Category Archives: Music

New world, old world

Posted on June 6, 2018 by

A fascinating evening of music and readings from Bill Murray and cellist Jan Vogler. They certainly deserved the standing ovations. I had one reservation though: Yes, that Bill Murray — actor, comic, loon and, maybe, the man who has found … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Race, Reviews | Tagged , , , ,

Lacklustre

Posted on May 14, 2018 by

Ladysmith Black Mambazo seem to be stuck in a rut. From my review of their Bath Festival concert: There’s no question that Ladysmith Black Mambazo are a force for good; they are, after all, the singers who provided the soundtrack … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Music, Reviews | Tagged ,

Van in vain

Posted on May 7, 2018 by

Not a night to remember. From my review of Van Morrison at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival: If you love vintage blues and jazz, you may have mixed feelings about Van Morrison’s desire to dig through the archives and pay homage … Continue reading →

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Zappa-esque

Posted on May 4, 2018 by

Words on parade at the Cheltenham Jazz Festival.

Posted in Music, Photography | Tagged , , ,

More strings than swing

Posted on April 11, 2018 by

From my review of Gregory Porter’s latest visit to the Albert Hall: This might have been a world record. Has anyone in the history of mass marketing dared to perform The Christmas Song when we are still recuperating from Easter? Since this … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews, Uncategorized | Tagged , ,

Shock tactics

Posted on March 31, 2018 by

You are a middle-aged, female musician playing a solo gig at a small venue where a gaggle of laddish men, completely uninterested in your songs, are making so much noise that you can barely hear yourself. You politely ask them … Continue reading →

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Joan Baez’s “Fare Thee Well” tour

Posted on March 16, 2018 by

The folk queen is on the road one last time, or so she says. Her voice may be darker than it once was, but that actually is no bad thing – the lengthening shadows give the lyrics extra resonance.  The … Continue reading →

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Legend

Posted on March 11, 2018 by

PS: “Chan Chan” is the song that everyone knows – it became the anthem of the Buena Vista Social Club – but of the many, many other pieces he recorded “Macusa” has always been my favourite.

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Voices

Posted on March 8, 2018 by

Sandra Bernhard clearly loved being at Ronnie Scott’s. Wouldn’t it be fun if she became a regular visitor? Mr S himself would probably have enjoyed her brand of humour: Who would have thought she would end up here? Sandra Bernhard … Continue reading →

Posted in Music, Reviews | Tagged , ,

Notebook

Posted on February 15, 2018 by

I sit in the front of the car with Elke and doze as we listen to David Hasselhof  songs on Bob! Radio (fuck me) and head to Potsdam for a live radio interview on the way to Berlin. At the … Continue reading →

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