Queen with Adam Lambert in Wellington NZ
5 february 2020. Adam was fine, good top end but not Freddie’s bottom (as it were)
Brian and Roger were awesome, played all the hits, and the lighting show was great too!
7th February – over to E17 (Walthamstow) for an Ese show at Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, where The Bootleg Series Volume 3 was recorded last year. This one was marked by a stage invasion (of sorts, the stage is only about 6 inches off the ground). After yours truly threw the interloper off, he accised me of ruining the gig, then got into a fight with the landlord, who threw him out with the immortal line: “typical bloody Crouch End type”!
A decent show, with some interesting transitions between songs and a rare outing for the Sam Cooke tune “Bring It On Home To Me”.
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Hope you recorded…luv Sam Cooke
It wasn’t this berk, was it?
A triumph of beer over brain!
ps LOVELY photo of Ese! She got style!
See you later this evening…
Back in E17 at the Olde Rose and Crown, Ese and The Vooduu People last night. Luckily, Ese getting temporarily lost in Walthamstow (not recommended, it’s deadsville tho it likes to think it’s not) ended happily, and a great evening ensued. The only downside to the night was toward the end when some scumbag (identifiable on CCTV hopefully) stole a laptop from a lovely guy taking band photos…welcome to Walthamstow, sadly. Hope the lowlife thief gets what’s coming to them.
Anyways…As per, a storming two sets, with some fab bass n drums improvs. Ese and Sheena on top form - their vocal interplay is just sublime. Ese’s guitar - incandescent!
A rocksteady Police and Thieves was on fire, as was the swirling whirlpool that is Alien, and the arms in the air Keep On… Simply, a great live band.
Rocknsoulnreggae…what more could you ask? For me, nuttin’- EVP are wonderful.
The venue, frankly, could be more atmospheric…but once on Vooduu Airlines, you’re already at 35000 feet ( courtesy Mr Leitch). Captain High at your service…
Roll on next Thursday in Shoreditch when they’re playing again. Can’t wait!
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Missed that one Steve (as you probably noticed) as I was working. See you Thursday, though…
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Hope you hit that deadline,Kev!
Yep, Thursday!
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Blomstedt/CSO + Bertrand Chamayou
Program
Mozart Piano Concerto No. 23
Brahms Symphony No. 2
Currently CSO has shut down till 4/12 due to City/State order but Blomstedt/CSO performance was my last concert I went at the Orchestra Hall. 92 year old conductor lead CSO without a score. Compared to Muti/CSO Brahms, It lacked the boldness and more emphasis on romantic side of Brahms. Tempo also was much broader. He will be coming back next season with Nielsen’s 5th which will be more interesting program.
I was not familiar with this French pianist who made a Chicago debut. Whilst he did not make any misplaying it was mechanical and he was not be able to get the most out of the score. It was pretty generic without much strong POV.
Five Finger Death Punch and Megadeth, Wembley Arena, 31st January. A very enjoyable double bill that finished the moment Brexit started.
PROGRAM
Bach/Brahms Chaconne for the Left Hand
Bach The Art of Fugue
Bach/Hess Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring
PERFORMERS
Daniil Trifonov piano
I’ve attended this recital while back between symphony programs. This is the first time I got to listen to Trifonov play a solo sans orchestra. And difficult piece of Bach where his interpretative skills get exposed. The first half of program started off with Brahms piano transcription of Bach’s famous violin Partita BWV1004. Perhaps where I was sitting, I felt that the left hand weight lacked a bit of warmth and gravity in that whole tune felt a bit light weight missing the grave nature of the tune.
The only other piano version of Art of the Fugue I have heard is by Sokolov. Trifonov’s performance was fluid as Sokolov but perhaps less cool. He split the score in 2 but when he’s back in the second half of the problem the continuity was not lost. Amazing power and technical skill on display as there was no misplaying in the entire time. Mesmerizing at times there was no monotonous moment throughout. I was skeptical about his decision to come up with his own ending ( as Bach did not finish this score before his death ) I was pleasantly surprised it was well done. He added a touch of contemporary flavour without jarring and giving it a definitive brilliant finish. Tho, I still think that it’s more poignant if he ended it in a mid sentence where Bach left off.
Then the final tune was a lovely Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring so famously done by Lipatti. Soothing and cleansing it was a perfect ending after the intense Fugue.
This piano recital turned out of be one of the best I have heard at the Orchestra Hall.
He also offered 5 encores! ( probably for his Russian delegates in Chicago as the Hall was filled with Russian speaking patrons. )
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@steviebee The Strongroom gig on Thursday has been cancelled, I’m afraid.
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@TheKevster
Damn, that’s a shame.
We did wonder, but were still hoping.
Thanks Kev, give our love to Ese and the band - we’ll see y’all soon I hope.
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Both CSO and Lyric Opera have been shut down next 30 days.
Bummer that CSO extended the cancelation to May 10. 
No concerts in month of April.
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