News and Reviews: 19th September 2007

Sex Pistols play The Brixton Academy on 8 Nov. Tickets on sale Friday 21 Sept.Cost 37.50.The band will add extra Brixton dates................ 16 Sep 2007.Brian Wilson live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.This was the last of Brians 6 shows at this venue and my 3rd time.The quality of the songs both old and new just takes you away to a special place.Pretty much the same 2 sets as i had seen before but tonight we get an extra song "Love And Mercy" which is stunning. Yet another superb Brian Wilson show at RFH. See last Mondays review for the full setlist. After the show a friend gave me a wristband for a meet and greet with the band.Had a quick chat with Brian Wilson and he signed an item and posed for a photo and some of the band turned up and they were very friendly as well.............. 15 Sep 2007.Marc Bolan : The Celebration at The Shepherds Bush Empire ,London.When i was aged 14 in 1973 Marc Bolan was my glam rock idol in front of Slade,Gary Glitter and even David Bowie. I even named my first son Marc after him.This was a great night to mark 30 years since his sad death in 1977.Top T.Rex tribute band Trextasy are the house band for the night as they play lots of Bolan tracks on their own and with some guest vocalists.Two sets of 60 mins and 80 mins to fans who have come from all over Europe. The band look and sound great for "The Groover" and "New York City".Andy Ellison who played with Johns Children in 1967 does a couple from that era then Ray Dorset from Mungo Jerry does a couple.Marc Almond is a huge Bolan fan and is brilliant singing lesser known songs with real passion inc "Lifes A Gas".The first set finished with a superb "20th Century Boy".The second half started with "Telegram Sam" and then Shakin Stevens came on for a couple inc "Laser Love". Dr Robert from Blow Monkeys did a couple and then we got "Ride A White Swan" and "Solid Gold Easy Action".Eric Hall his old pr and plugger rambled a bit then Marc Almond on again for "Dandy In The Underworld" and "Whatever Happened To The Teenage Dream".Linda Lewis came on to sing "Children Of The Revolution" and "Metal Guru".For a lot of the songs they were joined by Blondies Clem Burke on drums and Bolan/Bowie producer Tony Visconti conducted the 4 piece Dirty Pretty Strings(what a great name).So many great songs played tonight.Gloria Jones(who was driving the car ) was introduced and sung "Tainted Love" with Marc Almond.Then it was "Jeepster" and everyone on stage for "Get It On " and "Hot Love" finale.Such a great night for a much missed Marc Bolan. Sadly Rolan Bolan was not here (he lost his passport was a lame excuse) and Bill Legend original T.Rex drummer did not show up on stage. On Sept 30 there is another Bolan event at The Cafe De Paris in Central London.Tickets are £25. Check www.bolanesque.com for more info........... The Standard Newspaper contacted me Thursday to ask my thoughts on The Led Zeppelin reunion. Was in Fridays edition on page 42................ 14 Sep 2007.Brian Wilson live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.This was BWs 4th show here and my 2nd.On Monday i was near the front but tonight i am a lot further back.Its still a great show though.His blonde female backing singer is back tonight as illness made her not appear on Monday.The classics were superb as usual and his "That Luck Old Sun(A Narrative)" tracks really do mix in well with the oldies and the video clips for it are well done.It was exactly the same setlist as the other show and as always a real treat to see this legend and his stunning band............................................. 10 Sep 2007.Brian Wilson live at The Royal Festival Hall,London.We have been truly spoilt with Brian Wilson shows at this venue over the last few years but its still a must see gig. Not many big names here on opening night.One of the singers from Squeeze is here and thats it. Split into two sets of 60 and 65 mins its a real treat.His superb band and string section are on top form and the harmonies are to die for.First a neat mix of lesser known tracks and hits inc "Girl Dont Tell Me","Salt Lake City","Catch A Fire","Then I Kissed Her","In My Room","Do You Wanna Dance","When I Grow Up(To Be A Man)" and stunning versions of "California Girls", "Sloop John B","Wouldnt It Be Nice","God Only Knows","Heroes And Villains" and "Good Vibrations".After the interval we get 40 mins of his RFH commissioned work "That Lucky Old Sun (A Narrative)"and the tracks played got a full standing ovation at the end. The crowd stayed up and dancing for the rest of the show.Classics galore inc "I Get Around","Help Me Rhonda", "Barbara Ann","Surfin USA","Fun Fun Fun" and encore of The Beatles "Shes Leaving Home". All in all another superb show by a real legend. Brian Wilson plays The Royal Festival Hall this week on Sept 10,11,12,14,15,16.Tickets and info www.southbankcentre.co.uk tel 0871 6632509....... 09 Sep 2007.The Police live at Twickenham Stadium,London.Back again to see them for the second time.Another great view where i am 14 rows from stage and Trudie Styler is again in row 6 with some fashion folks and her children.Its pretty much exactly the same selist in order from last night although it was 5 mins shorter so i think one of the lesser known tunes was pulled out.Good fun again but i think the first night had a better buzz to it.......................... 08 Sep 2007.The Police live at Twickenham Stadium, London.Some of us remember how massive The Police were in the early 1980s so its hardly a surprise their first tour for over 20 years has sold over a million tickets in America and a million tickets in Europe.Tonight was the first of two huge shows here to some 50,000 punters a night.I have a great view 11 rows from the front in line with Sting.Five minutes before the band come on some celebs turn up in seats just in front of me Naomi Campbell,Bob Geldof,Trudie Styler,Jemima Khan,Shane Warne and Jamie Oliver.The Police are on stage for nearly 2 hours and are really good.Sting looks great and as smug as usual.There is just the 3 of them on stage all night but they all are just great musicians and the sound at the front is perfect. Loads of their reggae tinged hits "Message In A Bottle","Synchonicity","Walking On The Moon", "Dont Stand So Close To Me","Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic","Wrapped Around Your Finger", "De Do Do Do De Da Da Da","Invisible Sun","Cant Stand Losing You" and "Roxanne".The band play at the very front of the stage and the production and lightshow is pretty average for a stadium show.Encores inc "King Of Pain","So Lonely" and "Every Breathe You Take".A very enjoyable show... ................................................. 06 Sep 2007. David Gilmour DVD launch party for "Remember That Night-Live At The Royal Albert Hall" at The Odeon,Leicester Square, London.Massive crowd here of some 1000 fans and press in the UKs main cinema thats used for film premieres.Up in the royal circle just in front of me all of DGs band are here inc Phil Manzanera, Richard Wright and Guy Pratt and Led Zep legend Robert Plant is a couple of rows in front of me. First of all David Gilmour plays an instrumental on his own that sounded superb before the main event.We get an 85 mins edit of the concert. Loads of great songs from "On An Island" and of course some of his classic older material. Guest singers inc David Bowie and Crosby / Nash. The sound quality is fantastic and on hand tonight is DGs lighting designer Marc Brickman so when the screen footage shows lights,lasers and dry ice we actually get lights,lasers and dry ice in the cinema so it really feels we were there and the applause and cheers from the crowd here pay homage to a masterclass in presentation.But theres more.David Gilmour then gives a 30 mins Q and A session .His fave song in the past 2 or 3 years is "Crazy" by Knarls Barkley and The Beatles are still his fave group.He still lives and breathes music. Then he introduces all the band and we get a 5 mins guitar based jam with a helping of sax. The 2 DVD set comes out Mon 17 Sept with Disc 1 The Royal Albert Hall concert in full lasting 2 hours 30 mins and Disc 2 rarities and interviews etc lasting 3 hours and a 20 page booklet.Needless to say its a must buy item. On BBC1 TV Saturday 8th Sept at 11pm there is a 60 mins version of The Royal Albert Hall show. See aftershow page for this event................ 05 Sep 2007.Elton John + Sophie Ellis Bextor live at The 02 Arena,Docklands,London. Support does a short 30 mins set and goes down ok. Sophie is in bare feet.Some decent pop songs though inc "Groovejet" and "Murder On The Dancefloor".Another Elton John show.I must have seen him 30 or 40 times inc loads of those legendary Hammersmith Odeon shows in the 1970s. This was the first time outside of America for his "Red Piano" Las Vegas production and wow what a visual treat it was.A huge screen with great film clips and a stage full of neon.Elton with his lipstick red piano atop a giant star.The 1 hour 45 mins set had loads of gems inc "Bennie And The Jets","Philadelphia Freedom","Daniel", "Rocket Man","Someone Saved My Life Tonight", "Tiny Dancer","Dont Let The Sun Go Down On Me", "Candle In The Wind" then Elton went off for a quick costume change and we all ran to front stage with amazing view for "Pinball Wizard", "The Bitch Is Back","Im Still Standing" with some giant inflatables then "Saturday Nights Alright For Fighting" .Eltons band were all on top form.Encore of "Your Song".Superb............ Ricky Gervais plays The Hammersmith Apollo for most of September with his stand up show......... 03 Sep 2007.Chris Cornell live at The Roundhouse, London.I had seen Chris twice in the summer when he supported Aerosmith at Hyde Park and Dublin but this was first time as headline. Its a really good 2 hour show with Chris and his band on top form.Lots of great tunes like "Rusty Cage","You Know My Name"(his James Bond soundtrack where he was joined by David Arnold). "No Such Thing","Be Yourself" then a few acoustic songs that bored me a bit.Then a superb "Cochise","Arms Around Your Love","Black Hole Sun" and "Spoonman".The drummer was just amazing all night and even two drum solos were fab.So a good mix from all his musical career. (I saw Soundgarden when they were the first band to play the opening night party for the reopened Shepherds Bush Empire in 1994).For the encore Chris took his top off and the girls swooned and they finished with a cover of Zeps "Whole Lotta Love".A great show.................. 01 Sep 2007.Rollin Stoned + David Sinclair Band live at The Boom Boom Club,West Sutton,Surrey. Nice club on the outskirts of South London that is full with 300 or so punters.Up first we have The David Sinclair Band who are a trio with some great lyrics.The last song of their set "Going To Do Something" was excellent.They have an album out called "Hey". www.myspace.com/davidsinclair. The Rollin Stoned did a great 2 hour set.Like all the best tribute bands they make a real effort. Great costumes and there is 7 of them.Mick,Keef, Charlie,Bill Wyman,Mick Taylor,Nicky Hopkins and Brian Jones(complete with angel wings).Loads of classics and lesser known Stones songs played inc "Start Me Up","Tumbling Dice","Angie","Not Fade Away","Paint It Black","Ruby Tuesday","Sympathy For The Devil","Street Fighting Man","Midnight Rambler".The crowd are loving it and a couple of times are let on stage for a dance.Also "Miss You","Satisfaction","Honky Tonk Woman","Jumping Jack Flash" and encores include "Brown Sugar". It might not be the real thing but while Mick and co are counting their money over the next year or two this lot are well worth seeing.For more info on the band check www.rollinstoned.com

Posted 19th September 2007