Entertainment For Lively Minds
James Hunter and Imelda May
Was at the Shepherds Bush Empire yesterday to see James Hunter and Imelda May. I must confess to never having heard of Imelda May and mainly went there to see James Hunter. A couple of points:
1. Why is James Hunter doing support gigs? IMHO he is one of the best live acts around and a recent Grammy nominee. In the middle of his set he does an old R&B song 'Baby Dont Do it' and it is fantastic.
2. Not impressed by Imelda May. I saw on Amazon (today) that she lists Wanda Jackson and Patsy Cline as influences but I dont recall either having a squeaky little voice. She had a rockabilly band backing her which were proficient though I did get sick of the trumpet solos. Perhaps its a fashion thing as there were a lot of women at the gig, many of them slicked up a la Imelda.
3. Never been in a worse gig for people talking through the performances. Seems to be getting worse.
I didnt stay for the whole of IM's set. Remain baffled that James Hunter isnt more popular.
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The night before
at the Hawley gig you could have heard a pin drop during the songs (although I was pretty near the front) in a packed out Empire. A bloke even got escorted away for continually jabbering away just across from me.
Was upstairs at Imelda May but could still hear the loud buzz from downstairs. It was a similar crowd at her Koko gig earlier in the year. I don't get it either.
I have been to a worse gig for talkers - Graham Coxon at Hertford Marquee. An acoustic small gig full of utter scum who would see nothing wrong with having full blown conversations in the front row as if they were back by the bar. Glad its closed down despite the bloke running it being a nice bloke.
I thought she played a blinder myself. Her voice was hardly squeaky on that fab n lusty cover of 'Oh Darling'. James Hunter was okay but was a bit samey after a while. Nice of Imelda to give him equal billing on the marquee. More than most support acts get these days.
Can I add that Richard Hawley was bloody excellent and gave a heartfelt thanks for us coming out when there are plenty of other things we could be spending our cash on these days. A little old school showmanship goes a long way in my book.
Maybe she's not interesing enough?
She was quite dull at Cornbury and as support to Jeff Beck - I didn't talk all the way through it (call me old fashioned) but she didn't hold my ateention, much as she seems to give it her all.
James Hunter
is technically a good singer with a distinctive soulfulness in his voice - but his material never seems to move beyond pastiche. Compare and contrast with Amy Winehouse who uses similar tropes and stylings but is able to transform those into a wholly new and contemporary sound.
Jeff Beck
was in the audience. I wondered why and now know. I assume the thing about Winehouse is ironic.
no, no irony
at all. Back to Black is a sensational record. I would draw a comaprison with Thriller in being an era defining record.
Amy W despite her best efforts to be a sort of Billie Holiday for the Heat generation is a brilliant writer and singer.
The combination of her lyrics, her delivery, the Dap Kings backing and Mark Ronson's production all combine perfectly.
The Talkers are taking over
I've almost got into three fights this year all down to talkers!!
Now I'm a placid kind of guy but how can anyone find the route from Bristol to Bath more interesting than the voice of Candi Staton? Well two wankers at the O2 Acadamy in Bristol did and when I asked them to zip it, it was me that got the abuse!!
Cornbury and Chrissie Hynde? don't start me!!!