Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Chumbawamba split
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It probably comes as no surprise that I have consistently been a fan of Chumbawamba. I think that I have half of their 15 albums. I dumped all of my vinyl 15 years ago, keeping only 5. Never Mind the Ballots was one of the five. I saw them perform Never Mind the Ballots at the De Grey club in Hull. They were a little late turning up I recall, but they were sensational. Their shows were always spectacles and they stayed true to their radical left position (even when their followers strayed). Some great lines.
They have been a shadow of their former selves for a number of years in the absence of Danbert Nobacon, Dunstan and Alice Nutter.
I recommend the touching documentary on youtube “Well Done. Now Sod off” in two parts: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiyy3dace2M&feature=related; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ioTwFNu4Cdo&feature=relmfu
Whatever current and former band members wish for, I hope they get it. Thank you.
Bob Dylan and the O2 World, Berlin
It cost 90 Euros for what looked like a good seat in the O2 World in Berlin (29 October 2011). Okay, I didn’t expect too much of a view, but I did expect a large screen to help me to see the man on stage. Actually, he and his band arrived on stage all dressed alike. It took us two songs finally to identify him. Not once did he address us as an audience; nor did we get an encore.
Okay, I’m not a great fan of Bob Dylan, but I was prepared to try. His band were excellent. However, was it a state of the art venue with pristine sound quality? No. Wretched. I couldn’t hear a thing from Bob Dylan or his support act, Mark Knopfler. Great venue if if you want to get mugged; in addition to the ticket, a bottle of Becks will set you back 4 Euros. Dreadful place. Dreadful gig.
Not all agree with me, of course. Here is a link to a review of an earlier concert with this set that may be fairer than mine: http://rockandrollmojo.blogspot.com/2011/04/bob-dylan-concert-review.html
Austra
The Kranhalle, Munich, last night hosted Austra – synth with a voice to complement. Kate Stelmanis heads up the band – playing as a sextet – that simply fill the space and more. The show revolves around their album, ‘Feel it Break’. Songs such as ‘Lose It’ and ‘Beat and the Pulse’ are anthemic in their presentation. It is fair to say that it is difficult to distinguish some of the songs, but these are early days for the band, and frankly they would have been 
mesmerising even if they had sung only one song all night. Kate Stelmanis’ voice is extraordinary. Originally trained as an opera singer, the voice booms, coming to rest only when it hits one’s pelvis. The two backing vocalists are, to some extent, superfluous; but maybe it is easy to say that because they were there. Also on stage, curiously for a synth band, a drummer (Maya Postepski) and a bassist (Dorian Wolf). The keyboard player (and for a short while, saxophonist) dresses exclusively in shorts and vests, from what I can see. That notwithstanding, he looks a shade like Ron Mael.
Björk – Biophilia
Yesterday I had my chance to see Björk perform Biophilia at the Campfield Market in Manchester. It was a curious event. There are 8 new songs, not really enough for a show in its own right so she interspersed the new songs with old ones for which I have no explanation of the choice (other than the fact that they are great songs). Indeed, pure genius to end the whole show with her revolution anthem, Declare Independence. In these times of instablility in the Arab world and Europe (was there ever a better anthem for Greece with its call to ‘set up your own currency’?) ‘Raise your flag’, she implores. Rousing stuff.
- Sharpsichord
As for the new songs, most are great, a few not so, but any body of work has weak links. Björk has more of those than most. But she is forgiven by virtue of her uncompromising creativity and sheer talent and commitment. The new instruments, particularly the Tesla Coil with its electrical sparks providing an incredible percussion along with awesome visuals, are worth investigating. The ‘Sharpsichord’ with its over-sized ‘ear trumpets’ looked like H.G Wells’ time machine (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8481926.stm). The Pendulum Harps – four swaying rods with strings at the weighted end – accompanied a lone Björk on the final song, Solstice. These curious artefacts, however, pale into insignificance against Björk’s own voice and the glorious backing given by the ’30 piece’ female choir that provided the wall of sound – the Biophilia sound – that one takes away.
On first hearing, it is difficult really fully to digest Biophilia’s profundity. The stunning visuals projected onto both sides of screens circling the stage gave a flavour the the complexity of Biophilia and its ‘unseenness’ – small, inside us, under water and under the surface of the earth. Also, as some commentators are describing it, the genius of getting David Attenborough to voice-over the scene setting introduction and to announce each new track. The start, consequently, is a ‘hairs on the back of the neck’ moment, at least for those of us of a certain age.
Polyester Fiesta
Lorraine Bowen’s celebration of 70 years of polyester, with its countless priceless exhibits of ‘fashion’ items, is a show well worth seeing. Lorraine’s unmistakable songs and quips are complemented in this show with additional support from the Hurstpierpointer Sisters and the fabulous Alistair whose unspeakable belly should not really be exposed.
Last night’s show was on the Battersea Barge, another curiousity, situated on the Thames Path in the shadows of the old Battersea Power Station. No real passing trade, but a gem of a venue for an intimate night out.
Lorraine is ‘touring’ with the show in Sussex. On 24 June the show goes to Hurstpierpoint itself. Her new album is also worth a listen. Her eulogy of Bexhill on Sea contrasts very much with her oh-so familiar experience in the queue at the Post Office. Both are comforting and reassuring in different ways. There is a darkness in her song made up exclusively from railway station announcements. We’ve all been there, too.
Details from Lorraine’s website: http://www.lorrainebowen.co.uk/Lorraine_Bowen/Home.html
Music
of her best. She tends to be plagued by bad sound. At the Wedgewood Rooms, apparently, they always get it right. I wish that there had been more people there; not a bad audience, and very intimate, but I do not know how she pays the bills. I’m helping having now bought the album on CD and Vinyl (albeit signed by the woman herself).
Neil Hannon performs “The Complete Banker” (right).The Divine Comedy’s new album “Bang goes the Knighthood” is in my collection. It is a little understated. But like all good albums, they mature with listening. Even better is seeing the artist performing the songs. This is what Neil Hannon did on 17 July at Somerset House in London. Actually he did a lot more than that. For nearly 2 hours he performed songs from across his career with his piano or guitar. The audience in a few places had to remind him of his own lyrics; but he was excused in that the songs were new and he had performed for so long that evening. The great thing about this performance was the fact that he seemed to be enjoying himeself. On the one previous occasion I have seen him (with a full band) he seemed not to be really interested and keen to leave the stage. This was symbolised by throwing beer into the audience. This time his tipple was white wine that went only into his gullet.
Be informed 