News and Reviews: 30th November 2014
Friday 28 November 2014.Willie Nile Band live at The Borderline,London.
Willie Nile is a New Yorker now aged 66 and is one of those great live acts who should be playing bigger gigs.
He has been playing around the clubs of New York and North America the past 35 years off and on but never made it big.
Having said that seeing him play at the 275 capacity of this venue was our gain.
I have a fantastic view 3rd row centre from the stage.
I have his excellent 'American Ride' album from last year and he is back in the UK to promote his
new album 'If I Was A River' with a few club shows.
Willie Nile Band come on at 8.40pm and play a fantastic 95 mins set.
Willie Nile is a great front man and you see why folks site Springsteen / Strummer comparisons.
His lyrics tell a story and you can hear every word that is sung with passion and feeling.
His band are great and for this tour feature on drums my old mucker David Donley ex Sex Pistols Experience
who stepped in at short notice to do a brilliant job as Willies regular American drummer couldn't make it.
Before the new album track 'Lost' Willie told an amazing story where he was recording at The Record Plant in
New York where John Lennon and Yoko Ono were in the studio next door at the time John was killed.
He dedicated 'Sweet Jane' to his fellow New Yorker and friend Lou Reed.
The anthemic 'One Guitar' was one big singalong that ended up being played a second time.
Trust me when I say see Willie Nile live once and you will be hooked for life.
An excellent club show.
Straight after the show Willie was shaking hands and signing his cds at the back of the venue.
Full Willie Nile Band setlist played...
Seeds of a Revolution
Rite Of Spring
Life on Bleecker Street
The Innocent Ones
Holy War
Heaven Help the Lonely
Sunrise in New York City
Lost
American Ride
Hard Times in America
This Is Our Time
People Who Died (Jim Carroll cover)
Sweet Jane (The Velvet Underground cover)
One Guitar
Encore:
One Guitar(reprise)
House of a Thousand Guitars
Willie Nile and Bruce Springsteen perform Willie's anthem 'One Guitar' live onstage...
watch the video here
Over six minutes of great footage.
Friday 28 November 2014.
The UK has gone Ed Sheeran crazy.
Now a THIRD night at Wembley Stadium.
July 10,11,12 next year.
Thursday 27 November 2014...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.30pm.
K West - launch party at K West Hotel & Spa, Richmond Way, London, W14.
This four star boutique hotel is hidden away off Shepherds Bush roundabout.
They have refurbished their bar to match their rock n roll heritage as a lot of bands used to stay here
when they were staying in London.Not sure if it is still as popular as it was a few years ago.
They have pictures on the wall including The Sex Pistols,Queen,David Bowie etc.
It is 2 mins walk from Westfield Shepherds Bush.
It is 5 mins walk from Shepherds Bush Empire.
Around 150 folks here.
There is a dj and fun photo booth here.
Complimentary cocktails,wines,beers,burgers,hot dogs,salt beef sandwiches etc.
The beers included Brewdog Punk IPA.
www.k-west.co.uk
Check the K-West website here for more info.
then
8pm to 10.15pm.
PA5H - launch party at The Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, London, W1.
A very stylish fashion crowd here of maybe 300 folks in this beautiful venue.
PA5H is a London-based high-end fashion brand for the modern woman who likes to turn heads, whilst still
seeking relaxed yet chic comfort. muted colours and bold detailing.
This debut collection 'Hard Sand' was inspired by cool desert nights.
Loads of great looking women here all glammed up with great outfits and heels.
Amber Le Bon is one of the djs tonight and is looking stunning in a PA5H dress.
We have half a dozen models standing on podiums wearing PA5H outfits.
There is a fun photo booth in the corner.
Complimentary presecco,Ciroc vodka cocktails,wines,beers and lots of nice hot food.
All guests got a goodie bag.
A good event.
www.PA5H.com
Check the PA5H website here for more info.
Wednesday 26 November 2014...I went to two events tonight...
6pm to 9pm.
Stella McCartney Christmas Lights Switch On at Stella McCartney, 30 Bruton Street, London, W1.
Around 150 folks here at this annual party.
Around 20 photographers outside as you always get a few big names turn up.
We have a one man band in a Santa outfit playing tunes outside.
Ronnie Wood is here fresh from The Rolling Stones Australian Tour along with his wife.
At 7pm we all go outside to see comedian and actor Steve Coogan turn on the lights that adorn the store.
He told half a dozen jokes within his speech including a couple poking fun at Stella' s veggie habits including
"I am taking Stella out for a cheeseburger after the event".
Other guests here included Stella herself along with Mary McCartney and James McCartney.
Paul McCartney not here this time even though he attended Mary McCartneys book launch last Thursday.
Also here were Kylie Minogue,Neneh Cherry,M.I.A,Jessie Ware,Victoria Pendleton,Suzy Menkes,
Poppy Delevingue,Jo Whiley,Paul Whitehouse,Hilary Alexander and no doubt a few I missed.
All guests enjoyed Perrier Jouet champers,cocktails,mulled wine,mince pies and chocolate treats.
Always a really good event.
then
John Mayall live at Ronnie Scott's,47 Frith Street,London W1.
British Blues legend is playing four sold out shows at this famous club.
Two last night and two tonight...7pm and 10pm.
As usual Ronnie Scott's tickets on the expensive side.... for this show it was £80 and £50.
The capacity here is a very cosy 250 with most folks seated at tables.
He has already played a sold out show at The Cadogan Hall,Chelsea as part of a massive UK tour.
John Mayall is 81 on Nov 29 so respect is due for playing two sets a night at that age.
Plus he is standing up all through the show playing keyboards,guitar and harmonica.
He has brought out loads of albums since the 1960s.
All the band are top notch musicians and sound great.
The set lasted around 80 mins from 10.15pm to 11.35pm.
John and all the band signed CDs straight after they came offstage.
Here is the setlist with maybe a couple of songs missing...
Checking On My Baby
Somebody's Acting Like A Child
Walking On Sunset
Moving On
Heartache
Natures Disappearing
Dream About The Blues
Chicago Line
Encore
I'm A Sucker For Love
Wednesday 26 November 2014.
The incredible success story of Ed Sheeran continues...
Ed Sheeran has announced he will play a second date at London's Wembley Stadium in June next year.
The singer-songwriter previously announced that he will play the venue on July 10. However, due to popular demand, he will now play a second show on the following day, June 11. Tickets for the new date go on sale this Friday (November 28) at 9am.
Ed Sheeran released his second studio album 'X' in June, reaching Number One in the Official UK Album Chart.
Tuesday 25 November 2014...I went to three events tonight...
6pm to 6.45pm.
Joseph Kosuth ' Amnesia : Various,Luminous,Fixed.' private view at Spruth Magers Gallery,7A Grafton Street,London W1.
Featuring work that dates from 1965 through to 2011, 'Amnesia: Various, Luminous, Fixed.' offers an extensive overview of Joseph Kosuth’s oeuvre in neon. The show chronicles an almost 50-year investigation into the role of language and meaning in art, as well as Kosuth’s enduring use of neon, which he first developed as a medium in the 1960s (preceding Bruce Nauman, Mario Merz and Keith Sonnier, for example), when Kosuth considered the medium a form of ‘public writing’, without fine art associations. The exhibition will feature 25 of Kosuth’s neon works, including one of the artist’s first neons Five Fives (to Donald Judd) [orange] (1965), alongside recent works such as three from his Beckett series(2011). ‘Amnesia: Various, Luminous, Fixed.’ follows ‘Insomnia: Assorted, Illuminated, Fixed.’, a comprehensive exhibition of neon work by the artist at Sprüth Magers, Berlin in 2013.
Complimentary wines for all guests.
Very popular exhibition as there were 20 or 30 people in a queue outside when I left as they had to operate a
one in one out system to stop overcrowding.
It is on here until 14 Feb 2015.
then
7pm to 8pm.
Alfred Dunhill - fragrance launch at Bourdon House, 2 Davies Street, London, W1.
Around 100 well dressed guests at the launch their new male fragrance 'Icon'.
Complimentary cocktails,Nyetimber sparkling wines and nice canapés for all guests.
Alfred Dunhill, Ltd. is a British luxury goods brand, specialising in ready-to-wear, custom and bespoke menswear, leather goods, and accessories. The company is based in London, where it also owns and operates a leather workshop.
then
8.30pm to 11pm.
Now Magazine Christmas Party at The Drury Club, 167 Drury Lane, London, WC2.
Very popular weekly magazine that focuses on celebrity and lifestyle.
Around 300 folks here and as usual it is a very lively buzzing party with djs playing loud dance tunes.
Most of the girls here are glammed up.
We chatted to some of the the girls from Now Magazine who were very nice and friendly.
A few faces here include ex Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman,Antony Costa from Blue,Only The Young,
Liz McClarnon,Lizzie Cundy,Michelle Heaton,Nicola McLean,David McIntosh,Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace,
Kitty Brucknell,Josie Gibson,Dan Osborne,Ola Johnson and others.
They always put on some kind of live act and tonight it is The Dreamboys who go down well with the girls.
There was a fun photo booth in the corner.
All guests got complimentary Zing vodka cocktails,wines,beers and canapés.
A good event.
Buy some Xmas pressies from sponsors who provided items in the goodie bag who were..
www.hairandwhiskers.com
Hair products and accessories for Men and Women.
www.emmahardie.com
Skin Care Products.
www.gymshark.co.uk
Innovators In Fitness Wear.
www.fakebake.com
Fake Tan Products.
www.truffleshuffle.com
Funny,Cool,Retro t-shirts.
Monday 24 November 2014...8.30pm to 11.30pm...
Rotten Hill Gang with special guests launch party for their debut album 'Rotten Hill Gang Vol 1' at
Maxilla Social Club,Maxilla Walk,London W10.
This was an invite only event for 200 folks at this venue in The Clash heartland of under The Westway
between Latimer Road and Ladbroke Grove.
Six years in the making this West London outfit finally release their debut album.
The band feature three singers,one male and two females.
One of the female singers is Hollie Cook who is the daughter of Sex Pistols drummer Paul Cook.
She has had a couple of solo albums out.
We have punk royalty in the house tonight.
Glen Matlock---Sex Pistols.
Paul Cook---Sex Pistols.
Mick Jones---The Clash.
also film and music video director Julien Temple who has done films with The Sex Pistols.
the dj tonight is original punk dread and punk film maker Don Letts who is playing mostly reggae tunes.
Richard Archer---Hard Fi singer.
Mark Moore---from 80s/90s dance act S'Express.
Traci Hunter---daughter of Ian Hunter.
Members of Flesh For Lulu.
and a few others...
You are entering the Dickensian hip-hop world of the Rotten Hill Gang, with tales of old and new London - stories as putrid as decaying vegetables at the end of a day in Portobello Road market and as uplifting and elevating as the sun rising over the Westway.
Putting together - among other sources - snatches of such movie soundtracks and dialogue as Scarface and Once Upon A Time in America, mixed together with classic rock 'n' roll guitar-riffs, this crew of like-minded musical souls understood they were creating a sound that was utterly original, hugely compelling, and definitely addictive.
The creativity of the musicians caught the attention of The Clash guitar legend Mick Jones and he lets them
use his rehearsal studio and lock up over by North Acton.
The band are on stage for 85 mins over two sets of 30 mins and 55 mins.
They played the tracks from the album and a couple of cover versions.
The male vocals are more rapping/hip hop and the girls add a softer touch which is a good mix.
The overall sound comprises hip hop/soul/funk/pop/rock.
The first set ticked along nicely then we had special guests on stage in the second set.
Glen Matlock sung a song with them.
Paul Cook played drums with them for one song.
This was the first ever time Paul Cook and his daughter Hollie had been on stage together.
Mick Jones played guitar on one song and Richard Archer was on vocals for that song.
An enjoyable unique evening and all the artists mingled with the crowd during the evening.
Saturday 22 November 2014.
I went to two live events with a 1980s theme to them today.
2.30pm matinee show.
'Rock Of Ages' musical at The New Wimbledon Theatre,London SW19.
Somehow I missed the West End run for this show that lasted two or three years.
They have just completed weekly stints at theatres all over the UK.
The show was on for 2 hours 15 mins over two sets.
Over 25 fantastic hair metal and power rock ballads from the 1980s in the show.
We have a fun introduction from David Coverdale over the pa.
Despite the musical being named after a Def Leppard song David says " the band refused
to let their music be used on stage ".
Also no tracks from the likes of Guns n Roses and KISS were used.
The songs used fitted in well with the storyline and there were lots of laughs.
The main lead in the show was Noel from pop band Hearsay and there were some jokes related to Hearsay.
Around 15 folks on stage plus a live long haired band.The females are in skimpy outfits most of the time.
We have a big screen showing images of Los Angeles.
The opening track is one of my fave rock anthems from the 1980s---"Just Like Paradise" by David Lee Roth.
Lonny Barnett, who serves as the show's narrator, sets up the story: In 1987, an aspiring rocker named Drew Boley works as a busboy in the Hollywood bar/club called The Bourbon Room, owned by Dennis Dupree and assisted by Lonny ("Just Like Paradise/Nothing But a Good Time"). He falls instantly for a girl, Sherrie Christian, who just arrived from Paola, Kansas hoping to make it big in acting ("Sister Christian"). Drew convinces Dennis to hire Sherrie as a waitress.
A pair of German developers, Hertz Klinemann and his son Franz, convince the city's Mayor to abandon the "sex, drugs and rock-n-roll" lifestyle of the Sunset Strip and introduce "clean living" into the area, much to the anger of the City Planner, Regina ("We Built This City"). When Dennis learns that part of the plan involves demolishing The Bourbon Room, he believes the club can generate more money by having rock star Stacee Jaxx and his band Arsenal, who recently announced their break-up, perform their last show at The Bourbon ("Too Much Time on My Hands"). He calls Stacee and convinces him to play the band's last show in the club where he had begun. As Drew struggles to write new lyrics, Sherrie urges him to go after his dreams ("I Wanna Rock"). Regina begins protesting Hertz and Franz's redevelopment plans ("We're Not Gonna Take It").
and other tracks played after those above included...
More Than Words
I've Been Waiting For A Girl Like You
Wanted Dead Or Alive
I Want To Know What Love Is
Cum On Feel The Noize(Quiet Riot had a rock version hit with it in the 1980s)
Here I Go Again
Final Countdown
Any Way You Want It
Heat Of The Moment
Hit Me With Your Best Shot
Can't Fight This Feeling
Every Rose Has its Thorn
Keep On Loving You
Oh Sherrie
Don't Stop Believing(all the crowd up and singing and clapping along)
It was very entertaining from start to finish and i will see it again if it tours next year.
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then
Bryan Adams live at The 02 Arena,London.
Bryan Adams on a UK arena tour to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his 12 million selling album 'Reckless'.
Six hit singles were released from the album: "Run to You", "Somebody", "Heaven", "Summer of '69",
"One Night Love Affair", and "It's Only Love".
Now aged 55 Bryan is Canada's biggest selling artist of all time.
I have seen Bryan Adams play live over 20 times at various venues since 1985 including on two different
tours when he headlined at Wembley Stadium......yes he was that popular in the late 80s and the 90s.
Bryan and his band arrived on stage dead on 8pm for the 2 hours 5 mins show.
The venue was totally sold out.
Like Bon Jovi his very catchy singalong soft rock tunes appeals to all including couples and females.
As usual Bryan keeps things nice and simple as he and all the band are in black shirts and black jeans.
Simple white lighting only for the 'Reckless' tracks then a full colour light show for the rest of the set.
There are three big screens used and it's black n white live footage for the 'Reckless' tracks then colour.
He picked out a middle aged woman in a sparkly dress who was too far away to get on stage
so she danced a sultry dance in the aisle with the video cameras on her.She did a great job.
It was pretty much a greatest hits show with one catchy singalong track after the other.
A really good show.
Full Bryan Adams setlist played tonight...
(Reckless album tracks first then greatest hits)
Reckless
One Night Love Affair
She's Only Happy When She's Dancin'
Run To You
Heaven (with Jim Vallance on piano who co wrote the album)
Kids Wanna Rock
Long Gone
Somebody
Ain't Gonna Cry
Summer Of '69
Let Me Down Easy (Bryan solo acoustic)
(Everything I Do) I Do It For You
If Ya Wanna Be Bad Ya Gotta Be Good
Cuts Like A Knife
Can't Stop This Thing We Started
Please Forgive Me
When You're Gone (Bryan Adams & Melanie C cover) (Bryan solo acoustic)
18 Til I Die
Cloud #9
The Only Thing That Looks Good On Me Is You
Encore:
Too Hot To Handle
You've Been a Friend to Me
C'mon Everybody (Eddie Cochran cover)
She Knows Me (Bryan solo acoustic)
Straight From The Heart (Bryan solo acoustic)
All For Love (Bryan solo acoustic)
-------------------------------------------------------------
Remaining shows on Bryan Adams UK tour.
Sunday 23 November Manchester Arena
Tuesday 25 November Leeds Arena
Wednesday 26 November Wembley Arena
Buy tickets for these shows from the Live Nation link on the right.
Thursday 20 November 2014...6.30pm to 9pm...
CEW(Cosmetic Executive Women) Achiever Awards 2014
at Jumeirah Carlton Tower Hotel,Cadogan Place, London, SW1.
CEW has a membership of over 1000 women executives in the UK and over 7000 members
worldwide working in beauty,cosmetics,fragrance and related areas.
CEWs mission is to help advance the professional and personal growth of its members
by holding an annual programme of events.
This plush hotel is off Sloane Street between Knightsbridge and Chelsea.
Around 500 folks here and as usual it is a 90% female crowd from the beauty and cosmetics industry.
Complimentary presecco,wines and nice canapés for all guests.
After the reception it's all seated for the awards for an hour or so.
Lifetime Achiever---Suzy Menkes---Vogue
Special Industry Award---Michael Ward---Managing Director Harrods
Other achievers here to pick up their awards were...
Celine Gilg---Tom Ford Beauty
Debbie Ansell---World Duty Free Group
Lisa Smosarski---Stylist Magazine
Charlotte Tilbury---Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
and a couple of other awards were given out.
Only eight awards but each had an introduction and a thank you speech.
Each guest got a very nice goodie bag in exchange for their name badge.
It was an actual tote/shoulder bag with around a dozen mainly female cosmetic items in it.
A good event.
Wednesday 19 November 2014.
A bit of a crazy night as I went to three events with the first two being at Claridge's
then ending up catching the last 75 mins of Jack White's two hour show at The 02 Arena.
6.30pm to 7.45pm.
James Andrew International 40th Anniversary Party at Claridge's,Brook Street,London W1.
A very lavish party for around 500 mainly suited men in the ballroom of this famous five star hotel.
James Andrew International is an established and respected name in real estate.
They have been the agents in many massive building projects.
We have a full complimentary bar including Laurent Perrier champers.
Half a dozen food stations including plates of roast beef and yorkshire pudding n trimmings,
peking duck,sushi and others.
There were a couple of speeches including a good one on what was happening in London and the UK
way back in 1974---good and bad.
Some good luck messages on the big screen included Harvey Goldsmith who was here tonight.
Other folks here included Sir Martin Sorrell ,Richard Caring and James Caan.
A very nice event that was due to finish at 10pm but we had to move on.
then just 50 yards along the corridor...
7.45pm to 8.45pm.
Claridge's Christmas Tree - unveiling party at Claridge's,Brook Street,London W1.
The tree was designed by Dolce & Gabbana.
Around 300 glammed up cool looking folks here in the foyer and around the main staircase.
Faces here included Stefano Gabbana, Domenico Dolce, Kylie Minogue, Daisy Lowe,
Amber Le Bon,Tamara Beckwith,Pixie Lott,Erin O'Connor and Millie MacKintosh.
Most of the girls are wearing great Dolce & Gabbana dresses.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers and canapés for all guests.
All guests got a nice goodie bag with a couple of Dolce & Gabbana items inside.
then
a dash on the tube to see Jack White at The 02 Arena,London.
I don't like missing the start of the headliners act but couldn't really avoid it tonight.
Thankfully we have a great view in the guest list block on the right of stage.
Jack White is promoting his second solo album 'Lazaretto'.
Jack White is playing his biggest ever London headliner show but Level 4 is 50% unsold.
Also you notice there are no big screens which is very rare for this venue.
I have seen well over 100 shows shows and only Bob Dylan and a couple of others had no screens.
Although at the end of the show Jack White told the crowd "we don't need no pyrotechnics or big screens
as tonight is all about the music".
Jack White is a proper musician and you know he just loves playing live.
He has a great band including a brilliant drummer who is front left of stage.
Lots of fuzzy and distorted guitar with plenty of feedback.
Jack White smashes a bottle of booze on the floor and equipment gets knocked over.
A great mix of solo material along with tracks from his other bands and he ended the night
with a mega version of his anthem 'Seven Nation Army'.
A really good show.
Full Jack White setlist played...
Fell in Love With a Girl (The White Stripes song)
High Ball Stepper
Lazaretto
Hotel Yorba (The White Stripes song)
Temporary Ground
Hypocritical Kiss
Top Yourself (The Raconteurs song)
Weep Themselves to Sleep
Cannon (The White Stripes song)
John the Revelator (Blind Willie Johnson cover)
Astro (The White Stripes song)
Apple Blossom (The White Stripes song)
Three Women
Love Interruption (Dedicated to Isaiah "Ikey" Owens)
That Black Bat Licorice
Freedom at 21
Steady, As She Goes (The Raconteurs song)
Encore:
Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground (The White Stripes song)
Black Math (The White Stripes song)
Ball and Biscuit (The White Stripes song)
Broken Boy Soldier (The Raconteurs song)
Would You Fight for My Love?
Just One Drink
I'm Slowly Turning Into You (The White Stripes song)
Missing Pieces
Seven Nation Army (The White Stripes song)
Tuesday 19 November 2014...Another sad death to report...
The soul singer Jimmy Ruffin has died aged 78.
Ruffin passed away on Monday (November 17) at home in Las Vegas.His best known track is 1966's 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted', which was released on the Motown label.
Tuesday 18 November 2014...I went to two events tonight...
5.15pm to 7.30pm.
Smollensky's Press Evening---Smollensky's,105 The Strand,London WC2.
Smollensky's is one of the great names in grill restaurants and has been at the forefront of the London bar & restaurant scene for over 20 years.
It is very popular with the pre-theatre crowd as there are many theatres nearby.
It is a bit hidden as the restaurant is downstairs and cannot be seen from the street.
Around 100 folks here in a corner area away from the paying punters.
Complimentary presecco,wines and lots of their nice food including grilled chicken,spare ribs and burgers.
The venue has a happy hour 5pm to 8pm for reduced price drinks.
www.smollenskys.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
Goldfrapp live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Goldfrapp return to the Royal Albert Hall for a special one-off show with the 20 piece
London Contemporary Orchestra for all the show and a 54 women choir in the second half of the show.
They performed their sixth studio album, 2013's 'Tales of Us', in its entirety, as well as a selection of other Goldfrapp favourites.
They took to the stage at 8.45pm for a full two hour set.
Alison Goldfrapp takes to the stage looking very much like a 50s screen icon.
She admitted to being very nervous at this big gig but the full house are very supportive.
Goldfrapp have a remarkable knack for giving their most stripped back, chill-out friendly songs an altogether more powerful dimension when performed live. Much of that can be attributed to Alison’s stunning live vocals. Her voice frequently errs on operatic, and manages to sound even crisper than it does on recordings.
'Tales of Us' was seen by some as a disappointing release from the band. Too slow and self-indulgent, the tracks start to blend into each other as you listen. On stage, the album has decidedly greater impact. The backing music is often a little too soft on the recordings, but live, the instrumentation is given far greater prominence.So good are the songs played live that it’s likely to give you a new appreciation for 'Tales of Us' when you listen back to it.
The orchestra sounded great and the choir were fab when they joined in halfway through.
John Grant came on to sing some excellent vocals on a couple of tracks.
The crowd sat quietly for most of the set and then got up for the last three songs which included
a stunning encore of 'Black Cherry'.
A few of their hits were not played as it was not that type of show.
Alison got a bit emotional at the end as she said "tonight would be our last show for a while".
An enjoyable show.
Full Goldfrapp setlist played tonight...
Jo
Annabel
Drew
Ulla
Alvar
Thea
Simone
Stranger
Laurel
Clay
Voicething (performed by 54 ladies of the Lips choir)
Utopia
Clowns
A&E
Monster Love (with John Grant)
Some Velvet Morning (Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood cover) (with John Grant)
Little Bird
Lovely Head
Happiness
Caravan Girl
Encore:
Black Cherry
Monday 17 November 2014...I went to three events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Dexter Dalwood --- London Paintings --- Private View at Simon Lee Gallery,12 Berkeley Street,London W1.
Recent works by the London-based artist, inspired as a unique guide of representing the capital city.
Complimentary wines for all guests.
then
7.35pm to 8.30pm.
Photographs from the collection of The Art Institute Of Chicago --- Private View at Phillips Gallery,
30 Berkeley Square,London W1.
Over 200 images on display here with most dating back to the 1960s and 1970s.
We have a mix of music,film,fashion,glamour,war,nature...the whole lot really.
Complimentary wines for all guests.
then
9pm to 10pm.
Eds Easy Diner showcase at 19 Rupert Street,London W1.
One of their other branches had a showcase a month ago that I could not get along to so they
kindly sent me an email to use at a later time for any of their diners in exchange for a few words on the site.
I have been to Eds a few times before as I just love that image of Happy Days and The Fonz.
This is my fave branch as it has more tables than Old Compton Street.
London over the past decade is now awash with 'gourmet' or 'proper' burgers.
I had a cheeseburger,fries,onion rings and a superb coffee and banana milkshake.
The staff were all great.
Ed's is a great place to go if you want a taste of Amercian 50's style dinner dining. They provide a classic menu of Burgers, Hotdogs, Fries and Milkshakes, along with Apple and Pecan Pie, and lots more.
The location, as well, is very convinent as it is right in the middle of the west end, two minutes walking from Leicester Square.
www.edseasydiner.com
Check Eds website for their locations across the UK.
Monday 17 November 2014.
A blast from the past.
Robert Plant and Cozy Powell on Tiswas in October 1981.
Robert Plant don't wanna reform Led Zep but back in the day was quite happy to do some dodgy
Saturday morning children's television.
watch the video here
► 13:23► 13:23
Monday 17 November 2014.
The Damon Albarn show I attended over the weekend has got great reviews across the board
with five stars from The Independent,The Telegraph and The London Evening Standard.
The Evening Standard called it "one of the gigs of the year".
This was the final song played on the night.
Damon Albarn with Brian Eno 'Heavy Seas of Love'.
watch the live video here
► 5:57► 5:57
Monday 17 November 2014.
The Who have been confirmed for next year’s British Summer Time festival. They’ll appear on Friday, June 26, with special guests Paul Weller, Kaiser Chiefs and Johnny Marr, with more to be announced.
Sunday 16 November 2014.
Damon Albarn & The Heavy Seas + Fufano live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
This was the second of two sold out shows for Damon Albarn at this venue.
A different support to the first show as tonight we have Fufano from Iceland.
They play a decent 30 mins of indie noise and the crowd liked them.
They are signed to One Little Indian Records.
Damon and his cool band play a nice long 2 hours 10 mins on stage with a great mix of solo material
along with tracks from his previous bands---Blur,The Gorilllaz and The Good The Bad and The Queen.
Also a couple of tracks from his Mali Music project.
No wonder Damon is one of the most respected artists in the music industry.
For some songs there are over 20 people on stage as there is a mini string section and certain songs there
are six backing singers and a six piece choir.
We also thankfully get the same special guests as the first night so Graham Coxon his Blur band mate comes
on for three Blur gems plus a song each from Nano,De La Soul and a rare stage outing for Brian Eno.
Damon is in full rock star mode as he gets everyone to stand up and rush down the front of stage.
He throws water over the front stalls through the show and jumps in the crowd a few times.
He prowls the front of stage shaking hands and giving it 100%.
He pushes cameramen who are filming it out of his way a couple of times.
Damon switches between guitar and keyboards during the show.
The highlight song for me was the Blur classic 'Tender' when he was joined by Graham Coxon.
Brian Eno singing vocals was amazing as the crowd chanted "Eno,Eno,Eno,".
Loads of really good songs and overall a great show.
Full Damon Albarn setlist played tonight...
Spitting Out the Demons (Gorillaz song)
Lonely Press Play
Everyday Robots
Tomorrow Comes Today (Gorillaz song)
Slow Country (Gorillaz song)
Kids With Guns (Gorillaz song)
Three Changes (The Good, the Bad & the Queen song)
Bamako City (Mali Music cover)
Sunset Coming On (Mali Music cover)
Hostiles
Photographs (You Are Taking Now)
Kingdom of Doom (The Good, the Bad & the Queen song)
You and Me
Hollow Ponds
El Mañana (Gorillaz song)
Don't Get Lost In Heaven (Gorillaz song)
Out of Time (Blur song)
All Your Life (Blur song)
Encore:
End of a Century (Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
The Man Who Left Himself (Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
Tender (Blur song) (with Graham Coxon)
Encore 2:
Mr. Tembo
Clint Eastwood (Gorillaz song) (with Kano)
Feel Good Inc. (Gorillaz song) (with De La Soul)
Heavy Seas of Love (with Brian Eno)
At the end of the show you could pick up a two cd live recording of the show
with a nice Royal Albert Hall cover for £20.
I saw comedian Harry Enfield at the show.
Sunday 16 November 2014...Blue plaque for The Who unveiled in Shepherds Bush today lunchtime...
The plaque was unveiled at the site of the Shepherd's Bush Club on Goldhawk Road W12. At weekends on club nights in the '60s it was known as the Goldhawk Social Club, where three lads from Shepherd's Bush - Roger Daltrey, John Entwistle and Pete Townshend - started their career as the Detours in 1962. Their first known performance at the Goldhawk Social club was on June 7th 1963.
In 1964, Keith Moon joined the band and they changed their name to the High Numbers. They continued to perform under this name at the club, until following their final name change the band's first performance at the club as The Who with Keith on drums was on March 12th 1965. Amazingly, this was just 24 hours after their debut performance on 'Top of the Pops' performing their first hit single 'I Can't Explain'. The band continued to play regular gigs at the club until their last known performance on Friday 3rd December 1965, which coincided with the release of the band's first album 'My Generation'. The rest, as they say, is history...
Saturday 15 November 2014.
Donny Osmond meets Michael Jackson
► 4:12► 4:12
A nice clip from The inaugural American Music Awards in the 1970s.
Friday 14 November 2014.
KISS have confirmed two dates in Germany for May 2015 so expect UK dates soon.
Rumours are they may be headlining one night at The Download Festival in June.
Looks like 2015 will a great year for classic rock acts playing the UK as
KISS,Motley Crüe,Judas Priest,Scorpions and others will be playing shows.
Thursday 13 November 2014...7.30pm to 11pm...
Inside Rolls-Royce - private view featuring a live set by Gregory Porter
at Saatchi Gallery, King's Road, Chelsea,London, SW3.
Inside Rolls-Royce is their very first interactive exhibition and is a true celebration of the exquisite materials, the unrivalled technology and supreme craftsmanship that go into making ‘the best motor car in the world’.
Open from 10am-6pm, Thursday 13th November – Sunday 16th November 2014 at the Saatchi Gallery, in the heart of London, Inside Rolls-Royce will immerse you in a world of luxury through a series of multi-sensory installations so you can experience what it feels like to commission your very own bespoke Rolls-Royce.
Admission to the exhibition is free.
We had gleaming Rolls Royce cars new and vintage on parade outside the venue.
Guests here tonight included Sienna Miller and Ronan Keating.
Guests enjoyed complimentary Ruinart champers,cocktails and canapés.
On the upper level Gregory Porter is the live act.
Jazz sensation Gregory Porter headlined The Royal Albert Hall to 5000 last month but tonight
just 300 are here and I am front row centre.
Porter won the 2014 Grammy for best jazz vocal album, 'Liquid Spirit' which is his third album.
With his full band of piano,double bass,drums and sax he took to the stage at 9.05pm for a 55 mins set.
He has a great voice and the band are sounding really good.
The set included his most well known songs 'Hey Laura' and 'Liquid Spirit'.
A really good set.
Full Gregory Porter setlist played...
Painted on Canvas
On My Way to Harlem
Hey Laura
Liquid Spirit
No Love Dying
Work Song (Cannonball Adderley cover)
Musical Genocide
1960 What?
Encore:
The In Crowd (Billy Page cover)
After the show Gregory Porter mingled with the crowd for a full 30 mins and posed for photos and did autographs.
He was super friendly and smiling for all.The UK loves Gregory Porter.
I chatted to his drummer and asked him how he is coping with the non stop touring.
While talking to him someone asked to take a photo of me...thinking I was the piano player.
A very nice event.
www.insideRolls-Royce.com
Check their website for more info and photos.
Wednesday 12 November 2014...I went to two events tonight...
6.30pm to 7.30pm.
Stuart Semple: Anxiety Generation - private view at Delahunty,21 Bruton Street,London W1.
My first time at this new gallery in Mayfair.
Stuart Semple is here tonight.
Semple experienced a traumatic near-death experience at the age of 19, leaving him fearful and anxious about the world around him, a recurring theme throughout his work. However, Anxiety Generation is generational as well as autobiographical. Semple hopes to highlight the anxiety crisis of the current generation, stating, “My generation is the fulcrum for decades of anxiety and we have been made so inert and fearful that we dare not even face it to understand what it is.” Semple shows this through material sampled from pop culture, highlighting themes of sex, violence, and horror. For instance, in Killing Me Softly, a new series created for the exhibition, saccharine 1990s pop lyrics are juxtaposed against stills from Italian erotic horror films of the 70s. Semple effectively silences the violence with the incessant sound of pointless pop music.
Some faces including Uri Geller,Gail Porter and Elizabeth Emanuel are here.
Complimentary Janisson champers and canapés for all guests.
The exhibition will be open daily until 04 Dec 2014...10am to 5pm...
www.delahuntyfineart.com
Visit The Delahunty website here.
then
7.45pm to 11pm.
The Grill at The Dorchester - relaunch party at The Dorchester Hotel,55 Park Lane,London W1.
This iconic Mayfair restaurant has been transformed for a new culinary chapter.
First established in 1931, The Grill at The Dorchester quickly gained a reputation as the place to be for the finest grill food in London. In keeping with this original concept, Alain Ducasse’s protégé Christophe Marleix has created new seasonal menus.
Well known French chef and Michelin star holder Alain Ducasse is here keeping an eye on things.
Delicious dishes range from grill favourites alongside the restaurant’s signature lobster chowder and an extensive sweet soufflé menu – the first of its kind in London.
Lively and welcoming, the re-imagined restaurant fuses The Dorchester’s iconic elegance with a contemporary tone and creative details. Interior architect Bruno Moinard was commissioned by The Dorchester to create a vibrant and timeless setting.
The restaurant features a striking, hand-blown Murano glass chandelier and contrasting natural materials including zinc, copper and marble, set against butterscotch leather and oak parquet flooring. Pivoting wall panels create a separate ambience from day to night, creating an inviting atmosphere morning to night.
-------------------------------------------
Around 200 smartly dressed folks here with half sitting at tables and half standing.
Luckily we find a table in the corner near the kitchen and the bar.
Lots of the attentive staff are French and my guest spoke fluent French so we got extra attention as they
brought mini plates one after the other to our table which all tasted very yummy.
Lots of complimentary food and drinks.
We had lamb cutlets,steak and peppercorn sauce,white truffle risotto and others along with desserts.
Laurent-Perrier champers,cocktails and wines for all guests.
All guests got a goodie bag.
An excellent restaurant to visit...well it is The Dorchester Hotel.
Tuesday 11 November 2014...3.30pm to 9.30pm...
A family day as it's my youngest son Stephen graduation ceremony from Kingston University.
He was presented with his degree in Business Management Practice(first class).
It was quite an emotional and amazing day.
3.30pm---We arrived in the Kingston area for pre drinks...seven of us including Stephen...
4.30pm---We arrived at The Rose Theatre where around 200 are being presented with their degrees.
Along with another 400 partners,family and friends.
5.30pm to 6.45pm---One by one the students went on stage in their gowns to cheers and clapping.
At the very end 'We Are The Champions ' by Queen was blasting out over the pa.
6.45pm to 7.45pm---Drinks reception with complimentary wines and snacks.
This felt a bit like a gig with overpriced merch on sale.
Buy a DVD of the event for £25, photos of the event,student names on t-shirts,hoodies,mugs,cuddly toys,
Certificate holders,graduation rings etc....on top of the £50 paid out earlier to hire out the gown.
8pm to 9.30pm---We all went around the corner for a very nice meal at Byron Burgers.
Stephen and his lovely long term girlfriend Lisa leave next week for a weeks celebration holiday
at the very plush five star Atlantis The Palm Hotel in Dubai.
Stephen has landed a great job with United Biscuits on their graduate management scheme.
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