twilightdawning

A writer's thoughts – mainly about music, sport and theatre. Shakespeare, Bob Dylan, live shows, New York Yankees

It’s Cheaper Than Paintings ….. And Doesn’t Need Explaining

Posted on December 23, 2014 by twilightdawning

Who: Sparks & the Heritage Orchestra (conducted by Jules Buckley)

What: Kimono My House (40th Anniversary Performance)

Where: Barbican Hall. The Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London

When: 19th December 2014

There have been various rock bands down the years who have performed albums and other projects with an orchestra (Deep Purple and Emerson, Lake and Palmer have done whole shows, Eagles used an orchestra on certain sections of their “Hotel California” tour, for example) but for a band like Sparks who are regarded as more of a pop outfit a show like tonight was quite unusual.

Sparks, of course, are an underestimated outfit amongst large sections of the general public and could be said to only really understood by their dedicated band of followers.

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Chasing that Goose!

Posted on December 22, 2014 by twilightdawning

What: Goose Chase

Who: Riding Lights Theatre Company

Where: Ravenscourt Arts

When: 9th December 2014

This was Ravenscourt Arts’ (a new venue in Hammersmith) first attempt to stage a play / pantomime for families with young children. This reviewer attended two performances on this date – a free daytime one for local school children which was packed and a evening one which carried a ticket price for which there was a good number of spare seats.

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A Monday Night to Remember

Posted on December 7, 2014 by twilightdawning

Who: John Shuttleworth

What: A Wee Ken to Remember

Where: Bloomsbury Theatre, London

When: 1st December 2014

Few artists have had a book published of their collected lyrics. Bob Dylan has had three (don’t try lifting the most recent one, you’ll do yourself a mischief), Paul Simon has had one, Sting has one (his Mum might have bought a copy) and so has John Shuttleworth. The difference between the first three and Shuttleworth is that John’s is self-published.

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Evidence of …….Disappointment

Posted on November 30, 2014 by twilightdawning

What: Evidence of Time Travel

Who: John Foxx & Steve D’Agostino

Where: BFI, Southbank, London

When: 21st November 2014

Over the last few weeks a staple on my cd player has been “Evidence of Time Travel” by John Foxx & Steve D’Agostino. It is an eclectic, tight, set of instrumentals which creates a mysterious air. It has echoes of Foxx’s early instrumentals like “Film One” but also traces of John’s more recent albums like “Tiny Colour Movies” and “My Lost City”. It also brings some new things to the table that are not present in any of those recordings. It is a very good release in a sequence of top drawer releases that Foxx and his cohorts have made in recent years. It is not his best but it stands up very well amongst his recent body of work.

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…I was born to speak all mirth and no matter…

Posted on November 23, 2014 by twilightdawning

What: Much Ado About Nothing (promoted as “Love’s Labour’s Won”) by William Shakespeare

Where: Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-Upon-Avon

When: 20th November 2014

So I was back in Stratford-Upon-Avon for the second half of this strange coupling that Gregory Doran is determined to promote as “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Love’s Labour’s Won”. In reality, as I suggested in my earlier review these two plays share no common ground other than their humorous tone and those imposed by the director’s decision-making.

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Panic? Not quite…

Posted on November 5, 2014 by twilightdawning

What: Luna Rossa

Where: The Borderline, off Manette Street, London

When: 2nd November 2014

Luna Rossa are one of the new kids on the block in terms of live shows. This was their second live show on a three-date stretch which precedes the release of their second album “Secrets and Lies”. That such a little known band is able to pull a decent sized crowd is primarily due to their connection with one of rock music’s best kept quality secrets: Panic Room.

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The New York Yankees – The Pitchers in September

Posted on October 22, 2014 by twilightdawning

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.

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The New York Yankees – The Batters in September

Posted on October 21, 2014 by twilightdawning

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:

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Carry the news…..

Posted on October 13, 2014 by twilightdawning

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.

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A Byrd in Flight – Eight Miles High

Posted on September 30, 2014 by twilightdawning

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.

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