February 28, 2009
February 25, 2009
February 11, 2009
Roberta Flack Back From The Dead?!
At least that’s where I thought she was coming from.(guilty of listening to rumor and not following it up) but at age 71 she is once more touring the world and coming to New Zealand for some gigs at the main centers, as do a number of aging rock/pop stars now. Lionel Ritchie and David Byrne have the same idea.
I haven’t heard anything much from Roberta since her double platinum album ‘Killing Me Softly” made No 3 in the U.S. pop charts way back in 1973, only making the Brit charts at No 40 the same year.The last two of her albums making any dent were Oasis back in 88, which peaked at 159 in the charts and Set the Night to Music in 91 peaking at 110.
I have to admit, even as a thorough folkie, I had a passion for her version of Ewan MacColl’s ‘ First time ever I saw your face’……….. I just played it and played it. McColl didn’t stand a chance.
Sadly I was having the shit kicked out of me in a Croydon pub whilst ‘Killing me softly ‘ launched itself on the jukebox so I’ve never been able to listen to it for long without regressing into a ball on the floor.
Great song though and I’m pleased to see that Roberta Flack is alive and well…………… for now.
February 9, 2009
If you hate your neighbours and they have young children give the kids a drum.
I woke this morning with a hangover, the first this year and I’d like to say the last but who knows. My trouble is I tend to down too many when I’m not driving, too many for me that is, five pints of Guinness writes me off.I’ve never been a big drinker.
The day started off O.K. and led me to the Thirsty Dog Pub in K Rd where Al (Swigger) Stacey has started a new folk club. Not a bad turn out considering it was a hot Sunday afternoon and several other events were taking place around Auckland, including The Big Gay Out.
The highlight for me was ‘blues man’ Mr Alan Young strutting his stuff……. ( this is back at the Thirsty Dog by the way not the Big Gay Out!) …..Al’s impromptu performance took him off stage, sauntering past the front two empty tables treating old hands and new comers alike to some class blues. Still in full voice he continued through the front door onto the street to give the punters sitting outside a taste of what they were missing. (fortunately they weren’t traddies who’d gone out there for a quiet drink) and they lapped it up. Good on you Al… I think you’ve found your venue..
Just across the street is an old favorite of mine, the Dogs Bollix and The Bollix Cousins were ready to take a turn on stage. Sadly the place has gone down hill faster than the finance company I entrusted with my life’s savings and four Irish dancers performed to their parents and three customers.
Some people have said the Irish trend has gone and that maybe so but you don’t have to be Irish to make it a success. You could have a German behind the bar with personality and the place could still rock but I feel the present owner would be better of auditioning for a roll as the new Invisible Man… Bar managers are alright but it’s not their pub, you know what I mean. You have to put your heart in it. Such a waste of a great spot.
As I left I bumped into an old friend of mine over from the U.K. and we ended up back at my place with a little food, a lot of booze and plenty of news to catch up. The rest is history.
This morning brought me pain. My head was throbbing and my teeth hurt!! It felt like someone was knocking on my head to come in but as I came around I realised it was my friendly next door neighbour’s young children trying to out bang each other on the pots and pans their mother had laid out for them on the table just underneath my bedroom window. Like this but louder! Such consideration needs rewarding and when my mind comes back I’ll think of somthing. Anyone want to adopt?….
February 2, 2009
Life Is Short…
The commercial may have been banned but I’m pretty sure the message still stands.
