Alice Cooper on his music and his Christian faith
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Stay with Me, Otto Preminger, Bob Dylan and The Cardinal, oh and Batman.
When I was a young child I remember seeing Otto Preminger play Mr Freeze in the ‘Batman’ TV series, a role he shared with George Sanders (who I would later enjoy seeing in earlier films as Simon Templar, the Saint) and Eli Wallach. I didn’t realise then that I would later come to appreciate his work as a director greatly. Films like Fallen Angel, The Man with the Golden Arm, Anatomy of a Murder, Laura and Angel Face are amongst my favourites of his. He challenged many taboos in the cinema and directed in a way that used lighting and musical soundtrack to wonderful effect.
From Women’s Eyes This Doctrine I Derive
What: Love’s Labour’s Lost by William Shakespeare
Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon
When: 23rd October 2014
Gregory Doran, the new artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare company, has barely put a foot wrong since he took over the role – and it has to be said that prior to the new appointment there had been a certain loss of direction. But in this new production, which I think is very solid and good, he seems to have based some of his thinking about it on a doubtful premise.
Good Rockers Can Never Die
A Tribute to Alvin Stardust
It would have been the late summer of 1974. I turned on the TV. BBC 1. And it turned out I turned on “Top of the Pops”. I’d really not got into watching Top of the Pops yet. My music listening mostly came from plugging in my cassette player in, in the corner of my Mum’s bedroom and recording the Sunday night Top 40 rundown from the BBC in the cassette player’s built-in radio. I didn’t record the whole thing – just the songs I didn’t already have and that I liked.
Anyway back to Top of the Pops. Solo performer, black leather. Singing, barely moving, slowly removing a black leather glove. Great song, riveting performance. Glam rock meets some kind of rock ‘n’ roll revival. I swear I learnt more in 3 minutes about image and the colour black than I did in the whole of the rest of my life so far. It was and remains a hugely influential performance for me, although I don’t think I’ve ever seen it again. It appears to be one of those editions of Top of the Pops which was wiped and has not been found in a private collection. Perhaps gone forever.
I got to thinking about it this week when I heard that Alvin Stardust had died.
The New York Yankees – The Pitchers in September
As we move on to the second half of our survey of the Yankees’ performance in September, we find a fairly surprising picture amongst the pitchers. Whilst the team averaged giving up between 3 and 4 runs a game which is pretty competitive, more surprising was that those who had been successful prior to September struggled and some new faces were successful.
The New York Yankees – The Batters in September
September was never going to be an easy month for the Yankees. On one hand, they had to contend with the grand parade that was associated with the retirement of the Captain, Derek Jeter. On the other, they had to make up sufficient games to challenge for a wildcard. It would have proved too much for most teams but for the Yankees who were already over-performing given the weakness of their batting lineup, it seemed impossible. And so it was, they achieved a 14-13 record on the month whilst giving Jeter the send-off he deserved. One target achieved, the other not. But perhaps this was for the best – they would have probably embarrassed themselves in the post-season. Let’s look at who did what:
British Soul
Who: Daughters of Davis, supported by Lánre
Where: Ravenscourt Arts, Hammersmith, London
When: October 11th, 2014
About a year ago I heard an interview with a fairly major music industry figure who when asked what he would like to be doing if he wasn’t doing that interview, said he would like to be at home listen to the harmonies of the “Daughters of Davis”. Time to find out about the Daughters of Davis, I thought. Located them on the internet. Ordered their cd and dvd (I’m the archetypal guy who like to have the solid item in both hands. Not much time for mp3s here). Nearly a year later, it’s time to see them in concert. Can they cut the mustard live?
Carry the news…..
Who: Ian Hunter and the Rant Band
Where: Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
When: October 4th 2014
So we gathered at the front of the stage with all the old dudes, waiting for the band to take the stage and wondering what Mr Hunter would serve up for us tonight. In truth, it was to prove fairly predictable. But predictable isn’t always a bad thing if it comes with passions — and this did. Ian told us he has nothing new to sell. So consequently, we were treated to a collection of his best solo moments, and all the great Mott the Hoople hits from long ago and a smattering of more obscure songs from both eras to please the most dedicated fans.
The New York Yankees – September Update
As the 2014 season draws to its conclusion and the Yankees role in that season has already ended, it merely remains for us to look at the month of September. In our next two articles, we will look back on individual performances but first let’s summarise those changes which took place after the trading deadline and the roster expansion.
A Byrd in Flight – Eight Miles High
Who: Roger McGuinn (An Evening with Roger McGuinn – solo , mostly acoustic)
Where: Cadogan Hall, London (Just off Sloane Square)
When: 26th September 2014
I last saw Roger McGuinn in concert in 1987. He was third on the bill behind Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and headliner Bob Dylan on “The Temples in Flames” tour as it stopped off in Birmingham at the NEC. Dylan was having an off night and McGuinn’s set was, for me, the highlight of a concert I wouldn’t choose to revisit.
twilightdawning 