Wednesday, 14 November 2012





I can’t wait to see what it’s like on the outside now...

On Saturday darling Amanda and I went to see Melody Gardot at the Barbican; a birthday gift. We arrived in plenty of time and drifted amongst the beautiful people sipping expensive gin and tonics from plastic glasses, eyeing up outfits and shoes.
 

Melody sashayed onto the stage to rapturous applause looking every inch the diva superstar. She sat at a beautiful grand piano and nodding to her musicians launched into a volcanic instrumental jazz fusion, teasing the keys one minute and the next striking them as if betrayed. It was a wonderful surprise and a portent for an evening which snaked effortlessly between consuming world rhythms, torch jazz and Billy slurs and pauses. Her seamless ability to stitch styles and Condor glide between genres reminded me strongly of Joni Mitchell and I can only dream of the delights to come.
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azmZM8De_7s

Amalia, finding a way out on the open road
Amalia, going whichever way the wind gon' go
Amalia, taking your chances on the open sea
Amalia, such a funny little bird and you're now with me.
Melody wrote Amalia about a pigeon with a broken wing and the song reminds me of two abandoned baby birds that I came across on a Brighton Housing Trust window ledge. I sought advice from Amanda whose years of Nature Watch addiction I knew would come in handy. At the weekend we snuck into the building, settled the waifs in a straw filled shoe box and took them to Rogers Wildlife Rescue for salvation; a happy ending.

http://www.rogerswildliferescue.co.uk/


Sunday night was an altogether different, but no less sophisticated and vibrant evening. I was lucky enough to see Frank Zappa live at the Knebworth Festival in 1978 but was confused by his scattering clattering chaos on that occasion.
 
I had been introduced to him by my friend Paul Necus who sat me down one day to listen to the Grand Wazoo record and I immediately loved the rock riffs, virtuoso playing and jazz sensibilities found within it. The trouble is that Zappa made records like other people make toast, releasing over 60 albums in his career, and quality control was not always present. However Zappa can be incendiary and son Dweezil has the good sense to pan for gold when dipping into his father’s repertoire.



Sunday’s show was a master class of outstanding playing and quirky time signatures showcasing a unique and fearless mind. Here’s a bit of Zappa & Zappa junior at their best. Enjoy J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seBNQwKswI0

Wee-ee-oooh
Wee-ee-oooh
Wee-ee-oooh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzWyPNj9yp0

I am the ZOMBY WOOF
I'm that creature all the ladies been
Talkin' about...




PS the singer Ben Thomas (on the left) is hot :)

 
 
 
 

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