I started this project as part of this blog back in August 2009. I decided to go through my music alphabetically by artist (well, that is how they are shelved...such a Librarian) and make compilation CDs of all my favourite tunes*.
The Best of Best of Best of's if you will.
I also decided to blog about why I choose each artist/song as part of the project. It's funny, sometimes the choices hold up, other times I cannot believe I omitted some songs for others...I guess it was where I was at...at the time!
As far as the discs go I am still only up to Creedance Clearwater Revival (6 Discs to get to there!) and today I got my posts up to Bowie....got a long way to go, I will try to be more regular with updates!!!
*I am only using albums from my A-Z CD run - so that does not include soundtracks, classical, jazz and other compilations (or cassettes and vinyl)...they can be another project!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
DAVID BOWIE
DAVID BOWIE
These big, classic artists are really hard to write about...
My first glimpse of Bowie, I think, was the clip to Ashes to Ashes - an iconic clip, but it scared the hell out of me! Firstly, HE was a clown, I do not like clowns; then there was that black sky; and finally they were all walking in front of that tractor...totally weird...to me! Yet, I really liked the song...I also love the lyrics...no idea why I did not include this...so many great songs, way too many to choose from!
I know I listened to lots of Bowie growing up, but he did not really register for me until Let's Dance - which as a fan now, I can see is so wrong, I was just too young to appreciate him prior to that. I loved the rock and pop sensibilities of that album - in fact the very first piece of vinyl I bought with my own money!
I was twelve...
Whilst that album seems so mainstream these days, back then not so much, although certainly a departure from previous material. I so desperately wanted to see him on the Serious Moonlight Tour...I had to wait 20 years to see him live, but it was worth it!!!
It was difficult to choose only 4 tracks, but that was all the room I had left on the disc i was compiling for this project.
TRACK SIXTEEN: Man who sold the world
This is an early tune, a classic, a cult tune to some. I knew it well enough, but really loved the Nirvana version from their unplugged session and listened to it over and over; and then returned to the original, and loved it more than anything else.
It is the perfect indie tune, you can see the appeal to Cobain. The guitar riff goes down as a classic, and the percussion is light but adds another dimension.
TRACK SEVENTEEN: Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was a concept album from 1972 featuring "Ziggy Stardut". I recall my Dad getting into this at some point, I cannot recall when, I know it was not 1972...my recollection is not that good! I know I got my own 'copy' on a cassette and played it until the tape split...I loved, loved, loved that album!!! Ziggy and Starman were standout favourites, but the whole album is great.
Here is a fabulous clip from the movie with Bowie/Ziggy at his best! I am pretty sure Abba based some of their outfits on this spectacular number, and what a fabulous shade of red in his hair!
TRACK EIGHTEEN: Starman
Same album, more melody and Mick Ronson's cracker, funky guitar...don't get much better than this. Oh, and then there are the lyrics:
Some cat was layin' down some rock n roll lotta soul
That weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive
...are my favourites!
Love the blue guitar in this clip.
TRACK NINETEEN: Golden Years
Golden years has grown on me over the years, I'd put it up there as a favourite. It has that funky sort of backbeat, the timbre of his voice, deep and smooth (just how I like it) and high almost falsetto. Great to dance to.
This is the legendary clip from Soul Train. Bowie was one of the very few white artists to be featured and he was stinking drunk!!!
These big, classic artists are really hard to write about...
My first glimpse of Bowie, I think, was the clip to Ashes to Ashes - an iconic clip, but it scared the hell out of me! Firstly, HE was a clown, I do not like clowns; then there was that black sky; and finally they were all walking in front of that tractor...totally weird...to me! Yet, I really liked the song...I also love the lyrics...no idea why I did not include this...so many great songs, way too many to choose from!
I know I listened to lots of Bowie growing up, but he did not really register for me until Let's Dance - which as a fan now, I can see is so wrong, I was just too young to appreciate him prior to that. I loved the rock and pop sensibilities of that album - in fact the very first piece of vinyl I bought with my own money!
I was twelve...
Whilst that album seems so mainstream these days, back then not so much, although certainly a departure from previous material. I so desperately wanted to see him on the Serious Moonlight Tour...I had to wait 20 years to see him live, but it was worth it!!!
It was difficult to choose only 4 tracks, but that was all the room I had left on the disc i was compiling for this project.
TRACK SIXTEEN: Man who sold the world
This is an early tune, a classic, a cult tune to some. I knew it well enough, but really loved the Nirvana version from their unplugged session and listened to it over and over; and then returned to the original, and loved it more than anything else.
It is the perfect indie tune, you can see the appeal to Cobain. The guitar riff goes down as a classic, and the percussion is light but adds another dimension.
TRACK SEVENTEEN: Ziggy Stardust
The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars was a concept album from 1972 featuring "Ziggy Stardut". I recall my Dad getting into this at some point, I cannot recall when, I know it was not 1972...my recollection is not that good! I know I got my own 'copy' on a cassette and played it until the tape split...I loved, loved, loved that album!!! Ziggy and Starman were standout favourites, but the whole album is great.
Here is a fabulous clip from the movie with Bowie/Ziggy at his best! I am pretty sure Abba based some of their outfits on this spectacular number, and what a fabulous shade of red in his hair!
TRACK EIGHTEEN: Starman
Same album, more melody and Mick Ronson's cracker, funky guitar...don't get much better than this. Oh, and then there are the lyrics:
Some cat was layin' down some rock n roll lotta soul
That weren't no DJ that was hazy cosmic jive
...are my favourites!
Love the blue guitar in this clip.
TRACK NINETEEN: Golden Years
Golden years has grown on me over the years, I'd put it up there as a favourite. It has that funky sort of backbeat, the timbre of his voice, deep and smooth (just how I like it) and high almost falsetto. Great to dance to.
This is the legendary clip from Soul Train. Bowie was one of the very few white artists to be featured and he was stinking drunk!!!
BON JOVI
BON JOVI
All hair and denim with a bit of leather - Bon Jovi was the 80s! I admit I was not that much of a fan back then, I saw them more as a guilty pleasure. As time goes on, I can enjoy them guilt free and saw them live late in 2010...you can read about it here!
http://www.reviews-vyv.blogspot.com/2010/12/bon-jovi.html
TRACK FOURTEEN: Always
This is the big power ballad, yeah a bit bad, but I am a sucker for these tunes...overblown and overstated...but Jeez Jon looks hot! The clip is so mid 90s and a bit meladramatic...I did like her green bra!!
TRACK FIFTEEN: Bad medicine
It's just Rock n Roll baby!!! It's got a good hook and a funky kind of riff, the lyrics are highly amusing, it gives you dances moves - on your knees; count them: one, two, three...you can vamp it up on the dancefloor...ok I will stop before I put the rock snobs off and loose my membership :)
Oh and here is that classic film clip...the jeans couldn't be tighter, the hair couldn't be bigger...imagine if someone let a flame!!
All hair and denim with a bit of leather - Bon Jovi was the 80s! I admit I was not that much of a fan back then, I saw them more as a guilty pleasure. As time goes on, I can enjoy them guilt free and saw them live late in 2010...you can read about it here!
http://www.reviews-vyv.blogspot.com/2010/12/bon-jovi.html
TRACK FOURTEEN: Always
This is the big power ballad, yeah a bit bad, but I am a sucker for these tunes...overblown and overstated...but Jeez Jon looks hot! The clip is so mid 90s and a bit meladramatic...I did like her green bra!!
TRACK FIFTEEN: Bad medicine
It's just Rock n Roll baby!!! It's got a good hook and a funky kind of riff, the lyrics are highly amusing, it gives you dances moves - on your knees; count them: one, two, three...you can vamp it up on the dancefloor...ok I will stop before I put the rock snobs off and loose my membership :)
Oh and here is that classic film clip...the jeans couldn't be tighter, the hair couldn't be bigger...imagine if someone let a flame!!
BLONDIE
BLONDIE
Deborah Harry - everything has already been said! I do adore her, I love her sassy snap and cool punk spirit. I have always wanted to do her blonde/black dipped bob (bit too old for that now methinks) and then there is her voice...smooth, cute, innocent and sexy all at once.
TRACK THIRTEEN: In the flesh
This I remember from my Countdown days and the story is it was a B-side that Molly played accidentally (oh Molly, how we love you so!). Very different from their other punky tunes, an instant hit and secured Blondie star status in Australia. I choose In the flesh over other songs as it is just a great song to sing-a-long to! I actually cannot believe I did not include Rapture, cause I do love that song and the clip (will add it below...just because).
Great clip for In the Flesh - not seen this in years, maybe this is where I got my love of Berets from...she looks so cool!!
Here is Rapture - don't get much cooler than this!
Deborah Harry - everything has already been said! I do adore her, I love her sassy snap and cool punk spirit. I have always wanted to do her blonde/black dipped bob (bit too old for that now methinks) and then there is her voice...smooth, cute, innocent and sexy all at once.
TRACK THIRTEEN: In the flesh
This I remember from my Countdown days and the story is it was a B-side that Molly played accidentally (oh Molly, how we love you so!). Very different from their other punky tunes, an instant hit and secured Blondie star status in Australia. I choose In the flesh over other songs as it is just a great song to sing-a-long to! I actually cannot believe I did not include Rapture, cause I do love that song and the clip (will add it below...just because).
Great clip for In the Flesh - not seen this in years, maybe this is where I got my love of Berets from...she looks so cool!!
Here is Rapture - don't get much cooler than this!
THE BLACK SORROWS
THE BLACK SORROWS
Big fan of Joe Camilleri, and loved The Black Sorrows back in the day. I saw them at least twice (recollection hazy), I think once at Newcastle Workers Club and another at The Palais...possibly more! That mid 80s era was hit after hit and I will admit by the mid 90s I had reached saturation point, especially after the supremely talented Bull sisters left the group - they added that something extra to the group that helped them soar.
TRACK ELEVEN: Daughters of Glory
Daughters of Glory, track 1 from Dear Children is almost a rockabilly track, pulls you in from the first crack of the drums and that cowbell. Salacious lyrics and fabulous harmonies...no Bull Sisters on this one, that was yet to come.
This is a dodgy clip from Countdown, watch the bad miming!!
TRACK TWELVE: Hold on to me
If you said to me a decade ago, I would add this to such a project, I would have laughed at you. But, here it is, a classic Sorrows tune...beautiful clear guitar, wonderful lyrics, shining harmonies, a perfect pop tune. I love the clip too, great depiction of Aussie pubs back in the day...oh how I miss that laidback type of pub. Also love the sheer joy of those gorgeous Bull girls and their tambourines...enjoy...
Big fan of Joe Camilleri, and loved The Black Sorrows back in the day. I saw them at least twice (recollection hazy), I think once at Newcastle Workers Club and another at The Palais...possibly more! That mid 80s era was hit after hit and I will admit by the mid 90s I had reached saturation point, especially after the supremely talented Bull sisters left the group - they added that something extra to the group that helped them soar.
TRACK ELEVEN: Daughters of Glory
Daughters of Glory, track 1 from Dear Children is almost a rockabilly track, pulls you in from the first crack of the drums and that cowbell. Salacious lyrics and fabulous harmonies...no Bull Sisters on this one, that was yet to come.
This is a dodgy clip from Countdown, watch the bad miming!!
TRACK TWELVE: Hold on to me
If you said to me a decade ago, I would add this to such a project, I would have laughed at you. But, here it is, a classic Sorrows tune...beautiful clear guitar, wonderful lyrics, shining harmonies, a perfect pop tune. I love the clip too, great depiction of Aussie pubs back in the day...oh how I miss that laidback type of pub. Also love the sheer joy of those gorgeous Bull girls and their tambourines...enjoy...
BJORK
BJORK
Mention Bjork and everyone has a comment or view, even if it is only about her Swan dress at The Oscars that year! I happen to like Bjork a lot, I like her individuality and the strength of her convictions to continue to march to the beat of her own drum...people like Bjork will always appeal to me.
I also happen to like most of her music, I am not an ardent fan, there are some tracks that do sound like fingernails down a chalk board, but there are some tracks that are simply sublime...like all art, there are hits and misses.
I always enjoyed The Sugarcubes vivacious pop, but it was with the wonderful solo outing Debut that I really 'discovered' Bjork. Unusual with an eclectic mix of pop, odd sounds and jazz, it was like an awakening for the ears. The follow up, Post, featuring another favourite, It's oh so quiet, is also a great album.
I was lucky enough to see Bjork live, back in the 1994, at the third Big Day Out. The height of her popularlity, in a white deconstructed 'dress', she headlined and tore the show apart!
TRACK TEN: Human Behaviour
I chose Human Behaviour for this project as it is one of those perfectly formed tunes. From the catchy percussion introduction with her note perfect Soprano voice sounding oh so sexy and sultry, it draws you in. The guitars slowly join the rhythm and the song builds beautifully. A song you can dance to and if you dare, sing along with. And just when you get into the rhythm, it backs off, slows down and quietens, until her voice bursts back in. And up and down it goes, seemingly unpredictable. Then add in a funky guitar riff, a slow down to almost nothing and back it goes again. I will never tire of this song.
Here is a link to the sorta bastardised Goldilocks and The Three Bears filmclip directed by Michael Gondry.
Mention Bjork and everyone has a comment or view, even if it is only about her Swan dress at The Oscars that year! I happen to like Bjork a lot, I like her individuality and the strength of her convictions to continue to march to the beat of her own drum...people like Bjork will always appeal to me.
I also happen to like most of her music, I am not an ardent fan, there are some tracks that do sound like fingernails down a chalk board, but there are some tracks that are simply sublime...like all art, there are hits and misses.
I always enjoyed The Sugarcubes vivacious pop, but it was with the wonderful solo outing Debut that I really 'discovered' Bjork. Unusual with an eclectic mix of pop, odd sounds and jazz, it was like an awakening for the ears. The follow up, Post, featuring another favourite, It's oh so quiet, is also a great album.
I was lucky enough to see Bjork live, back in the 1994, at the third Big Day Out. The height of her popularlity, in a white deconstructed 'dress', she headlined and tore the show apart!
TRACK TEN: Human Behaviour
I chose Human Behaviour for this project as it is one of those perfectly formed tunes. From the catchy percussion introduction with her note perfect Soprano voice sounding oh so sexy and sultry, it draws you in. The guitars slowly join the rhythm and the song builds beautifully. A song you can dance to and if you dare, sing along with. And just when you get into the rhythm, it backs off, slows down and quietens, until her voice bursts back in. And up and down it goes, seemingly unpredictable. Then add in a funky guitar riff, a slow down to almost nothing and back it goes again. I will never tire of this song.
Here is a link to the sorta bastardised Goldilocks and The Three Bears filmclip directed by Michael Gondry.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
SHORT AND SWEET
Short and Sweet, Playhouse - Saturday 3 December
Short and Sweet was our final Inspirations for 2011. Basically it was 10 X 10 minute plays! What a fantastic night out. Mostly young performers, writers and directors with high energy and interesting subject matter. I like the two about young, nervy males trying to ask their more confidant co-workers out, they were funny and well acted. Another about what you thought was a nursing home, but ended up being a morgue used black humour and pathos enjoyably.
This is the second year for Short and Sweet, although my first viewing, I hope they do more next year. It is the perfect introduction to live theatre and engaging...if you didn't like something, it would not be long until something else came on stage...great premise. Although some were not as great as others, I thought they were all worth watching.
Short and Sweet was our final Inspirations for 2011. Basically it was 10 X 10 minute plays! What a fantastic night out. Mostly young performers, writers and directors with high energy and interesting subject matter. I like the two about young, nervy males trying to ask their more confidant co-workers out, they were funny and well acted. Another about what you thought was a nursing home, but ended up being a morgue used black humour and pathos enjoyably.
This is the second year for Short and Sweet, although my first viewing, I hope they do more next year. It is the perfect introduction to live theatre and engaging...if you didn't like something, it would not be long until something else came on stage...great premise. Although some were not as great as others, I thought they were all worth watching.
STEVIE NICKS
Stevie Nicks (with Dave Stewart), Newcastle Entertainment Centre - Wednesday 30 November
I adore Stevie, my father being a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, I grew up with their music and was fixated with her, from a very young age, 6 or so I suppose. When you love someone and their music so much, they become almost untouchable and seeing them live is almost impossible as they will never live up to the hype...it's easier to just listen to their music from the comfort of your home. This is how I feel about Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, I have never bothered to see them and also am not a fan of Newcastle Entertainment Centre (The Shed!). And let's face it, Stevie has shoved so much Coke up her nose, she should not be able to sing. So I am unsure what possessed me to go to this, but luckily I am beside myself with excitement about it...still...
Dave Stewart was the support act, he had collaborated with her and produced her new album, which I have and love. We arrived as he started, and he was good. Better than I thought, not a great singer, but he had that rock n roll presence which made up for his voice. He also had a cracking band and amazing back up singers. One divine sister gave us some stunning renditions of some Eurythmics' songs.
Then after a short break it began... her entrance was pure rock arrival! Lights shining, band playing, audience pulsating with anticipation. Stand Back was playing and she rose in the centre of the stage, backlit beautifully, and began to sing. At that moment I breathed a sigh of relief, not only did she sound good, she was pure entertainment in the best possible way.
The set was amazing, although she did tell us it would be. What I loved more than the music, was she liked to talk in between songs, and talk the right kind of talk. I have been to lots of concerts and some performers just don't get the banter right, in fact not many can do it at all. And that's ok, you are there for the music, however, when someone gets it right is adds a something altogether different to the show and pushes it into a whole other dimension...this is what Stevie Nicks did!
So, after Stand Back, she spoke, she was thrilled to be here and singing her songs, especially those on her new album. She explained it would not be a greatest hits tour, almost a warning, for those only wanting hits (eg not real fans...yeah I know, I get snobby about this kinda stuff!) I took this to mean she would do a lot from her new album and was happy with that, it's a great album. She then said she had mixed together a good set, that she was good at that making songs fit and mix...at first I thought it was a little cocky, but she was bloody right...it was a perfect set. There were a lot of songs I would have loved to hear, but I think she picked what works best for her and her voice at this time in her life...which by the way is 64!!!!! That also is fine by me, nothing worse than hearing a favourite butcher their own songs!
So the set list is as follows:
Stand back
Secret love
Dreams
Moonlight
Gold dust woman
Soldier's angel
Annabel Lee
For what its worth
Rhiannon
Landslide
Ghosts are gone
Leather and lace
Encore: Edge of 17
Love is
Basically a hit and then a new song and so on. She explained each song as if a mother releasing one of her children out to strangers, why she wrote it, what it meant to her and so on...touching, stunning, loving stories...a true performer. She is rather eccentric and witchy of course, and that is part of the charm.
She looked good and had 3 costume changes, the lighting was perfect and the set/back videos amazing. It all just worked so well. And then there was the band, and what a band, they were tight and fabulous! They had all performed with her for years. Her guitarist since she was 17!!! The back up singers the same two girls I used to admire on her record covers as a teen - wishing I was one of them. The 'newer' members had performed with her since the early 90s. To me this is a sign of a decent person, you just do not hang around with someone for that long if they are awful, especially in the music industry. She had this charm and honesty that struck a chord with me, and I imagine the audience. She loved what she was doing, she loved those doing it with her, loved those who helped her along the way, and loved us for coming to listen to her.
She said she thought she would never release another album, and that she would live out her existence doing the odd tour with Fleetwood Mac whenever Mick called her up and invited her. She also said felt she was irrelevant today in the music industry and would never write again, but she did and with the help of Dave Stewart - if you have not heard her new album and love her mid 80s solo stuff give it a listen it is excellent. I am so glad she did and that I went.
I know I am writing more about her and what she said than the music...I will get to that. But it was what struck me the most - her performance and that does not just include the singing. Not all musicians are great performers - well they might perform their music well, but something personal is often missing, some only let it out every so often. But Stevie had this duel role going - She sung and performed her music professionally and beautifully, as if she was at the top of her game, not a dud note, not a missed step...perfection AND she gave us her soul, she was humble...to do one or the other is great, but to combine the two seamlessly as she did was utter brilliance. And she meant every thing she said, every note she sung...I guessed this was not a one night thing either.
About 2 weeks after the show I caught an interview she did for Art Nation and she talked about performing and who she was influenced by. Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin! She said Janis was the perfect performer, big attitude, sure of herself, really went for it on stage. Yet Jimi had no attitude, was totally humble and surrounded by humility. She tried to have a combination of the two, but it had to come from within her - that is exactly what I have been clumsily trying to explain!
Stevie sung more Fleetwood Mac songs than her solo stuff, and that is ok. She sung ballads perfectly and rocked out the big ones. She was at one with her band, and they took over from her for the 2 short periods she left the stage to change costumes. An amazing pianist and funky percussionist each took turns and they were entertaining as well. Landslide (possibly covered to death of late!) and Love is were simple, haunting and beautiful. Edge of 17 rocked, even though it is probably my least favourite song - again been done to death in recent years. She spoke about writing with Lindsay and I got the feeling she has never gotten over him, it sounded bittersweet. She also spoke with love about her 'sister' Christine, that made me smile - you want to know they are still friends after all this time.
My highlights were Gold Dust Woman and Leather and Lace. After a lengthy introduction, with amazing gold leaf styled dust falling on the screen at the back of her set, she arrived back on stage dressed in Red. Gold Dust Woman is a favourite and it was gobsmackingly good, gave me goosbumps. Later she talked about a duet she had not sung that much, cause she cannot drag Don Henley around with her, but her vocal coach had a great voice and he had been doing Don's part...I think I actually squealed (and I know I shed a tear), as she sung Leather and Lace - my vinyl copy had to be replaced I played it so much as a kid...yeah a bit sappy, but I dunno, there was something fabulous about hearing her sing it that night, many (many!!) years later.
We left on a high that night, a month later I still cannot believe how lucky I was...lucky to go and lucky that she was that good...although that would appear not to be luck at all...just lots of hard work and a good heart from an amazing woman.
I did take some pictures, we had great seats, but they are from my phone, so not so great...but still a reminder of this gorgeous Bella Donna.
I adore Stevie, my father being a huge Fleetwood Mac fan, I grew up with their music and was fixated with her, from a very young age, 6 or so I suppose. When you love someone and their music so much, they become almost untouchable and seeing them live is almost impossible as they will never live up to the hype...it's easier to just listen to their music from the comfort of your home. This is how I feel about Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks, I have never bothered to see them and also am not a fan of Newcastle Entertainment Centre (The Shed!). And let's face it, Stevie has shoved so much Coke up her nose, she should not be able to sing. So I am unsure what possessed me to go to this, but luckily I am beside myself with excitement about it...still...
Dave Stewart was the support act, he had collaborated with her and produced her new album, which I have and love. We arrived as he started, and he was good. Better than I thought, not a great singer, but he had that rock n roll presence which made up for his voice. He also had a cracking band and amazing back up singers. One divine sister gave us some stunning renditions of some Eurythmics' songs.
Then after a short break it began... her entrance was pure rock arrival! Lights shining, band playing, audience pulsating with anticipation. Stand Back was playing and she rose in the centre of the stage, backlit beautifully, and began to sing. At that moment I breathed a sigh of relief, not only did she sound good, she was pure entertainment in the best possible way.
The set was amazing, although she did tell us it would be. What I loved more than the music, was she liked to talk in between songs, and talk the right kind of talk. I have been to lots of concerts and some performers just don't get the banter right, in fact not many can do it at all. And that's ok, you are there for the music, however, when someone gets it right is adds a something altogether different to the show and pushes it into a whole other dimension...this is what Stevie Nicks did!
So, after Stand Back, she spoke, she was thrilled to be here and singing her songs, especially those on her new album. She explained it would not be a greatest hits tour, almost a warning, for those only wanting hits (eg not real fans...yeah I know, I get snobby about this kinda stuff!) I took this to mean she would do a lot from her new album and was happy with that, it's a great album. She then said she had mixed together a good set, that she was good at that making songs fit and mix...at first I thought it was a little cocky, but she was bloody right...it was a perfect set. There were a lot of songs I would have loved to hear, but I think she picked what works best for her and her voice at this time in her life...which by the way is 64!!!!! That also is fine by me, nothing worse than hearing a favourite butcher their own songs!
So the set list is as follows:
Stand back
Secret love
Dreams
Moonlight
Gold dust woman
Soldier's angel
Annabel Lee
For what its worth
Rhiannon
Landslide
Ghosts are gone
Leather and lace
Encore: Edge of 17
Love is
Basically a hit and then a new song and so on. She explained each song as if a mother releasing one of her children out to strangers, why she wrote it, what it meant to her and so on...touching, stunning, loving stories...a true performer. She is rather eccentric and witchy of course, and that is part of the charm.
She looked good and had 3 costume changes, the lighting was perfect and the set/back videos amazing. It all just worked so well. And then there was the band, and what a band, they were tight and fabulous! They had all performed with her for years. Her guitarist since she was 17!!! The back up singers the same two girls I used to admire on her record covers as a teen - wishing I was one of them. The 'newer' members had performed with her since the early 90s. To me this is a sign of a decent person, you just do not hang around with someone for that long if they are awful, especially in the music industry. She had this charm and honesty that struck a chord with me, and I imagine the audience. She loved what she was doing, she loved those doing it with her, loved those who helped her along the way, and loved us for coming to listen to her.
She said she thought she would never release another album, and that she would live out her existence doing the odd tour with Fleetwood Mac whenever Mick called her up and invited her. She also said felt she was irrelevant today in the music industry and would never write again, but she did and with the help of Dave Stewart - if you have not heard her new album and love her mid 80s solo stuff give it a listen it is excellent. I am so glad she did and that I went.
I know I am writing more about her and what she said than the music...I will get to that. But it was what struck me the most - her performance and that does not just include the singing. Not all musicians are great performers - well they might perform their music well, but something personal is often missing, some only let it out every so often. But Stevie had this duel role going - She sung and performed her music professionally and beautifully, as if she was at the top of her game, not a dud note, not a missed step...perfection AND she gave us her soul, she was humble...to do one or the other is great, but to combine the two seamlessly as she did was utter brilliance. And she meant every thing she said, every note she sung...I guessed this was not a one night thing either.
About 2 weeks after the show I caught an interview she did for Art Nation and she talked about performing and who she was influenced by. Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin! She said Janis was the perfect performer, big attitude, sure of herself, really went for it on stage. Yet Jimi had no attitude, was totally humble and surrounded by humility. She tried to have a combination of the two, but it had to come from within her - that is exactly what I have been clumsily trying to explain!
Stevie sung more Fleetwood Mac songs than her solo stuff, and that is ok. She sung ballads perfectly and rocked out the big ones. She was at one with her band, and they took over from her for the 2 short periods she left the stage to change costumes. An amazing pianist and funky percussionist each took turns and they were entertaining as well. Landslide (possibly covered to death of late!) and Love is were simple, haunting and beautiful. Edge of 17 rocked, even though it is probably my least favourite song - again been done to death in recent years. She spoke about writing with Lindsay and I got the feeling she has never gotten over him, it sounded bittersweet. She also spoke with love about her 'sister' Christine, that made me smile - you want to know they are still friends after all this time.
My highlights were Gold Dust Woman and Leather and Lace. After a lengthy introduction, with amazing gold leaf styled dust falling on the screen at the back of her set, she arrived back on stage dressed in Red. Gold Dust Woman is a favourite and it was gobsmackingly good, gave me goosbumps. Later she talked about a duet she had not sung that much, cause she cannot drag Don Henley around with her, but her vocal coach had a great voice and he had been doing Don's part...I think I actually squealed (and I know I shed a tear), as she sung Leather and Lace - my vinyl copy had to be replaced I played it so much as a kid...yeah a bit sappy, but I dunno, there was something fabulous about hearing her sing it that night, many (many!!) years later.
We left on a high that night, a month later I still cannot believe how lucky I was...lucky to go and lucky that she was that good...although that would appear not to be luck at all...just lots of hard work and a good heart from an amazing woman.
I did take some pictures, we had great seats, but they are from my phone, so not so great...but still a reminder of this gorgeous Bella Donna.
Dave Stewart
Stevie in red - great backdrop
Gold Dust Woman
Stevie in white
SPICKS AND SPECK-TACULAR
Spicks and Speck-tacular, Newcastle Entertainment Centre - Friday 25 November
This was my second Spicks and Speck-tacular and was far better than the first. I do love the show, but will admit I will always pick RockWiz over it, maybe because I do so much better on the questions there! I adore Adam, Allan and Myf - they make the show and feel like they are part of your family. The first time the show lacked the comedy and skills of the guests, and they pulled people out of the audience instead and it simply did not work. This time they did the same thing, but upped the ante by making the questions to retrieve audience members hard (I only got the Billie Holiday one!), this made for better audience participation, as they got genuine music lovers, not idiots!
They started with a mash up of Single Ladies (Myf), You're the Voice (Adam) and Top Hat (Allan), and it worked in a weird comedic way. I was more than impressed by Allan's tap dancing moves! Adam did a bit of a stand up bit, pulling some poor sod out the audience and got them to do a James Brown routine...the dude had no idea who James Brown was - what the hell was he doing there? They then moved into getting audience members for guests on stage, this worked well and was funny and clever. They used many of the segments from the show and a few extras. The backing band was tight and showed their excellence when they played songs in an unrecognisable style. I still cannot believe how long it took for The Ship Song to be realised, I got that one immediately (but that would have been my RockWiz training!).
We had a great time and felt sad when it all finished, an end of an era, but as they say it will live on due to repeats on ABC2. Many thanks to Mary and Peter for taking me as a belated birthday present, I had a ball!
This was my second Spicks and Speck-tacular and was far better than the first. I do love the show, but will admit I will always pick RockWiz over it, maybe because I do so much better on the questions there! I adore Adam, Allan and Myf - they make the show and feel like they are part of your family. The first time the show lacked the comedy and skills of the guests, and they pulled people out of the audience instead and it simply did not work. This time they did the same thing, but upped the ante by making the questions to retrieve audience members hard (I only got the Billie Holiday one!), this made for better audience participation, as they got genuine music lovers, not idiots!
They started with a mash up of Single Ladies (Myf), You're the Voice (Adam) and Top Hat (Allan), and it worked in a weird comedic way. I was more than impressed by Allan's tap dancing moves! Adam did a bit of a stand up bit, pulling some poor sod out the audience and got them to do a James Brown routine...the dude had no idea who James Brown was - what the hell was he doing there? They then moved into getting audience members for guests on stage, this worked well and was funny and clever. They used many of the segments from the show and a few extras. The backing band was tight and showed their excellence when they played songs in an unrecognisable style. I still cannot believe how long it took for The Ship Song to be realised, I got that one immediately (but that would have been my RockWiz training!).
We had a great time and felt sad when it all finished, an end of an era, but as they say it will live on due to repeats on ABC2. Many thanks to Mary and Peter for taking me as a belated birthday present, I had a ball!
Sunday, December 11, 2011
PICASSO
Picasso: masterpieces from The Musee National Picasso Paris, Art Gallery NSW
Thursday 24 November 2011
I cannot say I am a huge fan of Picasso's Art, however I adore the Weeping Woman in the NGV in Melbourne, and appreciate his body of work. I love the main period he worked in, and the movement in Paris in the 20s, and the other artists he surrounded himself with. One of my favourite perfumes is by his daughter Paloma, and there is something about his mystique (despite his misogynous ways!). And how could anyone how loves Art not go and see this exhibition, even if you do not normally see Art, I suggest you make the trip to the outstanding Art Gallery of NSW and see this!
The exhibition was set out into 10 rooms, each featuring a different period or style of work, and this is what impressed me the most. I knew he was prolific and knew he painted in many different styles, but until I saw them room after room after room, I had not realised how impressive his output really was. By the time I got halfway through, I was overwhelmed and had to sit down. I admit this is not the first time I have been moved by the enormity of art, it is hard to explain, but I do get a little overwrought...
I loved the simplicity of examples from his blue and rose periods, simple drawings, dusty tones and lots of pale hues of blue and pink (of course), then there were paintings that were obviously inspired by Gauguin and African Art, and included some wood carvings...very unexpected. Cubism and a lot of collages followed, but he was still in the early stages. I could see some impressionism within some of these paintings, possibly more post impressionism, that surprised me. Apparently he was influenced by Cezanne, and it was obvious when you look at examples from this section of his life. The next period (early 20s) produced classic style painting, and again I was surprised to see art that reflected Renoir. There were a lot of portraits during this period and also Oceanic style sculptures.
The main section was his surrealist paintings, still bearing Cubism within their form, but with bright colours, these paintings (and some sculptures in bronze) were where I became overwhelmed. I particularly loved his bronze sculptures and had no idea he had done such work, they were clean and beautiful and sexual and soft. The price of entry was worth it for this room alone! The next few rooms had paintings and some sculptures that seemed to combine all of his previous styles in one, with themes of love and war, the period covered the mid 30s until 1951. After that the final rooms were from later in life, reflective and mostly duller (in colour) versions of Cubism. My favourite pieces in this section were a set of Sculptures of "bathers" from The Mediterranean, made from found objects - I was very drawn to them.
I encourage everyone to go and see this amazing exhibit and am grateful for The Art Gallery of NSW for being able to let us look at such wonderful pieces of Art by an amazing Artist.
Thursday 24 November 2011
I cannot say I am a huge fan of Picasso's Art, however I adore the Weeping Woman in the NGV in Melbourne, and appreciate his body of work. I love the main period he worked in, and the movement in Paris in the 20s, and the other artists he surrounded himself with. One of my favourite perfumes is by his daughter Paloma, and there is something about his mystique (despite his misogynous ways!). And how could anyone how loves Art not go and see this exhibition, even if you do not normally see Art, I suggest you make the trip to the outstanding Art Gallery of NSW and see this!
The exhibition was set out into 10 rooms, each featuring a different period or style of work, and this is what impressed me the most. I knew he was prolific and knew he painted in many different styles, but until I saw them room after room after room, I had not realised how impressive his output really was. By the time I got halfway through, I was overwhelmed and had to sit down. I admit this is not the first time I have been moved by the enormity of art, it is hard to explain, but I do get a little overwrought...
I loved the simplicity of examples from his blue and rose periods, simple drawings, dusty tones and lots of pale hues of blue and pink (of course), then there were paintings that were obviously inspired by Gauguin and African Art, and included some wood carvings...very unexpected. Cubism and a lot of collages followed, but he was still in the early stages. I could see some impressionism within some of these paintings, possibly more post impressionism, that surprised me. Apparently he was influenced by Cezanne, and it was obvious when you look at examples from this section of his life. The next period (early 20s) produced classic style painting, and again I was surprised to see art that reflected Renoir. There were a lot of portraits during this period and also Oceanic style sculptures.
The main section was his surrealist paintings, still bearing Cubism within their form, but with bright colours, these paintings (and some sculptures in bronze) were where I became overwhelmed. I particularly loved his bronze sculptures and had no idea he had done such work, they were clean and beautiful and sexual and soft. The price of entry was worth it for this room alone! The next few rooms had paintings and some sculptures that seemed to combine all of his previous styles in one, with themes of love and war, the period covered the mid 30s until 1951. After that the final rooms were from later in life, reflective and mostly duller (in colour) versions of Cubism. My favourite pieces in this section were a set of Sculptures of "bathers" from The Mediterranean, made from found objects - I was very drawn to them.
I encourage everyone to go and see this amazing exhibit and am grateful for The Art Gallery of NSW for being able to let us look at such wonderful pieces of Art by an amazing Artist.
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