News and Reviews: 28th October 2011
Sad news that music broadcasting legend Sir Jimmy Saville has died aged 84.Often called "the UKs first pop dj" and he was the presenter on the first ever Top Of The Pops in 1964.His fashion sense of trademark tracksuit with chunky jewellery was often mocked but decades later all the hip hop crowd wore the same.A massive charity fundraiser too.28 Oct 2011.Britney Spears + Joe Jonas live at The 02 Arena,London.This was the second of three London shows for Britney to promote her "Femme Fatale" album.Britney has sold around 100 million records.
Up first we have Joe Jonas who is one of The Jonas Brothers.I presume his set was a mix of his debut solo album "Fast Life" and a couple of Jonas Brothers songs.
He seems to be in the Justin Timberlake mould.
Like on all her previous tours i have seen Britneys 90 mins show visually is a fantastic with a big stage production but there is still a lot of miming going on.A dozen dancers,pyros,big screens,staircases, lasers,skimpy costume changes and nearly each song has something different to look at.Britney herself seemed a bit wooden as she tried to keep up with the dance routines.There was lapdancing in front of a fan on the bonnet of a pink car,she floated around the stage in an
Egyptian ship,she jumped through giant picture frames,fought off Ninjas,Britney and dancers danced on and around motorbikes and she was raised 20 foot in the air on a swing wearing angel wings.Songs played inc "Piece Of Me","Boys","Baby One More Time","Im A Slave 4 U"(had some fans inc Jedward on stage for a dance) and "Womanizer".Lively encores of "Toxic" and "Till The World Ends" as the fireworks and confetti cannons went into overdrive.If only the singing was as good as the show ifself.Having said that her fans were not that bothered whether she was singing or miming.
27 Oct 2011.I went to two events tonight.
First was 6.45pm to 8.15pm for a showcase for Greens Restaurant And Oyster Bar,36 Duke Street,St James,London SW1.Around 60 people in their downstairs private dining room.Lots of freebie Laurent Perrier champers and West Mersea Colchester oysters here.It is a lovely upmarket eating place.Sadly i did not win any of the three prizes in the raffle with a dinner voucher for £120 for every winner.
See www.greens.org.uk.....then off to see.....
Lenny Kravitz live at Hammersmith Apollo,London.
A fully sold out show for Lenny as part of his European Tour to promote his recent album "Black And White America".Its an impressive arena type big stage production with lots of lights and a huge screen.
A full two show that was mainly greatest hits.Lenny is now aged 47 but is supercool as ever and the ladies still love him.A great band with Gail Ann Dorsey on bass and lashings of funk rock with a nice brass section.I saw Lenny play to 200 people a few weeks ago at a secret gig in London and this is just as good.Set inc "Come On Get It","Always On The Run","American Woman","It Aint Over Til Its Over","Mr Cab Driver",
"Black And White America","Stand By My Woman","Rock And Roll Is Dead" and mega versions of "Fly Away" and "Are You Gonna Go My Way?".Encores were "I Belong To You" then band introductions and then a long version of "Let Love Rule" with Lenny doing a full walkabout up in the circle.A really great show that rocked along from start to finish.
26 Oct 2011.I went to two good events tonight.
First was 6.45pm to 7.45pm for preview evening for the reissue of The Who's 'Quadrophenia - The Director's Cut' at Pretty Green,57 Carnaby Street,London W1.
To mark the collaboration Pretty Green will be showcasing Pete Townshend's archives of notes, desk diaries, photos and original lyrics from the making of Quadrophenia alongside album artwork and outakes in a never seen before exhibition which is in their basement area.
There is free booze flowing here and a dozen mods and their scooters are parked outside the shop to give it a nice atmosphere.Sadly none of the four musicians that may have shown their face are here.Liam Gallagher(it is his designer clothng store),Paul Weller(he has his own clothing range here) and Pete and Roger from The Who.Everyone got a nice goodie bag of stuff inc items from Pretty Green,Vespa and a 6 track promo cd and 12 page booklet from Quadrophenia.Even the Pretty Green carry bag is a nice item with its paisley lining.
then 8pm to 11pm was the launch party for "Cadburys Keep Team GB Pumped" at The Haymarket Hotel,London.
As part of its new £8m advertising campaign, chocolate conglomerate Cadbury’s has a variety of musically themed ads that are about to roll out to support the GB Olympic team for 2012.
With the tagline “Keep singing, keep Team GB pumped up” Cadbury’s are trying a new tack for their part as a tier-two sponsor of the London Olympic Games which start next year.
We all had loads of free booze all night which was champers and the three cocktails were in the colours of GB (Red Blue And White) and yummy hot food.
Tv presenter and actress Denise Van Outen was the host for tonight.Also here was Spandau Ballets manager Steve Dagger as one of their tracks "Gold" will be all over the Olympics.
The party is by the pool and there is a band set up on the water pontoon style.They are the Rockaoke Band.
You sing with a real full live band behind you with the lyrics coming up on the floor monitors.
They do a few covers on their own then come around with the list of over 100 songs to sing to.I notice Sex Pistols "Pretty Vacant" on it and put my name down.
Their second set starts with Denise Van Outen singing "I Will Survive" and later on i go up and sing the Pistols classic.Of course i have had a few drinks by then and so has everyone else so everybody sings along and its just greaaaat.A really good fun party.
Loads of cash and music prizes are up for grabs with Cadburys with codes inside of the promotional wrappers.
Visit www.keepourteampumped.com