Mod cool and blues greatness

In the last couple of weeks I've been to a couple of excellent shows.
1st up was Paul Weller at the Kool Haus.
What can I say? The man is the coolest man alive.
I've seen him a couple of times before but both times it was an acoustic seated show so I was looking forward to a full on rock show (with fingers crossed for at least a couple of Jam numbers)and he didn't disappoint.
He has a real swagger on stage, silk scarf and all. He asks us if "that's all the respect Toronto has?" at one point and points out someone in the audience saying that "you are a great audience apart from that twat". Great stuff.
I got my wish for some classics. A great acoustic "That's Entertainment", a romping "Shout to the top", which the swinging couple in front of us were really getting down to and the grand finale of "Town Called Malice". There was a lot from his new album aswell which has a real Northern Soul sound to it. It's no wonder the Gallaghers worship the man.
Next up was Joh Hammond who was at a new blues club in Toronto called the Speakeasy. It really had that "new" feeling about it with a make shift bar and people dragging tables and chairs around to fill the bizarre space left in front of the stage. Maybe they expected a moshpit? We got in early and got a great table near the front which was really essential to get a full view of the amazing guitar playing and facial expressions.
The show was one of those shows where you want to go home and throw your guitar away. The guitar playing was truly incredible. A mix of old blues stuff, Tom Waits covers (John Hammond released a Tom Waits produced Tom Waits cover record called Wicked Grin) and 2 John Hammond originals, which are a rare thing.
I have the Wicked Grin album but really went to the show with John and Len on the back of their recommendations so thanks to them for a great night.
Next up will be The Frames in Oct. and I am already excited about that, there is nothing like live music.
Alan

In a swing with my baby

When you are a daddy there a few things you need to give up.
You can forget about getting through an entire meal uninterrupted.
You can forget about getting blind drunk even when it's a free bar.
You can forget about getting through an evening without at least some minimal back pain, a sore arm and getting clothes covered in various foods, chalk, crayons....
At times it can be a bit frustrating. There's always a part of you who kind of wants to be a party monster all over again.
Last night I was at a wedding and Fiona was as always amazing. I can't put in to words how great she is so I'm not going to try. As always all of the above was true and Fran and I (and Grandma too) split the time between us so we all got a chance to enjoy the festivites baby free at least for a little while.
It got late and I managed to dance/walk Fiona to sleep where she slupmed in my arms. To get away from the noise of the party I walked her over to a swing and sat swinging my daughter in my arms whilst everybody else was inside dancing and drinking.
The point I'm trying to make here is that I wouldn't have switched with anybody else in the whole world at that point in time. There are little moments when you realise just how amazing it all is. Just how incredible a change in your life it is and how much for the better it is.
I guess what I'm saying is I love my daughter.
Alan

Melody Man

Say what you want about Elton John but the man can write a melody.
Last night we went to see him play at the ACC in what turned out to be a marathon set of almost 3 hours. The flamboyance of yesteryear has gone but Elton and his band can still belt out the oldies and play the hell out of them. Witness the amazing 10 minute version of Rocket Man and tell me your not impressed. The man can play a piano.
They opened up with 7 or 8 tracks from the new album Peachtree Road, which by his own admission has been a commercial flop but it sounded pretty good last night with his gospel singers from Atlanta backing him up. He made sure everybody new that the classics were coming so have patience through the new stuff.
Personal highlights included Tiny Dancer and Levon both from the magnificent Madman Across the Water album.
I could have done without "Don't let the sun go down on me" but I needed a bathroom break anyway.
Alan