BARENAKED LADIES
I think these dudes are Canadian and I am pretty sure they did the theme song to Spin City - Fabulous sitcom created by Bill Lawrence (also created Scrubs!) with Michael J Fox (Alex P. Keaton - my overachieving hero), Michael Boatman (China Beach), Bary Bostwick (Brad to Susan Sarandan's Dammit Janet in Rocky Horror) and Alan Ruck (Cameron in Ferris Bueller's Day off). So mad cast, mad show! Anyway, I do not mind their stuff, but really love this one...
TRACK FOURTEEN: One Week
Man - that is a LOT of lyrics...one of my must do's is to try and memorise the entire song - not there yet. It just jumps straight into the lyrics, and off you go on a crazy ride. The tune and rhythms are great and catchy, and really clever how they match the words. Favourite lines are:
"I have a tendancy to wear my mind on sleeve" - for obvious reasons!
"Bert Kaempferts got the mad hits" - well he did, but to reference Bert in a song is way mad!
And this section - great, nutty words...
"Watchin' X-Files with no lights on, were dans la maison, I hope the Smoking Man's in this one. Like Harrison Ford I'm getting Frantic, Like Sting I'm getting tantric. Like Snickers, guaranteed to satisfy, Like Kurosawa I make mad films."
How good is that?
And for the record I could never watch The X-Files with no lights on, in fact I taped it and watched it at the weekend in the middle of the day with lots of sunlight and hoped it was not the last thing I recalled as I was dozing off to sleep that night!!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Bananarama
BANANARAMA
Great name, great voice - not many women around at that time in the 80s, even Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were relatively unknown when Bananarama came on the scene. Great harmonies, pure pop, a lot lost in the translation today, but hey it was the 80s and they were fun. Their 'style' questionable - raggy shirts, dirty jeans and tossled hair, badly dyed with sharp makeup - man I wanted that look. Even though I do love Robert De Niro's waiting (talking Italian, and come on we all wish De Niro was waiting!) I have chosen Shy Boy as it was an instant favourite, had not heard it in a while and it took me back to a more innocent time...ironic given the lyrics...
TRACK THIRTEEN: Shy Boy
Basic pop, good vocals and distinctive percussion. Loved the shoop shoop bits and the ahhhs, makes you want to bang a tamborine. What more can I say?
Great name, great voice - not many women around at that time in the 80s, even Madonna and Cyndi Lauper were relatively unknown when Bananarama came on the scene. Great harmonies, pure pop, a lot lost in the translation today, but hey it was the 80s and they were fun. Their 'style' questionable - raggy shirts, dirty jeans and tossled hair, badly dyed with sharp makeup - man I wanted that look. Even though I do love Robert De Niro's waiting (talking Italian, and come on we all wish De Niro was waiting!) I have chosen Shy Boy as it was an instant favourite, had not heard it in a while and it took me back to a more innocent time...ironic given the lyrics...
TRACK THIRTEEN: Shy Boy
Basic pop, good vocals and distinctive percussion. Loved the shoop shoop bits and the ahhhs, makes you want to bang a tamborine. What more can I say?
Badfinger
BADFINGER
The story of Badfinger really breaks my heart, I think they could really have been something else. They had hits for sure, but tragedy and infighting collapsed them to an underated, and to some unknown, band from the 70s. They formed in the mid 60s and were called The Iveys and were mildly successful until a certain Paul McCartney gave them a song to record - Come and get it. They were subsequently signed to Apple records and changed their name to the unfortunate Badfinger (one wonders how they would have faired had they gone with a suggestion from Lennon to call themselves The Prix!).
Come and get it was a huge hit and they were one of the first bands in the 70s to perform the 'power ballad'. They were often compared to The Beatles which helped and hindered their career, and had a very close relationship with John, Paul, George and Ringo - they collaborated on solo Beatles' music and The Beatles assisted them with Badfinger. They also had Geoff Emerick and Mal Evans (both Beatles producers and assistants) helping produce their sound. But infighting and female influence (think Yoko type situations!) and 2 suicides halted the band becoming as big as their helpers, The Beatles. Their biggest claim to fame though was writing the song, Without You as covered by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey and heard on Bridget Jones's Diary. Their version was more subtle and rockier, good, but Nilsson makes it his own.
TRACK ELEVEN: No matter what
A great rockin', power ballad with soaring guitars and vocals - as soon as you hear it, it is familiar. Great lyrics and it was their first top ten single as written by band members, showing they had something to offer themselves, despite a 'little help from their friends'!
TRACK TWELVE: Day after day
Another great power ballad, produced by George Harrison and Todd Lundgren and featuring the great Leon Russell on piano. I would have sworn McCartney wrote this, and you can feel his influence in the sweet harmonies, classic lines 'looking out of my lonely room, day after day...", great piano, guitar and drum lines.
The story of Badfinger really breaks my heart, I think they could really have been something else. They had hits for sure, but tragedy and infighting collapsed them to an underated, and to some unknown, band from the 70s. They formed in the mid 60s and were called The Iveys and were mildly successful until a certain Paul McCartney gave them a song to record - Come and get it. They were subsequently signed to Apple records and changed their name to the unfortunate Badfinger (one wonders how they would have faired had they gone with a suggestion from Lennon to call themselves The Prix!).
Come and get it was a huge hit and they were one of the first bands in the 70s to perform the 'power ballad'. They were often compared to The Beatles which helped and hindered their career, and had a very close relationship with John, Paul, George and Ringo - they collaborated on solo Beatles' music and The Beatles assisted them with Badfinger. They also had Geoff Emerick and Mal Evans (both Beatles producers and assistants) helping produce their sound. But infighting and female influence (think Yoko type situations!) and 2 suicides halted the band becoming as big as their helpers, The Beatles. Their biggest claim to fame though was writing the song, Without You as covered by Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey and heard on Bridget Jones's Diary. Their version was more subtle and rockier, good, but Nilsson makes it his own.
TRACK ELEVEN: No matter what
A great rockin', power ballad with soaring guitars and vocals - as soon as you hear it, it is familiar. Great lyrics and it was their first top ten single as written by band members, showing they had something to offer themselves, despite a 'little help from their friends'!
TRACK TWELVE: Day after day
Another great power ballad, produced by George Harrison and Todd Lundgren and featuring the great Leon Russell on piano. I would have sworn McCartney wrote this, and you can feel his influence in the sweet harmonies, classic lines 'looking out of my lonely room, day after day...", great piano, guitar and drum lines.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Australian Crawl
AUSTRALIAN CRAWL
Ok - confession time...I was a surfer chick in my mid teens - yeah I had a body then and tanned up better than any of that fake shit the kids wear today (stressed about skin cancer now mind you). I even did bikinis and looked halfway decent - but geez, who didn't when they were 15? As I got older, wiser....larger...I gave the beach away. I prefer au natural skin tone, prefer to keep cancer as much at bay as I can, never could swim properly and really hate how sand gets into the wierdest places. Plus, unless you are actually surfing (I dip my hat to people who can - man a shark could eat you!), or entertaining children, it's a pretty vacuous past-time...
However, Australian Crawl who were my soundtrack during that short period of my life still remain dear to me. I could never really understand half of what James Reyne was singing - who could? But it sounded good, sounded like fun and I do remember him singing Beautiful People with both arms in casts on Countdown when they debuted - how could you not pay attention, very cute (I actually preferred the gorgeous Brad Robinson - check out the cover of Sirocco and you will understand) boys, arms moving madly in plaster, and strange lyrics to strange music....love 'em! The McDonough brothers (less fortunate looking than Brad, James and Simon and the other one...I think he played Bass) wrote most of the music and were clearly the talent from a musical pov, but James was not so bad. I found it hard to choose what to add, but despite having pretty much everything by them on vinyl I only had Boys light up and Sirocco on CD. I decided to choose one from each!
TRACK NINE: Way I've Been
Boys Light Up the album has Boys light up, Beautiful People, Downhearted, Indisposed and Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama on it - all great songs. But I choose Way I've Been as it is a simply, understated pop song and an overlooked tune by them. To me it is the essence of the album - bright, happy, loaded lyrics, a little reggae influence and simply fun!
TRACK TEN: Easy on your own
Sirocco is probably my favourite Crawl album. It has the hits of Errol,Things don't seem, Oh no not you again and Lakeside, but every other song is also a gem, especially Unpublished critics, Trusting you, Can I be sure and this one, Easy on your own. It's repetitive, 'easy', great guitar riff, and a real singalong laid back classic. And did you know Kerrie Armstrong (Seachange, Lantana and Bed of Roses) has a writing credit on it, not sure what parts? She was dating Brad at the time...
Ok - confession time...I was a surfer chick in my mid teens - yeah I had a body then and tanned up better than any of that fake shit the kids wear today (stressed about skin cancer now mind you). I even did bikinis and looked halfway decent - but geez, who didn't when they were 15? As I got older, wiser....larger...I gave the beach away. I prefer au natural skin tone, prefer to keep cancer as much at bay as I can, never could swim properly and really hate how sand gets into the wierdest places. Plus, unless you are actually surfing (I dip my hat to people who can - man a shark could eat you!), or entertaining children, it's a pretty vacuous past-time...
However, Australian Crawl who were my soundtrack during that short period of my life still remain dear to me. I could never really understand half of what James Reyne was singing - who could? But it sounded good, sounded like fun and I do remember him singing Beautiful People with both arms in casts on Countdown when they debuted - how could you not pay attention, very cute (I actually preferred the gorgeous Brad Robinson - check out the cover of Sirocco and you will understand) boys, arms moving madly in plaster, and strange lyrics to strange music....love 'em! The McDonough brothers (less fortunate looking than Brad, James and Simon and the other one...I think he played Bass) wrote most of the music and were clearly the talent from a musical pov, but James was not so bad. I found it hard to choose what to add, but despite having pretty much everything by them on vinyl I only had Boys light up and Sirocco on CD. I decided to choose one from each!
TRACK NINE: Way I've Been
Boys Light Up the album has Boys light up, Beautiful People, Downhearted, Indisposed and Hoochie Gucci Fiorucci Mama on it - all great songs. But I choose Way I've Been as it is a simply, understated pop song and an overlooked tune by them. To me it is the essence of the album - bright, happy, loaded lyrics, a little reggae influence and simply fun!
TRACK TEN: Easy on your own
Sirocco is probably my favourite Crawl album. It has the hits of Errol,Things don't seem, Oh no not you again and Lakeside, but every other song is also a gem, especially Unpublished critics, Trusting you, Can I be sure and this one, Easy on your own. It's repetitive, 'easy', great guitar riff, and a real singalong laid back classic. And did you know Kerrie Armstrong (Seachange, Lantana and Bed of Roses) has a writing credit on it, not sure what parts? She was dating Brad at the time...
Augie March
AUGIE MARCH
I have seen them live and really like them, and the feel of their music. Glenn, the lead singer is rather cute also. I cannot say - with the exception of the chosen song - that any other song really stands out for me. They are just one of those nice, melodic bands that are easy to listen to but nothing too special....excepting for...
TRACK EIGHT: One Crowded Hour
The winner of many awards and deservedly so. Augie March are not like other one hit wonders mentioned here, yet this is their ONE BIG HIT - but how can you top it? As said previously, their other songs are nothing to be ashamed of and I enjoy them, but this is one special song! It is also one of my two favourite types of songs the perfect melancholy ballad.(the other being rock'n'roll as demonstrated earlier by You shook me all night long). Like any good ballad, it starts slow, soft, just a guitar melody with stunning lyrics that transport you directly to the intention of the song. The it builds slowly, stronger, faster, the rest of the band joins the vocals and guitars. There is not a bum note, or an unnecessary word. I listen to this song and shiver, I understand exactly what he is singing and I always admire someone who seemingly effortlessly squeezes fat, full, many lyrics into a tune and pull it off - they do! "One crowded hour...could lead to my wreck and ruin"....ahhhh that's love! Some facts about this song is that is was written at Deborah Conway's house (but, of course) as an exercise in trying to write the classic 60s pop-ballad. I think he suceeded - what about you?
I have seen them live and really like them, and the feel of their music. Glenn, the lead singer is rather cute also. I cannot say - with the exception of the chosen song - that any other song really stands out for me. They are just one of those nice, melodic bands that are easy to listen to but nothing too special....excepting for...
TRACK EIGHT: One Crowded Hour
The winner of many awards and deservedly so. Augie March are not like other one hit wonders mentioned here, yet this is their ONE BIG HIT - but how can you top it? As said previously, their other songs are nothing to be ashamed of and I enjoy them, but this is one special song! It is also one of my two favourite types of songs the perfect melancholy ballad.(the other being rock'n'roll as demonstrated earlier by You shook me all night long). Like any good ballad, it starts slow, soft, just a guitar melody with stunning lyrics that transport you directly to the intention of the song. The it builds slowly, stronger, faster, the rest of the band joins the vocals and guitars. There is not a bum note, or an unnecessary word. I listen to this song and shiver, I understand exactly what he is singing and I always admire someone who seemingly effortlessly squeezes fat, full, many lyrics into a tune and pull it off - they do! "One crowded hour...could lead to my wreck and ruin"....ahhhh that's love! Some facts about this song is that is was written at Deborah Conway's house (but, of course) as an exercise in trying to write the classic 60s pop-ballad. I think he suceeded - what about you?
America and Asia
AMERICA
Cheesy 70s/80s Californian band, but great music. A horse with no name, Ventura Highway, Muskrat love (ok that is a bit bad), You can do magic. As good as they can be...if you are in that right frame of mood, I decided my series could only have one song so I choose......
TRACK SIX: Sister golden hair
I adore the clear guitar riff in the opening of this, it sets the tone of the song immediately. I love, love, love singing this song (which is a bit wierd when you sing "when a women sure can be a friend of mine"...which they sure can but not really in the way he is singing!). If I was in a band I would insist we did this, cheesy as it is...I would probably be relegated to harmonies but that is ok.
ASIA
Firstly, I really like that Asia comes after America...that amuses me endlessly!Yes, this is there only hit and much like A-Ha, I backed up copy of their greatest (!?!) hits purely for this song......
TRACK SEVEN: Heat of the moment
How can a band that writes something so excellent write so much shite for every other song????? This is pure 80s American college radio and I just love it. The rockin' guitar gets you (me!) from the beginning, and that drum back beat drives it along perfectly. "I never meant to be so bad to you" - I love the lyrics, pure unadultered High school/College lurve. Yes, a little cheesy - but driving your car, on a hot windy day, you crank up the stereo and belt it out with them! And if anyone pays you off for doing so you can say: "It was the heat of the moment, telling you what your heart meant."
Cheesy 70s/80s Californian band, but great music. A horse with no name, Ventura Highway, Muskrat love (ok that is a bit bad), You can do magic. As good as they can be...if you are in that right frame of mood, I decided my series could only have one song so I choose......
TRACK SIX: Sister golden hair
I adore the clear guitar riff in the opening of this, it sets the tone of the song immediately. I love, love, love singing this song (which is a bit wierd when you sing "when a women sure can be a friend of mine"...which they sure can but not really in the way he is singing!). If I was in a band I would insist we did this, cheesy as it is...I would probably be relegated to harmonies but that is ok.
ASIA
Firstly, I really like that Asia comes after America...that amuses me endlessly!Yes, this is there only hit and much like A-Ha, I backed up copy of their greatest (!?!) hits purely for this song......
TRACK SEVEN: Heat of the moment
How can a band that writes something so excellent write so much shite for every other song????? This is pure 80s American college radio and I just love it. The rockin' guitar gets you (me!) from the beginning, and that drum back beat drives it along perfectly. "I never meant to be so bad to you" - I love the lyrics, pure unadultered High school/College lurve. Yes, a little cheesy - but driving your car, on a hot windy day, you crank up the stereo and belt it out with them! And if anyone pays you off for doing so you can say: "It was the heat of the moment, telling you what your heart meant."
Christine Aguilera and A-HA
AGUILERA, CHRISTINA
A funny one to add, was never really a fan of Aguilera until I saw her do a James Brown tribute at the Grammys a few years back. I cannot even remember what she sang now (A mans mans mans world maybe?) but she just killed it, I was awestruck - she looked hot and sounded better. I grabbed myself a copy of Stripped and really loved it. In particular, Beautiful, but that has been overdone these days. I just wish she didn't dress so trashy, cause when she dresses herself up she looks stunning...what is it with kids these days???
TRACK FOUR: Candy Man
Great sassy, brassy song that takes you to another time. It is old style yet modern at the same time, fat horns and fat vocals - she makes it seem easy (and no, it is not). I just want to get up and swing when I hear this and really wish I could pull off those vocals.
A-HA
I really do not have much to say about this group, and I do not think I even liked them much when they were out, but their only major hit was an instant classic... you may disagree?
TRACK FIVE: Take on me
Ahh, the electronics of the 80s! Another great pop song, lush sound and great, searing vocals...and okay, pretty kitsch...but I think it still holds up to the test of the time when you hear it. Yes, I even went to the trouble of backing up a copy of A-ha, the singles, 1984-2004. This amuses me to no end, as I really only got it for this one single, not much else stands out and they call it 1984-2004, like maybe, just maybe there might be more...crack me up. Anyway, I like to try and reach the high notes in this song - I cannot, but you know, maybe one day...
I saw Dave McCormack at the Cambridge a few years back (sans Custard) and he played this song...funniest thing I had seen in years. He was excellent - as you can imagine - played everything you wanted to hear and was very witty in between and was talking about covers and this came up. I was gobsmacked, he can hit high notes but surely he was not going to attempt this. No, he did not, he brought out a copy of the actual song, played it to us, drank a glass of red and mimed some funny stuff and was hilarious. Writing this I realise it was a "you had to be there" thing...but anyways....whenever I hear this song (which I liked prior to that moment) I always think of Dave...and that's never a bad thing :)
A funny one to add, was never really a fan of Aguilera until I saw her do a James Brown tribute at the Grammys a few years back. I cannot even remember what she sang now (A mans mans mans world maybe?) but she just killed it, I was awestruck - she looked hot and sounded better. I grabbed myself a copy of Stripped and really loved it. In particular, Beautiful, but that has been overdone these days. I just wish she didn't dress so trashy, cause when she dresses herself up she looks stunning...what is it with kids these days???
TRACK FOUR: Candy Man
Great sassy, brassy song that takes you to another time. It is old style yet modern at the same time, fat horns and fat vocals - she makes it seem easy (and no, it is not). I just want to get up and swing when I hear this and really wish I could pull off those vocals.
A-HA
I really do not have much to say about this group, and I do not think I even liked them much when they were out, but their only major hit was an instant classic... you may disagree?
TRACK FIVE: Take on me
Ahh, the electronics of the 80s! Another great pop song, lush sound and great, searing vocals...and okay, pretty kitsch...but I think it still holds up to the test of the time when you hear it. Yes, I even went to the trouble of backing up a copy of A-ha, the singles, 1984-2004. This amuses me to no end, as I really only got it for this one single, not much else stands out and they call it 1984-2004, like maybe, just maybe there might be more...crack me up. Anyway, I like to try and reach the high notes in this song - I cannot, but you know, maybe one day...
I saw Dave McCormack at the Cambridge a few years back (sans Custard) and he played this song...funniest thing I had seen in years. He was excellent - as you can imagine - played everything you wanted to hear and was very witty in between and was talking about covers and this came up. I was gobsmacked, he can hit high notes but surely he was not going to attempt this. No, he did not, he brought out a copy of the actual song, played it to us, drank a glass of red and mimed some funny stuff and was hilarious. Writing this I realise it was a "you had to be there" thing...but anyways....whenever I hear this song (which I liked prior to that moment) I always think of Dave...and that's never a bad thing :)
Saturday, August 8, 2009
CONCERT: DAVID HOBSON & TEDDY TAHU RHODES
LOCATION: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
DATE: Saturday 14 March, 2009
WITH: Keryl and Kitty
David Hobson and Teddy Tahu Rhodes are very good looking men with absolutely gorgeous voices. Who really cares what they sung and if the concert was good - of course it bloody was!!!
Seriously, this was just magnifcient, simply staged with the men in suits (no, Teddy did not take off his shirt...it was a classical performance after all!) and accompanied by a lovely lady on a grand piano. They were chatty and amusing, both taking the piss (where appropriate) out of each other, David calling Teddy Ted with a little irreverance and Teddy ripping off David's dance moves. Yep, they could have also made a great comedy act, well maybe not great...but they were funny.
But, it was all about the songs and they did not disappoint. The first section was more classical songs and just beautiful, both singing solos and duets and including their famous, record breaking duet of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. The second section was a little more relaxed with David on an accoustic guitar at some points and they sung more spritual and modern songs. Amazing Grace and You'll never walk alone were simply stunning, but I just loved their version of Go, tell it on the mountain. This great interpretation, featuring Teddy's stunning baritone voice, was my stand out of the night.
DATE: Saturday 14 March, 2009
WITH: Keryl and Kitty
David Hobson and Teddy Tahu Rhodes are very good looking men with absolutely gorgeous voices. Who really cares what they sung and if the concert was good - of course it bloody was!!!
Seriously, this was just magnifcient, simply staged with the men in suits (no, Teddy did not take off his shirt...it was a classical performance after all!) and accompanied by a lovely lady on a grand piano. They were chatty and amusing, both taking the piss (where appropriate) out of each other, David calling Teddy Ted with a little irreverance and Teddy ripping off David's dance moves. Yep, they could have also made a great comedy act, well maybe not great...but they were funny.
But, it was all about the songs and they did not disappoint. The first section was more classical songs and just beautiful, both singing solos and duets and including their famous, record breaking duet of Bizet's The Pearl Fishers. The second section was a little more relaxed with David on an accoustic guitar at some points and they sung more spritual and modern songs. Amazing Grace and You'll never walk alone were simply stunning, but I just loved their version of Go, tell it on the mountain. This great interpretation, featuring Teddy's stunning baritone voice, was my stand out of the night.
NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY CHOIR AND YOUNG AT HEART
LOCATION: The Hayden Orpheum Cinema, Cremorne
DATE: Sunday 22 February, 2009
WITH: Vince, Nole, Phil
Newcastle University Choir
The award winning Newcastle University Choir were first on this wonderful double bill. I had watched them from the get go on Battle of the Choirs and although they were undoubtedly the best sounding choir I was worried the more showy (read choralography) choirs might get voted through rather than 'correct' sounding ones. Luckily talent shone through and they won. At this concert they sung some of the modern songs featured on the TV show and some of their traditional choral work. Most of it was wonderful, some soloists were not that good and I am not a fan of Australiana songs, and I could have lived without hearing Queen's Bicycle again. However, songs like Sarah McLachlan's Angel were completely inspirational. It was lovely to see them in the flesh and enjoy their beautiful voices.
Young at Heart
Given we saw the choir at a cinema it was fitting that this film followed. I had not heard much about this film, but I urge you all to see it. What a great film! It is a documentary following an American choir of seniors with an average age of 82 and the oldest being 92. They meet weekly and sing punk, rock and disco! (Their song choice is supremely better than that chosen by my choirmaster!) Their choirmaster is fabulous with the group and very patient (mostly!) and he chooses incredible songs for them to sing. I found the song choice most interestig, besides being songs and artists most of them have never heard of and often not the type of song they even like, the songs really do fit. Songs like The Ramones's I wanna be sedated, Bowie's Golden Years, Stayin' alive and Forever Young take on a whole other meaning when sung by this group. The documentary follows their preparation for some concerts and the sadness of members passing - an inevitability given some of their ages and health issues. The documentary is shot with equal doses of humour and drama and I laughed till my cheeks hurt and could not hold back tears in some parts - both joy and sorrow. I will forever remember the glorious opening - The Clash's Should I stay or should I go and the intenseness of Coldplay's Fix You.
DATE: Sunday 22 February, 2009
WITH: Vince, Nole, Phil
Newcastle University Choir
The award winning Newcastle University Choir were first on this wonderful double bill. I had watched them from the get go on Battle of the Choirs and although they were undoubtedly the best sounding choir I was worried the more showy (read choralography) choirs might get voted through rather than 'correct' sounding ones. Luckily talent shone through and they won. At this concert they sung some of the modern songs featured on the TV show and some of their traditional choral work. Most of it was wonderful, some soloists were not that good and I am not a fan of Australiana songs, and I could have lived without hearing Queen's Bicycle again. However, songs like Sarah McLachlan's Angel were completely inspirational. It was lovely to see them in the flesh and enjoy their beautiful voices.
Young at Heart
Given we saw the choir at a cinema it was fitting that this film followed. I had not heard much about this film, but I urge you all to see it. What a great film! It is a documentary following an American choir of seniors with an average age of 82 and the oldest being 92. They meet weekly and sing punk, rock and disco! (Their song choice is supremely better than that chosen by my choirmaster!) Their choirmaster is fabulous with the group and very patient (mostly!) and he chooses incredible songs for them to sing. I found the song choice most interestig, besides being songs and artists most of them have never heard of and often not the type of song they even like, the songs really do fit. Songs like The Ramones's I wanna be sedated, Bowie's Golden Years, Stayin' alive and Forever Young take on a whole other meaning when sung by this group. The documentary follows their preparation for some concerts and the sadness of members passing - an inevitability given some of their ages and health issues. The documentary is shot with equal doses of humour and drama and I laughed till my cheeks hurt and could not hold back tears in some parts - both joy and sorrow. I will forever remember the glorious opening - The Clash's Should I stay or should I go and the intenseness of Coldplay's Fix You.
Friday, August 7, 2009
PLAY: THE 39 STEPS
LOCATION: Civic Theatre, Newcastle
DATE: Friday 27 February, 2009
WITH: Mary and Keryl
The 39 Steps
This was our first outing this year for the Civic Inspirations that we subscribe to yearly. As a huge Hitchcock fan (he and Woody - author of my blog title for those that were wondering - are my favourite directors) I had been excited about this play since I saw a snippet of it at the Inspirations launch back in November. It is based on both the book and the film and also included many other references to films by Hitchcock.
It had 4 actors and I think over 100 characters. The main actor played the male lead and the female actor had about 3-4 parts and other 2 took up all the others. This was quite extraordinary to watch, at times changing back and forth between characters within one scene. The staging was fabulous and fun, especially the train scenes and the shadow puppet scenes in black and white were very suspenseful. The props and sound were perfect and you were sucked right into the whole set up being shocked, laughing and loving it all as it went on in front of you. I was not disappointed watching this award winning production - there should be more theatre like it.
DATE: Friday 27 February, 2009
WITH: Mary and Keryl
The 39 Steps
This was our first outing this year for the Civic Inspirations that we subscribe to yearly. As a huge Hitchcock fan (he and Woody - author of my blog title for those that were wondering - are my favourite directors) I had been excited about this play since I saw a snippet of it at the Inspirations launch back in November. It is based on both the book and the film and also included many other references to films by Hitchcock.
It had 4 actors and I think over 100 characters. The main actor played the male lead and the female actor had about 3-4 parts and other 2 took up all the others. This was quite extraordinary to watch, at times changing back and forth between characters within one scene. The staging was fabulous and fun, especially the train scenes and the shadow puppet scenes in black and white were very suspenseful. The props and sound were perfect and you were sucked right into the whole set up being shocked, laughing and loving it all as it went on in front of you. I was not disappointed watching this award winning production - there should be more theatre like it.
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