'Sin' at the National Gallery

The National Gallery has just opened a new exhibition titled 'Sin', an exploration of depicting the concept of sin in art. It's a nice provocative title but I'm not sure it really lives up to the name. It's in the ground floor galleries and is, essentially, a one-room exhibition of about 14 works. The first painting you see as you walk in is Bronzino's 'Allegory with Venus and Cupid' which could mean virtually anything. Beside it on the wall is Tracey Emin's 'It Was Only A Kiss' in neon lighting. 

To mount an exhibition about 'sin' in only 14 works is quite a challenge. The poster girl for the exhibition is Valesquez's 'Immaculate Conception' and the first painting on the walls is Jan Breughel's 'The Garden of Eden', a delightful little painting full of animals he probably hadn't seen when he painted it. We then move on to Cranach's 'Adam and Eve' and the first sin of eating the fruit of knowledge from the forbidden tree.

A work I hadn't seen before was 'The Scapegoat' by William Holman Hunt on loan from Manchester Art Gallery, a rather strange small painting with a woolly goat looking out of the picture in an odd landscape with a moon and  rainbow in the background. The sign explains that the goat is a symbol of sin and it carries away the sins of the people when it's set free to wander away. I can't help but feel that if you've got to explain something then maybe it's not the best exhibit to use. 

The final work is a small statue of a young man lifting up his tee shirt to look at a wound in his side simply called 'Youth' by Ron Mueck. The sign says, 'The work proposes a path of redemption that questions, disrupts and dismantles stereotypes and prejudices....'. That's a roundabout way of saying the young man in the statue is black. Has he been stabbed or is he the risen Christ for a new age? There are many paintings of Christ showing his wound, often to doubting Thomas, and this statue repeats that image but with the lad in tee shirt and jeans. I couldn't help but think back to Madonna's video for 'Like A Prayer' in the '80s and the outrage at the figure of the 'black Jesus' and the burning crosses. 

It's a free exhibition in the ground floor galleries that you can visit after you've seen the collection and before the shop and exit.

Madonna at the O2, London

Madonna has hit the road again, this time to promote her 'Rebel Heart' record, and last week she arrived at the O2 Arena in London, a venue she's played several times before.

I learned many years ago that it's worth seeing Madonna play live when you can - it's a relatively rare event and she gives good gig, with fab dancing, great lighting and sound and, of course, some fab songs. With Madonna it's easy to think of her as a 'personality' rather than as a musician but she's written some great songs over the years and she knows how to put them across. They're her songs and she can interpret them however she wants but always in a way to please the crowd. And she knows her audience.

M was on top form and actually talked to the audience far more than any other time I've seen her, which was nice. Chatting and joking and giving a heart-felt speech about it being World AIDS Day was very touching, when she almost went tearful.

She played lots of songs, old and new, and I loved the way she includes parts of old songs while performing the new ones - this worked really well throughout the set. She'd also built the runway to at least half way back in the auditorium so more people got to see her up close. She's also a consummate professional, with her dancers trained to perfection and all performing as part of  a family. They were an astonishing bunch, all over the stage but so together and always re-focusing again on Madonna.

Favourite songs were 'Burning Up', 'Devil Pray', 'True Blue', 'Like a Virgin' (obvs) and 'Who's That Girl'. She did a stonking version of 'Music' and a lovely version of 'Material Girl' with a solo, acoustic version of 'La Vie En Rose' which got an enormous applause. I must single out the lovely version of 'Rebel Heart' from the last album, one of my favourite M songs and so her.  I also loved the exerpts of 'Love Don't Live Here Anymore' and 'Justify My Love' included in other songs and, of course, 'Holiday' was the mandatory finale.

Love her or hate her, Madonna works hard and produces some amazing set pieces on stage and she's got an amazing back catalogue of 30 years to choose from for her stage sets. And, of course, she can fly - backwards. Hail Madonna and thank you for a great show!

My Big List of Gigs

I blogged about lists a couple of weeks ago and promised you a big list of the bands wot I have seen. It's not complete and I keep thinking of others, but here it is (in no particular order):

The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, SLADE, 10cc, Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, The Who, The Clash, Lene Lovich, Rachel Sweet, Wreckless Eric, Jona Lewie, The Ramones, Gary Glitter, Lindisfarne, Marianne Faithfull, The Sex Pistols, X-Ray Spex/Poly Styrene, Siouxsie, Brenda Holloway, Chris Clark, Mabel John, Sandie Shaw, Lynsey de Paul, T.Rexstacy, Glen Matlock, The Human League, ABC, Heaven 17, Alison Moyet, Boy George, The B-52's, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Maximo Park, Art Brut, Theoretical Girl, Mystery Jets, Pete & The Pirates, Viv Albertine, Lulu, Shelby Lynne, Suzanne Vega, Petula Clark, Madonna,

Bananrama, Scissor Sisters, New York Dolls, The Dresden Dolls, Amanda Palmer, Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra, Evelyn Evelyn, Jason Webley, Christian Silva, Sandi Thom, The Simple Pleasure, Sinead O'Connor, Yoko Ono, Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band, Patti Smith, Eliza Carthy, The Imagined Village, Ronnie Spector, Carole King, Donovan, Roger Cook, Jessie Malin, Richard Thompson, Ray Davies, Uncle Monk, Public Image Ltd, Sugababes,

Prince, Dr & The Medics, Buzzcocks, Pet Shop Boys, Tom Tom Club, Victor Romero Evans and Chris Tummings, Janet Kay, Linton Kwesi Johnson, Dennis Bovell, The Unthanks, Rachel Unthank & The Winterset, Jimmy Cliff, Jean Binta Breeze, Thea Gilmore, John Cooper Clarke, Suzi Quatro, P!nk, Our Lady J, Justin Vivian Bond, Gavin Creel, Angie Stone, Linda Lewis, Belnda Carlisle, Novice Theory/Geo Wyeth, Ojos de Brujo, Morrissey, The Mummers, Michelle Shocked, Mary J Blige, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas,

Marc Almond, Kiki Dee, Mammas Gun, Steeleye Span, Macy Gray, Liza Minelli, Ladyhawke, Laura Marling, Kim Wilde, Kim Weston, Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Indigo Girls, Alela Diane, Grace Jones, Goldblade, Gladys Knight, Gabrielle, Anastacia, Bad Lieutenant, Barbara Cook, Beverley Knight,

Carl Barat, Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine, Blood Red Shoes, Carroll Thompson, Cerys Matthews, Estelle, Blondie, Emily Barker, David McAlmont, McAlmont & Butler, Comanechi, Cher, Chaka Khan, Bitter Ruin, Fascinating Aida, The Tourists, Alphabeat, Anita Harris, Alan Price, The Funk Brothers, Mary Wilson, Madeleine Bell, Alvin Stardust, Shakin' Stevens, Gregory Porter, Thelma Houston...

... and probably lots more bands from the late 70s and early 80s.

"Did you write the book of love?"

The other morning as I got into the shower a song came on the radio that I haven't heard in many years, I have no idea how many years, but many many years at least. And I found myself singing along to it, virtually word perfect even though I never bought that record at the time. I thought, 'how odd'.

This morning I went onto YouTube to look for it and listen again and heard the long version of the song, quite probably for the first time ever. I, of course, prefer the single version. But it also reminded me that someone else sung that song, a lot more recently, so I had to watch her video as well.

It's strange how some songs ease into the brain and stay in the memory. I couldn't have recited any of the lyrics or the tune without hearing it start to play on the radio but as soon as it started I knew the words and music. Why is that? Obviously, it was played to death in 1971-72 when it was a big hit and back then when I was an impressionable pre-teen and there was still space in my brain for things like song lyrics and music, it obviously found a spot and stayed there quietly until I got into the shower the other day.

It's not like there's a straight narrative to follow in the lyrics or anything, but there's something about it that is memorable. If I knew what it was I'd bottle it and get rich.

Looking in my iTunes library I'm astonished to see that I have another version of the song - well, just the introduction really in 1:40 minutes - a live version by Mott The Hoople. Stranger and stranger. How many versions of this song are out there?

I can't find any videos of Don McLean singing the single version of his signature tune so here is Madonna dancing in front of a flag with little vignettes of American life. You know the song - 'American Pie'.

The Plastic Bag Awards 2012

It's time for the annual Plastic Bag Awards, the Baggies 2012.

2012 has been a special year for us in London with the Olympics and Paralympics over the summer and, before that, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. So much has been going on from Shakespeare plays being acted by actors from all over the world in their own languages at the Globe to pop-up themed musical festivals all along the Thames. As every year, there are revivals and tours, new records released and exhibitions of the great and beautiful. In other words, a lot to choose from.

Best Theatre - Play

The five nominees for best play are:

• She Stoops To Conquer
• What The Butler Saw
• Timon of Athens
• The Last of the Haussmanns
• Much Ado About Nothing

Three of the nominees were from the National Theatre ('She Stoops', 'Timon' and 'Haussmanns') and, of these, I'd pick 'Haussmanns' as the best production, both cheeky and funny with great characters. That came close to winning but the Baggie goes to the wonderful 'Much Ado About Nothing' starring Meera Syal in the innovative Indian version of the play that made me laugh out loud (and I never laugh at Shakespeare, especially the comedies). Meera showed her true acting skills once again, a great actor as well as comedian and writer, wringing every little bit of humour and emotion from the piece. This was the fourth time I'd seen Meera on stage and she keeps getting better. Well done!

Best Theatre - Musical

I didn't see many musicals this year and some of those wouldn't be nominated for a Baggie (such as the time vortex that was 'Starlight Express'). The nominees are:

• Matilda The Musical
• Torch Song Trilogy
• Come Dancing - The Concert
• The Harder They Come - The Concert
• Taboo

'Matilda' was a joy and it was lovely to relive happy memories with the concert versions of 'Come Dancing' and 'The Harder They Come'. It was also good to see 'Torch Song Trilogy' but the award goes to another revival, 'Taboo'!

I saw 'Taboo' a few times in its original run so it was good to see the current revival at the Brixton Clubhouse since it's the Broadway version with some subtle (and not so subtle) changes.  The cast were excellent and it was a delight to see Paul Baker in the role he made his own years ago, playing Philip Sallon. Sam Buttery was great as Leigh Bowery and Katie Kerr delivered a heart-wrenching 'Il Adore' as Big Sue. The production was due to close before Christmas but it's been extended, with a new cast, until March. A hugely enjoyable show with some great songs and performances. See it if you can.

Best Theatre - Entertainment

This is sometimes my favourite Baggies category for all the 'performances' that don't really fit anywhere else and this year was particularly rich in performances.  The nominees are:

• Matthew Bourne's Early Adventures
• Geo Wyeth @ Soho Theatre
• Rain of Poems
• The Unthanks - Songs From The Shipyards
• Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty

Matthew Bourne features twice with his 'Early Adventures' as part of his celebration of 25 years of his New Adventure company and with his new production of 'Sleeping Beauty'. Geo Wyeth is a New York singer, composer and performance artist and had a short season at the Soho Theatre in early summer. The Rain of Poems was a terrific event - and great fun - on the Southbank with poems printed on cards being thrown out of a helicopter in an artistic/political performance about dropping poems on cities rather than bombs. The Unthanks gave a marvellous live performance playing the soundtrack to a film about the growth and death of the shipyards on the Tyne.

All of these have their own merits but the Baggie goes to the magical Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty and its gothic tale of faeries and vampires. The sumptuous design, the story-telling and the twists and turns in the plot made it a joy to behold. I've already got tickets to see it again...

Best Gig

I didn't go to that many gigs in 2012 but did seem to go in multiples - three Amanda Palmer gigs, two Maximo Park gigs and two Buffy Sainte-Marie events (gig and a talk).

• Buffy Sainte-Marie @ Queen Elizabeth Hall
• Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra @ Koko
• Ray Davies @ The Fairfield Halls
• Maximo Park @ Shepherd's Bush
• The Human League @ The Royal Albert Hall

It's always a joy to see Buffy, particularly when she does an extended set and plays some of the songs we rarely hear. Amanda moved to a new level at Koko with her most professional gig yet and Ray Davies and Maximo Park both produced the goods as ever. But, the Baggie has to go to the Human League for their sheer professionalism, the amazing lights and staging, great sound and a set full of hit songs from the last three decades. From the second song the whole audience - including me - stood, clapped and sang along. Well done to Phil, Susan and Joanne - again!

Best Live Performance

I like to single out that special live performance, a performance that brings a song to life adding something above and beyond the recorded version. The nominees are:

• Maximo Park - Hips And Lips (@ Heaven)
• Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Killing Type (@ Art Show)
• Buffy Sainte-Marie - Generation (@ Queen Elizabeth Hall)
• Ray Davies - Come Dancing (@ 'Come Dancing - The Concert' at Theatre Royal Stratford)
• Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Bed Song (@ Koko)

Paul Smith's playing along to 'Hips and Lips', acting out the song for the first time at the launch at Heaven made me hear that song differently every time since then. Amanda opened her Art Show at Village Underground by scraping two knives together as the opening to 'The Killing Type', a perfect opening to a show. Buffy was magnificent singing 'Generation' a song I've never seen her play live before, with her band (aka Bruthers Of Different Muthers) adding an electric backing. Seeing Ray Davies sing 'Come Dancing' is always worth a trip out.

The Baggie goes to Amanda Palmer for her astonishing and emotional performance of 'The Bed Song' at Koko. The band left her on alone on stage as she played her piano and she told us her tale of unsatisfied love down to not talking. It's a tender song and that was a special performance. Thank you Amanda.

Best New Album

This was a very difficult category to judge - how can you compare the first PiL album in 20 years with the first ever record from Viv Albertine or the latest from Maximo Park, an album from Joey Ramone 10 years after he died or the latest crowd-sourced album from Amanda Fucking Palmer? It's impossible, right? We've had a goodly load of great new music this year - and I'll include new albums from Madonna, The Unthanks and Alphabeat in there too - but someone has to win the Baggie...

• Public Image Limited - This Is PiL
• Joey Ramone - Ya Know?
• Maximo Park - The National Health
• Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra - Theatre Is Evil
• Viv Albertine - The Vermillion Border

The judging panel decided to award the Baggie by a smidgeon to Viv Albertine for the excellent 'The Vermillion Border', full of innovative songs, a slight sideways look at life and a great under-produced sound.

Best New Song

Out of the thousands of new songs this year I've picked just five:

• Madonna - Give Me All Your Luvin'
• Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra - Do It With A Rockstar
• Amanda Palmer and The Grand Theft Orchestra - The Bed Song
• Tom Tom Club - Downtown Rockers
• Viv Albertine - I Want More

There's a tendency to either love or hate Madonna and me, I go for whether I like the songs or not, and I fell for the leading single from her latest album 'Give Me All Your Luvin', a great return to danceable pop rather than dance music. It was a treat to finally have some new songs from Tom Tom Club and I love 'Downtown Rockers' that name-checks the late 70s punk scene in New York (I also love how the girls pronounce it 'rockerzzzz'). Viv's album opens with the powerful 'I Want More' - 'no compromise, I want more!'.

The panel shortlisted two Amanda Palmer songs from 'Theatre Is Evil', 'Do It With A Rockstar' and 'The Bed Song'. The latter is a well constructed and emotional journey through a relationship that is beautiful and heart-felt and 'Do It' is a raucous and mad tale of need and threat and desperate lust. Amanda gave away 'Do It With A Rockstar' to people who'd backed her Kickstarter campaign back in May and, later, to anyone in exchange for your email address. I've listened to it countless times and then thoroughly enjoyed the video. So naturally it wins 'best song' since it ticks so many boxes. I would.

Best Exhibition

There's been a mixed bag of exhibitions this year with two great Picasso exhibitions and 'Bronze' at the Royal Academy and a rather ok-ish Pre-Raphaelite exhibition that didn't work for me (and so isn't nominated). Luckily I managed to catch the fascinating Yoko exhibition at The Serpentine and the small but perfectly formed punk exhibition at the Hayward, 'Some Day All The Adults Will Die'.

• Picasso and Modern British Art @ Tate Britain
• Yoko Ono To The Light @ Serpentine Gallery
• Picasso's 'Vollard Suite' @ The British Museum
• Bronze @ The Royal Academy
• Some Day All The Adults Will Die @ Hayward Gallery

The Baggie needs to go to either one of the Picasso exhibitions or to 'Bronze' and the panel decided it should go to 'Bronze' for the wide range of exhibits, the interesting way of collecting them together into themed rooms and for including ancient and modern works together. It lost points for the lighting but gained points for including the magnificent Piggy from Florence.

Olympics and Paralympics London 2012

2012 was an astonishing year for London and the whole country with the Olympics and Paralympics. The summer started off gloomy and wet and then the sun came out for the Olympics and stayed till the end of the Paralympics before the rain returned. It was a magical time in which London changed, people smiled and talked to strangers and I became a London Ambassador dressed in my pink and purple uniform.

I can't possibly choose a single Olympian or Paralympian to receive a Baggie so, instead, have nominated different aspects of London during the Olympics and Paralympics. These are:

• Transport for London Signage
• London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony Rehearsal
• The Olympic Stadium
• London Ambassadors
• The Gift of the Gods - Shot-put
• Olympic Rings on Tower Bridge
• Beverley Knight - I Am What I Am

I loved the way Transport for London plastered pink signs everywhere in the Tube network and stations pointing the way to Olympic venues rather than signposting to different Tube lines. I loved those pink signs. I was privileged to see one of the rehearsals for the Olympics opening ceremony in the Olympic Stadium  and will treasure that memory forever, just as will my experience of being a London Ambassador on the Southbank, walking up and down the south of the Thames handing out maps and guides and directing people to wherever they wanted to go.

London was dotted with art and oddness over the summer and one of my favourites was the 'Gift Of The Gods' installations around town in the strangest places. The 'gifts' were giant shot-put balls dropped from a great height that cracked the pavements and stood there as a testament to the powers of the gods ... all an installation of course, but great fun. I couldn't help but tear up the first time I saw the Olympic Rings hanging from Tower Bridge - that meant it was all finally real and was going to happen, the Olympics in London! I was both surprised and delighted by Beverley Knight appearing at the end of the Paralympics opening ceremony singing a newly arranged version of 'I Am What I Am' that worked so well and put Bev on the world stage.

The judging panel knows it's being a daft and a bit out there but it's gone for the London Transport signage if only because it was there every day, right in front of anyone travelling around London. I miss it.

And there you have it, the Baggies 2012.  I wonder what's in store for 2013....?

Madonna - 'Give Me All Your Luvin''

If you're interested you must have seen the new Madonna video by now. It's had nearly 6.5m views on YouTube alone so far, and that's pretty damn good for a single weekend. I first saw it on Saturday and couldn't help but break into a grin. This is Madonna with a great pop song and a fun video. Her tongue is stuck so far into her cheek it's impossible to gauge. It makes me look forward to the new album due out in late March. Enjoy!