News and Reviews: 18th November 2004

Tonight (Thur)at London Camden Underworld is the first date of a rare 3 week tour by The Sensational Alex Harvey Band . Even though Alex is sadly no longer with us it will be great to see them again .You must get to see one of these shows as it is billed as a proper farewell tour . For dates and info check www.sahb.co.uk Tour finishes in Scotland on Dec 5. Those of a certain age will remember their 1970s classics. 17 November 2004 .Lost Prophets + Eighteen Visions , Hammersmith Apollo, London. California support band did a good set . The venue is packed and sweaty tonight . After a superb set at The Reading Festival Welsh rockers Lost Prophets are now playing to sold out theatres . It has taken a few years but all the hard work has paid off . They remind me of Linkin Park in places tonight . Loads of energy with great songs like " Last Summer" "Last Train Home " and " Start Something " .Good show. 16 November 2004 .Anastacia ,Wembley Arena , London. Another American female singer with a big stage production and dancers .She dealt with breast cancer a couple of years ago and now is more popular than you think .Her new album got to number 1 ,2 sold out nights at Wembley Arena and shes coming again in a few months such is demand. She looks great and has a powerful voice but the first half of this show was hardly exciting. Average songs along with a couple of funk covers and overlong introduction of her band and backing singers felt like she just padding the set out. Later there were some great songs like " One Day In Your Life " " Left Outside Alone " and the encore " Im Outta Love " but in a dragged out set lasting 1 hour 45 mins it lacked something . I know a lot of you love punk rock so check out this great website www.punkoiuk.co.uk 15 Nov 2004 .Europe + Hurricane Party , Hammersmith Apollo ,London. Support band Hurricane Party do an ok rock set but i cannot see them ever headlining a place like this . The balcony is half empty but its still a good crowd for Europes first UK show for about 12 years. Yet another band recording a DVD here for future release. Apart from the bald drummer the other 4 members have overdosed on the conditioner as they all have dodgy Laurence Llewelyn- Bowen hairstyles. Joey still has the teeth but the hair is darker. They have plenty of good rock tracks like " Wings Of Tomorrow " " Wake Up Call " an acoustic " Carrie" and "Yesterdays News" but only a couple of real stand out tracks which were their 2 big hits " Rock The Night " and the encore of "Final Countdown " which love it or hate it is a tune and a half complete with fireworks and explosions . A good enjoyable show overall . 13 November 2004 . Deep Purple + Peter Frampton + Thunder ,Wembley Arena ,London. Excellent 3 band package of British rockers. Thunder came on early and did a very short but good set finishing with new single " I Think I Love You More Than Rock N Roll" The sound for Peter Frampton was just perfect . A really great 60 mins set feat all his classics like "Show Me The Way " "Baby I Love Your Way " and "Do You Feel Like I Do" . The crowd loved it and he got a deserved standing ovation. Deep Purple were great tonight ,much better than last years arena gigs over here. Ian Gillan was on top form on vocals and Steve Morse is just a totally superb guitarist . All the faves were played tonight along with a few off the latest album " Bananas" .Classics like "Woman From Tokyo " "Highway Star" "Smoke On The Water " and "Speed KIng " .Don Airy was on keyboards for this tour but great to see Jon Lord turn up for last song "Black Knight " .A really good night for all those here that remember vinyl albums . See aftershow page. 11 November 2004 . Trevor Horn Tribute Concert ,Wembley Arena , London. Frankie Goes To Hollywood(without Holly ) + Seal + Pet Shop Boys + Yes + Tatu + Propaganda + Art Of Noise + ABC + Belle And Sebastian + Grace Jones + Dollar + Buggles. The show was on for 2 hours 30 mins spread over 2 sets with a massive band and orchestra. Very impressive collection of acts to celebrate one of the UKs top record producers 25 years in the music biz.All the acts above have been produced at one time by Trevor Horn . Even Prince Charles and Camilla are here which explains the queues to get in for body searches and armed police are everywhere .Prince Charles watched all the show . Each act played a max of 3 songs .First up were Trevor Horns early creation Buggles with "Video Killed The Radio Star" which was good then Dollar came on and were rubbish. Grace Jones strode on with a huge cape and long legs for a great "Slave To The Rhythm". Nice to see indie kids Belle And Sebastian here .Trevor Horn produced their 6th album. ABC were the highlights of the first half with stunning versions of " Poison Arrow " "All Of My Heart " and " Look Of Love " from the Trevor Horn produced "Lexicon Of Love". Martin Fry even wore his gold lame suit to wild cheers.Art Of Noise did a neat version of their hit "Close To The Edit" .Propaganda were crap . Yes (minus Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman of course ) did " Cinema " and "Owner Of A Lonely Heart " .Nice to see Trevor Rabin on guitar and vocals. Pet Shop Boys did a couple inc " Left To My Own Devices" and were good. .Lisa Stansfield was drowned out by the band basically . Trevor Horn has produced her latest album out soon. Russian duo Tatu came on holding hands for a decent version of their mega hit. Seal was superb as he went down into the crowd and really worked them up with great versions of " Killer " "Kiss From A Rose" and " Crazy ". Frankie were still great even without Holly due to pounding anthems thay played tonight " Welcome To The Pleasure Dome " " Two Tribes " and " Relax " . This was Frankies first show together since 1987. I was trying to see if Prince Charles was singing along to the chorus in Relax !!. So for me the best acts tonight were ABC , Seal and Frankie Goes To Hollywood . A mixed bag of good ,average and bad but overall a really enjoyalble one off event.

Posted 18th November 2004