"Turn that bloody kettle off", I thought as I gazed at the stage. All that was missing was the whistle, the fog machines' thin vapour trail could have been declared a kettle most of the show. Funniest part of a rather earnest night. Earnest, maybe but certainly not dull.
December 4th was something of an early Xmas present to me from .....well, they know who they are.
After a less than productive daytime, the night was taken up, down at the Metro Arena with an artiste that formed the basis of my first ever witnessed gig back in 1973 at Newcastle's City Hall.
Peter Gabriel has been noticeable by has absence from these parts for quite some time, perhaps his relative invisibility and his renown for careful, nay, slow progress in producing new work, preceded him as a large but not full audience was there to appreciate him.
I probably should explain further; the Arena was more or less halved for seating capacity. The stage was moderate in size but with a large expanse behind to accomodate technology and ease of transporting the various stage elements back to the trucks. The Arena had become more intimate and the better for it.
25 years since the release of his most commercially successful album 'So'. It was to provide, in it's entirity, the back end or 'dessert' of the set after an acoustic assortment of unheard stuff (at least by me) and work in progress. Always on the ball, Peter had arranged a wonderful monochrome light show with sterling camera work for the screen backdrop, right up to the point of 'So'. From there on, songs like 'Red Rain' were accompanied by the required use of colour in harmony with a huge screen and two large versions at either side of the stage and a bank of stage technicians that pivoted the lights to suit each songs needs. Only the best for an audience with Mr Gabriel.
The band was made up of veteran Gabriel soldiers, Tony Levin, David Rhodes, David Sancious and Manu Katche on drums and two new female performers on backing vocals that provided evidence of Peter's World Music policy - both fine musicians in their own right as they provided the 'starter' for the event. Dressed in a clinical grey uniform, Peter cut his usual fairly reluctant front man figure whilst the material and a superior sound quality & imagery did all the talking for him. He bravely moved from Solsbury Hill, with a big audience participation, back down to an emotional number; we were not watching a pop concert.
The set list is available on line and all the material was either fresh to my ears or had been organically re-organised over a period of time. The only comparative disappointment was at the end; the relative failure of Biko (introduced under the upgrade of current world outrages) to provide a rousing civil rights crescendo for the audience to build & hold on to. At this point, Peter left the stage and directed the mike at the audience for our vocal contributions, such as they were.
Checking in with his website the following day, for the princely sum of around 18 euros you could get a two disc momento of the nights' offerings straight from the desk and I'm pleased to say its on my Xmas list.
Monday, 15 December 2014
Thursday, 20 November 2014
My love affair with Cinema
First of many blogs, I hope, on a passion instilled into me by my father. As a young man, he used to finish work , get fed and washed and vanish off to one of the many cinemas available to him in Wallsend and surrounding areas in the 40s and 50s. Pure escapism.
Sharing this passion I have been fortunate to have gone through a recent bought of truly great cinema. The kind that takes you to a different, if not higher plane.
Chronologically, I've seen Gone Girl, The Judge, What we did on our holiday, Mr Turner, Interstellar and just today, a fabulous performance from Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
Reviews of all these can be found anywhere and I often take the time to look at Rotten Tomatoes or watch Claudia Winkelman and Danny Leigh agree to disagree over that weeks offerings on TV. I must say though, there was a time when if Barry Norman said it was crap, I avoided it. I tend to go see for myself these days, plus there are always those special offers prior to official release date.
Barry had such a soft spot for Woody Allen, who was at his peak during Baz'z golden TV years. Still recall those 'Phil Matey' t-shirts. I've kept pace with most of Mr Allens output in the intervening years but he has never surpassed Annie Hall and particularly Manhattan. Never has a B&W film looked so gorgeous from the opening shot to the moody interior of his flat in New York. That's not forgetting the humour of course which seems to have faded over the years for more loftier ambitions
We'd be taken as kid's to see the latest Bond movie and on leaving the theatre, we would turn right, down a dark back alley next to the old Pilgrim street Odeon and I would imagine all manner of nafarious activity that would have me reaching for my Walther PPK. Afraid that the current franchise of Bond leaves me somewhat cold. Bond was always a figure of fiction to me, an unrealistic agent involved in unrealistic, cinematic adventures that were pure escapism. Who wants reality?
Ok, they were rather sexist, but other than our testosterone filled hero, I grew up without thought of why a woman would watch it anyway; it's probably grown up now and not taken me with it. Harry Palmer, a contemporary, was probably more in keeping with today's version of Bond. But they both were all the better for a John Barry score. Great stuff.
Particular likes and dislikes - well, I do love a good comedy, not too many about these days but What we did on our holiday is a good recent example of the art done well, without mawkish sentiment but with good dialogue, charm and no little wit. Comedy done poorly, well, there's nothing worse, is there?
Sharing this passion I have been fortunate to have gone through a recent bought of truly great cinema. The kind that takes you to a different, if not higher plane.
Chronologically, I've seen Gone Girl, The Judge, What we did on our holiday, Mr Turner, Interstellar and just today, a fabulous performance from Benedict Cumberbatch as Alan Turing in The Imitation Game.
Reviews of all these can be found anywhere and I often take the time to look at Rotten Tomatoes or watch Claudia Winkelman and Danny Leigh agree to disagree over that weeks offerings on TV. I must say though, there was a time when if Barry Norman said it was crap, I avoided it. I tend to go see for myself these days, plus there are always those special offers prior to official release date.
Barry had such a soft spot for Woody Allen, who was at his peak during Baz'z golden TV years. Still recall those 'Phil Matey' t-shirts. I've kept pace with most of Mr Allens output in the intervening years but he has never surpassed Annie Hall and particularly Manhattan. Never has a B&W film looked so gorgeous from the opening shot to the moody interior of his flat in New York. That's not forgetting the humour of course which seems to have faded over the years for more loftier ambitions
We'd be taken as kid's to see the latest Bond movie and on leaving the theatre, we would turn right, down a dark back alley next to the old Pilgrim street Odeon and I would imagine all manner of nafarious activity that would have me reaching for my Walther PPK. Afraid that the current franchise of Bond leaves me somewhat cold. Bond was always a figure of fiction to me, an unrealistic agent involved in unrealistic, cinematic adventures that were pure escapism. Who wants reality?
Ok, they were rather sexist, but other than our testosterone filled hero, I grew up without thought of why a woman would watch it anyway; it's probably grown up now and not taken me with it. Harry Palmer, a contemporary, was probably more in keeping with today's version of Bond. But they both were all the better for a John Barry score. Great stuff.
Particular likes and dislikes - well, I do love a good comedy, not too many about these days but What we did on our holiday is a good recent example of the art done well, without mawkish sentiment but with good dialogue, charm and no little wit. Comedy done poorly, well, there's nothing worse, is there?
Thursday, 23 October 2014
Seem to have neglected this outpost for a while; lost out on the early part of the year's details in a mix up with Blogger details so 'bear with'
As far as my Senior memory can recall, so far this year I've seen The Straits, Within Temptation, Steve Hackett (pronounced Hackay!) and the mighty Rutles. All at various venues all with differing appreciations.
Can't honestly recall the chronological order, not that important.
The Straits were a long time wish as I knew that former colleagues of Mr Knopfler were doing the rounds and creating something of a stir. Well, for me, on the night Mark cast too much of a shadow and despite the excellent blowing and plonking from former members of Dire Straits it seems a work in progress. Nice bit of PR though with an audience member acquiring a geetar I believe at one point.
Within Temptation at the 02 Westgate Rd, been looking forward to hearing this lot ever since I first heard Faster on Planet Rock about a year or so earlier. Both myself and good friend John Peace had managed to download much of the back catalogue in the interim and turned up on the night thinking we'd enter about the time doors officially opened. Greeted by a queue that circled the building and headed back down Clayton street we wondered why the sudden interest and would we actually get in.
A bit of regular queue banter and sometime later we became part of the increasing throng at the back of the auditorium. Don't remember much of the setlist, just about recall the support act being very similar and here I think I should leave some space for a future edit. Sharon, I think she's called, has a tremendous set of pipes on her (did I just say that!) and singing her way through a collection of demanding material every night on tour...well, maybe you can guess the rest. From out of the ether came some vocal assistance that can only have been recorded. Maybe, given time it will be treat like canned laughter; just part and parcel but on the night both me & John took exception. About 2/3 into the set list we disappeared to a local hostelry closeby. Nothing wrong with the sound quality, big production values but you can't help feeling you were being taken advantage of by technology. Would I see them again, yes, I think I would, but not at 02.
Mr Hackett, the one that time tends to forget as far as Genesis is concerned. Had seen his early tour efforts at the Sage at the end of last year and he was as impeccable at the City Hall as he was there.
This is where you mention things like stand out tracks etc and without the benefit of notes I have to rely on memory and say it was all blinding! Mind you, I'm improbably biased - never really forgiven the absence of Inside and Out from the Wind & Wuthering album of 77.
Finally The Rutles upstairs at the 02 - running out of space here but just to say that Tea was taken and much amusement was had on the night. Reet good turn Mr Innes!
As far as my Senior memory can recall, so far this year I've seen The Straits, Within Temptation, Steve Hackett (pronounced Hackay!) and the mighty Rutles. All at various venues all with differing appreciations.
Can't honestly recall the chronological order, not that important.
The Straits were a long time wish as I knew that former colleagues of Mr Knopfler were doing the rounds and creating something of a stir. Well, for me, on the night Mark cast too much of a shadow and despite the excellent blowing and plonking from former members of Dire Straits it seems a work in progress. Nice bit of PR though with an audience member acquiring a geetar I believe at one point.
Within Temptation at the 02 Westgate Rd, been looking forward to hearing this lot ever since I first heard Faster on Planet Rock about a year or so earlier. Both myself and good friend John Peace had managed to download much of the back catalogue in the interim and turned up on the night thinking we'd enter about the time doors officially opened. Greeted by a queue that circled the building and headed back down Clayton street we wondered why the sudden interest and would we actually get in.
A bit of regular queue banter and sometime later we became part of the increasing throng at the back of the auditorium. Don't remember much of the setlist, just about recall the support act being very similar and here I think I should leave some space for a future edit. Sharon, I think she's called, has a tremendous set of pipes on her (did I just say that!) and singing her way through a collection of demanding material every night on tour...well, maybe you can guess the rest. From out of the ether came some vocal assistance that can only have been recorded. Maybe, given time it will be treat like canned laughter; just part and parcel but on the night both me & John took exception. About 2/3 into the set list we disappeared to a local hostelry closeby. Nothing wrong with the sound quality, big production values but you can't help feeling you were being taken advantage of by technology. Would I see them again, yes, I think I would, but not at 02.
Mr Hackett, the one that time tends to forget as far as Genesis is concerned. Had seen his early tour efforts at the Sage at the end of last year and he was as impeccable at the City Hall as he was there.
This is where you mention things like stand out tracks etc and without the benefit of notes I have to rely on memory and say it was all blinding! Mind you, I'm improbably biased - never really forgiven the absence of Inside and Out from the Wind & Wuthering album of 77.
Finally The Rutles upstairs at the 02 - running out of space here but just to say that Tea was taken and much amusement was had on the night. Reet good turn Mr Innes!
Thursday, 7 August 2014
Seemed to have been reflecting on past glories and in particular my time at Newcastle College of Arts & Technology. In the late 1970's, it's home was in Bath Lane between the brewery and Westgate Road
A real piece of work; the building was impressive, quirky, tall and forever under threat of demolition in the time that I was there. One impressive room had a door 2/3 of the way up the wall which suggested a missing storey from years gone by.
The outbuildings were a collection of pregnant sheds and remnants from the old Rutherford college of which I know nothing about.
The canteen was always a hive of activity and a welcome recharge when you'd hit a wall in a project you were busy with (or just plain skivving) Rose provided the best burgers and the sort of informality that went down well with everyone.
At the back of the canteen was housed a table tennis table & a jukebox in the early years and its for this reason that this blog occurs. Very contemporary, playing the hits & album tracks of todays stars and an ice breaker for new students huddled round with a plastic cup of coffee (no grand latte's here me lad)
There was always music and the sort of safe secure environment that made me want to stay there forever, however unrealistic
Friendships were forged, relationships blossomed and people moved on.....
Some, sadly, are no longer with us but if they had half the fondness I have for the old building then at least they had some fun.
Anyway, back to the music and a collection of tracks I've put together that recall my time there. Many are chosen from the listing on that old jukebox in late 76, I believe, but a lot are from places and people who still hold a place in my heart. Hope you enjoy.
Track listing : Haittian Divorce - Steely Dan, Take me I'm your's - Squeeze, Kite - Kate Bush,
Wake up & make love with me - Ian Dury, Swingtown - Steve Miller Band,
If you leave me now - Chicago, Baker St - Gerry Rafferty, Jane - Jefferson Starship,
Walking on the Moon - Police, Picture This - Blondie, Ca plane pour moi - Plastic Bertrand
Airport - The Motors, Jealous Guy - Bryan Ferry, Life's been good - Joe Walsh
Maid in Heaven - Be Bop Deluxe, Tragedy - Bee Gees, Over You - Roxy Music
Spanish Dancer - Steve Winwood, Never let her slip away - Andrew Gold
A real piece of work; the building was impressive, quirky, tall and forever under threat of demolition in the time that I was there. One impressive room had a door 2/3 of the way up the wall which suggested a missing storey from years gone by.
The outbuildings were a collection of pregnant sheds and remnants from the old Rutherford college of which I know nothing about.
The canteen was always a hive of activity and a welcome recharge when you'd hit a wall in a project you were busy with (or just plain skivving) Rose provided the best burgers and the sort of informality that went down well with everyone.
At the back of the canteen was housed a table tennis table & a jukebox in the early years and its for this reason that this blog occurs. Very contemporary, playing the hits & album tracks of todays stars and an ice breaker for new students huddled round with a plastic cup of coffee (no grand latte's here me lad)
There was always music and the sort of safe secure environment that made me want to stay there forever, however unrealistic
Friendships were forged, relationships blossomed and people moved on.....
Some, sadly, are no longer with us but if they had half the fondness I have for the old building then at least they had some fun.
Anyway, back to the music and a collection of tracks I've put together that recall my time there. Many are chosen from the listing on that old jukebox in late 76, I believe, but a lot are from places and people who still hold a place in my heart. Hope you enjoy.
Track listing : Haittian Divorce - Steely Dan, Take me I'm your's - Squeeze, Kite - Kate Bush,
Wake up & make love with me - Ian Dury, Swingtown - Steve Miller Band,
If you leave me now - Chicago, Baker St - Gerry Rafferty, Jane - Jefferson Starship,
Walking on the Moon - Police, Picture This - Blondie, Ca plane pour moi - Plastic Bertrand
Airport - The Motors, Jealous Guy - Bryan Ferry, Life's been good - Joe Walsh
Maid in Heaven - Be Bop Deluxe, Tragedy - Bee Gees, Over You - Roxy Music
Spanish Dancer - Steve Winwood, Never let her slip away - Andrew Gold
Saturday, 28 June 2014
You know Summer has arrived when Glasto comes around and Wimbledon hits its second week.
Caught some of the festival vibe last night through Beeb coverage, quite enjoyed what I heard of Foster the People & a small piece of Arcade Fire. Not forgetting Paolo Nuttini.
Missed Blondie but I'm sure to catch up with loads of material over this weekend anyway
Wimbledon takes me on to the end of my Illustrator course and my poster image for this seasons event.
Issues with old versions of Photoshop & Illustrator made transfer between software awkward and as a result most was done in Photoshop. Well, after six weeks you can't expect to take your 'L' plates off as far as Illustrator is concerned.
Quite pleased with the result, its busy, vibrant and keeps the eye moving round it .
World Cup has become something of an off field drama. Undiagnosed vampire Suarez and affected others are struggling to negotiate an acceptable face saving device. I recommend a dentist!
Caught some of the festival vibe last night through Beeb coverage, quite enjoyed what I heard of Foster the People & a small piece of Arcade Fire. Not forgetting Paolo Nuttini.
Missed Blondie but I'm sure to catch up with loads of material over this weekend anyway
Wimbledon takes me on to the end of my Illustrator course and my poster image for this seasons event.
Issues with old versions of Photoshop & Illustrator made transfer between software awkward and as a result most was done in Photoshop. Well, after six weeks you can't expect to take your 'L' plates off as far as Illustrator is concerned.
Quite pleased with the result, its busy, vibrant and keeps the eye moving round it .
World Cup has become something of an off field drama. Undiagnosed vampire Suarez and affected others are struggling to negotiate an acceptable face saving device. I recommend a dentist!
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