Planarchy Archive - September to November 2007
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Can you tell what young teen Kay got me for Xmas? Definitely one of my favourite pressies......
20071226 14:20
Bruce Almighty
You'll remember the Bruce Ticket of questionable authenticity that I received for my birthday from Mrs.Planarchy, I'm sure (it was only a couple of posts down the page what with the sporadic posting we're having here these days). Well it got me in to see the man last night at the Do⊀me. Was he any good? No, to use the title of his recent album, he was Magic! That was the short review. The longer one follows:
I last saw Bruce live at Wembley in 1985. It was one of the best concerts of my life (bettered only by the Clash at the Lyceum on my 21st birthday I think). So it was with a mixture of antici---pation and nervous trepidation that I slowly trudged into the Dome last night. Could he be as good as I remembered? How well would the new material stand up against the old (and I ask that as someone who loves the latest album).
I needn't have worried. From the opening chords of "Radio Nowhere" it was obvious that this was going to be another very special live performance. He wasn't here to go through the motions. Neither was he here to throw in a few new songs but stick to the old material in the main. He was here to rock our socks off with a very well crafted show which included most (all?) of the current album as well as much of his back catalogue. "Radio Nowhere" lead straight into "No Surrender" and so for the first 15 minutes or so he barely drew a breath and certainly didn't stop between songs longer than it took to throw his telecaster to a roadie and retrieve a replacement. Then we got a short hello London break and it was off at a full throttle once more. The highlight track at this point being a wonderfully re-arranged version of "Reason To Believe". The pace then reduced gradually as we moved into some of the moodier pieces from the 911 inspired "The Rising". There was still very little between-songs chatter other than the occasional jibe at George Bush (loud cheers) "But what are we gonna do about it?" He asks,"We're gonna sing songs, that's what. We're musicians, that's what we do." So, wanting to get his politics clear but not taking himself too seriously, a good sign I think. The pace then gradually increased once again as the man seemingly had no thought of stopping rocking. And the rest of the E Street Band? Well, Little Steven looked more like mother Theresa than ever, the Big Man was bigger than ever and Nils Loffgren remains one of the few plank-w@nkers I actually enjoy listening to. The rhythm section and keyboards remained as stable as ever, indeed the whole group continue to convince as a tight outfit and not just as a bunch of gang members following the boss. Much praise also due to "Sister" Susie on the violin, a new recruit to the E Street cause (as far as I'm concerned), and doing some excellent work.
The main part of the show finished with a sterling version of "Badlands" but within only a couple of minutes the whole ensemble were back on stage for the encore. This started with "Girls in their Summer Clothes" and then straight into "Jungle Land" before the house lights came on to the riff for "Born to Run" which pumped along like never before and made me supremely embarrassed that I ever covered it in my 'umble band days. I was certain that must signal the end of the show, how else can you leave an audience than with your greatest not hit, one of rock's all time anthems? But no, not Bruce. With the lights still up they (ironically?) lead straight through into "Dancing in the Dark". From there the harmoniums came out for a rousing rendition of "American Land" and now surely the end. But then Santa hats are given to the band, apparently, from my vantage point, by members of the audience. Little Steven's is the most comical and Bruce's is the closest to cool you can get in a Santa style hat (a Red Cowboy hat rimmed with white fake fur) so maybe this is not just something to come about by chance. When Bruce hollers "Do you believe in Santa Clause" I am in doubt as to where we're going next. "Santa Claus is coming to Town" as only Bruce and the E Street Band can manage is duly delivered and we are finally satiated. A two and a half hour show without a dull second. Truly excellent from start to finish.
He's back in the summer apparently and I hope I'm there again.
Full set list here if you're interested (and even if you're not, it's still there).
20071220 17:23
Old Cars
..and how else could we follow a Bruce story than with one about cars. As readers of Ham's London Daily Photo will know, yesterday was the day of the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Rally for cars built before 1905. Ham asked if I'd like to accompany him down to Hyde Park Corner yesterday morning to see the start and, since I was going to get up at just after 5am anyway (well, who doesn't on a Sunday), I said yes I would. So off we cycled, and I'm very glad we did.
There was a lovely atmosphere to the event and it was wonderful to see these ancient vehicles setting off on their journey to the coast. There were, apparently, three electric vehicles amongst the throng (nothing new is there?) but I didn't manage to catch any of those. I did spot at least two steam powered ones, one driven by Royalty (Prince Michael with daughter Gabriella), one driven by dogs, some Hungarians, French, American (I think, it's not obvious is it?) and even GB drivers. Some were making an effort for authentic period costume whilst some seem to have come straight from the piste, but hats off to all. There were three-wheelers and at least one interloper and at least one for Chris Paltrow.
Alternatively for those with RSI or who just can't be bothered with all that clicking, there's a slideshow. Share and enjoy!
20071105 16:04
Faking it?
Amongst the presents I received from Mrs.Planarchy for my birthday t'other week was a ticket to see Bruce at his forthcoming show in London (the first time I've seen him live since 1985!). I'm not an expert on concert tickets but there seems to be something possibly dodgy about this one.....and anyway, is Bruce actually playing at the Jellyfish?
20071102 10:47
Alone Again (Naturally?)
.....and about time too!
Today is my first day alone at home (which is also my office) for what seems like several years. Teen Dee finished her GCSEs in June (or was it February?) and only finally started college today. Kay was back at school last Thursday but Zee was on holiday until this morning.
One of the problems with working from home is that one's office is everyone else's home too and no-one else treats it like it's a work place when they're there. So, though it's lovely to be able have long luxurious breakfast/coffee/lunch/ afternoon tea breaks it does mean not a lot of work gets done. No excuses now.....thousands of photos to process/caption/keyword/market.
Quiet though.
20070910 17:35
16 years
Happy Anniversary to us!
Sixteen years ago on a somewhat similarly balmy hot day, Mrs.Maiden Name became Mrs.Planarchy. Who'd a thunk sixteen years later my hair would be such a different colour (I don't wear ties anymore either)? Happy days...still. May there be many more.
20070907 16:16