News and Reviews: 8th December 2016
Thursday 08 December 2016...another musician sadly dies...Celebrated British singer, musician, songwriter and producer Greg Lake has passed away after a long
and hard fought battle with cancer.
The Dorset born vocalist, who fronted both King Crimson and Emerson, Lake and Palmer, has died at the age of 69.
Just as his number 2 hit from 1975 "I Believe in Father Christmas" is being played on the radio for Xmas.
It was kept off the number one spot by 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen.
Fellow ELP member Keith Emerson sadly died earlier this year.
Although I am not a big fan of ELP or Prog rock in general I did catch ELP last ever show
at The High Voltage Festival in London in 2010.
Wednesday 07 December 2016...6.30pm to 9pm...
SHAKE SHACK - launch party - 1- 2 Coventry Street,London W1.
Gourmet burger brand launch their fifth site in the UK in a prime location near Cafe De Paris.
They are already at Covent Garden,Stratford,80 New Oxford Street and Cardiff.
If you know the area it is the corner site at Wardour Street/Coventry Street where KFC used to be.
Shake Shack is an American fast casual restaurant chain based in New York City. It started out as a food cart inside Madison Square Park in 2004, and its popularity steadily grew. It eventually moved to a stand within the park, expanding its menu from New York-style hotdogs to one with hamburgers, hotdogs, fries and its namesake milkshakes. The company prides itself and emphasizes its use of all-natural 100% angus beef only and that its meat is completely free of hormones and antibiotics.
Every Shake Shake’s design is distinct and the Leicester Square Shack will have several unique features. Signage inspired by the neighbouring theatres will illuminate the square and inside. Seating includes black oak benches and Uhuru chairs framed in the Shack’s signature green and grey—all tucked under dark wood tabletops. Reclaimed pine and oak panels, together with geometric tiling will line the walls, offset with planters and clusters of hanging globes.
Luckily we found a table before it got busy and folks had to stand.
Upstairs there was a live indie band from Liverpool called The Night Cafe who played a good set of original tracks & covers.
Downstairs was a dj and it got quite lively as folks were dancing in the space in front of him.
Loads of enthusiastic staff fussing over us and bringing all the food and drinks to our table.
I had a couple of very tasty and filling burgers with a couple of tubs of fries...
ShackBurger ...sells for £5.50...Cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato, ShackSauce.
SmokeShack...sells for £7.50...Cheeseburger topped with all-natural applewood smoked bacon,
chopped cherry pepper, ShackSauce.
Other burgers included a veggie one.
I also had a Flat - Top Hot Dog...sells for £5.25...has all the trimmings with it...
There were wines and beers here but I also had two yummy shakes - Strawberry and Caramel.
I had a couple of their concrete frozen custard desserts - with Earl grey fudge and Coffee & Donuts.
All guests got a goodie bag which included a full size bottle of red wine and two vouchers.
Each is valid for a meal of choice of burger,fries ,drink and concrete (frozen custard ice cream).
Great food,great service and great location will make this restaurant a sure fire hit.
www.shakeshack.com
Visit the SHAKE SHACK website here for more info.
More launches are planned for next year in Canary Wharf and Victoria.
Wednesday 07 December 2016.
Four bootleg picture discs have surfaced of THE SEX PISTOLS classic single 'Pretty Vacant'.
They feature picture covers from four different countries...only 100 copies of each...
One of them is the New Zealand cover.
I am on that as it is from a Sex Pistols gig in 1976 that was used in music paper adverts.
Visit www.sex-pistols.net link on the right for the set of eight pictures...a and b sides...
The fifth picture down features me on the right.
Tuesday 06 December 2016...8.15pm to 11pm...
Christmas drinks re-union with old work mates in Wimbledon.
Once upon a time I actually had a 'proper job'.
Around a dozen of us are here this year.
All of us now aged over 50.
Nice memories of working with them through the 1980s and 1990s.
Really great that we all meet up once a year at Christmas.
Monday 05 December 2016...8pm to 11.30pm...
THE FASHION AWARDS 2016 live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
The awards were in partnership with SWAROVSKI.
This was a major event with lots of well known fashion folks and others.
First time for this event at this iconic venue after a few years of being held at The Coliseum.
A full red carpet and security guys and barriers everywhere.
The venue looks like you have never seen it before as all the floor arena seats and stalls seats have
been taken out to make way for 500 vip guests at tables on the main floor.
They are having a three course dinner and drinks before the awards.
My box has complimentary Louis Roderer champers,wines,beers and for the first time ever at this venue
CIROC Vodka Espresso Martinis are everywhere throughout the boxes and tables plus bowl food & canapés.
A very nice goodie bag for guests in my box that included SWAROVSKI Pocket Binoculars 8x25
that retail for over £500...handy to get that as only certain guests got one...
There are waiters floating around everywhere near the boxes and floor tables.
A very glam crowd with ' an array of creative and eye-catching outfits' .
Most of the females here looked amazing wearing stunning outfits.
The awards were on from 9pm to 10.45pm.
The host was comedian Jack Whitehall...we had big screens here tonight...
David Beckham presented Ralph Lauren with The Outstanding Achievement Award.
Marilyn Manson and Lady Gaga presented awards.
Also here were Nick Rhodes(Duran Duran) and Ricky Wilson ( Kaiser Chiefs).
Others presenting or hanging out included Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss.
Also David Gandy,Daisy Lowe,Jared Leto,Nicole Scherzinger and top model Gigi Hadid.
Gigi Hadid won the International Model of the Year which was presented with the accolade by Donatella Versace.
UK Grime artist Skepta presented an award - he sold out Ally Pally a couple of days earlier.
Also Anna Wintour ,Salma Hayek , Kate Beckinsale, Alexa Chung, Karlie Kloss, Jaden Smith,
Craig Green, Simone Rocha, Alexander Mc Queen's Sarah Burton, Jean Paul Gaultier, Lara Stone,
Sienna Miller, Olivia Palermo, Eva Herzigová, Pixie Lott, Jourdan Dunn, Jenna Coleman, Mario Testino,
James Jagger,Brix Smith-Start,Stephen Webster,David Bailey,Abigail Clancey,Amber Le Bon,
Claudia Winkleman,Dougie Poynter,Erin O'Connor and no doubt a few I missed.
After the awards there was a drinks after-party on the arena floor by the tables for an hour.
Respect to Graham Norton who stayed until the end while others sneaked off.
The Fashion Awards 2016 | Who won what?
BRITISH EMERGING TALENT - Molly Goddard
BRITISH MENSWEAR DESIGNER - Craig Green for Craig Green
BRITISH WOMENSWEAR DESIGNER - Simone Rocha for Simone Rocha
SPECIAL RECOGNITION - 100 Years of British Vogue
BRITISH BRAND - Alexander McQueen
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS LEADER - Marco Bizzarri for Gucci
INTERNATIONAL URBAN LUXURY BRAND - Vetements
NEW FASHION ICON - Jaden & Willow Smith
ISABELLA BLOW AWARD FOR FASHION CREATOR - Bruce Weber
INTERNATIONAL MODEL - Gigi Hadid
INTERNATIONAL ACCESSORIES DESIGNER - Alessandro Michele for Gucci
INTERNATIONAL READY-TO-WEAR DESIGNER - Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT - Ralph Lauren
then
12pm to 2.30am.
THE FASHION AWARDS 2016 - Official after party - 180 Strand,London WC2.
This was the official party but host Jack Whitehall said earlier in the evening
on stage that he was going to the unofficial after party at The Chiltern Firehouse.
So I presume a few celebs went there rather than the official party here.
300 folks are on the ground level area here with a dj and CIROC vodka cocktails and beers.
I am upstairs as my wristband is valid for the vip area where there are another 300 guests and dj
but here we had a full bar including prosecco but not champers.
Also veggie nibbles and donuts here.
Marilyn Manson was here as were a few designers from earlier including Craig Green.
A nice buzzy atmosphere.
An excellent evening.
Monday 05 December 2016.
The long awaited dates for Guns N Roses European Tour have been confirmed.
Saturday, May 27, 2017 Dublin, Ireland Slane Castle
Tuesday, May 30, 2017 Bilbao, Spain San Mames Stadium
Friday, June 2, 2017 Lisbon, Portugal Passeio Martimo De Alges
Sunday, June 4, 2017 Madrid, Spain Vincente Calderon Stadium
Wednesday, June 7, 2017 Zurich, Switzerland Letzigrund
Saturday, June 10, 2017 Imola, Italy Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrrari
Tuesday, June 13, 2017 Munich, Germany Olympiastadion
Friday, June 16, 2017 London, United Kingdom London Stadium
Tuesday, June 20, 2017 Gdansk, Poland Stadion Energa Gdansk
Thursday, June 22, 2017 Hannover, Germany Messe
Saturday, June 24, 2017 Werchter, Belgium Classic
Tuesday, June 27, 2017 Copenhagen, Denmark Telia Parken
Thursday, June 29, 2017 Stockholm, Sweden Friends Arena
Saturday, July 1, 2017 Hämeenlinna, Finland Kantolan tapahtumapuisto
Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Prague, Czech Republic Letnany Airport
Friday, July 7, 2017 Paris, France Stade de France
Monday, July 10, 2017 Vienna, Austria Ernst Happel Stadion
Wednesday, July 12, 2017 Nijmegen, Holland Goffert Park
Saturday, July 15, 2017 Tel Aviv, Israel Hayarkon Park
Monday 05 December 2016.
Update on the TIN PAN ALLEY TALES film from Henry Scott-Irvine the producer.
The film is based on the history of the Denmark Street area in Central London known as Tin Pan Alley.
A MOJO 60’s magazine Tin Pan Alley Tales feature is out today. Please buy this. We are also featured in many specialist Hi Fi Magazines too. We are in print as far afield as The Sydney Morning Herald and in every Australian 'In Flight Magazine' too.
Steve Mason of The Beta Band and King Biscuit Time fame has offered to do a private gig in your home as a one-off solo concert that you can invite yer mates to if you live in London. The 1st to pledge a £1,000 gets the gig at a date yet to be arranged by all naturally.
www.phundee.com
Please give a donation here.
£25 from 240 folks gets us to target or £50 from 120 does similar. You will get a T-Shirt, an Enamel Guitar Badge and Ticket to the premiere in return. All of these items are redeemable at the screening when the production is concluded. The Green ‘EMPOWER THIS CAMPAIGN’ button at the web link above enables you to choose one of 10 rewards
Meanwhile, we had a record week in raising £2,800 with 405 pledges as donations so we are now at
72% of our target with just 17 days to go.
Over £15,000 raised towards the £21,600.
Spread the work folks as you all helped us to achieve this.
Monday 05 December 2016.
Happy Birthday to rock n roll legend Little Richard who is 84 today.
Saturday 03 December 2016.
This months MOJO magazine has a six page interview with Sex Pistol Steve Jones.
In a rollercoaster read leavened by Jones’ robust sense of humour, the guitarist talks about heroin, sex addiction, Bill Grundy (“It’s all down to the Blue Nun,” he explains), the solo records, Bob Dylan, his recent renaissance as a West Coast radio personality and Instagram star, plus the ongoing problems in his relationship with John Lydon.
“I wish behind closed doors we could be real with one another,” says Jones regretfully. “That never really happened. And I don’t want to say this in a disrespectful way, but I’ve never met anyone with such low self-esteem. He always has to be on. He can’t let his guard down with anybody.”
Also in the magazine is an 11 page interview with Kate Bush.
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This months Classic Rock magazine features a great six page review of BluesFest by David Sinclair.
Friday 02 December 2016.
The Rolling Stones 'Blue & Lonesome' album is released today.
Even though it is all blues cover versions it has still got loads of very good four star reviews.
Friday 02 December 2016.
THE CURE live at Wembley Arena,London.
The Cure play the second of three shows at Wembley Arena.
These are the last dates on their two month long European Tour which is the final leg of a World Tour.
I have seen The Cure over a dozen times with the first time being in 1979 when they supported Siouxsie.
Expect a long set of well over two hours and they always change the setlist around a bit each night.
At their Royal Albert Hall shows a few years ago they played for three hours.
They are one of those British bands from the 1980s who are quietly still massive around the world.
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A great buzzy sold out atmosphere tonight so around 12,000 folks are here.
The Cure play for around 2 hours 40 mins which included as usual a lengthy encore section.
Funnily enough they went offstage after 80 mins...and their encores section was also 80 mins.
Visually they are fantastic to look at as we have a full monty stage production with loads of lights and
five big screens brilliantly mixing live band footage with pre-recorded images.
A perfect setlist mixing older gems 'Killing an Arab' and 'A Forest' with their later hits and not so well known tracks.
Their trademark bass,synth and guitar sound make it compulsive to dance along to.
The crowd still clearly adore singer Robert Smith.
While Smith is the only remaining founding member of The Cure, those around him still bring decades of experience to bear. Reeves Gabrels’s intricate effects-laden guitar lines weave beautifully with the frontman’s own rhythms, particularly on cuts from the group’s grungier 90s catalogue, such as From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea. Simon Gallup, with a frenetic punk presence slightly at odds with the understated calm of his bandmates, lays down bass lines that fill the room to the roof (and, in the case of A Forest, threaten to take it off).
Classics played near the end included 'Friday I'm In Love' (well it was a Friday) and 'Boys Don't Cry'.
A great show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Plainsong
Pictures of You
Closedown
Burn
Fascination Street
Push
In Between Days
Other Voices
A Night Like This
Charlotte Sometimes
Lovesong
Just Like Heaven
Last Dance
Prayers for Rain
Disintegration
Encore:
Want
The Hungry Ghost
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Encore 2:
At Night
M
Play for Today
A Forest
Encore 3:
Lullaby
The Walk
Friday I'm in Love
Doing the Unstuck
Boys Don't Cry
Close to Me
Why Can't I Be You?
10:15 Saturday Night
Killing an Arab
Thursday 01 December 2016...I went to four events tonight...
4.45pm to 6.15pm
F & F Spring / Summer 2017 - Press Day - 39 Dover Street,Mayfair,London W1.
For those that do not know F & F is the brand name for Tesco clothing.
As i am big supporter i am wearing my fave suit which is from F & F.
Cuba provides the backdrop for SS17 this year in a composition of vintage designs and detailed fabrics.
There is a plethora of creations which embrace the combination of relaxation and spirit of freedom.
The stories,Havana and Vintage Cuba,portray the idealistic lifestyle associated with holidays and
beach life through an array of ditsy prints,denim,tactile fabrics and washed out,bright colouring.
The showcase features Menswear,Womanswear,Swimwear & Lingerie and Childrenswear.
Menswear features bomber jackets,baseball polos and high neck hoodies.
Also a variety of denim pieces.
As usual they offer great value prices with my fave items being a Navy Bomber at £28
and Navy Linen Shirt at £16.
Special discount offers on their website until 04 Dec 2016.
Save £10 when you spend £50 on clothing. Enter code TDX-PYTN at checkout
Save £15 when you spend £75 on clothing. Enter code TDX-HYRM at checkout
Save £25 when you spend £100 on clothing. Enter code TDX-FGKR at checkout
Between browsing there was a complimentary bar upstairs serving Tesco Finest Prosecco,
a choice of two very nice Margaritas and tasty canapés.
Guests also got a nice goodie bag with gift card vouchers to use for Christmas.
www.f-f.com
Visit the F & F - Clothing at Tesco website here for more info.
then
6.30pm to 7.45pm
FORTNUM & MASON - Christmas Party - 181 Piccadilly,London W1.
Historic store host their annual Christmas party for over 500 folks.
They have plenty of amazing items for Christmas on sale.
Every floor has something different going on.
One floor has a jazz band playing and another has a swing band playing.
Complimentary Grey Goose vodka cocktails,whiskey and ginger drinks and canapés for all guests.
www.fortnumandmason.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
8pm to 9pm
SMYTHSON & BROWNS - Christmas Party - Browns Hotel, Albemarle Street,London W1.
Around 150 smartly dressed folks at this luxury five star hotel.
Guests included the owner of the hotel Sir Rocco Forte and the sons of famous photographer
David Bailey - Fenton and Sascha.
Complimentary Ruinart champers,wines and canapés for all guests.
www.smythson.com
Visit the Smythson website here for more info including their Christmas selection.
then
9.15pm to 11.45pm
JAMAVAR - restaurant launch - 8 Mount Street,Mayfair,London W1.
At Jamavar London, the kitchen team will be led by Rohit Ghai under the guise of Executive Chef; of revered culinary pedigree Rohit has lead several Indian Michelin starred kitchens, including most recently Gymkhana and prior to that, Benares. Rohit will be spending the next 6 weeks researching Jamavar in India; whilst Jamavar London will reflect the essence of its Indian siblings, Rohit and his team will ensure that the concept is evolved and adapted to suit the sophisticated palate of London diners. For example, smaller sharing plates will be an exclusive addition to Jamavar London along with signature classics such as Lobster Neeruli, Sindhi Gosht and Coconut Payasam.
Set across two floors, the restaurant is designed by Fabled Studio, and takes inspiration from the Viceroy’s house in New Delhi. Accents that draw on the ancient games of India with Chaturanga dining tables will be combined with the vibrant colours of Jamavar shawls, rainforest emperador marbles, dark timber panelling, as well as a mirror embellished bar in celebration of the Indian textile techniques.
Always nice to be in the very exclusive Mount Street which now full of top notch stores and restaurants.
We were seated in the basement area as it was still very busy on both levels.
The staff were great at explaining the dishes at this Indian fine dining restaurant.
We shared five starter small plates and two mains and a selection plate of five desserts.
Also a couple of whiskey cocktails each.
Our faves were the Lobster Neeruli in coconut and the Spicy Lamb Chops which were both perfection.
An excellent evening here.
www.jamavarrestaurants.com
Visit the Jamavar website here.
IMELDA MAY is play an extensive UK tour in May 2017 in support of her highly anticipated new album
'Life Love Flesh Blood' that is released in March 2017.
Tickets go on sale from Fri 09 Dec 2016.
THU 04 - IPSWICH REGENT THEATRE
FRI 05 - CARDIFF ST DAVID’S HALL
SAT 06 - CAMBRIDGE CORN EXCHANGE
MON 08 - SOUTHEND CLIFFS PAVILION
TUE 09 - GUILDFORD G LIVE
THU 11 - READING HEXAGON
FRI 12 - BOURNEMOUTH PAVILION THEATRE
SAT 1 - NOTTINGHAM ROYAL CONCERT HALL
MON 15 - LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC
TUE 16 - YORK BARBICAN
THU 18 - LONDON PALLADIUM
FRI 19 - BRISTOL COLSTON HALL
SAT 20 - MANCHESTER BRIDGEWATER HALL
MON 22 - BIRMINGHAM SYMPHONY HALL
TUE 23 - EDINBURGH USHER HALL
WED 24 - GLASGOW ROYAL CONCERT HALL
FRI 26 - GATESHEAD THE SAGE
Thursday 01 December 2016.
Very sad news that actor ANDREW SACHS has passed away aged 86.
Andrew Sachs, the actor best known for playing hapless Spanish waiter Manuel in Fawlty Towers,
has died at the age of 86.
His wife Melody told the Daily Mail that her husband passed away on November 23
and was buried on Thursday (December 1).
Sachs had been suffering from dementia for four years, his wife said,
and spent his final months in a wheelchair and unable to speak.
During a near 60-year career, Sachs worked prolifically in radio, TV and film, regularly landing work as a narrator as well as an actor. In addition to his BAFTA-nominated role in the classic ’70s sitcom Fawlty Towers, he appeared in TV shows including Coronation Street, Casualty and Terry Pratchett’s Going Postal.
Wednesday 30 November 2016.
EMILY BURNS - new single launch party - at The Soho Sanctum Hotel,Soho,London.
Emily Burns is showcasing her single 'Take It Or Leave It' and performing it live.
Rising pop vocalist, songwriter and musician Emily Burns will celebrate the release of her debut single ‘Take It Or Leave It’ with a launch party at The Sanctum Hotel, Soho on 30 November 2016 – the industry event will mark the release of the new track, produced by Sound Of Fractures (Raye, Ritual and Miles Glyphers) – soon to set the internet alight with it’s subtle R&B inflections and tropical house textures. The track is her first single since the independent single release of HomeWrecker, which burst onto the upper echelons of the Hype Machine chart in 2015.
With her vocals and songwriting already drawing comparisons to artists such as Robyn, Alessia Cara, Nao and Jessie Ware, fans including established artists as diverse as Paolo Nutini, Gabriel and Bryan Ferry, a super buzzy show at Great Escape Festival earlier this year and imminent plans for a follow up single – all eyes will be on Emily Burns in 2017.
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Although I was on the guest list for this event as I sadly did not get along as i felt terrible all day Wednesday
after consuming way too much alcohol at the two events on Tuesday evening so I stayed indoors Wednesday.
Tuesday 29 November 2016...I went to two events tonight in the Liverpool Street/Bank area.
6.15pm to 8.15pm
THE OTHERIST - launch party - 111 Old Broad Street,London EC2.
Drake & Morgan add another impressive restaurant & bar to their property portfolio.
They have created a menu of small plates, sharing boards and signature dishes full of classic British favourites, with inspiration and flavours thrown in from across the globe. From your morning Macchiato to an Old Fashioned as the sun sets, The Otherist is your sanctuary in The City, your everyday escape.
Around 200 folks at this event and luckily we get seats before it gets busy.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers,prosecco, three different cocktails(rum,vodka,gin) wines,lagers
and tasty cheeseburgers ,fish & chips ,sirloin steak strips and canapés.
A dj was playing tunes in the background.
All guests got a goodie bag of drinks miniatures.
A very nice event.
www.drakeandmorgan.co.uk
Visit the Drake & Morgan website for more info.
then
8.30pm to 1.30am
THE HOLY BIRDS - launch party - 94 Middlesex Street.London E1.
This huge bar is inspired by 60s music and specialises in poultry dishes and cocktails.
The Holy Birds is launched by brothers Gerry and Jon Calabrese, who are behind The Hoxton Pony and Wringer & Mangle as well as Hoxton Gin, while cocktails will be created by their father — the legendary barman Salvatore Calabrese.
Gerry explains that the off-the-wall concept came to him after hearing the song White Birds by
Californian psychedelic band It’s A Beautiful Day.
A massive crowd here of maybe 400 or 500 folks over two levels.
Downstairs we have two female djs playing the tunes.
A very buzzy party atmosphere.
Complimentary Mumm champers,five different cocktails including Whisky Sours and Negronis.
Also a nice surprise to have some Babycham plus wines and beers.
Also lots of tasty food including roast chicken,pigeon pastille,chicken wings ,pan fried chicken liver etc.
We were expecting an 11pm finish but it was still buzzing at midnight and folks still there at 1.30am
when we left as staff on the night said it was a 2am finish.
An excellent party.
www.theholybirds.com
Visit The Holy Birds website for more info.
Monday 28 November 2016...I went to two gigs tonight...
5pm to 7pm.
IMELDA MAY live at Ronnie Scott's, Soho,London W1.
At the Bill Wyman 80th birthday show a month ago a female singer came on stage who
i did not recognise at first then i heard the singing voice, then her talking voice.
After her two songs i thought "I know that voice".
It was Imelda May...she had ditched her trademark rockabilly quiff hairdo.
The singer, 42, now sports a black fringe and a more demure look. She said: “I just got fed up being a hairdo,
an image, a style. It got to the stage where it wasn’t me any more and it was a caricature".
This was an industry only invite event for around 200 guests to launch her new studio album...her 5th...
'Life Love Flesh Blood' was produced by T Bone Burnett and features Jeff Beck and Jools Holland
as well as the guiding hand of Bono, who mentored her throughout the process.
Great to be at this legendary club that has hosted live music since 1959.
An intimate venue for Imelda as I saw her headline The Royal Albert Hall in 2012.
Imelda May arrived on stage at 6.10pm and played a 7 song 40 mins set.
Imelda was backed by a great 7 piece band and 2 female backing singers.
The show begins with the lights dimmed low – just the singer and her guitarist visible in the performing area.
They open with a sombre number, Call Me, that showcases the crystal clarity of May’s voice and her ability
to evoke the purest of emotion using it as her sole instrument.
Imelda said "These are my most honest songs I have ever written - they are the story of my life".
Her good friend guitar legend Jeff Beck joins her on stage to play some nifty guitar on one track.
Imelda's vocals are top notch throughout with a hint of gospel in a couple of the tracks.
The showcase finished with The Girl I Used To Be, which is a memoir of May’s time growing up in Dublin,
and the lessons learnt that she will pass on to her own four-year-old daughter.
A really good show.
Setlist played tonight was...
Call Me (the current single)
When It's My Time
Sixth Sense
Human
Black Tears (with Jeff Beck on guitar)
Should've Been You
Girl I Used To Be
The new album will be released early in 2017 via DECCA/UNIVERSAL.
Complimentary wines and beers for all guests.
www.imeldamay.co.uk
Visit the IMELDA MAY website here for more info.
then
THE PIXIES live at Brixton Academy,London.
The Pixies play the first of three shows at Brixton on their current UK & European Tour.
Since they reformed in 2004 The Pixies have played Brixton on every tour since I think.
The Pixies arrived on stage at 9.05pm and were on stage for 1 hour 45 mins.
With tracks about sex and biblical violence delivered with deranged heaviosity, they are a far cry from the image of fairy-tale cuteness conjured by their moniker. Then there’s their pioneering loud-quiet approach – switching between brimstone and lullaby – which helped ignite the grunge movement of the early Nineties.
"I was basically trying to rip off the Pixies,” Nirvana's Kurt Cobain once famously admitted.
And yet, in their original 1986-93 incarnation, the Boston quartet were only ever really a cult band,
whose commercial zenith arrived when their feted 1989 album Doolittle made a fleeting appearance in the top 10.
They’re now generally thought of as one of the most sonically thrilling live acts around.
I first saw them at Hammersmith Odeon in 1990.
A nice stage production with low level lighting as lamps hovered over the amps.
Lots of nice guitar playing for those loud-quiet songs.
The older songs are still the best with some of the new material a bit average.
Sadly they do not play 'Monkeys Gone to Heaven' tonight.
The encore of 'Into the White' with the stage drowned in dry ice was stunning.
A really good show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Where Is My Mind?
Nimrod's Son
Break My Body
Brick Is Red
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
Blown Away
Mr. Grieves
La La Love You
Ana
All the Saints
Here Comes Your Man
Motorway to Roswell
Magdalena 318
Tenement Song
Classic Masher
Head On (The Jesus and Mary Chain cover)
U-Mass
I've Been Tired
Velouria
Havalina
Snakes
Caribou
Rock Music
Baal's Back
Isla de Encanta
Oona
Planet of Sound
All I Think About Now
Hey
Gouge Away
Debaser
Tame
Encore:
Into the White
Monday 28 November 2016.
KISS are to play a European Tour...here are the UK shows....
Sat 27th May 2017 The SSE Hydro, Glasgow UK
Sun 28th May 2017 Barclaycard Arena, Birmingham UK
Tues 30th May 2017 Manchester Arena, Manchester UK
Wed 31st May 2017 The O2, London UK
Sunday 27 November 2016.
Henry Scott-Irvine is looking for crowd funding for TIN PAN ALLEY TALES - THE FILM.
Tin Pan Alley is a historic area by Tottenham Court Road tube station.
The Sex Pistols rehearsed and lived at 6 Denmark Street in their early days.
Tin Pan Alley Tales is a documentary chronology of a unique street spanning some 300 yards and some 300 years. Presented as an urban Canterbury Tales our seventy five minute film, will be told by approximately 12 key characters who've had an historic association with Denmark Street. They will feature alongside those who've either lived or worked in London's only music street. Formed of some 28 addresses it was affectionately known as Tin Pan Alley the home of British music publishing and song writing from 1911 until 1991 and originally named after its Manhattan counterpart.
Each contributor will come from a different background. Songs and archival images will illustrate these compelling tales and secret histories from luminaries such as 1950's skiffler Chas McDevitt,
www.tinpanalleytales.co.uk
Check out their website where Henry gives you a tour of Denmark Street.
www.phundee.com
Click here to make a donation to help fund the film.
Over £12,000 has been raised towards the £21,600 budget.
Saturday 26 November 2016.
Here are a couple of the big album releases that have come out this weekend in the build up to Christmas.
Fri 25 Nov---PRINCE releases a new greatest hits album today.
4Ever brings together 40 of PRINCE’s best-loved songs, including the hits “When Doves Cry,” “Let’s Go Crazy,” “Kiss,” “Little Red Corvette,” “Purple Rain,” “Raspberry Beret,” “Sign O’ The Times,” “Alphabet Street,” “Batdance,” and “Cream.”
4Ever includes “Moonbeam Levels”— a previously unreleased song originally recorded in 1982 during the “1999” sessions and later considered for the never released “Rave Unto The Joy Fantastic” album. 4Ever also includes a 12-page booklet of never-before-seen photos by photographer Herb Ritts.
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Fri 25 Nov---KATE BUSH releases a live album from her 22 sold out nights at Hammersmith Apollo in 2014.
I went to one of those amazing shows.
It will be released as a 3CD or 4LP set available on November 25 entitled 'Before The Dawn'.
Although the shows were filmed there are no plans for a DVD to be released for the time being.
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Saturday 26 November 2016.
SEX PISTOLS debut single 'Anarchy In The UK' was released 40 years ago today on 26 Nov 1976.
Without doubt it is one of the greatest classic songs of all time...and still sounds amazing today...
I remember playing it to death when i bought it on the day of its release.
PLAY IT LOUD today at least once.
Friday 25 November 2016.
GLEN MATLOCK + Tom Bright live at Phoenix Artist Club,Charing Cross Road,London WC2.
Sex Pistols bass player Glen is on a UK acoustic tour in November.
His set will include solo material and classic tracks from his other bands...and a few surprise covers...
Between songs Glen will be telling many stories about artists he has worked with over the years.
This show is on the eve of the 40th anniversary of the release of 'Anarchy In The UK'.
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It has been a few years since I have been to this intimate club.
It really is like someone playing in your front room.
There are tables and chairs and it's all seated and the venue is full.
The front tables are directly by the stage ,a mere couple of feet from Glen.
I am on a reserved table left of stage that's for half a dozen of Glens closest friends & supporters.
TOM BRIGHT arrived on stage at 8pm and played a 30 mins set of decent acoustic songs.
GLEN MATLOCK arrived on stage at 9pm and played for 1 hour 45 mins.
It is I think the longest set Glen has played because of the stories he told between songs on folks
including Malcolm McLaren,Iggy Pop,Mick Ronson and what gave him inspiration for song ideas.
Plenty of humorous and interesting tales including how much of 'Pretty Vacant' was written
around the corner in nearby Denmark Street.
Glen got everyone clapping along to provide the beat for many of the songs as the crowd sang along.
A great mixture of solo tracks,Pistols classics,Rich Kids gems and some choice cover versions.
The show was all filmed as part of a forthcoming documentary being made on Glen.
An excellent show.
Full setlist played tonight...
Somewhere Somehow
A Different World
Burning Sounds (Rich Kids song)
God Save the Queen (Sex Pistols song)
Sexy Beast
Ambition (Iggy Pop cover written by Glen)
Ghosts of Princes in Towers (Rich Kids song)
Montague Terrace (In Blue) (Scott Walker song)
Dead End Street (The Kinks cover)
John, I'm Only Dancing (David Bowie cover)
Hungry Heart (Bruce Springsteen cover)
Debris (The Faces cover)
The Price of Love (Everly Brothers cover)
Chill
Story of Your Life
Couldn't Give A Damn
Blank Generation (Richard Hell & The Voidoids cover)
Steppin' Stone (Paul Revere & The Raiders cover)
Pretty Vacant (Sex Pistols song)
Encore :
On The Horizon
All or Nothing (Small Faces cover)
Thursday 24 November 2016...I went to three events today...
1pm to 3.30pm
WILLIAM HILL SPORTS BOOK AWARD 2016 at BAFTA, 195 Piccadilly,London W1.
This was the 28th year this award has been held.
Around 150 folks here spread over two rooms.
A couple of the presenters from Channel 4 Horse Racing are here as is ex footballer Clarke Carlisle.
Clarke is on the judging panel as is broadcaster Danny Kelly who is also here.
142 sports books were put forward by publishers then cut down to a longlist of 17 then a shortlist of 7.
Just after 1.30pm the seven books are described by host John Inverdale from the BBC.
Barbarian Days, a “compelling, elegiac and profound” memoir about surfing by the veteran
New Yorker war reporter William Finnegan, has won this year’s William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award.
The book, which took nearly 20 years to write and has already won the Pulitzer Prize for literature, charts the story of Finnegan’s near 50-year immersion in the sport, starting in 1960s California and Hawaii and continuing to the present day.
Complimentary Taittinger champers,wines ,beers and tasty canapés for all guests.
All guests could take a couple of the shortlisted books away with them so I took...
Chasing Shadows - The Life & Death Of Peter Roebuck (cricket)
Mr Darley's Arabian - A History of Racing in Twenty-Five Horses.
then
3.45pm to 6pm
45 JERMYN STREET - press showcase - 45 Jermyn Street,London SW1.
A handy time to make use of the open invitation to check out this restaurant & bar.
It is for drinks only but they have one of those great bars with comfy high stools.
We have three different cocktails each which were very nice.
Prices normally are £10 to £15 as we are in a prime location behind Fortnum & Mason.
A nice venue.
Some info from their website.
An exquisite dining room and bar, inspired by the golden age of glamour. Exceptional service for a contemporary London. Cocktails without equal. An innovative menu, always inspired by the season, combining familiar favourites and delicious surprises. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner from Monday to Saturday with roast lunch, carved table-side, every Sunday.
45jermynst.com
Visit their website here for more info.
then
6.30pm to 10pm
ROSEWOOD HOTEL - Christmas Party - 252 High Holborn,London WC2.
A massive crowd of over 500 guests here outdoors in the courtyard area of this five star hotel.
They have dressed the venue all Christmassy and there is an Ice-Bar here.
At 8pm ELLIE GOULDING sang four songs here to a backing tape along with three backing vocalists.
Her set included the hits 'Anything Could Happen','Burn' and 'Love Me Like You Do'.
At the end of her set there was a massive fireworks display.
A dj was playing at one end.
Complimentary Ruinart champers,cocktails,wines,beers and food stations including hog roast,
Salmon,bowl food,canapés and a desserts area including toffee apples.
A great party.
www.rosewoodhotels.com
Visit their website here for more info.
Wednesday 23 November 2016.
BETH HART + COLIN JAMES live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.
Beth Hart plays a sold out London show on her UK & European Tour.
Beth's latest album, 'Fire On The Floor' is out now on the Provogue/Mascot Label Group.
I saw Beth headline The Royal Albert Hall in Oct 2014 and Robert Cray Band were the support act.
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COLIN JAMES arrived on stage at 7.30pm and played for 30 mins.
Colin is very popular back home in Canada with over a dozen albums released.
Incredibly he said the last time he played in the UK was when he supported Robert Plant 25 years ago in 1991.
He was joined by another guitarist and they played a decent set of acoustic & electric bottleneck blues.
BETH HART & her band arrives on stage at 8.30pm and played for two hours.
Beth gave a stunning entrance as she walked through the crowd from the back of the venue,
shook hands,gave hugs and posed for selfies in a glittering top.
She would do it again later on in the set.
Candles were placed around the stage as Beth said “How y’all doing out there,”.
Hart gave the crowd a passionate performance with songs that touched the heart. Beth often sings about her own experiences making the music more real to fans who can relate to Hart’s astute lyrics.
Beth has a wide vocal range that ran from pensive to powerful and moved to the keyboards for a number of
sentimental songs inspired by her strong mother.
Beth has overcome her drug addiction that sadly killed her sister.
Beth said she has been on medication for a decade to cope with mental illness.
Beth brought edge and emotion to her artistry that leant heavily towards the blues.
A stunning 'Tell Her You Belong to Me' was addressed to her departed father and his new girlfriend.
The final song was a superb cover of 'I'd Rather Go Blind'.
Great to hear the vocals so clearly and passionate throughout the entire show.
A really good show.
The setlist for tonight was....
Don't Explain (Billie Holiday cover)
If I Tell You I Love You (Melody Gardot cover)
Can't Let Go (Randy Weeks cover)
Bang Bang Boom Boom
Love Is a Lie
I'll Take Care of You (Bobby “Blue” Bland cover)
Trouble
(Unknown song)
Fat Man
(Unknown song)
St. Teresa
Good Day to Cry
Sister Heroine
Leave the Light On
Delicious Surprise
Waterfalls
Tell Her You Belong to Me
Encore:
Fire on the Floor
Mama This One's for You
Take It Easy on Me
I'd Rather Go Blind (Etta James cover)
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On stage she announced a show that is 18 months away....in 2018!...
London’s prestigious Royal Albert Hall on Friday 4th May 2018.
Wednesday 23 November 2016.
Adele is to play two massive shows at Wembley Stadium next summer.
Adele may have just celebrated the last of a whopping 107 dates in the first 10 months of her Adele Live tour, but the singer has announced two more chances for British fans to see her before she steps out of the spotlight.
Adele will play her hometown on Thursday 29 June and Saturday 1 July.
Wednesday 23 November 2016.
President Barack Obama awarded 21 Presidential Medals of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honour
on Tuesday at the White House, with Bruce Springsteen and Diana Ross among the 2016 recipients.
Of Bruce, Obama said " I am The President, but he is The Boss".
Monday 21 November 2016.
ELLIE GOULDING + special surprise guests live at The Royal Albert Hall,London.
Ellie Goulding plays a one off sold out charity show for STREETS OF LONDON homeless charity.
This is the last of 100 plus shows she has played around the world this year.
It is actually a smallish show for her as her last UK in March 2016 included two shows at The 02 Arena.
Ellie Goulding has had 10 x Top 10 hit singles in the UK including two Number One's.
The surprise guests for this show were only announced on the evening of the show.
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I have a nice view left of stage in those great swivel seats in the stalls of this venue.
All the stage is extended by 8 feet so Ellie can be nearer her loyal fans later on.
The special guests play short sets that go down well with the crowd.
ELLIE GOULDING is on stage for 1 hour 30 mins over two sets of 30 mins and 60 mins.
The first set is slower paced songs or as Ellie put it "the Romantic songs".
The second set was much more uptempo and with a lot of energy as Ellie bounced around the stage
as the excitable crowd sang along to all her tracks.
Her biggest hits were played near the end.
An enjoyable show.
Tonight's evening went as follows...
HUSSAIN MANAWER...is a Muslim poet who did a good 10 mins.
He is a campaigner for Mental Health and is going into Space in 2018.
LAURA MVULA ...played three songs...
GABRIELLE APLIN...played three songs...
ELLIE GOULDING - First set - with string section and piano player but no band
Explosions
My Blood
How Long Will I Love You? (The Waterboys cover)
Army
Lights
Your Song (Elton John cover)
Still Falling for You
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ELLIE GOULDING - Second set - full band set
Intro (Delirium)
Aftertaste
Holding on for Life
Something in the Way You Move
Outside (Calvin Harris cover)
On My Mind
Burn
Encore :
JACK GARRETT ...came on and played three of his songs...with some very nifty guitar.
Jack headlines his own shows at Hammersmith Apollo this week on the 23rd and the 24th.
Then Ellie came back for two more songs.
Anything Could Happen
Love Me Like You Do...with ticket-tape falling over the crowd...
Sunday 20 November 2016.
Sex Pistol Glen Matlock attended The Olympia Music Fair today.
Sunday 20 November 2016.
The Steve Jones interviews and reviews related to his book are starting to come in.
The Daily Mirror and The Guardian newspapers gave it decent reviews.
Also a great transatlantic 20 mins plus phone interview on BBC Radio 5 live.
Check www.sex-pistols.net website link on the right to listen to it and read the reviews.
Saturday 19 November 2016...7pm to 10pm...
CLARIDGE'S - Christmas Tree launch party - Claridge's, Brook Street,London W1.
Always nice to be at this famous five star luxury hotel...cheapest rooms are £450 a night...
Over 250 folks here on the first floor area above the Christmas Tree that's set within the entrance staircase.
Sir Jony Ive the British designer behind many of Apple's iconic products will work with his chum and
collaborator Marc Newson to decorate the five-star Mayfair hotel for the festive season.
I have been to this annual event a few times over the past decade and it has always been on a
Wed or Thurs but this year for some reason it is held on a Saturday night.
A few well known faces here including...
NICK MASON - Pink Floyd drummer - told me he was busy with the 2017 Pink Floyd exhibition at the V & A.
WOODY HARRELSON - actor - told me he is in London to make his directorial debut with a film called Lost in London.
He talks just like he does in Cheers...very laid back....I saw him chatting to Nick Mason for a bit...
Also here were the tree's designers Marc Newson and Sir Jony Ive.
Also here were Sir Paul Smith,Suzy Menkez,Lily Cole,Stephen Jones,Lady Kitty Spencer,Matthew Freud,
Charlotte Tilbury,Laura Bailey,Nicolas Kirkwood ,Sam McKnight and no doubt a couple of faces i missed.
Complimentary Laurent Perrier champers,Gin cocktails and tasty canapés for all guests.
Always a good event.
www.claridges.co.uk
Visit the Claridge's Hotel website here for more info.
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The Rolling Stones were on Channel 4 tv Saturday night...
The Rolling Stones Olé Olé Olé!: A Trip Across Latin America is a feature documentary that follows The Rolling Stones’ tour of early 2016 through 10 Latin American cities. The film combines electrifying live performances from across the tour and from their historic tour finale as the first ever rock band to perform in Havana, with an intimate insight into the world of The Rolling Stones.
A great mix of live footage and band member interviews.
The South American crowds are pretty crazy compared to jaded 'seen it all before' London crowds.
Great how Mick Jagger makes an effort to say a few words in the local language of each country.
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