Off to see Mr Gustavsen tonight at London’s Cadogan Hall, not over familiar with his music but a friend and I decided it was time to acquaint ourselves with some newer Jazz sounds.
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The evergreen Half Man Half Biscuit at a rammed Norwich Waterfront. Not laughed at a gig so much in years. Great to have the whole audience singing along to songs like National Sh*te Day. The band were so tight too.
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Was there for the Sunday show. Yes, her voice is more engaging and remarkable live. I find her lead guitar work a bit limited and unnecessary next to DT, but that would be my only criticism of a superb band. DT is so humble and reserved. I find that refreshing in one with so much ability.
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Rymden on Saturday night at the London Jazz Festival at the Queen Elizabeth Halls. Truly outstanding experience. Musicianship was out of this world; which is appropriate given the cosmic, out of this world and space themes to much of the music.
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Last night @ The Fire Station, Sunderland. Beth Nielsen Chapman, b****y awful!
Sound mix was atrocious, drums swamped everything and when told by lots of the audience (led by me of course 
) she did nothing about it. Her response was almost like she didn’t believe it snd even thanked the “fantastic” sound man at the end!
Also got sick of all the ‘backslapping’ to her band members!
Perhaps it was to drown out her high notes as she can’t hit those now. She should of really re-arranged songs to suit her voice.
Seen her 20 years ago and was good, never again.
Fontaines DC tomorrow night, that should be a lot better!
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The Bad Plus at Ronnie Scott’s. Ronnie’s good as ever but the music a bit earnest and TBF need a pianist to match the percussive & propulsive rhythm section - in fact just like the old Bad Plus!
Also Londoners what has happened to the Pillars of Hercules? Been drinking there since 1972 - walked in erm soul music (odd) disco lights (very odd) turned right to the bar for a couple of pints of ornery - it’s not there! Like a dream sequence - over the moved bar is neon lit Greek Street aaaaaah. At least we got a seat in the Dog and Duck - worked in Wardour St for 5 years and never managed it.
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3 in 5 days:
Thursday: Tord Gustavsen Nottingham Djanogly Recital Hall (with wife and friend) - always good at this venue, the last half an hour or so, one long piece and then encores, were superb.
Friday: Porcupine Tree Wembley Arena (with son) - I thought stunningly good at times. Review in The Times today is really good and sensible for a change in mainstream media reporting on prog rock.
This evening: Marcus Mumford Sheffield Leadmill (with daughter) - good club show with one of my daughter’s favourites.
And in between I had Forest getting a much needed 3 points at the City Ground vs Crystal Palace and T20 World Cup final on the TV yesterday morning.
5 days where I have pretty successfully covered all my bases, key interests and family members. At my age I now need to have a quieter few days!
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Dave Holland, the boy Potter, Lionel Loueke & Eric Harland collectively known as AZIZA at Cadogan Hall tonight. Cracking modern jazz, extended compositions with tremendous interplay and soloing.
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CSO & The Joffrey Ballet
Program:
Mozart:
Symphony No. 34
Ravel
Le tombeau de Couperin
Wagner
Siegfried Idyll
Heimat [World Premiere]
Cathy Marston choreography
Rameau
Suite from Platée
Platée [World Premiere]
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa choreography
Fernando Duarte who plays Platee is a ugly water nymph typically played by a man in drag. Here Duarte a non binary person. Perfect role.
Mozart Symphony No.34 was rather disappointing due to lack of sophistication and rhythmic pulse. Oddly Ravel piece was too fast in tempo. And yet it was monotonous and void of dynamic expression. I guess I just love Boulez’s Couperin ( my reference ) Tempo was too fast on this yet somewhat flat. Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll was probably 10 min. too long. They stretched out the tune with too many repeats and I did not care much for the free style Dancun/Graham influencced choreography.
Rameau’s Platee, OTOH, was terrific! Colourful and comical but in an elegant baroque style. Eclectic mix but it was working well. This was done by a different choreographer from the Siegfried Idyll.
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Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in London. Last of my Covid postponements.
Outstanding band and brilliant musicianship. Real highlight was the guitar work of Jason and Sadler Vaden - at times contrasting but when both playing lead electric, simply immense.
I really like his observational lyrics and the contrasting music - check out Vampires and Honeysuckle Blue as examples.
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Sting at AFAS Live in Amsterdam 
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I was there too. A fantastic gig. Loueke is sooo impressive.
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Jazz Collectiva last night at kings place near kings cross station London. Never heard of them before, a feminist collective Latin / salsa ensemble. One groovy dance number was surprisingly introduced as a statement against the patriarchy and male violence. Enjoyed the evening. Great brass section and percussion.
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Leaving Portland. When I’m traveling anywhere and I get a chance to hear live music I go. That time from March 2020 till end of May 21 when there was no live music taught me to not pass on the opportunity to hear it.
Fletcher and Awolnation
Oh my word - a superstar is born. Lady Blackbird at the Barbican last night. Just incredible - one of best gigs I have been to. Her voice is astonishing and capable of showing such depth and emotion - my daughter and I frequently found we had a speck of sentiment in our eyes. The crowd , who included @badger1963 , just went wild for her. That was special
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I am now feeling even worse….I had tickets for this show last night but couldn’t go as feeling the after effects of a weeks radiotherapy. 
Glad you guys enjoyed it thou:grin:
Sorry about that - didn’t want to add to your troubles! I don’t think it will be long before she is back on these shores
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Had a great concert last night with Hilary Hahn and the Finish Radio Symphony Orchestra. She played the Sibelius Violin Concerto and was in great form. The orchestra started with a choral of Lindbergh which didn’t attract me and closed the concert with Dvorak 9th….. I enjoyed the evening a lot and looking forward to the next one to come….
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