinyl purchases. The song was written by Beck Hansen as part of his album "Song Reader", which he "released" (or published, really) in sheet music form only in December.
Other gems played from their three albums included
'London Dust','Loneliness(Won't Leave Me Alone)',
'Eight Rounds Later' and 'Going To Do Something'.
The New York Times called WILLIE NILE "one of the most gifted singer-songwriters to emerge from the New York scene in years." His album “Streets Of New York” was hailed as “a platter for the ages” by UNCUT magazine. He has been called "a one-man Clash".
He has toured across the US opening for The Who at their personal request and sung with Bruce Springsteen at Giant Stadium. He has recently played with Ian Hunter in New York.
On stage for 95 mins with his brilliant band which featured a very nifty guitarist and drummer Alex Alexander who helped out on David Bowies recent comeback album on percussion.
The show featured tracks from his eighth studio album 'American Ride' that is released on 24 June 2013.Lots of brilliant uptempo rock tunes by this 64 year old who was part of the CBGBs scene in the 1970s.
He was Bruce Springsteen meets Joe Strummer as he is full of passion and enthusiasm .
Tracks played included 'This Is Our Time',Life On Bleecker Street',The Innocent Ones',Heaven Help The Lonely','God Laughs','If I Ever See The Light','House Of A Thousand Guitars' and he was joined by Sex Pistol Glen Matlock on the Jim Carroll cover 'People Who Died' which went down a treat.
Then he played his anthem 'One Guitar' which is just a totally fists in the air awesome song.
Encore was 'On The Road To Calvary' which was dedicated to Jeff Buckley.A really great gig.
Willie signed cds straight after the show.
Their tour continues at....
Fri May 3rd Tingewick Village Hall, Buckingham, Buckinghamshire.
Sat May 4th Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.
Sun May 5th The Tropic At Ruislip, Ruislip, Middlesex.
This show is the last night of their UK tour.
www.willienile.com
www.davidsinclairtrio.com
then
11.30pm to 3.30am was the Cirque Le Soir 3rd Anniversary Party at One Marylebone,London NW1.
This was a proper mega event for sure.Around 500 folks are here with the highest number of stunning young women under one roof i have seen for a long time.There is free booze(except champagne) at one bar along with pancakes,popcorn,chocs and cupcakes.
There are lots of young middle eastern,indian, russian,european and english men at the many vip tables who are loaded or their parents are
and they are buying £250 quid bottles of champers or punch with a firework attached to impress the girls.Half of them even have personal security to mind them.
The atmosphere is totally rockin as all through the night as we have the full Cirque Le Soir circus theme show so we have burlesque,a female bondage duo,stilt walkers,bodypoppers,breakdancers,trapeze, card magician,clowns,two adult men dressed as babies with just a giant nappy and wearing freaky baby face moulds dancing on one of the podiums.Other acts too.
Rules went out the window as people smoked everywhere as nothing was said even though security were everywhere.Also of course some dwarfs too.
American hip hop rapper Rick Ross played a lively 30 mins that finished at 3am in the morning.Somehow i doubt many of these had work Friday morning.
Various djs playing loud club tunes.
A really fantastic event that was a non stop party.
Got a couple of nice goodie bags here.
Cirque Le Soir opened its first venue in 2009 in Ganton Street,London and has within three years evolved into one of the most successful and most talked about clubs in the world. In 2011 there was the successful opening of Cirque le Soir Dubai located in the prestigious Fairmont Hotel and in 2013 the 3rd Cirque le Soir opened in Shanghai. As well as the 3 venues there are also the numerous world tour events managed and hosted by Cirque Le Soir international including events during Cannes Film Festival, Monaco F1 Grand Prix, Milan Fashion Week, Art Basel in Miami and so much more
www.cirquelesoir.com



01 May 2013.I went to three events tonight ending up at Kate Nash at The 100 Club.
5.30pm to 7.15pm was the launch party for Mr.Rizzo
Grooming at 4 Upper St Martins Lane,Covent Garden,London WC2.
Minimalistic salon design and spacious surroundings are complimented with finest Italian ceramic flooring,tradional British walnut grooming stations and dark leather upholstery.
The salon is located opposite Stringfellows.
The last month i had been growing my hair to get some vague kind of Mick Jagger look but that was failing so the offer of a complimentary top notch hair wash and cut along with a hot shave was just perfect timing.I really looked and felt 10 years younger when it was done.
Complimentary cocktails and canapes for guests too.
Sanrizz was founded by Tony Rizzo in 1980 and has since grown to a group of eight salons, renowned for excellence in hairdressing and education. You can find Sanrizz salons at Park Lane (within the Grosvenor House, a JW Marriott Hotel), Russell Square, St Pauls, Knightsbridge, Muswell Hill, St Albans, Guildford and Southampton, with an internationally renowned Educational Academy within the Knightsbridge salon. The Sanrizz trademark is precision cutting and perfection in colouring set in uber-luxurious surroundings.
www.sanrizz.co.uk/mr-rizzo-grooming/ check out their opening offers.
then
7.30pm to 9pm was the private view for Sascha Bailey presents 'Human Relations' by Fenton Bailey and Mairi-Luise Tabbakh at Imitate Modern Gallery,27A Devonshire Street,Marylebone,London W1.
It was a family affair at the Imitate Modern Gallery as Fenton Bailey unveiled Human Relations, his new exhibition and collaboration with younger brother Sascha Bailey. The brothers were joined by their father, legendary photographer David Bailey, while a group of models in lingerie kept guests entertained.
Photographs on display are based on female erotica.
This gallery has a nice edge to it and is always buzzing as folks spill out on to the pavement.
Complimentary vodka cocktails and beers for all.
Other guests here included ex glammer model Jilly Johnson who still looks great at age 59.In 1975 she became the first model to appear topless in the Daily Mirror.In the 1980s, together with Nina Carter, she was in the girl group Blonde on Blonde.
www.imitatemodern.com exhibition runs until 01 June 2013.
then
Kate Nash live at The 100 Club,London.
This was the last night of her UK tour to promote her third album 'Girl Talk'.A small venue for Kate as she has headlined Shepherds Bush Empire before.She has gone off the radar a bit as other female acts have grabbed the spotlight.
She had a UK number-2 hit "Foundations" in 2007, followed by the platinum-selling UK number-1 album 'Made of Bricks'. She was named Best Female Artist at the 2008 BRIT Awards.
Her second studio album, entitled 'My Best Friend Is You' was released in 2010. It spawned her second biggest chart hit to date, the single 'Do-Wah-Doo'.
Her record company then dropped her and her self-released third studio album 'Girl Talk' was released on 4 March 2013.
It is a full house of hardcore fans tonight.
On stage for around 90 mins.Kate is very into 'girl power' so it was great to see her all female band rockin' out with a smile on their faces while dripping in sweat.Kate has nice on stage banter with the crowd.
The set featured tracks from all the albums and included her big hit 'Foundations' and encores included a great cover version of 'I'm A Bitch I'm A Lover'.
A dozen female fans invaded the stage at the end of the main set for a dance.
On this showing there is still plenty of life in Kate Nash.Do not write her off just yet.



30 April 2013.7.30pm to 10pm.
A showcase for La Maison des Artistes at 17 Harrington Road,South Kensington,London SW7.
The main reason i am here is this is the basement venue that used to be called The Harrington Club which was owned by Ronnie Wood from 2000 to 2003.
He bailed out saying it was a financial disaster for him.He made it so exclusive that nobody bothered joining up to be a member.
The club opened up last week with the new name.
I think the owners are Brazilian brothers.
It still has a 150 capacity.
La Maison ‘s philosophy is centered on the a love of arts and music in all its genres, an appreciation of upcoming musicians, artists and urban poets and the enjoyment of delectable international cuisine and fabulous cocktails.
A nice lively chatty crowd here even though the drinks situation was tame as one complimentary cocktail each along with free soft drinks.Canapes too.
A dj playing sounds in the background.
Tables around the edge of the main dance floor
It is the same size as Boujis which is 200 yards away so let the battle commence.
I look forward to coming back here again.



29 April 2013.....6.45pm to 11.30pm.
The S Pellegrino World's 50 Best Restaurants Awards 2013 at The Guildhall, Gresham Street, London, EC2.
Really nice to be at this stunning historic venue for
this very prestigious foodie event.
Around 500 guests here with complimentary Veuve Clicquot champers,espresso martinis,wines,beers and tasty canapes/bowl food before and after the awards.
Lots of folks from around the world here as 49 of the Top 50 are represented by their chefs and owners.
www.theworlds50best.comview the Top 50 list and photos here
The Top 10 came from...1.Spain...2.Denmark... 3.Italy...4.Spain...5.New York...6.Brazil... 7.London...8.Spain...9.Austria...10.Germany...
Heston Blumenthal's Fat Duck restaurant in the village of Bray, Berkshire has slipped from the top five 'global dining destinations', after enjoying almost a decade in the top five, the restaurant has now fallen to number 33.
Heston was here as was Raymond Blanc.Both are treated like rockstars as the film crews and photographers are all over them.A really nice event.
Everyone got goodie bags.



28 April 2013.Pink + Walk The Moon live at The 02 Arena,London.
Support act Walk The Moon are from Ohio,America and played a decent 30 mins of lively electro pop.
They signed to RCA Records and released their first official album 'Walk the Moon' in June 2012.
This was the last of four shows at this venue for the massive Pink world tour that started way back in Feb this year to promote her sixth studio album
'The Truth About Love'.
On stage for around 1 hour 50 mins with a nice big stage production with big screens,a cicular staircase,a stage extension,dancers and pyros.
The songs were some great and some average but visually the show was just brilliant.
Her entrance was superb as Pink pinged up from under the stage on bungee ropes to be caught by three upside down men near the roof.
Near the end she would pull her usual stunt of hurtling and somersaulting through the air on four wires that came from each corner flying above the crowd to the back of the venue while still singing.Amazing stuff.
She did live up to her tomboy image for sure.
A really good show.
Click on the Iconicpix link on the right and enter Pink in the search for photos of the Paris show from earlier this month.
Full Pink setlist played....
Raise Your Glass...Walk of Shame...Just Like a Pill
...U + Ur Hand...Leave Me Alone (I'm Lonely)...Try
...Wicked Game(Chris Isaak cover)...Just Give Me a Reason...Bad Influence...Trouble...Are We All We Are...How Come You're Not Here...Sober...Chaos and Piss(Instrumental Interlude)...The Great Escape
(Acoustic)...Who Knew(Acoustic)...Fuckin' Perfect
(Acoustic)...Most Girls/There You Go/You Make Me Sick...Slut Like You...Blow Me (One Last Kiss)
Encore:...So What...




26 April 2013.7pm to 10pm.
This evening was a showcase for The Floating Boater,Warwick Crescent,Little Venice,London W2.
This company hires out boats for trips along the Regents Canal from its base at Paddington Central which is two mins walk from Paddington train station.
It holds up to 80 people but this evening the most here was 30 so we had a nice cosy table in the corner.Always nice to be on a boat even though it was not moving tonight.
Complimentary beers,wines and canapes for all.
They are getting geared up for The Canalway Cavalcade in Little Venice on the weekend 04 to 06 May 2013 when the area is buzzing with lots of events during the day and evening and well worth a visit.
www.floatingboater.co.uk
On a musical note tonight was the 35th anniversary(26 April 1978) of The Rich Kids biggest ever show at The Lyceum,London where i saw Glen Matlock and the boys joined on stage by Mick Ronson(he produced their album) and Ian McLagan.



25 April 2013.I went to three events tonight all just a few mins walk from each other.
6pm to 8pm was the launch party for the Sheila Rock 'PUNK' book at Browns,23-27 South Molton Street, London W1.
This book has got loads of fantastic photos from the 1970s punk heyday with my fave being the one of Glen Matlock carrying Sid Vicious.
Complimentary beers for all guests here tonight.
Original punk rasta Don Letts was the dj here.
Punk legends Mick Jones and Paul Simonon from The Clash are here.I had a nice chat with Mick Jones.We always end up saying what a mess Q.P.R. are in.
Also here were Chrissie Hynde(Pretenders) and Tony James who played with Generation X,Sique Sique Sputnik and with Mick Jones in Carbon Silicon.
Tony recently celebrated his 60th birthday.
Glen Matlock was invited but could not attend as it was the last night of his German acoustic tour.
For me it was a great event.
then
8.05pm to 8.55pm was the launch party for Filson at 9 Newburgh Street,London W1.
American outdoor clothing brand from Seattle with lots of history have opened in this trendy street just off Carnaby Street.
Complimentary beers for all guests.
then
9pm to 10.30pm was the launch party for Elevenparis at 46 Carnaby Street,London W1.
The cool young fashion crowd out in force tonight as the store had an outdoor space on the pavement as well as inside the store.Nice lively buzz.
Complimentary Lanson champagne,beers and hot dogs for all the guests tonight..
Boy George manned the DJ booth at the party to celebrate the French label's first ever UK store. For those of you who have not seen Boy George recently he looks a different person after shedding his extra weight and is now nice and slim both in his body and facially.
Models Amber Le Bon, Daisy Lowe and Irina Shayk were here.Also Aston Merrygold from JLS who confirmed their split this week. US reality star Scott Disick along with Arsenal footballer Olivier Giroud.A good
event.
www.elevenparis.com