Its been nearly a month since I wrote my last installment of London updates... Oops. Life is moving so fast. It overwhelms me at times. I simultaneously try to savor it, yet make sense of it. Everything I hoped for, I'm steadily receiving. Its the sensation of trying to hang on to it all and make it sustaining that frazzles the mind occasionally. Still, all it takes its a ray of sunlight, a particularly brilliant piece of music, or an exciting correspondence to snap me back into the moment and make me fully appreciate how wonderful it all really is. I always said, "If you can dream it, you can be it..." Oh, how true it is! But when a dream reveals itself to be a real, living task that you're now actively participating in, you think, "Wait! I didn't dream this far!" So, here I am, rolling with the punches in the city I dreamed of, in the line of work I dreamed of, surrounded by the people I dreamed of. Give us a pinch.
So, right! Over a month ago (sorry!), I attended Jeff Beck's private screening of his new DVD, Rock 'n' Roll Party: Honoring Les Paul at the British Music Experience inside the O2. We took a boat from Westminster Pier and who should be on the boat other than Ronnie Wood and his lady friend Ana! After introductions and a bit of chatter, we arrived at the O2. Everyone immediately began posing for Halfin's camera. I was warmly greeted by Mr. Beck, whom took my hand and laid on a sloppy kiss. Ronnie nibbled on a burger (or two...) and Jeff cracked into booze that was hidden away. He and his lovely wife Sandra cuddled up for Halfin's camera, as Jeff exclaimed to me, "His shots are amazing! I could be doing this [sticks finger in nose] and they'd still look great!" By the time the showing had commenced, Beck was in a liquor-induced fit of giggles. He was seated directly behind me and by far the best part of the evening was his running commentary - excitably noting which numbers he enjoyed and enthusing whenever another performer was particularly hot. The DVD itself is a stunning tribute to the talents of Les Paul, with Beck perfectly capturing the sweet tones of his recordings with Mary Ford. Rockabilly chanteuse Imelda May handles Ford's vocal parts, innovative vocal layering et al. Still, I didn't feel May's vocals were well-suited for Ford's vocals. However, she delivered scorching performances on bawdier numbers, like the Shangri-La's "Remember (Walking in the Sand)", which includes an inspired guitar intro by Beck - a standout moment of the film. A night for the books, topped off with a free Worn Free Jeff Beck tee shirt, thanks to Harvey Goldsmith. When Sandra saw the tee shirt, she exclaimed, "Jeff still has the original!"
With Gustavo, another Halfin character...
Backstage at Dingwalls, Foo Fighters soundcheck.
The excitement only continued as the Foo Fighters hit London, beginning with a bash at BAFTA to celebrate their new film. The following day, we rode from Soho to Camden, where they holed up for a vibrant three hour set at Dingwalls. I can't say I'm a massive Foos fan, though their existence has certainly been noted. (The Learn to Fly video evokes pre-pubescent memories.) However, their live presence was phenomenal. Dave Grohl, besides being an incredibly nice guy, is a killer frontman. The energy between the 300 or so people crammed into the venue was infectious, as Grohl sufficiently revved everyone up. Though they indulgently played their whole new album (yawn...), their remaining two hours were a blistering, endless cycle of songs that everyone knew. It was everything a rock show should be and, despite not adoring nor despising the Foos, it was an inspiring experience and reminded me just why the power of music carried me over an ocean. This was followed by an all-nighter at Bungalow 8, surrounded by the scantily attired and the wheelchair adorned? Oh yes. Never short of a sight.
And that's all for now, as I must save a few stories! Until next time...
