Live Spex

I've been taking a browse around my blog to see what the contenders for The Baggies 2008 might be and I found my excited blog from 10 January about X-Ray Spex playing the Roundhouse in September. I burbled on about hoping for a live CD, DVD and merch.

Well, there was lots of merch at the gig, but I haven't mentioned that there will be a live CD and DVD from the gig. I don't know if they'll be issued separately or as a package, but they should be out early next year since they've almost finished post-production work.

Watch this space for updates.

War Is Over (If You Want It)

A new video from Yoko, pulling together clips of John Lennon talking about peace and ending with 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)':


WAR IS OVER! (If You Want It) from Yoko Ono on Vimeo.

'A Little Night Music' at The Chocolate Factory

Tonight I was treated to seeing 'A Little Night Music' at the Choccy Factory with Chris and Angela (continuing my education in Sondheim). I've never seen it before and only know 'Send In The Clowns' so I didn't know what to expect at all. I was pleasantly surprised, firstly by the Choccy Factory actually having numbered seating for a change (and what low benches they are) and then by the play itself which was really quite charming in an understated way.

It's a story of lost loves and lusts set in turn of the century Sweden, based on an Ingmar Bergman film and directed by Trevor Nunn. The set design was simple, with mainly an empty stage but with screens that acted as doors or walls on three sides, facilitating a lot of fluidity and movement, and an occasional bed or rug evoking a room or a lawn. I also liked the title artwork in the motif of a Christmas tree, perfect for this winter season which is already sold out till it closes in March.

I liked the interplay between the leading couple of Alexander Hanson as Frederik (the middle-aged, middle class lawyer) and Hannah Waddingham as Desiree (the slightly shocking actress and femme fatale he loved 14 years ago) who meet again when her play comes to town. They worked well together and I can easily see them as lovers - I was convinced. I was less convinced by Frederik's 18 year old second wife and Desiree's crass army lover. And Frederik's son just seemed like a manic Hugh Lawrie on a bad day going into one of his more stereotyped comic turns.

I quite liked the generational thing of having the children (all the teens, including Frederik's wife), the adults (the main characters) and the third generation represented by Desiree's mother, played by Maureen Lipman in a wheelchair (not sure why she was in a wheelchair). I liked Maureen, with her perfect timing, playing a woman who slept with Kings and Dukes and secured her fortune at the expense of true love and happiness. She might have been the oldest character but she has the wit and wisdom to keep them all in their place. She has great comic timing and made me smile.

I enjoyed it. There are some very tender songs and some thought-provoking themes. It was quite calming in a way and sedately paced at least up to the final farce scenes of people running round looking for one another (and yes, we did get a trousers-falling-down scene). If it wasn't already sold out then I think this is a production I'd quite like to see again since I'd probably spot nuances I didn't see tonight. Well done to the Choccy Factory on another excellent production.

Matthew Bourne's 'Edward Scissorhands'

Last night we went to see Matthew Bourne's 'Edward Scissorhands' at Sadlers Wells. I like Sadlers Wells, it always seems so civilised, and seeing a Matthew Bourne production has almost become synonymous with 'Christmas treat' in recent years.

I've never seen the film so didn't really know what to expect. I went with eyes wanting to expand with wonder and adventure but, unfortunately, that didn't happen too often. I wanted to like the production and I did, but I didn't love it. Not like Matthew's 'Swan Lake' or 'Nutcracker'. It felt like narrative rather than emotion and there didn't seem to be much dancing as opposing to rhythmic movement.

The first half seemed to be entirely scene setting and rather slow. There were some nice pieces but it seemed over-long and slowly paced. The second half picked up big time and was far more enjoyable - mind you, I couldn't help but think the townsfolk were simply stupid - I had difficulty suspending judgement! I'm afraid one of the most memorable pieces for me was when Edwards wanders on stage at the end, snips his scissors in the air and snow erupted over the audience. That was a nice touch and sends you away on a high.

Overall, I'm pleased I saw it but I wasn't as wowed as I'd expected to be. It made me want to see 'Nutcracker' again, so I think I'll hunt out the DVD over the weekend.

A Thompson Family Christmas

The Thompson family - Linda, Richard, Teddy and Kamila - have released a new Christmas single called simply, 'Christmas'. It's supposed to be available on iTunes but I can't find it so maybe it'll surface tomorrow. It's in aid of Amnesty International. I'm sure it'll be well worth the listen.

The annoying thing is that Teddy Thomspon is doing a one-off Christmas gig tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Queen Elizabeth Hall with his mam as special guest. I've been a fan of Linda Thompson since the late '70s but never seen her live. I like Teddy's latest album so seeing him and the wonderful Linda would've been a treat - even more of a treat since it's billed as a special Christmas show with guests including Justin Bond and Rachel Unthank & The Winterset.

But I won't be there. I'll be seeing Matthew Bourne's 'Edward Scissorhands' at Sadlers Wells. I ordered the tickets back at the start of the year, long before Teddy's show was announced. Ggrrrr. 'Scissorhands' had better be *good*!

Organised?

O God! I *thought* I was so organised but this Christmas is going the same way of every other Christmas. Actually, it's worse.

I haven't written a single card yet which means I've missed all the international postal deadlines (sorry if you were expecting one). I *think* all presents are safely bought but they're not wrapped or posted and there's no way I can do that tomorrow due to work meetings, so I won't post anything until Wednesday. It'll all be first class so should arrive before Christmas but it still leaves me uncomfortable since I'm a public Christmasoholic...

My tree appeared yesterday. It's about 6.5 feet tall and has a distinct list which gives it a certain rakish, devil-may-care kind of look. I put some lights on it to help the branches spread out and to check that it would still be standing after a day (after last year's disaster when it fell over). It is still standing and looking mighty proud but still just has two sets of lights on it. I'll do that on Wednesday as well.

My *special* present arrived in the post from Santa (who runs an eBay site these days) on Saturday so I need to wrap that and put it under the tree. I've desisted looking at it so far and want to gawp at it properly on Christmas day.

I've got food and drink on order from Sainsbury's Online to be delivered on Friday so I'll have a full larder (unless you want meat). Friday is my first full day of Christmas holiday so I'll be well busy wrapping stuff and placing it under the tree. Short of an emergency at work, I'm off until after the New Year which will be nice.

I've got a full calendar of stuff to see and do over Christmas - Chris is taking me to see 'White Christmas' on the big screen at the National Film Theatre next weekend and to see 'Twelfth Night' with Derek Jacobi after Christmas; Slade are headlining the 'Merry Xmas Tour 2008' at Shepherds Bush on Monday; trips to Sadlers Wells and the National Theatre and Martha Reeves in concert this Saturday.

Phew! It's all go. I'm also reading 'A Christmas Carol' for the first time in ages to help me get in the mood.

Right, what do I need to do now...?

New Christmas Songs

Each year it's fun to track down and discover new Christmas songs, often covers of old or traditional songs, but occasionally, a real new 'un!

A few years ago I added, 'I'm Going Home' with David Essex on vocals and various stars of Christmas hits in the '70s playing and singing along (including Dave and Don from SLADE, of course). A couple of years ago I discovered Sufjan Steven's Christmas box and Leigh Nash and her Christmas ep, particularly her lovely 'Maybe This Christmas'. I also discovered Martha Wainwright's 'Merry Christmas And A Happy New Year'. Last year my big find was 'Christmas Eve in Fairy Land' by Gracie Field - that song just tickles my Christmas bone.

This year has seen a bumper crop of Christmas songs headed by the punktastic 'City Of Christmas Ghosts' by Goldblade and the mighty Poly Styrene (those 'la, la la-las' get me every time). If only it was released in hard cd copy then that's what everyone would get for Christmas from this particular Santa.

Other finds include:

~ 'It's Christmas Time', another new one, this time by Status Quo with their familiar chug chug guitar boogie and random Christmas sentiments;

~ 'Ghost Of Christmas' by the Manic Street Preachers which sounds exactly like you'd imagine it would, and definitely in the spirit of SLADE's classic 'Merry Christmas Everybody';

~ 'A Christmas Duel' by The Hives & Cyndi Lauper, another new 'un, which is worth it for Cyndi's opening line alone;

~ 'Warm This Winter' by Gabriella Cilmi which is actually from her album released earlier this year but which is perfect for a Christmas song;

~ 'Father Christmas' by the Kinks - how on earth have I missed this one over the years and why isn't it on every Christmas compilation album? It's not your standard 'isn't Christmas fun' song, but it's got some great sentiments in it about the loss of the spirit of Christmas.

A couple of oddities I've found are 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas' by Coldplay (the only track by Coldplay in my library) and 'Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)' by Death Cab For Cutie. I haven't heard the Killers new song yet, with Elton and Neil Tennant, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

One of my favourites is another new song, 'Still This Love Goes On' by Buffy Sainte-Marie. It's not a Christmas song at all but it conjours up images of snowy-frosty mornings and roaring fires and jingle dancers, and, with Buffy's haunting voice, that's enough for me.

Amanda Palmer should do a Christmas song - I bet it would be fab and she'd do a great video for it as well. C'mon Amanda - what're you waiting for?

I'll keep looking for new Christmas songs so watch this space...

The iPod Pixie

Y'know when you put your trusty portable music machine on shuffle and it throws up all sorts of unexpected music? That's the iPod Pixie that is and today mine was truly inspired.

He's obviously been doing some homework and practiced spinnning the platters, working up to his masterpiece. This evening the pixie threw together a magnificent trio of 'Strength Through Music' by Amanda Palmer followed by 'Just A Little Lovin'' by Dusty Springfield followed by 'Cuz I Can' by Pink. Go on try it - it works.

Sometimes I love my iPod Pixie - mine's better than yours!

The End Of Childhood

The sad news that Oliver Postgate has died has finally reached me despite it being all over the news. I should think that most people between the ages of 30-60 probably grew up with their favourite characters from kids telly and Oliver created Bagpuss, often noted as the most favourite of all kids telly shows.

I'm a bit too old to have any fondness for Bagpuss - he appeared about the time I considered myself to be too old for programmes like that. My allegiance goes much further back, back to Noggin The Nog, Ivor The Engine (and yes, I can still make sound of the steam train), the mythic Pogles Wood and those mad aliens, the Clangers. The true artistry of these series isn't state of the art animation or anything like that, it's the power of story telling and characterisation. You don't need flash whiz-bang stuff to make me believe in Noggin and his Viking world or Ivor in the valleys.

I pop on over to the Dragons' Friendly Society every now and then to see what's happening in that rather charming and old fashioned world. It's nice that sites like that exist in the web.

It's only when something like Oliver leaving that starts people thinking and remembering, or at least that happens to me. It takes me back to sitting in front of a roaring coal fire on a chilly afternoon as it got dark, curtains twitching and closing, and watching Noggin or Ivor on our black and white telly. Very sentimental, I know, but that's allowed sometimes.

Thank you, Mr Postgate.

Steel City Tour

The Steel City Tour reached London last night, with Heaven 17, ABC and the Human League playing Hammersmith Apollo, all bands hailing from Sheffield (steel city) in the early '80s. We were in the front row of the balcony so had a perfect view of the stage for a change. After gorging on chips (a carbohydrate meal for the gods) we took the plunge and joined the snaking queue to get inside. Astonishingly, there wasn't a crowd round the merch stall and neither were there huge queues at the bar, very unlike my last trip to the Apollo to see the Sex Pistols. It was with a little thrill that I took my seat and gloried at the view - Heaven 17 were on and played their final song, 'Temptation' (of course). But I wasn't there to see Heaven 17...

I was strangely fascinated watching the roadies dismantle the set and re-build it for ABC, draping red velvet around the podiums and huge red curtains to form the backdrop. I've never seen ABC before, not even back in the day, so it was a great thrill when Martin Fry finally walked on stage, all smart and proper in a grey wool suit - alas, no gold lame suit but hey, you can't have everything. I don't know who the rest of the band were, but ABC is, essentially, Martin, so I was happy.

Martin opened the set with 'The Very First Time' from the latest album, 'Traffic' (with the line, 'I'm not arrogant enough to suffer for my art), which was brave of him but it also signalled that this was a proper set and from a band that had new music to sell as well as doing the crowd-pleasing greatest hits. And that was fine by me since the new album is excellent ('Ride' was played mid-way through the set). The big applause was, of course, reserved for the hits, for 'Poisoned Arrow', 'When Smokey Sings', 'How To Be A Millionnaire' and the glorious 'The Look Of Love', which closed the set. It was great to see and hear ABC live after all these years.

Tension mounted as the roadies dismantled the set again, removed the red velvet, the risers and even the carpet to reveal the white flooring belonging to the Human League... Darkness but no silence greeted the first chords of the overture, and then lights appeared and massive blaring, atmospheric sound, courtesy of the technology pioneered by the original League in the late '70s that helped them create the new sound of pop music in the '80s.

As the seconds ticked across the massive light screens on stage, Phil Oakey appeared in a long coat singing, appropriately, 'Seconds'. What a great opening song. As Phil left the stage on came Susan and Joanne in billowing dry ice (yay for the '80s!) with the opening 'ooo's of 'Mirror Man' and off we go on a journey of discovery and memory and sheer fabness! Hit after hit assaulted us from the stage and we had a perfect view as Phil prowled and ran across the stage and the girls oooed and aahhed and struck poses in their glittering fancy frocks (Susan looks too thin but very striking).

I was forced to sing along and I managed to get the 'Love Action' rap word perfect again so I was pleased with myself. I know it's not difficult but I always get a word wrong somewhere, but not last night. Highlights included ... well, everything really! They played a great set with a great light show, one of the best I've ever seen. I loved '(Keep Feeling) Fascination', 'Louise', 'The Sound Of The Crowd' and the marvellous 'The Lebannon', with an encore of 'Being Boiled' and 'Together In Electric Dreams'. Particular kudos goes to the opener, 'Seconds', the thrill of 'Empire State Human' with Phil singing the first half on his knees and the grandeur of 'Being Boiled'.

Phew! That was some adventure last night! Thank you Martin, thank you Joanne, thank you Susan and thank you ever so much Mr Philip Oakey. Wow!