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With a single dessert and just two glasses of wine our bill was kept in check - but the effort of doing so was not much fun
Babbo
Film
This is a film with beautiful performances and a visual style that urges you towards reflection
Bright Star
Theatre
Although the first half of Kwei-Armah’s production is pacy, funny and intelligent, the energy level then drops off
Seize The Day
I loved this film from start to finish. Take the girlfriend, tell your mum - I'd see it again tomorrow and will buy the dvd.
I saw this last night and can't remember the last time I was so moved in the theatre.
I have been to many of London's so-called best Japanese restaurants and none have been as good as the food that I've had at Aqua Kyoto
London,
Jack Massarik's rating
Reader rating
Description: The former Roxy Music member performs solo material.
Until last night I rated Jeff Beck’s set at Ronnie Scott’s just over a year ago as the ultimate insult to the jazz principles of this world-famous citadel. But he at least looked lean and fit, played technically brilliant guitar and even attempted a jazz ballad, Charlie Mingus’s tribute to Lester Young, Goodbye Porkpie Hat.
Phil Manzanera demonstrated not a smidgeon of jazz feel and all the middle-aged hubris of a wealthy rock star. After 10 irritating minutes of self-indulgent banter — “Charles [drummer Hayward] and I were at school together but I don’t think we’ve gigged together since my 21st birthday party” — Roxy Music’s former lead guitarist finally launched into action with all the commitment of someone jamming in his own recording studio.
The in-jokey opening number, Fortunately I Had One With Me, was low-intensity fuzz-rock, with Phil’s Firebird guitar pitching somewhere between Hank B Marvin, Brian May and a wasp in a jam jar. Cartagena, a better song with a discernible bassline, featured delay, distort and sustain effects, all mechanical.
Being a producer of note, Phil engaged a pretty strong group. Israeli bass-guitarist Yaron Stavi plays double-bass with the mercurial Gilad Atzmon, and Polish pianist Leszek Mozdzer revealed glimpses of largely wasted improvising skill. Manzanera and Hayward showed tight rhythmic understanding but of funk and real forward momentum there was none.
Guest David Gilmour is promised for tonight. After that? Perhaps, Bryan Ferry sings Billy Eckstine.
Until tomorrow (020 7439-0747).
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
