The last time I went to see the Divine Comedy play was an open air concert in Greenwich back in 2011. I had a great night that night and would never have thought it would be another 6 years until I saw the Divine Comedy again, but it was.
Although not the first time I've been to a gig at The Palladium, it does seem somewhat a strange venue to go to a gig in with it being best known for its plays. It was all the way back in May last year when I bought tickets, and proved so popular that they added another two dates.
Arriving on stage dressed as Napoleon, one would expect him to open with "Napoleon Complex" the opening track on his latest album. But no, he begins with "Sweden" from the "Fin de siècle" album. He follows it up with the hilarious "How Can You Leave Me On My Own" from his new album and then came "Napoleon Complex". Next up was "Frog Princess" which he dedicated to the people who didn't buy a ticket.
After a few more tunes and a few more jokes, he played "Certainty Of Chance". During the quite lengthy outro, Neil Hannon left the stage. At the end of the song he reappeared dressed as a banker complete with hat and umbrella so naturally the next song was the excellent "The Complete Banker" which he said was still dedicated to the financial services workers. This was followed up by a track he said was what bankers get up to in their spare time, the title track of his last album "Bang Goes the Knighthood".
After this, his guitarist put his guitar down before Neil reminded him they needed to play "Generation Sex" before he was to do that. This was followed by a drinks break on stage which ended with two seats in front of the microphone and two drinks in Neil's hand. Out came Lisa O'Neil who was the support act to duet with new album track "Funny Peculiar".
The rest of the gig was filled with the better known songs, beginning with "Songs Of Love" (the Father Ted theme tune). Just before he played "Something For the Weekend" everybody had been seated up till that point, but the Neil said that if they know how to get up and party in Switzerland then surely we do in London.
There were still a few people sat down during the next few tunes, but once he started playing "National Express" everybody got up. This was the last song before the encore which began with "Assume the Perpendicular" and then "A Drinking Song" for which Neil observed a number of people weren't drinking so told them to hold an imaginary glass. The final song was "Tonight We Fly".
An excellent performance which I enjoyed every moment of. My only complaint was the he didn't play "Come Home Billy Bird" which is probably my favourite song of his, but being on his eleventh album now there is no shortage of good music to fill a gig. Lets hope the next time I see him play is sooner than 6 years away.
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Monday, 20 February 2017
Record of the Year 1970: Fifth Dimension - Wedding Bell Blues
This was a USA number one in 1969 but didn't chart in the UK until January 1970.
It's a song about a woman wondering when she is ever going to marry a man named Bill. As it happened, the lead singer Marilyn McCoo was engaged to fellow band member Billy Davis Jr at the time. By the time this was released in the UK they were married and are still married now.
However, it was not originally a Fifth Dimension tune. It was originally by Laura Nyro in 1966, though it is this cover which is the better known version.
It was Fifth Dimensions second and final hit in the UK, with their first being the perhaps better known "Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In" which was also a number one in America. They managed several other hits in America including "Up Up and Away" which had been a hit for Johnny Mann Singers in the UK in 1967.
Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr both left the band in 1975 and had a UK hit in 1977 as a duo with "You Don't Have To Be A Star (To Be In My Show)".
The band continues to play today but Florence LaRue is the only original member left.
Saturday, 18 February 2017
UK Singles Chart: 1970
When looking at 1960, it seemed like we were still in the 50s and the 60s were yet to begin. The question is then, does 1970 seem more like the 60s or the 70s?
It was the year The Beatles broke up and they had one final hit before they split with "Let It Be" reaching number 2 and therefore keeping them at 17 number ones. It wasn't the last we'd see of them on the charts though, they would return with reissues and previously uncharted material.
Elvis Presley managed to add to his tally of number ones with "The Wonder Of You" bringing his total to 16. He had a further 3 hits bringing his total number of hits to 73. Cliff Richard had a further 3 hits bring his total to 54. Still no change in 3rd with Lonnie Donegan on 30, and still Nat 'King' Cole, Everly Brothers, Frankie Vaughan and Frank Sinatra tied in fourth with none of these acts adding to their total hits this year.
Whilst Elvis currently held the longest run of hits in consecutive years, having had a hit every year since 1956, he was not the earliest charting act in the charts this year. That honour went to 1953 debutant Dorothy Squires who would have her final two hits with "Till" and "My Way". After a couple of years out the charts, 1957 debutant Shirley Bassey returned to the charts with her cover of "Something" by the Beatles. Another 1957 debutant still on the charts was Andy Williams who had 3 hits this year. So Elvis, Cliff, Dorothy Squires, Shirley Bassey and Andy Williams became the only acts so far to have had a top 40 hit in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Despite it being 6 years since his death, Jim Reeves kept his run of hits every year since 1960 going having hits with "Nobody's Fool" and "Angels Don't Lie", and he wasn't finished yet. Only missing one year since 1960 was Ken Dodd who had a hit with "Broken Hearted". Keeping a run of hits every year since 1961 was Gene Pitney who charted with "A Street Called Hope" and "Shady Lady", though this run would end this year.
Dave Clark Five would bid farewell to the charts this year with their final two hits "Everybody Get Together" and "More Good Old Rock n Roll". Also bidding farewell were Herman's Hermits who's final hit would be "Lady Barbara". Meanwhile Dusty Springfield would have her last hit for 17 years with "How Can I Be Sure" and the Beach Boys would end their run of hits every year since 1963 with "Cottonfields" and would only have the occasional hit from now on.
It was the first year since their 1963 debut that the Rolling Stones had no hits. We did however have Mick Jagger score his first solo hit with "Memo To Turner".
Having split up the previous year, the Bee Gees reunited in 1970 and were back in the charts with "Lonely Days".
Motown would continue to have a strong presence on the charts with the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Ruffin and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles all having hits this year, the latter getting to number one with "Tears Of A Clown". It was also the year that The Contours scored their only UK hit is "Just A Little Misunderstanding".
There were two Motown debutants this year though which in my opinion is a sign they were moving into the 70s. First was the Jackson Five who debuted with "I Want You Back" and followed up with three further hits this year. Then there was the solo debut of Diana Ross who had a minor hit with "Reach Out And Touch" and then followed up with a top 10 with her cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
Joni Mitchell had her only top 40 hit this year with "Big Yellow Taxi". It was also the most prolific year for a man known for being several one hit wonders, Tony Burrows, who would chart as part of Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood Of Man, White Plains and Pipkins. He had the first number one of the years with "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse which was a one hit wonder. The line up of Brotherhood Of Man this year was an entirely different line up to the one which enjoyed greater success later on in the decade.
Having already enjoyed chart success as a songwriter, this year saw the debut of Neil Diamond as an artist who had a hit with "Cracklin Rosie".
We were also seeing rock music get heavier this year with Deep Purple debuting with "Black Night" and Black Sabbath debuting with "Paranoid".
T Rex were back in the charts this year and were now sounding like the T Rex most people remember, scoring a number two with "Ride A White Swan" which also marked the beginning of glam rock in the charts.
There were several other notable acts debuting this year which showed we were now in the 70s. There was Free debuting with "All Right Now", Bread with "Make It With You", the Carpenters with "(They Long To Be Close) To You", Hot Chocolate with "Life Is Life" and Gilbert O'Sullivan with "Nothing Rhymed". There was also a one hit wonder called "Neanderthal Man" by Hotlegs, a band who would go on to be known as 10CC.
The year saw the first Dutch act on the charts, with Shocking Blue having their only top 40 hit with "Venus".
So 1970 very much seemed like a year of transition and there were many signs that the 70s had now begun. At the same time though, it didn't seem like the 60s were quite done yet. Will 1971 put an end to that? We'll see next time.
It was the year The Beatles broke up and they had one final hit before they split with "Let It Be" reaching number 2 and therefore keeping them at 17 number ones. It wasn't the last we'd see of them on the charts though, they would return with reissues and previously uncharted material.
Elvis Presley managed to add to his tally of number ones with "The Wonder Of You" bringing his total to 16. He had a further 3 hits bringing his total number of hits to 73. Cliff Richard had a further 3 hits bring his total to 54. Still no change in 3rd with Lonnie Donegan on 30, and still Nat 'King' Cole, Everly Brothers, Frankie Vaughan and Frank Sinatra tied in fourth with none of these acts adding to their total hits this year.
Whilst Elvis currently held the longest run of hits in consecutive years, having had a hit every year since 1956, he was not the earliest charting act in the charts this year. That honour went to 1953 debutant Dorothy Squires who would have her final two hits with "Till" and "My Way". After a couple of years out the charts, 1957 debutant Shirley Bassey returned to the charts with her cover of "Something" by the Beatles. Another 1957 debutant still on the charts was Andy Williams who had 3 hits this year. So Elvis, Cliff, Dorothy Squires, Shirley Bassey and Andy Williams became the only acts so far to have had a top 40 hit in the 50s, 60s and 70s.
Despite it being 6 years since his death, Jim Reeves kept his run of hits every year since 1960 going having hits with "Nobody's Fool" and "Angels Don't Lie", and he wasn't finished yet. Only missing one year since 1960 was Ken Dodd who had a hit with "Broken Hearted". Keeping a run of hits every year since 1961 was Gene Pitney who charted with "A Street Called Hope" and "Shady Lady", though this run would end this year.
Dave Clark Five would bid farewell to the charts this year with their final two hits "Everybody Get Together" and "More Good Old Rock n Roll". Also bidding farewell were Herman's Hermits who's final hit would be "Lady Barbara". Meanwhile Dusty Springfield would have her last hit for 17 years with "How Can I Be Sure" and the Beach Boys would end their run of hits every year since 1963 with "Cottonfields" and would only have the occasional hit from now on.
It was the first year since their 1963 debut that the Rolling Stones had no hits. We did however have Mick Jagger score his first solo hit with "Memo To Turner".
Having split up the previous year, the Bee Gees reunited in 1970 and were back in the charts with "Lonely Days".
Motown would continue to have a strong presence on the charts with the Temptations, Supremes, Four Tops, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Jimmy Ruffin and Smokey Robinson & The Miracles all having hits this year, the latter getting to number one with "Tears Of A Clown". It was also the year that The Contours scored their only UK hit is "Just A Little Misunderstanding".
There were two Motown debutants this year though which in my opinion is a sign they were moving into the 70s. First was the Jackson Five who debuted with "I Want You Back" and followed up with three further hits this year. Then there was the solo debut of Diana Ross who had a minor hit with "Reach Out And Touch" and then followed up with a top 10 with her cover of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".
Joni Mitchell had her only top 40 hit this year with "Big Yellow Taxi". It was also the most prolific year for a man known for being several one hit wonders, Tony Burrows, who would chart as part of Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood Of Man, White Plains and Pipkins. He had the first number one of the years with "Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)" by Edison Lighthouse which was a one hit wonder. The line up of Brotherhood Of Man this year was an entirely different line up to the one which enjoyed greater success later on in the decade.
Having already enjoyed chart success as a songwriter, this year saw the debut of Neil Diamond as an artist who had a hit with "Cracklin Rosie".
We were also seeing rock music get heavier this year with Deep Purple debuting with "Black Night" and Black Sabbath debuting with "Paranoid".
T Rex were back in the charts this year and were now sounding like the T Rex most people remember, scoring a number two with "Ride A White Swan" which also marked the beginning of glam rock in the charts.
There were several other notable acts debuting this year which showed we were now in the 70s. There was Free debuting with "All Right Now", Bread with "Make It With You", the Carpenters with "(They Long To Be Close) To You", Hot Chocolate with "Life Is Life" and Gilbert O'Sullivan with "Nothing Rhymed". There was also a one hit wonder called "Neanderthal Man" by Hotlegs, a band who would go on to be known as 10CC.
The year saw the first Dutch act on the charts, with Shocking Blue having their only top 40 hit with "Venus".
So 1970 very much seemed like a year of transition and there were many signs that the 70s had now begun. At the same time though, it didn't seem like the 60s were quite done yet. Will 1971 put an end to that? We'll see next time.
Thursday, 16 February 2017
Top of the Pops: 16/02/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
Its now the fifth week that Ed Sheeran is at number one and number two, therefore the fifth week in a row he appears on the show with "Shape Of You". The top four has also remained the same for the last three weeks. It's also the third week in a row we have Dua Lipa on the show, back with "Be The One" which was on two weeks ago, and also her fifth performance in 5 shows making this seem more and more like the Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa show.
We do have 8 eligible this week, still short of the 9 required to fill the show but an improvement on recent weeks. As well as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, from 2 weeks ago we have Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe back on with "Text From Your Ex". From 3 weeks ago we have Sage the Gemini back on with "Now and Later" and from 4 weeks ago we have Snakehips ft MO with "Don't Leave".
There are 3 new entries on the charts. There is a return to Top of the Pops for the first time in 16 years for Train, proving they are no one hit wonder like many people think they are. In fact they have had two more hits since, it took them 9 years to chart with their second whilst their third was 5 years ago, so not exactly prolific on the charts. The other new entries come from James Arthur and Stormzy.
New (25) Train - Play That Song
⬆ (29) Snakehips ft MO - Don't Leave
New (34) James Arthur - Safe Inside
⬆ (24) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
⬆ (17) Sage the Gemini - Now And Later
New (8) Stormzy - Big For Your Boots
⬆ (10) Dua Lipa - Be The One
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Its now the fifth week that Ed Sheeran is at number one and number two, therefore the fifth week in a row he appears on the show with "Shape Of You". The top four has also remained the same for the last three weeks. It's also the third week in a row we have Dua Lipa on the show, back with "Be The One" which was on two weeks ago, and also her fifth performance in 5 shows making this seem more and more like the Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa show.
We do have 8 eligible this week, still short of the 9 required to fill the show but an improvement on recent weeks. As well as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, from 2 weeks ago we have Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe back on with "Text From Your Ex". From 3 weeks ago we have Sage the Gemini back on with "Now and Later" and from 4 weeks ago we have Snakehips ft MO with "Don't Leave".
There are 3 new entries on the charts. There is a return to Top of the Pops for the first time in 16 years for Train, proving they are no one hit wonder like many people think they are. In fact they have had two more hits since, it took them 9 years to chart with their second whilst their third was 5 years ago, so not exactly prolific on the charts. The other new entries come from James Arthur and Stormzy.
New (25) Train - Play That Song
⬆ (29) Snakehips ft MO - Don't Leave
New (34) James Arthur - Safe Inside
⬆ (24) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
⬆ (17) Sage the Gemini - Now And Later
New (8) Stormzy - Big For Your Boots
⬆ (10) Dua Lipa - Be The One
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Thursday, 9 February 2017
Top of the Pops: 09/02/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
After last weeks show being the shortest so far, we are back up to 7 songs, an improvement but still not the 9 songs required for a full show.
Ed Sheeran once again is number one and number two. So once again we hear his number one, but the last time we had his number two is starting to become a distant memory.
Also from last weeks show we welcome back Dua Lipa with yet another new entry in the top 40. From two weeks ago we have Chainsmokers and Migos both on after climbing the charts. After entering the charts back in December we have Zayn ft Taylor Swift climbing the charts above its previous peak of 16, giving them a place on the show.
As well as Dua Lipa, we have two more new entries from Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj and from Rag n Bone Man.
New (20) Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj - Run Up
⬆ (13) Zayn ft Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
New (23) Martin Garrix ft Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely
⬆ (7) Chainsmokers - Paris
New (35) Rag n Bone Man - Skin
⬆ (31) Migos - Bad And Boujee
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
After last weeks show being the shortest so far, we are back up to 7 songs, an improvement but still not the 9 songs required for a full show.
Ed Sheeran once again is number one and number two. So once again we hear his number one, but the last time we had his number two is starting to become a distant memory.
Also from last weeks show we welcome back Dua Lipa with yet another new entry in the top 40. From two weeks ago we have Chainsmokers and Migos both on after climbing the charts. After entering the charts back in December we have Zayn ft Taylor Swift climbing the charts above its previous peak of 16, giving them a place on the show.
As well as Dua Lipa, we have two more new entries from Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj and from Rag n Bone Man.
New (20) Major Lazer ft Partynextdoor & Nicki Minaj - Run Up
⬆ (13) Zayn ft Taylor Swift - I Don't Wanna Live Forever
New (23) Martin Garrix ft Dua Lipa - Scared To Be Lonely
⬆ (7) Chainsmokers - Paris
New (35) Rag n Bone Man - Skin
⬆ (31) Migos - Bad And Boujee
(1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
90s/00s Pop Australia Tour
Several months ago came the news that some 90s/00s pop groups were doing a tour of Australia. It was quite laughable given the make shift nature of the groups on the tour.
To recap, we had the full line up of B*Witched, East 17 minus Brian and Tony and plus UK Garage singer Robbie Craig, Atomic Kitten the Kerry Katona version but without Liz due to her fear of flying with Michelle of Liberty X standing in, and S Club 3 (not a typo).
Now the tour has began, it has become even more laughable. Added to the tour is Liberty X, but just the female members. To be fair I can actually name the female members but couldn't name the male members without looking it up, plus the not having the full band seems to be the theme of the tour. This becomes apparent when the only band with the full line up, B*Witched are now a member down. To top this off, S Club 3 have become S Club 2, which burns the question did they ever need 7 members in the first place?
Now today came the news that Kerry Katona has had to pull out of the latest gig due to illness, so Atomic Kitten has been reduced to a duo which includes a member not actually in the group.
The words Trigger and Broom spring to mind...
To recap, we had the full line up of B*Witched, East 17 minus Brian and Tony and plus UK Garage singer Robbie Craig, Atomic Kitten the Kerry Katona version but without Liz due to her fear of flying with Michelle of Liberty X standing in, and S Club 3 (not a typo).
Now the tour has began, it has become even more laughable. Added to the tour is Liberty X, but just the female members. To be fair I can actually name the female members but couldn't name the male members without looking it up, plus the not having the full band seems to be the theme of the tour. This becomes apparent when the only band with the full line up, B*Witched are now a member down. To top this off, S Club 3 have become S Club 2, which burns the question did they ever need 7 members in the first place?
Now today came the news that Kerry Katona has had to pull out of the latest gig due to illness, so Atomic Kitten has been reduced to a duo which includes a member not actually in the group.
The words Trigger and Broom spring to mind...
Thursday, 2 February 2017
Top of the Pops: 02/02/2017
Here is the Top 40 Countdown
This is the shortest episode since the unofficial Top of the Pops comeback started, with just 5 singles eligible.
Once again Ed Sheeran is number one so he appears for the third week in a row and still preventing his number two single from getting another showing. The two climbers featured on the show from two weeks ago.
For the second time in three weeks, we have the same person perform twice on the show. This week its Dua Lipa, who has a new entry as well as her collaboration with Sean Paul climbing the charts. So if you don't like Dua Lipa then this episode is guaranteed to be at least 40% crap.
⬆ (28) Sean Paul ft Dua Lipa - No Lie
(New) Dua Lipa - Be The One
⬆ (32) Robin Schulz & David Guetta ft Cheat Codes - Shed A Light
(New) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
- (1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
This is the shortest episode since the unofficial Top of the Pops comeback started, with just 5 singles eligible.
Once again Ed Sheeran is number one so he appears for the third week in a row and still preventing his number two single from getting another showing. The two climbers featured on the show from two weeks ago.
For the second time in three weeks, we have the same person perform twice on the show. This week its Dua Lipa, who has a new entry as well as her collaboration with Sean Paul climbing the charts. So if you don't like Dua Lipa then this episode is guaranteed to be at least 40% crap.
⬆ (28) Sean Paul ft Dua Lipa - No Lie
(New) Dua Lipa - Be The One
⬆ (32) Robin Schulz & David Guetta ft Cheat Codes - Shed A Light
(New) Tinie Tempah ft Tinashe - Text From Your Ex
- (1) Ed Sheeran - Shape Of You
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