Hosted By:
Velvet Cave Vintage

When:
12 June 2009

Where:
Koko
1A Camden High Street
London
NW1

Description:
We take over the Brainlove room at Club NME and turn it into a 60's shindig!

Click Here To View Event

It's taken a while, but Tony Bennett is now recognised as one of the major vocal talents of our times. While a lofty few might still regard him as one of the lesser 'crooners' – a 'housewives favourite' or obsequious cocktail MOR stalwart – most will recognise his well-earned position as the last of a long line of great vocalists in a remarkable tradition of American popular song. Tonight, accompanied as he is by a modest (but brilliant) quartet, there is but a trace of the Tony Bennett caricature that many imagine when they think of Vegas grandeur, string-drenched schmaltz and the trademark untied bow tie. Tonight is about THAT voice singing those songs in a way that no one else can. Nothing must get in the way. This is Tony Bennett the jazz singer.

Tony (his on-stage persona is so warm that one can safely assume first name terms) was charming throughout and dealt admirably with his legion of middle-aged female admirers, all resolutely determined to touch the hem of his perfectly tailored trousers. Well-told anecdotes and wisecracks were kept to a minimum and song after song was delivered with verve, panache, some nifty moves and even the occasional twirl!

While his elegant sense of rhythm and skilful phrasing were as strong as ever, the earlier half of the show indicated that perhaps the reed was not as reliable as it had been in previous years. However as he got into the swing of things, a powerful and still enviable vocal range was strongly in evidence and any doubts over whether Tony still 'had it' were swiftly forgotten. A highlight came when Tony requested that all microphones be switched off and the hall was plunged into darkness. A single spotlight was all that he needed to deliver a spine-tingling reading of 'Fly Me To The Moon' that reached every part of the capacious Albert Hall.

To the rapturous delight of the audience, most of the hits were given an airing. These included evergreens such as 'I Left My Heart In San Francisco', 'The Best Is Yet To Come', 'The Good Life' and a stunning reading of the majestic 'If I Ruled The World' that was as exciting as it was impressive - not bad for an eighty year old! As well as the '60s classics, vintage jazz standards (ballads and up-tempo) made up a big portion of an always-compelling repertoire and were handled with dazzling aplomb by a truly great singer.

Foibles about authenticity aside, 'Ray Sings, Basie Swings' certainly showcases Ray Charles' vocal skills at their mid '70s peak. The late Count Basie is nowhere to be found on the recording, but his current 'ghost' band do a decent job of providing recently-unearthed, live Charles vocals with pristine new instrumental tracks.

While the Basie Band may not be as sparky as they were in their heyday, the real focus here is the superb singing. Several classics are included but brassy, bluesy new arrangements - coupled with Charles' unique delivery - transform them. The result is an invaluable entry in the Ray Charles catalogue.

 

Bigger version:
http://theogb.com/archive/bobby_grindrod_metro.jpg

Thanks to Hanna and Gregg for this! It's much appreciated!

Just for the record, I feel compelled to point out a few small errors that I noticed. (Sorry - I can't help it):

a) The films and record covers that I reference are rarely from the early 1970s. I think that was meant to read "early 1960s".

b) While Frank Sinatra's impeccable dress during the late '50s and throughout the '60s is a big influence on my clothing, Bobbie Gentry is most definitely not! Much as I love her singing and brilliant songwriting, I tend to avoid flared, nylon catsuits as they play merry havoc with my sensitive skin. While we're on the subject of '60s country singers, Glen Campbell has a smart hair-do, but should lose the CND medallion.

c) I wasn't wearing a tank top. I prefer long-sleeved v-necks. Just my personal preference. Nothing against tank tops, but I don't own any.

d) I wasn't wearing a button-down collar. I am a loyal advocate of the humble button-down as a staple of ivy-league elegance; but in the photo above, I'm wearing a collar pin that fits neatly under the tie's knot.

e) Placed next to the description of collar pins, is a picture of a tie tac. Which, I suppose, proves my point about how nowadays "...people don't really know what they are"! Look at Frank's collar in the picture below. That's what they are...

01/05/06

As we left the Albert Hall, a companion turned to me and wearily insisted that he'd need to "lay off the Paul Anka" for a few weeks. This 'Anka-fatigue' was symptomatic of witnessing a performance that was drenched in old-fashioned glitz, glamour and borderline-kitsch extravagance.

For the more cynical amongst us, the Paul Anka "experience" would be the stuff of nightmares: the posturing, the strutting, the show-biz name-dropping and the regular servings of emotional bombast were incessant and all-consuming. However, Anka's slick, skilful performance coupled with his vocal excellence (while lacking any of the subtlety or nuance of Sinatra, for example) made this an extremely entertaining and rewarding evening. At least, that is, for those who were willing to be transported to fabulous Las Vegas for a couple of hours...

Accompanied by an excellent band (including a ten-piece brass section), Anka's impressive song-writing skills were in evidence throughout the lengthy show in faithful renditions of hits including Diana and Put Your Head on My Shoulder. Songs penned for other singers included Buddy Holly's It Doesn't Matter Any More and Tom Jones' She's A Lady.

As the man who furnished Claude Francois' Comme d'Habitude with English lyrics, Paul Anka is always eager to remind the public that he "wrote" My Way for Frank Sinatra. His shows are the perfect opportunity for him to demonstrate this assertion and a closing performance of the song was as explosive and uncomfortably extended as one might have expected. At one point, Sinatra's ethereal, recorded voice joined in the fun, Anka unctuously reaffirming each line before reclaiming control and elongating the finale for a seemingly interminable period.

He paid tribute to old friend Bobby Darin with an expert run-through of Mack the Knife (which put recent covers by Robbie Williams et al to shame), while an oddly affecting duet with Sammy Davis Jr was possible thanks to a large projection screen. Also included were various numbers from his recent, hugely successful Rock Swings album - covers of pop hits from the '80s and '90s refashioned in a swingin' big band style. These included innovative new arrangements of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit and Van Halen's Jump. However, while the up-tempo selections from this album were extremely enjoyable and performed with aplomb, the slower tracks (though well-sung) were sometimes less convincing.

As perhaps the last of of the original Vegas/Rat Pack-affiliated performers, Anka is still doing the tradition proud. His singing is as good as ever and his showmanship and energy are astonishing. While the glamorous excess and swaggering self-glorification that makes up so much of  the stage show might exhaust some, it is an essential component in Paul Anka's role as an 'old-school' entertainer and as such is entirely appropriate and enjoyable when accepted on its own terms. Even if one requires a week off work to recuperate...

1)       Mathilde – Jacques Brel

2)       A Change – Aretha Franklin

3)       We’ve Got The Winning Hand – Little Milton

4)       Diana – Paul Anka

5)       L'appareil à Sous – Serge Gainsbourg

6)       Desirée  - The Left Banke

7)       Notre Prof  d’Anglais – Chantal Kelly

8)       Sandow Office - Jerry Van Rooyen

9)       Octodickie - Jerry Van Rooyen

10)    And Suddenly – The Left Banke

11)    Tighten Up – Archie Bell & The Drells

12)    Headlines – Chris Farlowe

13)    Walk, Walk Talk, Talk – Dave Berry

14)    Hum Drum Blues – Oscar Brown Jr

15)    Why Don’t You Do Right – Mark Murphy

16)    Le Claquer de Doigts – Serge Gainsbourg

17)    It Ain’t Necessary – Mamie Galore

18)    He’s Got The Devil in His Heart – Donays

19)    I Keep Forgetting - Chuck Jackson

20)    Requiem Pour Un Twister – Serge Gainsbourg

21)    La Chanson de Jacky – Jacques Brel

22)    The Most Beautiful Girl in the World – Frank Sinatra

23)    Let Yourself Go – Elvis Presley

24)    I Can’t Stand It – Betty Everett and Jerry Butler

25)    Chicago (My Kind of Town) (Live) – Frank Sinatra & Count Basie

26)    That’s what it Takes – Peggy Lee

27)    Movin’ Wes Pt. 2 – Wes Montgomery

28)    Balahu Ska – Mango Jones & His Orchestra

29)    How About You? – Frank Sinatra

    30) While it Lasted – Little Esther Phillips

1)       I Don’t Know Why I Love You (But I Do) – Clarence ‘Frogman’ Henry

2)       As Long As There is You – Timi Yuro

3)       That Funny Feeling – Bobby Darin

4)       Reminiscing Monologue/What are You Doing About today? – Lou Rawls

5)       Just Like A Yo-Yo – Ruby Winters

6)       Mo-Roc – “Baby-Face” Willette

7)       Splish Splash! – Bobby Darin

8)       Loving You Takes All of My Time – The Debonaires

9)       Dancing Danny – The Vibrations

10)    Lou Lou’s Back in Town – Mel Tormé

11)    Bruxelles – Jacques Brel

12)    A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square – Bobby Darin

13)    You Turned My Bitter into Sweet – Mary Love

14)    Once in a While – The Brooks

15)    Sept Heures Du Matin – Jacqueline Taieb

16)    Pushover – Etta James

17)    If It’s Love (It’s Alright) – Eddie Holland

18)    I’m Late, I’m Late – Stan Getz

19)    Madeleine – Jacques Brel

20)    Fly Me to The Moon (In Other Words) – Frank Sinatra & Count Basie

21)    Take A Letter Miss Jones - Mel Tormé

22)    I Don’t Need No Doctor – Ray Charles

23)    Dedicated to Love (From Vampyros Lesbos: Sexadelic Dance Party) - Manfred Hubler & Siegfried Schwab

24)    Tell Mama – Etta James

25)    I’m Down for Double – Mel Tormé

26)    Hallelujah! I Love Her So – Andy and the Bey Sisters

27)    Elaeudanla Teiteia – Serge Gainsbourg

28)    Jazz à Go Go – France Gall

29)    I Only Have Eyes for You – Frank Sinatra & Count Basie

   30) Selfish One – Jackie Ross

1)       Rain in My Heart – Frank Sinatra

2)       Don’t Let Him Take Your Love from Me – Jimmy Ruffin

3)       You Send Me – Aretha Franklin

4)       I Had a Talk With my Man Last Night – Mitty Collier

5)       You Belong to Me- Sam Cooke

6)       Can I Change My Mind – Tyrone Davis

7)       The Entertainer – Tony Clarke

8)       Good Night, My Love – Paul Anka

9)       Til I Win Your Love – Jimmy Ruffin

10)    You’re Always On My Mind – Sam Cooke

11)    Let Me Try Again (Laisse Moi Le Temps) – Frank Sinatra

12)    Put Your Head on My Shoulder – Paul Anka

13)    Ford Mustang – Serge Gainsbourg

14)    Change Partners – Frank Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim

15)    So Danço Samba – Antonio Carlos Jobim & Stan Getz

16)    Tema di Oscar – Berto Pisano

17)    Intoxicated Man – Serge Gainsbourg

18)    Strangers in the Night – Frank Sinatra

19)    Somebody (Somewhere Needs You) – Darrell Banks

20)    You’re A Sweetheart – Mose Allison

21)    Who’s Sorry Now – Paul Anka

22)    Call Me Irresponsible – Bobby Darin

23)    Walking My Baby Back Home – Nat “King” Cole

24)    Good Times – Sam Cooke

25)    Girl on a Motor Cycle (Theme) – Les Reed

26)    Initials BB – Serge Gainsbourg

27)    All by Myself – Bobby Darin

28)    Volare (live) – Dean Martin

    29)On an Evening in Roma (live) – Dean Martin

1)       Jump – Paul Anka

2)       A Shine On Your Shoes – Mel Tormé

3)       You Do Something to Me – Frank Sinatra

4)       ‘Deed I Do – Mose Allison

5)       Volare (Live) – Dean Martin

6)       On an Evening in Roma (Live) Dean Martin

7)       Blowin’ in the Wind – Stan Getz

8)       Don’t Think Twice – Bobby Darin

9)       Bluemmons – Buddy Emmons

10)    It’s My Life – Paul Anka

11)    Shotgun Man – Jerry Lee Lewis

12)    Walking Alone – Mark Valentino

13)    Sapphires – Evil One

14)    Wack Wack! – Young-Holt Trio

15)    The Way You Make Me Feel – Paul Anka

16)    Traffic Boom – Pierro Piccioni

17)    Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag – Georgie Fame

18)    Wonderwall – Paul Anka

19)    All I do is Dream of You – Johnnie Ray

20)    Smells Like Teen Spirit – Paul Anka

21)    California Soul – Marlena Shaw

22)    My Girl – Georgie Fame

23)    Selfish One – Jackie Ross

24)    Leave Me Alone – Baby Washington

25)    I’d Best be Going – Vito & the Salutations

26)    While it Lasted – Little Esther Phillips

   27) You and Me (We Wanted it All) – Frank Sinatra

1)      We Open in Venice – Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis Jr

2)      I Got a Stomach Ache – Junior Wells

3)      At the Crossroads (Malaguena) – Mel Tormé

4)      Robin Hood/Oh Babe! – Louis Prima

5)      Ezekiel Saw the Wheel – The Golden Gate Quartet

6)      Thirty Pieces of Silver – Prince Buster

7)      Winer Girl – Mighty Sparrow

8)      Saturday Night is the Loneliest Night of the Week – Frank Sinatra

9)      Too Close for Comfort – Mel Tormé

10)   Hey Boy, Hey Girl – Oscar & Jeanette

11)   Ageable Woman – Wee Willie Wayne

12)   Organ Grinder’s Swing – Jimmy Smith

13)  Good Morning Starshine – Benny Goodman

14)  We’ll Have it Made – Detroit Spinners

15)   More and More – Little Milton

16)  Fever – Patti Drew

17)  Get Me to the Church on Time (Live) – Frank Sinatra & Count Basie

18)   Point of No Return – Gene McDaniels

19)   Mountain Greenery – Mel Tormé

20)   Pour la Gloire – Annie Phillipe

21)   Never Ever – The Action

22)   Luck be a Lady – Frank Sinatra

23)   On the Rebound – Floyd Cramer

24)   Dad Gum Ya Hide, Boy – Louis Jordan

25)   It Wouldn’t Happen with Me – Johnny Rivers

26)   Les Flamandes – Jacques Brel

27)   Tell Her – Jimmy ‘Soul’ Clark