News and Reviews: 18th November 2011
17 Nov 2011.Another day with four events done.11am to 3.30pm.Press conference and party for the updated version of Ronnie Biggs autobiography "Odd Man Out,The Last Straw" at Shoreditch House,London E16.
Ronnie Biggs and his son Michael attended.
The original book came out in 1994 but this updated version has around 200 extra pages.There are loads of tv crews and photographers here.Later on friends and family would arrive.Ronnie is wheeled in looking very frail.He cannot talk but understands you and answers back via a spellboard or hand gestures.His son Michael and Ronnies good friend Chris Pickard who helped him with the book are the ones that answer the press questions.
I asked Ronnie "did he enjoy recording with two members of The Sex Pistols back in 1978".He gave me a smile and a thumbs up which was quite touching.
After most of the press had left more friends and family turned up inc Nick Reynolds(son of Great Train Robber Bruce Reynolds) and Gaz Mayall.A nice lunch was laid on and the freebie wines and beers were flowing.The press chairs were taken away and it became more relaxed.Ronnie was cuddling any women here he could get his arms around.ITV host Fiona Phillips was very chatty with him as her own dad had similiar ill health.
We had some proper Hells Angels here from UK,Sweden and Brazil.Everyone got a free copy of the book and Ronnie signed loads of them.I got mine signed and got a couple of photos with him.I also got my "The Biggest Blow-A Punk Prayer" signed.Ronnie with Cook n Jones on that one.
Despite Ronnie being in a wheelchair and not being able to talk he clearly enjoyed himself.He was here for well over three hours which was pretty amazing.
Needless to say the book is a must buy.
6pm to 7pm was the store launch party for Ralph Lauren
"Double RL" at 16 Mount Street,London W1.
Lots of freebie cocktails and canapes here.The brand "Double RL" is quality clothes based on designs from the 1940s and 1950s era and some of the crowd have come dressed this way.Its looks great i must say.We had a swing jazz band too in the corner.A lovely goodie bag here.
7.15pm to 8.15pm was the launch party for menswear label Gant Rugger at 1 Flitcroft Street,London WC2.
A very trendy fashion crowd here.Lots of freebie champers and cocktails and canapes.Dj was spinning some good tunes.
Shame i had to leave here for the gig but rock n roll was calling me.
8.30pm.King Mob + Bermondsey Joyriders live at 229 Great Portland Street,London.
Seems ages since i have been here to this venue.They have done a very nice refurbishment and it really is a great place to see bands.
Up first we have Bermondsey Joyriders who play a full hour of good dirty blues rock n roll with lots of bottleneck guitar.Singer Gary Lammin has some really good lyrics.
This was the first ever London show by King Mob.
King Mob feature Sex Pistol bassist Glen Matlock and Pretenders drummer Martin Chambers.
Glen and Martin are joined by singer Stephen Parsons, and guitarists Chris Spedding(the legend that is) and Sixteen.
It is great to see these friends all on the same stage as they have known eachother for 35 odd years.
Their influences as wide ranging as Duke Ellington and Jimmy Page.They played tracks from their debut album "Force 9" that came out a month ago.It got a very positive 8 out 10 review in Classic Rock.
There is a definite “English” feel to the rhythm section, pounding drums and solid bass lines are overlaid with a Nasville Tennessee style guitar, couple this with Stephen’s vocals, and you end up with a band I don’t think you can pigeon hole. The only way I can describe them, is a beat-combo who kick ass with hints of rockabilly.
"China Waters" featured some great drumming from Martin Chambers and for "King Mob" Chris Spedding again unleashed some great guitar riffs.Encore was "Whos Chasing Who".
They were on for around an hour.A good gig.
Loads of people i knew here tonight.
16 Nov 2011.I went to four events today.
5.30pm to 6.30pm.Launch party for Kinect "Disneyland Adventures" XBOX 360 game at The Disney Store,Oxford Street,London W1.As expected lots of kids here but there is a free bar in the corner for adults.The kids are playing the game on the many consoles.We have clowns and magicians etc.Comedian Johnny Vegas is here as are a couple of girls from Loose Women tv show and TOWIE tv show.Nice goodie bag here of the game itself and some Disney stuff.
6.45pm to 7.45pm.Launch party for The Oris "Chet Baker" watch at Ronnie Scotts,London W1.Lots of freebie champers,different cocktails and nice hot food here.Singer Mica Paris is a guest.The Chet Baker Tribute Band play in the background.Limited edition watch that costs £1250.
8pm to 10pm.Launch party for mens American fashion designers "Billy Reid And Mr Porter" at The Box,Soho,London W1.
Lots of freebie cocktails,beers and wines here in one of Londons coolest venues.Graham Norton is here.Lots of the
upmarket gay fashion crowd are milling about.
American band The Apache Relay did a good 45 mins set.Hints of Mumford And Sons.A nice goodie bag here.
See www.mrporter.com
10.15pm to 11.30pm.Party to celebrate 40 years of this Swiss nightclub called "The Farm Club" at The Arts Club,Dover Street,London W1.
Lots of upmarket folks here for this nightclub based in the expensive ski resort of Verbier in Switzerland.Had a nice chat with Rusty Egan is who still djing at the best clubs in UK and Europe.Freebie champers and cocktails here.
A decent covers band got the crowd on the dancefloor.
15 Nov 2011.The Cure live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
This was a proper gig event for sure as The Cure play their only UK show as part of their London-New York-Los Angeles celebration called "Reflections".Loads of folks have turned up without tickets and the touts are doing a roarig trade.Loads of accents here from all over Europe.
They play a staggering 45 songs in a set lasting five mins short of three hours.Robert Smith is still loved by his loyal fans.They play their first three albums with short intervals then encores of hits and b-sides.First album was "Three Imaginary Boys" from 1979 as a three piece,then "Seventeen Seconds" from 1980 as a four piece,then "Faith" from 1981 as a five piece.
Some songs were better than others but loads of gems in there including a brilliant "A Forest" and some great hits in the encores which got the floor standing area dancing.There were plenty of strobe lighting but no screens.The Cure still doing things their way.
Full setlist.
Three Imaginary Boys album
10:15 Saturday Night
Accuracy
Grinding Halt
Another Day
Object
Subway Song
Foxy Lady (The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover)
Meathook
So What
Fire In Cairo
It's Not You
Three Imaginary Boys
The Weedy Burton
then Seventeen Seconds album
A Reflection
Play For Today
Secrets
In Your House
Three
The Final Sound
A Forest
M
At Night
Seventeen Seconds
then Faith album
The Holy Hour
Primary
Other Voices
All Cats Are Grey
The Funeral Party
Doubt Play
The Drowning Man
Faith
Encore:
World War
I'm Cold
Plastic Passion
Boys Don't Cry
Killing An Arab
Jumping Someone Else's Train
Another Journey By Train
Encore 2:
Descent
Splintered In Her Head
Charlotte Sometimes
The Hanging Garden
Encore 3:
Let's Go To Bed
The Walk
The Lovecats