News and Reviews: 24th November 2011
23 Nov 2011.Another good night as i went to a book launch then the Prince's Trust Rock Gala gig then the afterparty for it.6.45pm to 8.15pm was the launch of party for Patrick Lichfields book "Perceptions" at The Mandarin Oriental Hotel,Knightsbridge,London SW1.
Patrick was one of the UKs top photographers in the 1960s,1970s,1980s.He sadly died in 2005.
On leaving the Army in 1962, he began to work as a photographer's assistant, and built up his own reputation, partly as a result of having access to the Royal Family. He was selected to take the official photographs of the wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981, and subsequently became one of the UK's best-known photographers. From 1999 onwards he was a pioneer of digital photography at a professional standard. He was chosen by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to take official pictures of her Golden Jubilee in 2002.
Over 200 of his upmarket friends are here including Nicky Haslam and Barry Humphries(Dame Edna).Lots of freebie Moet champers and yummy hot food here including duck in this very nice 5 star hotel.
Barry Humphries gave a very entertaining 10 mins speech on his own life as well as Patricks.
then Prince's Trust "Rock Gala" at The Royal Albert Hall,London SW7.Annual charity event where each act does two or three tracks and the headliner does a bit longer.
I get there three quarters through the first set so miss
Cerys Matthews,Alison Moyet and The Feeling.I manage to catch a rare couple of live songs by Julian Lennon.The
house band includes Midge Ure,Mark King and Nik Kershaw.
The second half starts with Robert Smith lookalike comedian Tim Minchin doing a couple then Boy George goes down well for his two songs "Everthing I Own" and "Do You Want To Hurt Me?".Then Chris De Burgh does a couple then Joss Stone looks and sounds great for her two.Then its headliner time.The band go off and its just Pete Townshend and his acoustic guitar for five tracks inc "Acid Queen","Drowned" and a mega "Wont Get Fooled Again".Pete was really good.Encore had all the artists (except Pete) on for a cover of David Bowies "Heroes".A good night.
See aftershow page for this gig.
22 Nov 2011.I went to two events tonight.
6.45pm to 9.15pm.10th Anniversary Of The Royal Exchange,Bank,London EC3.
Party to celebrate this iconic grade 1 listed building as a luxury shopping destination for the last 10 years.This beautiful building dates back to 1577 when it was completed after some 11 years.
Over 30 luxury stores here uncluding Tiffany And Co,Hermes,
Molton Brown,Gucci,Theo Fennell,Paul Smith,Omega,Agent Provocateur,Penhaligans,Kiehls and many more.
The freebie champers,cocktails,wines and beers are flowing along with bowl food and canapes.Over 300 folks here from the city.We have some stage entertainment from an acrobat duo and The Girlie Show female dance troupe.
Sadly i was not one of the winners of the prize draw which had £1500 diamond studs as first prize.
However i did get a very nice goodie bag.
The venue is right next to Bank tube station and most of the shops have special offers and treats on in the run up
to Christmas.See www.theroyalexchange.com
then 9.45pm to 11.30pm was the 10th anniversary party for glossy womens mag InStyle at Soho Sanctum Hotel,London W1.
A buzzing atmosphere here as loads of photographers outside the venue and a few celebs inside.There is freebie champers,cocktails,wines and beers along with nice canapes.
A dj playing some tunes downstairs.Faces here included legendary shoe designer Christian Louboutin,Gillian Anderson,Henry Holland,Pixie Geldof and from this years X Factor we have Misha B,Amelia Lily and Little Mix.
Nice goodie bags here with 50ml bottles of Diane Von Furstenberg perfume.Lots of folks here i knew.A good one.
19 Nov 2011.The Stylistics live at The Charter Hall,Colchester,Essex.
Fri,Sat,Sun,Mon i was in Colchester for a few days.
The hometown of Blur of course.
The 1970s were an amazing time to watch live music.
You could see the best of Glam Rock,Punk Rock and Classic Rock all in its heyday as well as the best American Soul like The Stylistics too.
The Stylistics were massive in that decade.I saw them at Hammersmith Odeon way back in 1974.
The venue tonight has maybe 700 or so folks here.
Its standing at the front and tiered seats at the rear.
The Stylistics still have two original members.They were well known for their soul ballads sung in falsetto.
They have matching stage clothes and the nifty little dance routines are still there.
Lots of gems played in the 90 mins set including "Im Stone In Love With You","Betcha By Golly Wow","Stop,Look,Listen To Your Heart","You Are Everything","Sing Baby Sing","Lets Put It All Together" and their biggest hit "You Make Me Feel Brand New".Also "Rockin Roll Baby".Encores included "Star On A TV Show" and "Cant Give You Anything But My Love".....A very enjoyable show.
Stylistics UK tour stops off at The Indigo in London on
01 Dec 2011.
21 Nov 2011 saw the release of Take That
"Progress 2011" live in concert dvd.
Disc 1 is the whole show.
Disc 2 is behind the scenes and interviews.
Take That tour was the biggest ever by anyone in the UK.
A staggering 29 stadium shows.
1.8 million tickets sold.
A record breaking eight nights at Wembley Stadium.