News and Reviews: 12th October 2011
11 Oct 2011.Josh Groban live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.I only knew i was going to this show on the day of the gig.I got a press review ticket with a perfect six rows from stage seat for this sold out show.Josh Groban is hardly the coolest of artists but has had an amazing last ten years where he has sold over 24 million albums and his world tour to promote his recent Rick Rubin produced fifth album "Illuminations" takes in a big headline show at the famous Madison Square Garden next month.
On stage for two hours with a fantastic thirteen piece band inc brass,strings,percussion and piano who sounded great.Josh himself is in the pop classical area with a strong voice and a flirty and fun on stage manner that all the females here clearly love.
Set included "February Song","Bells Of New York City" and an instrumental cover of "Live And Let Die" at full tilt that was really good.He got half a dozen fans on stage,sat them down and gave them a glass of wine and sung a couple of songs to them inc "Broken Vow".
Encores included his big hit "You Raise Me Up" which Westlife also had a hit with and a cover of Charlie Chaplins classic "Smile".
I doubt i would ever buy his music but i must say a much better than expected live performer.
10 Oct 2011.I went to two good events tonight.
First was 6.15pm to 9pm for The C.E.W.(Cosmetic Executive Women) Awards at The Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel,Cadogan Place,Knightsbridge,London SW1.
Around 500 mainly women here in this nice hotel.Freebie champers and canapes for an hour then its sitting down for the awards.Some nice speeches.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to Joan Collins who despite her advancing years still looks very glam
in a green dress with her usual fully made up face.
One token male won an award.George Hammer who has been around for many years including recent ventures Urban
Retreats and was responible for turning One Marylebone and One Mayfair into events spaces.Everyone got a great female based goodie bag with a dozen items inc
Calvin Klein 50ml "Euphoria" fragrance.Then
10pm to midnight i was at The 10th Anniversary Party for Funky Buddha,15 Berkeley Street,London W1.
A club that has always had a fair share of celebs and footballers through its doors.A full body search here was quite good as most places only give a half hearted search.Full free open bar here along with some canapes.
Lots of pretty young girls all dressed up here dancing to the dj who is keeping it lively.
09 Oct 2011.
On Sunday we stayed at the superb Halkin Hotel,Halkin Street,Belgravia,London SW1.
The Halkin is a sanctuary of discretion in central London.Quiet glamour, poised service and chic interiors in this five star hotel over its five floors.
The Halkin opened in September 1991 as London’s first boutique design hotel. It was considered one of the progenitors of a trend that was to redefine the luxury hotel industry.
Hidden in a quiet street with just a five minute walk to Knightsbridge,Mayfair,Victoria,Buckingham Palace and of course all the embassies in nearby Belgrave Square.
We got upgraded to a fantastic room on the top floor with its wonderful curved ceiling and all the latest tekkie gadgets going.
A huge beautiful part marble bathroom.
The acclaimed Thai cuisine in the hotel was amazing.
The huge bed and the top quality bedlinen really made it difficult to leave in the morning.
Staying here really made me "feel like a rockstar" as the attentive staff looked after you so nicely.
www.halkin.como.bz