Live!

There’s nothing quite like it, if I had to choose between recorded music and live appearances, it would be gigs almost every time. The only exceptions might be where bands play songs note perfect to the record, in which case, why bother? Luckily, live music has been heading my way recently, from the inimitable Patti Smith (see review on Wighteye blog), to the pure entertainment of Wild Willy Barrett’s Mad Dogz and the blues of Fruteland Jackson. Next week brings the Larmer Tree Festival in Dorset, can’t wait, there are loads of bands I’ve never heard of, so hope to find some great new music, plus looking forward to seeing Richard Thompson weaving his magic on guitar. Hopefully a chilled time with folk, world influenced live music and the chance to do a bit of drummin’ etc. Happy times!

Patti Smith

A few weeks ago I was mightily disappointed in myself for missing the news that Patti Smith was appearing at Farringford Hotel, once home of Tennyson, here on the Isle of Wight.  With only about 200 tickets on sale, they apparently sold out in minutes.  Having scoured the net, visiting Wightbay regularly and brooding over the lack of progress in tracking down a ticket, I was fortunate enough to visit Vaguely Sunny’s website.  Information there pointed me to another source and now I can look forward to a great evening in June.  Patti will be singing and reading poetry.  The event recalls an incident in the late 70s when I bought an import picture sleeve 45 of Patti’s version of Gloria from a record store in my then home town of Reading.  Imagine my dismay when I got home and found that there was paper in the vinyl itself, making the disc unplayable!  This was then compounded by the shop refusing me a refund for what were plainly goods of unmerchantable quality.  Trading Standards sorted out the issue for me and I was able to collect a refund a week later, though of course no longer welcome at the one store that had good stock! Laying in bed this morning, listening to Gloria on CD over the headphones, I am struck by what a great version Patti’s is and how her voice seems almost elastic in its phrasing – a real gem.

Rockin’ in the free world…

…. Or the Isle of Wight at least, with the very welcome news that Neil Young headlines Sunday night at this year’s Festival.  After the disappointing anouncement of repeat after repeat in terms of revisiting acts for this year’s festival, John Giddings has come up with a real cracker.  Having seen Neil Young in London last year, I know we should be in for a great show. For anyone that thinks Neil is only about ‘Heart of Gold’, try watching one of his latest tracks:
Neil Young – Fork In The Road

Renewing an acquaintance

Last Friday found me at Quay Arts on the Isle of Wight, enjoying a solo acoustic performance by Glen Matlock. Of course, I’d enjoyed his antics with the Pistols from across the river at last year’s Isle of Wight Festival, but I’d also seen him with The Rich Kids circa 1978. Glen’s the same age as me, so it was interesting to see how he was still in music this many years on, while I have hopped from one thing to another and currently seem to have dropped out! Having commented that the t-shirt I’d bought so many years ago at that gig had shrunk, I was delighted that he dedicated his rendition of ‘Burning Sounds’ to me. The gig contained a sprinkling of Pistols (God Save the Queen, Pretty Vacant, Stepping Stone), another Rich Kids track (Ghosts of Princes in Towers) and a range of more recent material. I particularly enjoyed the Iggy Pop song, Ambition, that Glen had written the lyrics for. A nice walk down memory lane, but also good to hear that he’s still creative with his band, The Philistines.

Repeats for IW Festival

So its repeat time for Friday night at the Isle of Wight Festival, The Prodigy headlining on Friday, plus Basement Jaxx, haven’t they been on before, or am I getting mixed up with the Bestival? Never did like dance music much anyway ( though did enjoy seeing the Jaxx a few years back at Robin Hill). What happened to innovation?

Listening to Bob Dylan’s ‘Slow train coming’, hardly innovative, but quality and I could dance to it, after a fashion

Actually, the best repeat at the IW Festival was Iggy Pop, so not all repeats are to be condemned!

Larmer Tree here we come!

Many thanks to birthday boy Riku for exercising his flexible friend to purchase two tickets for this year’s Larmer Tree Festival – the full whammy from Wednesday to Sunday.  We’re scaling down from last year’s very enjoyable but overwhelming WOMAD to something a little more manageable, but still adventurous in it’s music programme.  There’s nothing like a good festival to return to one’s youth.  It’ll be a return to familiar pastures for Riku, but for old bingo belly it’ll be a new experience.

Listening to JD Souther “If the world was you” – heartily recommended.

Ron Asheton RIP

As a reader of this blog, you will be aware that I am a fan of Iggy and The Stooges. I was sad to read yesterday of the death of guitarist Ron Asheton at the tender age of 60. Having grown up in the 60s and 70s, it’s hard to come to terms with the gradual list of musical casualties and it makes me aware of my own mortality. The band’s show at the Isle of Wight Festival in 2008 was a highlight for me. I can still remember getting ‘Raw Power’ on LP in the mid 70s and loving it, but concerned lest my parents come into my bedroom whilst ‘Penetration’ was playing! Oh, happy days! I’ve played this album again this morning and it still sounds just as good as it did then; now, where’s my guitar?

Up and coming?

Middle of the bill, sandwiched between The Denvers and The Pretty Things, I was initially unsure about Martin Newnham, his work initially seemed a little brash in comparison to the subtlety of The Denvers, but as his set progressed, I found myself enjoying the vitality of his approach, particularly when his accompanying percussionist switched from snare drum to other forms of percussion and the rhythms became more varied. In my opinion, a vibrant folky sound, an act that may be in competition with the likes of Seth Lakeman and Teddy Thompson.

West coast – Wight style

Arriving at Ryde Theatre to see The Pretty Things, I was frankly not that bothered about the support acts, but the quality and subtlety of music from opening act, The Denvers, was a real treat to hear.  It reminded me of the west coast acoustic sound of bands such as CSN.  My 18 year old son and his friend enjoyed it too, they classed it as ‘morning music’.  The duo were well received, I’m intending to take Mrs.Wighteye to The Woodvale at Gurnard next week to catch them again.  Feel good music.  As Whisperin’ Bob would say “Mmmm….nice”.

No longer so pretty, but still got the blues

Live at Ryde Theatre 24-10-2008

Had a great night out last Friday at Ryde Theatre, here on the Isle of Wight.  Top of the bill were The Pretty Things, making a rare appearance on the island, despite their lead guitarist, Dick Taylor, living here.  They arrived onstage in suits, but it wasn’t long before vocalist Phil May, 63, shed his jacket, loosened his tie and began to unbutton his shirt.  Dick Taylor looked a little fragile and aged, but this belied his ability on guitar, he’s a natural and clearly enjoyed what he was doing.  Their set included material from their present day album, Balboa Island back through the psychedelia of the S.F.Sorrow period to the blues/R&B influenced singles from the mid 60s.  Tributes were also played to Bo Diddley and Muddy Waters and a beautiful duo section with May and Taylor recalling the Sidcup Art College Days;  This section of the show recalled the blues roots that influenced Dick and others (including the Rolling Stones) in the early 60s, with much bottleneck guitar and a wonderful rendition of a Robert Johnson original.  It was great to see 50 and 60 somethings gyrating away, myself included, it was an evening of real fun and authentic blues. My favourite rendition was LSD, which included an extended guitar workout incorporating feedback and what I can only describe as strange chords in a psychedelic context;  I guess it was a reflection of the experience that these bad boys of rock would have been through!