Five Things I Saw & Heard This Week
Transcripts from the everyday world of music by Martin Colyer
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Norah Jones has always had a left-field ear for cover versions and a few weeks ago I caught her Live at Ronnie Scott’s DVD on Sky Arts. It’s a trio show from 2018 with drummer Brian Blade and bassist Christopher Thomas. The bond between them is fantastic — a limitless number of smiles pass as they dig into a great selection of songs with lightly-worn virtuosity. It kicks off with a brilliant cover of Neil Young’s heavily autobiographical song, “Don’t Be Denied”, which I’d assumed was un-coverable (if such a word exists). Catch it if you can…
Thanks for the shout out Martin – which reminds me I must post #3 in the series. Was similarly nonplussed by Homegrown. Not sure I am brave enough to watch Sir Cliff, but will ask my mum to and report back.
Ever one to accept a challenge, I did watch Cliff’s video all the way to the end. It doesn’t change much, all taking place in the Corridor of Wardrobes. At one point he teases us that he’s actually going to disappear into the wardrobe, but then he emerges again with a cheeky smile. I am naturally envious of so much wardrobe real estate, though I’m not sure why the perforated doors—you’d think it would be an open invitation to moths. And he does seem to be singing it live rather than miming, so hat’s off to him for the state of his pipes at going on 80. A tribute to clean living.
Maybe you could recreate it, Simon, although it isn’t quite American Gothic, more Marbella Mid-Century, and there’s no role for Ali…
Two tales of endurance or lack thereof:
I made it to the end of Cliff’s video, jaw to the floor, and I claim my gold medal. Blimey. To be honest, I was mostly interested to see if the poor old sod would stay upright, as he looked a bit unsteady on his pins. If you baled out before 2’30” you missed the bit of business he does with one of his closet doors that goes wrong. (insert Cliff/closet gag here)
We’ve given up on Mrs America. Wanted to like it; expected to like it, in fact – it’s got Cate Blanchett, after all. But it’s just so boring and I don’t care about any of the characters. The soundtrack is good but it isn’t reason enough to persevere with it. Next!
Interesting that you felt the same way. It just didn’t catch fire (Mrs America, not Cliff’s wardrobes)…