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Review of concert from 2002-01-17: London, Hammersmith Apollo:
Landmine Free World
Concert for a "Landmine Free World"Hammersmith Apollo, London 17 January 2002 Elvis Costellos Set list
A review The London leg of the "Landmine Free World" European tour started promptly with many of the Hammersmith Apollo audience finding their seats while the auspicious line-up of singer-songwriters took theirs onstage. Emmylou Harris introduced her four colleagues, plus James Hooker musical director of Nanci Griffiths Blue Moon Orchestra and the format of the show, which took the style of a songwriters circle. Emmylou started off the singings, which continued round the circle anti-clockwise during the first half and clockwise after the interval. The main reason for attending was to see Elvis Costello (the last time I saw him perform at the Hammersmith was with Rude 5 when he had considerably more hair!), although I was familiar with songs of Nanci Griffiths, Steve Earle and Emmylou, but not John Prine once a "New Dylan". Elvis intimated that he felt like "a member of the audience that got promoted" as he commenced his first-half set duetting with Emmylou on "Indoor Fireworks", which was followed (four songs later) with a cover of U2s "Please". In the second half Elvis performed three more songs: he preceded his anti-war song "Shipbuilding" with some barbed comments about President Bush and Prime Minister Blair; Gram Parsons "Sleepless Nights" as a duet with Emmylou again; and "Alibi Factory" with some lyric changes and Nanci providing backing vocals. His contribution to the encores was "American Without Tears" with his fellow artists providing backing vocals. All the artists really enjoyed listening to each other perform, summed up in John Prines comment "this evening has been like sitting in the audience, until an usher shines the spotlight on you, and tells you its your turn to sing". John also provided light-hearted relief to the evening with a selection of bittersweet songs that had the audience laughing out loud including "In Spite Of Ourselves". Nanci plucked her guitar in accompaniment to her self-composed "Hard Times", "Speed of The Sound Of Loneliness" and Judy Golds "New York. After the interval all the artists sang "Happy Birthday" to Steve, who was presented with a cake by the road crew and Bobby Muller, which contrasted with Steves selection of sad songs that included "Ford Worth Blues", "Galway Girl" and "Valentines Day". Emmylou auctioned two silk scarves that raised £8,000 for the charity. Just before the interval a wheelchair bound Bobby Muller, President of VVAF, gave a speech to remind us why we were there and how the charity helps victims and communities deal with effects of landmines. It was an enjoyable evening in the best venue for this type of show. Will Munro |
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