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Sunday, 17 October 2010

Working The Net

I've written an article for Critical Reaction. It's a review (yes I'm cultured) of The Social Network.

posted by Tom Greeves at 9:53 AM

Saturday, 9 October 2010

I Think I Have A New Musical Hero ...

... Ray LaMontagne. Here is on Jools Holland the other night.



I also have a couple of old ones. Using the simply fabulous Sky Plus facility on Sky TV, I recorded a 2007 concert featuring James Taylor and Carole King at the Troubador a few days ago, and watched it last night. It was sheer bliss to see and hear two of my favourite artists doing their thing. They are both surpassingly brilliant. The unalloyed joy of live music (even viewed through the prism of television) is transcendent.
BBC Four is coming up trumps with their Singer-Songwriter season. They had a Carole King concert from decades ago on last night, and Old Stringbean (JT) played guitar on a number. It is startling to see how talented they were even back then, but also to consider how James's (come on, of COURSE I'm going to presume to call him by his first name after all these years of adoring him) stage manner has improved to a revolutionary degree. Where once he mumbled or was silent between songs, today he can have the crowds in gales of laughter just like that. Interesting and - for a stand-up - encouraging. I guess it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary.
I've recorded something with Justin Currie from Del Amitri in it, so I have that to look forward to as well and another Singer-Songwriter programme with among others Kris Kristofferson.
Music makes life worth living.

posted by Tom Greeves at 9:30 AM

Tuesday, 28 September 2010

Excuse The Indecent Haste ...

... but I have a piece up on Platform 10!

posted by Tom Greeves at 3:12 PM

Platform 10

Do you like thoughtful and considered political opinion? ("Of course we do!" I hear you cry, "That's why we used to love your blog, before you started doing the political stuff elsewhere and banging on about lifting weights and comedy".)
If so, you really ought to check out Platform 10. There is a particularly compelling piece by m'great mate David Skelton today. It's about the dangers of underestimating Ed Miliband.
We've not won the next election yet guys, and this chap could well become Prime Minister (Ed or David Skelton, actually).
Do read the whole thing, but take a moment to void your bowels at the realisation that Labour only have to win 30 seats to be the largest party at the next election.

posted by Tom Greeves at 12:30 PM

Saturday, 25 September 2010

I'm Presuming Ed ...

... Miliband won't read it, but I have written an open letter to him with some advice on how to take the Labour Party forward.

posted by Tom Greeves at 7:47 PM

Thursday, 23 September 2010

Anyone Can Play Guitar

Well actually, I can't, but I do want to learn. But more to the point, the above is the title of m'great mate Jon's documentary. Please have a look at the trailer, here.
I have seen some clips from the film and it looks wonderful. Despite not having seen the whole thing I am certain that it will be. Jon is seriously talented at this stuff and his subject matter - the Oxford music scene - is tremendously compelling as well.
You'll learn more about bands you love already, discover new-to-you music that may well be even better (Dive Dive, for example, are superb) and get a unique insight into the music industry.
It is terrifying for an artist of any kind and also for an ideological capitalist to be confronted with the reality that ability alone is no guarantor of success. This film explores this subject matter and more with great skill and beauty.
Update: Oh, and I now learn (given that Jon has mentioned it in a tweet) that I can make public the fact that the documentary is narrated by Stewart Lee!

posted by Tom Greeves at 3:26 PM

Monday, 20 September 2010

Standing Up In London Town

I am performing at the Red Lion, opposite Big Ben, tonight. Doors open at 7:30pm, show starts at 8.

posted by Tom Greeves at 11:05 AM

Sunday, 19 September 2010

Debate? Hardly The Best Term

I have published my views on the leaders' TV debates, and how they could have gone better for the Conservatives.

posted by Tom Greeves at 4:12 PM

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