Robbie’s Roundhouse Return

Don’t Go Changing

Back before last Christmas, I was one of the first journalists to interview Alexandra Burke after she won the X Factor. The interview took place on the Monday following the final and, quite understandably, she was as excited as a kid on Christmas morning, speaking at a million miles an hour and clearly unable to take it all in. When we stopped filming she confessed she hadn’t slept since her win.

I remember thinking that I hoped she stayed as charming as she was then, although I wouldn’t have put money on it. Fame, particularly the instant variety, does funny things to people. As it happens, my worries were unfounded. Due to a bizarre scheduling mixup, I have interviewed her twice within the space of the last three weeks. Not only did she remember me (which is very rare, trust me), she was as down to earth and chatty as the first time we met. I suppose she’s not actually had a record out so she could yet change but this time I don’t think it’s likely.

Keep it real etc…

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There Is Nothing Like A Dame

Amid all the fanfare about Robbie Williams making his comeback live performance at the Electric Proms this month (and no, appearing on X Factor doesn’t count), the return of a real music legend is being scandalously overlooked. I speak, of course, of Dame Shirley Bassey, veteran of three Bond soundtracks, shifter of some 135 million records worldwide (that’s more than twice Robbie’s career sales), and a recording artist for no less than 52 years.

What makes her appearance on October 23 particularly exciting is that she’ll be singing selections from her first studio album in 20 years, The Performance, which is released on November 9. I’ve not heard it yet but it promises to be pretty special given that all 11 tracks have been penned especially for Dame Shirley by a who’s who of contemporary songwriters including Gary Barlow, KT Tunstall, Tom Baxter, Richard Hawley, the Manics, The Pet Shop Boys and Rufus Wainwright.

If Vera Lynn can top the charts at the age of 92, then surely a relative spring chicken like Dame Shirl, who, it must be said, could easily pass for two decades younger than her 72 years (check out the photo below), has got to be in with a shout of a number one.

Madge of Honour (or Madonna Celebration)

I was watching T4 last Saturday morning (and no, I hadn’t been up all night) and saw an X Factor/Idol rip-off called P. Diddy’s Starmaker. Clearly the king of bling wants in on the TV talent show dollar and who can blame him? It remains the single biggest license to print money going. It’s a pretty good spin on the format in that it shows the contestants working on musical arrangements with a band rather than some disembodied hand pressing play on a backing track and, in the form of Rodney Jerkins, they’ve got at at least one judge whose opinion you can actually respect.

Anyway, that’s all by the by. What struck me was when one wannabe was welcomed to the stage with the words “…and now, singing the Leona Lewis classic Whatever It Takes…” Classic? I interviewed Leona Lewis less than two years ago and the idea that one of her songs would ever be referred to as a classic on an American TV show would have been utterly ridiculous. The fact that it happened last Saturday is testament partly to her international success but mostly to contemporary attitudes to hyperbole. (That’s a tenner you owe me, John – I got “contemporary attitudes to hyperbole” into a blog post).

When a song less than two years old can be referred to without irony as a classic, you wonder how the hell they’re going to introduce one that’s been in the public domain for a quarter of a century. As it happens, in exactly the same way. So we were treated to a young girl putting a modern spin on “the Madonna classic” Holiday. By modern spin, I mean she rammed it full of melismatic Mariah Carey-esque runs and consequently sang all the life and charm out of it.

The judges thought it was great (Rodney, you let me down). It makes you long for a time before singing a million notes when one will do was considered the height of vocal talent. Madonna has never been particularly talented musically (by any definition) but, and here’s the thing, you don’t have to be if you’re original, interesting, stylish, and savvy – all of which she was at the beginning at least. And she’s number one in the album charts this week with Celebration, her latest greatest hits collection. Mariah Carey, you have so much to answer for.

* see every Madonna video ever made, plus galleries, quizzes, features, and more in MSN’s Celebrate Madonna special feature

Keisha Leaves Sugababes

It’s fair to say it was the news nobody was expecting. According to a statement posted on the Sugababes official website last night, “The current line-up of the Sugababes has disbanded. Heidi Range and Amelle Berrabah will continue as the Sugababes and will be joined by new member Jade Ewen. They release their album ‘Sweet 7’ on November 23rd through Island Records. Keisha Buchanan will continue to record for Island Records as a solo artist.”

Well blow me down. The world and his wife was expecting it to be Amelle.

However, in true silver lining style, this means the MSN Xclusives performance we recorded on September 16 at Movida nightclub was the last to feature Keisha.

You can read star man Tom Townshend’s take on the whole bizarre business here – And Then There Were None.

So, what do you think? Can Sugababes continue without any original members? Let us know on the MSN Music messageboards.

The End Of History?

So 92 year-old Vera Lynn is top of the album charts with a collection of songs she recorded nigh on 70 years ago while The Beatles occupy four of the remaining positions in the top 10. What should we conclude from this? Nothing more complicated than the fact that older people buy the majority of CDs these days.

This isn’t to suggest that lots of younger people don’t like music from previous eras but rather that they’re far more likely to download it illegally.

This being the case, the only accurate way to gauge what under-25s (and particularly under-20s) are listening to is by talking to them.

I had just such a chat with 23 year-old Frankmusik last week.  He was talking about his formative influences, which are the early to mid-‘80s synth-pop his parents played when he was growing up. Clearly his experience is typical and explains the revival of the ‘80s sound we’re seeing now with artists such as La Roux. We briefly touched on the subject of the Beatles remasters, which were to be released the following day, but he was quite unapologetically nonplussed.

He wasn’t trying to be controversial or different for the sake of it. Rather, I got the impression that the Fab Four were as interesting and relevant to him as Dame Vera.

Just a few years ago this would have been unthinkable.  During the 1990s it was little short of blasphemy to say you didn’t like The Beatles. The Britpop bands who filled the charts when I was his age were falling over themselves to declare their love of all things ‘60s.  In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find an Oasis interview from back then where they didn’t mention The Beatles.

And why? Well, surely for the same reason. It’s the music they will have heard around the house growing up.

It got me thinking about the cyclical nature of this sort of thing, particularly given that I’ve spoken to a 15 year-old and a 17 year-old (thanks Dan and Haley) in the last 48 hours, both of whom, independently of each other, claim The Smiths to be their favourite band ever. Clearly this process is moving onward down the timeline of music history.

But what happens in another 10 years or so when the children of the Britpop generation are forming bands? Will they be reviving a musical style which was itself the revival of a musical style? Clearly not. Something entirely new and unexpected has got to happen and I’ve got the feeling it’s only a few years away.

I can’t wait.

The Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize – Live Blog

Hello!
Before we begin I’d like to make it quite clear that this is not esteemed editor James Hurley writing this (even though you can see his handsome face in the corner). This is Tom Townshend taking over the MSN Music blog for a few hours (and you really don’t want to see my face). I’ll be here for the night, live blogging from the Grosvenor House hotel in that there London where lots of bands your dad hasn’t heard of are gathered to find out if they’ve won the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize (and will therefore sell a lot more records than they previously have – that’s how it works).

I’m currently perched awkwardly on a balcony typing this because it’s the only place I could find where I can both,
a) See all three stages where the bands will play and,
b) Get a decent wi-fi reception.
It’s not glamorous, even though I’ve made an effort and put a nice shirt on for the occasion.

What’s happening now is Jools "boogie woogie" Holland is rehearsing his spontaneous adlibs, and we’ve just seen La Roux, The Invisible and The Horrors play their soundcheck. None of them have any make-up on. The Horrors look like very nice boys, underneath all that muck.

Now I’m going outside to watch all the nominees pretend they’ve just arrived on the red carpet when actually they’ve been here all day. I hope that hasn’t ruined the magic of showbiz for anyone.
I’ll be back when stuff starts happening…

18:50

Right, we’re back. Everyone’s now being shouted at to take their seats but we know for a fact that The Gossip are still outside. Callamity! Hang on, The Gossip aren’t even nominated. Someone should tell them or it could be very embarrassing.

The red carpet was nice, as these things go. Natasha Khan looked lovely in crushed velvet. Well, it wasn’t crushed till we got hold of it… No, sorry. It’s not going to be that sort of blog.*

We think Florence has won on the glamour stakes, though. She was also pulling off a catalogue of poses for the cameras, specializing in hands-on-hips, which a ‘stance’ expert tells us means she’s feeling ‘aggressive’. Oh blimey.

*It so is.

19:00
Jools just did a quick ‘cheer check’ to see who’d been here before and apparently more people have not been here before than have. There’s a fact to impress your friends with.

We can see they’ve put Beth Ditto and Noel Fielding  on the same table. That’s not going to end well. 🙁

19:10

Kasabian had some nice lights. If you watch this on the telly you’ll see that. They performed pretty well too. Do we think they’ve upped they’re game now they know all the bereft Oasis fans will be flocking their way and looking to them to take the torch? That’s a genuine question by the way. Can they fill the Gallagher’s shoes? Let me know. It’s a bit lonely up here on the balcony.

If the winner is decided by the biggest cheer during the intro film then Speech Debelle is going home a rich lady.

19:18

Friendly Fires went down well with the crowd and they’re not even drunk yet.

The crowd that is, we have no idea if Friendly Fires are drunk and it’d be wrong to speculate.

19:19

Lisa Hannigan is now playing that one off the advert. You know the one.

Kasabian just walked past, on their way to do some interviews about how they “don’t expect to win but it’s nice to be nominated.” Serge is wearing a black vest top. Even for a man as stylish as him we’re questioning if it’s a good look.

Lisa Hannigan makes lovely ‘beard stroking’ music, doesn’t she? As if to prove our point a man is literally stroking is enormous bushy growth in front of us.

19:24

Brief technical interruption while Florence and her Machine get on stage. Anticipation is high. We could do with some crisps.

Couldn’t find any crisps but did find a nut bar. It’ll have to do. Come on Florence! There’s a lot of waiting around at things like this, you know. The Grammys actually goes on for four days.

19:34

Noel Fielding and his female companion have taken this opportunity to go to the toilet. Very wise.

Jools is wearing red and black buckle shoes but from a distance it looks like sandals and red socks.

Florence is on! Ooh, it’s very classy. We think she might be trying to ditch the whole “I’m mental me” shtick. Good career move. Being insane gets tiresome quite quickly.

This is a very powerful performance of Dog Days. She’s really earning her status as favourite with the bookies. Which is a shame since we’ve bet on Bat For Lashes and The Horrors.

No new bicycle for little Timmy Townshend this year, then… 🙁

19:41

Led Bib are up now. The celebs have barely enough time to pop another cork. We can’t help noticing Noel Fielding isn’t back from the loo yet. Perhaps someone should go and check. He could be stuck. It’s a worry.

Crikey, what a racket. We like jazz as much as the next man but there are limits. We’re not even sure the pianist is playing the same song as the rest of the band.

Phew it’s over. We think. It was difficult to tell it had even begun. Imagine a school orchestra being attacked by baboons. It sounded a bit like that.

19:47

Sweet Billy Pilgrim now. There’s no messing about or links from Fearne Cotton at this award ceremony. Sweet Billy Pilgrim’s record is extremely lovely. if you only buy one album this year then you’re probably not that fussed about music, but if you buy more than one album this year then we recommend theirs.

Noel and his friend are back at their table. They look flushed; obviously ran back so as to not miss any of Sweet Billy Pilgrim.

19:52

Glasvegas are this year’s band who have to be represented by a video (there’s always one). They’re all here except the singer. Get well soon, fella. Er, that is if you’re ill. Maybe he just didn’t fancy it. Is there anything good on the telly tonight?

Uh oh, Noel’s off again.

Beth has stayed in her seat throughout. Doesn’t she go to the toilet?

From where we are on our balcony we can see the lovely Charlotte Hatherley, formerly of Ash and now of a brilliant solo career AND the Bat For Lashes band. There are only a few minutes in every day where she’s not playing the guitar. And even then she’s thinking about it.

20:08

More cutting edge music journalism for you: Speech Debelle was very good and had live saxophones.

Bat For Lashes now. Blimey she’s gorgeous and talented and amazing. Wearing a chain headband, fashion watchers. Chaz Hatherley on backing vox and clapping. So not guitar after all. We feel foolish now.

Is there anything any of you would like to know. Mainly about the Mercury Music Prize. I can’t promise to solve your relationship problems. Though I could have a go. You probably just need to listen more.

20:12

There’s quite a loud argument going on near me about whether someone said that Peaches or Pixie Geldof is here. One person is adamant they said it was Pixie (because it is) the other is convinced they said Peaches. You might want to check the nine o’clock news as it’s sure to be the top story. 🙁

20:24

La Roux’s quiff looks like topiary. Her sub-bass is literally floor-shaking. She is about 6 months away from being a really great live performer. And that’s not long to wait is it?

The Invisible’s table is getting quite rowdy. Perhaps this is because they think we can’t see them.

Boom Tish.

True Fact: La Roux’s drummer used to perform with top folk musician Jim Moray. He is also good but has normal hair.

The Invisible’s drummer appears to be wearing a big sheet as if he’d come dressed as a ghost. Perhaps this is because he thinks we can’t see him. Oh no, we’ve done that one.

Beth Ditto is dancing at her table. Still no toilet break though. Perhaps she’s doing it in a bag?

We predict The Invisible will be the band most people will come away from The Mercurys being surprised by how much they like. If there’s not an award for that sentence then there’s no justice in the world.

20:34

Crikey, it’s the last performance before the judges go off and have a drunken argument about whether to give the prize to Bat For Lashes, The Horrors or Speech Debelle. That’s exactly what’s going to happen. It is.

How do we all feel about The Horrors? They’re certainly a lot better than they used to be, but we miss Spider Webb’s weird mime/dance. We don’t even think he’s called Spider anymore. 🙁

20:45

We were going to go look for a sandwich but brilliant comedian Josie Long just walked past. If you’ve not heard of her, look her up.  Comedy tip there.

Beth Ditto has gone to the toilet! Thank heavens for that. We were worried she’d burst.

21:00

Bit of a fuss going on as one artist (who we’re not allowed to name) apparently looked down at their table during their performance to see that all their guests had nipped out for a fag. Charming. We’ll let you guess whose table. 

21:30

Uh oh. Kasabian just took Noel Fielding and his friend back to their dressing room. This is definitely not going to end well. Beth Ditto’s still at their table. Not even started on dessert.

21:47

La Roux’s drummer just had to pop out to the BP garage to get a Snickers* because the band weren’t given a meal. And you think rock n roll is glamorous?!

*Other confectionary is available.

22:17 And the winner of the 2009 Barclaycard Mercury Music Prize is…

Speech Debelle

What did we tell you back at the start, eh? An amazing win for an artist most hadn’t heard of till the nominations. It’s a beautiful and clever album and (apart from losing £20 betting on someone else) we’re over the moon. It’s the kind of win that really justifies the existence of the Mercurys. Hoorah.

Would you like to see the moment when the announcement was made? Of course you would. Many thanks to the BBC for this.

  And here she is talking to Lauren Laverne shortly after discovering she had won.

Mixed Up

I don’t know if it’s the future of clubbing but it was certainly interesting. Last night I went to a night at London’s trendy Hoxton Bar & Grill (as The Sun would call it) put on by alcopop purveyors J20. In homage to the nature of their fruit-based beverages, it was for what they were calling a ‘mixed-up session’. Which is what exactly? Well, they’d got superstar DJ of the moment Calvin Harris spinning what I believe are known by young people as ‘choons’, while former Destiny’s Child diva and recent star of Chicago Michelle Williams sang live over the top.

It sounds a bit odd but it worked.

Whatever next? Pepsi and Shirlie reunite for a one-off gig backed by Carl Cox? Who would sponsor it? Hmmmmmmm.

Wanna Come To Xclusives?

Do you remember the live sessions show called Xclusives we filmed at the end of last year? I’m unlikely to as it involved interviewing The Saturdays and then Pussycat Dolls one after the other. Well, after much legal and logistical wrangling, we’ve finally got the go ahead to film another one. Yes, yes, I know it’s 10 months after the first, but better late than never.

Anyway, the lineup has been finalised and I’m pleased to say it’s genuinely pretty cool.  It’s a difficult balancing trick because, quite apart from finding four artists available to perform on the same day, you’ve got to find a mixture of popular and credible.

Now that we’ve got Sugababes headlining, supported by Frankmusik, VV Brown, and The Maccabees, I honestly think we’ve pulled it off.

Do you fancy coming along to the filming? You never know, you might bump into a Sugababe or two. Hey, if you’re really lucky, you might even get to meet me!

If so, you can apply for tickets here (I know it’s a Lynx site – they’re the sponsors).

It’s been a long time, been a long time, been a long lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely, lonely time

Did you miss me? To cut a very long story short, I had a mystery issue with my blog which meant I couldn’t log in. I was very close to scrapping it completely until an MSN techie came to my rescue. So, anyway, here we are. An awful lot has happened since I last blogged. Michael Jackson went and died for one. But there’s no point trying to cover all that time, so let’s excise it from history like a bad relationship or that job you hated and left after six months without another one to go to and now don’t even include on your CV.

Or is that just me?

On a more topical note, I’ve just heard Les Paul died. I don’t suppose the name means a great deal to most people but to people like myself, Les Paul is/was God. Or at least a god. He invented the electric guitar, you see. Not a bad thing to be able to say. As someone once said of his famous creation, “the electric guitar: helping men attract women for 70 years”.