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Critic's choice: Top Five Gigs
Evening Standard 14.09.07
Surfin' UK: Brian Wilson plays a mix of old and new at the South Bank
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Beach Boy Brian Wilson continues his performances at the Royal Festival Hall and T Rexstacy pay tribute to Marc Bolan.
Brian Wilson
Royal Festival Hall, SE1
Last three chances to hear the head Beach Boy's brand new song suite, That Lucky Old Sun, which is accomplished enough to suggest that he's a lot more with it than his long-term mentalhealth problems should allow. And if you're not bothered by the new stuff, it's bracketed by enough classic hits to thrill any Beach Boys fan. (0871 663 2500) Friday-Sunday.
Scouting for Girls
King's College, WC2
They were shop assistants just six months ago but all of a sudden this chirpy trio find themselves with a top-10 hit, bouncy piano anthem She's So Lovely. There's plenty more jolliness where that came from, as they'll prove at this show just prior to Monday's release of their debut album. (020 7403 3331) Friday.
Rakim
Jazz Cafè, NW1
Along with producer and fellow New Yorker Eric B, Rakim made some of hip-hop's finest singles in the late Eighties. Since going solo in 1992 he's released just two albums but should be previewing tracks from an imminent third here. (020 7916 6060) Sunday-Tuesday.
The London One Day Punk Blues Festival
The Spitz, E1
The last ever Spitz event organised under the banner of Not The Same Old Blues Crap for their final fling they extend the punk blues action to last from 4pm onwards. Headlining are Dalston gypsy blues band Urban Voodoo Machine, with support acts including Duke Garwood. (020 7392 9032) Sunday, 4pm.
Marc Bolan: The Celebration
Shepherd's Bush Empire, W12
The day before the 30th anniversary of Marc Bolan's death, artists including producer Tony Visconti, Bolan's son Rolan, Marc Almond and Shakin' Stevens line up to perform T Rex tunes with the backing of tribute band T Rextasy. (0844 477 2000) Saturday.
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Hot on the heels of the success of the debut of “Smile” at the Royal Festival Hall in 2006, Brian Wilson continues to push forward the scope of his musical composition with newly commissioned work That Lucky Ole Sun. This work, although laced with subtle harmonies and narrative managed to convey the multifaceted layers of Southern Californian lifestyles some idealised and some rooted in truth and personal experience. Back in the acoustic temple of the Royal Festival Hall that Wilson regards as his “spiritual home”, the show divided into two parts with a 20 minute interval. In the first part we were treated to mixed tracks from early Beach Boys, Pet Sounds and Smile including “Heroes and Villains”,and culminating in “God Only Knows” and “Good Vibrations”. Wilson started on slow burn and appeared apprehensive as his voice strained and crackled during the first few numbers. But then as he and the band warmed up, the audience responded generously, he clearly grew in confidence and by the second half Wilson looked relaxed as he confidently played his new work. Then,a fun 3rd part to the show where all the feel good Beach Boys hits such as “Fun, Fun, Fun”, “Surfing USA, California Girls” were performed by Wilson and his band with gusto to the delight of the bopping crowd. A tribute was also paid to Paul Mc Cartney and Sgt.Pepper on a version of “She’s Leaving Home”. Wilson, seems to have successfully achieved that formula of blending new interesting works with timeless classics.
- Darren Lewis, UK
