BEEHIVE CANDY

Mink DeVille formed in San Francisco having performed initially as Billy DeSade & the Marquis and also The Lazy Eights before settling on the name Mink DeVille. They relocated to New York in the late 1970's, and were quickly associated with the local burgeoning punk scene. The reality was that at heart Mink DeVille was a soul orientated band with roots in R&B, the blues and even Cajun music. This year their founder Willy DeVille, celebrates thirty years as a recording artist, 'oh how time flies' when you are having fun. This is Mink DeVille Live from The Bottom Line, New York, USA, back on September 12th 1980. If you are not familiar with the band, I strongly urge you to give them a listen. Many may recognise their hit single 'Spanish Stroll', there is however far more to this band. They are one of those bands that simply light up a venue when they perform. This is a 'stonking' performance! The set list is as follows: 1. Harlem Noctur

This is the 'broadcast' part of REM live in Hyde Park, London, on the 16th July 2005. It was the final date of their 2004/05 world tour, and had been put back one week due to the terrorist attack on London's tube system, just days earlier. I have seen a number of bands and artists myself in Hyde Park. I recognise it has been used considerably as a venue in recent years. A good number of charitable events have been televised in the UK. It is easy to get the impression that this is a fine venue to play. Hyde Park is a very big place, a very large park. For around ten years now, the gigs are performed with the stage at the Marble Arch end. The audience are placed parallel with Park Lane going south, between the internal roads. If nothing else, I hope I have confused some New Yorkers at there own game now, regarding concerts in Central Park (this time last year I was in Manhattan so understand this is said with kind affection). Put simply this part of Hyde Park

There was a time when Genesis would have automatically been included in my top favorite five bands. When Peter Gabriel left, like many I thought it was the end, however although the sound and style gradually developed, it was still Genesis, and some good music was produced. In 1980 the album Duke was released, and I was really impressed ! With hindsight this was the beginning of the end of my Genesis 'must buy - must have' era. After that for whatever reason only the odd song here and there appealed to me. As regards Phil Collins solo material, sorry I have tried, but it ain't for me. I think early on, he made to much of an effort not to sound like Genesis, but with respect was never going to be a crooner. To the point - This is Genesis towards the end of my 'Top Five Favorite' era. The details - Genesis live at The Lyceum London (second night) on the 7th May 1980. The Lyceum was one of the smaller venues they played on this tour. Set List: CD 1: 0

This is Elvis Presley Live at Greensboro, North Carolina, USA, on the 14th April 1972. I am not an Elvis aficionado, probably not even up to amateur standard, by any Elvis Presley fans measurement criteria. I do not impersonate him though, surely this gets me some street credibility back ? I tried to get some background on this concert and failed miserably. I know Elvis toured in 1972, he sold out Madison Square Gardens for four consecutive nights, and a video of him touring won a Golden Globe for best documentary that year. What is curious for me, is that the very limited notes that accompanied this concert say it was his first performance of 'Burning Love' on stage. This was released in 1972 and was his last top ten hit in the U.S. single charts, so from that perspective there is a little bit of Elvis history here. Oh well onto the main reason I am posting this, easy one as usual, not being a major Elvis fan, I swallowed the hype, and decided to give it a play, next thing I k

This is Kraftwerk live at the Hammersmith Odeon, London, on the 3rd July 1981. This is one of those annoying 'I was there' posts, yep that may be me somewhere in the crowd cheering, applauding or yelping, and why not, it was one of the best live concerts I have ever attended - not a comment I make lightly! Everything about them was refreshing. Ralf Hutter's occasional ad lib's and his sheer intensity at times as he sung. The use of electronic drum pads, and the whole tightness & rhythm of the band. The simpler & very different lighting for that period, a generous helping of neon would you believe? The uncanny resembling dummies, or was that robots? Letting the audience join in during the encore using handheld devices (circa pocket calculator). Most of all it was the underlying humour, the knowing smiles between each other that became laughter if one of them got something wrong. I expected technical efficiency, I got a band playing live and roc