Smash Hits, February 1979: Difference between revisions
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The Dominion is the cinema which seems to have been showing ''The Sound Of Music'' for as long as we can remember but Julie Andrews & Co. had been given a rest for the week. Instead a huge billboard of Elvis Costello gazed down Oxford Street from the front of the theatre. | The Dominion is the cinema which seems to have been showing ''The Sound Of Music'' for as long as we can remember but Julie Andrews & Co. had been given a rest for the week. Instead a huge billboard of Elvis Costello gazed down Oxford Street from the front of the theatre. | ||
We went to the first night when the sound was far from perfect — it totally ruined American support act, | We went to the first night when the sound was far from perfect — it totally ruined American support act, Richard Hell and The Voidoids. | ||
Nevertheless | Nevertheless The Attractions are such an excellent band that some sound-loss on Elvis' vocals didn't detract from their so-stylish performance. The sophisticated stage lighting was also in a class of its own. | ||
With two fine albums behind him and a new one imminent, Elvis has an almost unbeatable selection of songs to draw on. Pity though that he no longer does "Alison," our all-time Costello favourite, but interesting that he opens his act with "Peace Love And Understanding." This is the Nick Lowe song which Elvis sings on the B-side of Lowe's [[Single: American Squirm|current single]]. | With two fine albums behind him and a new one imminent, Elvis has an almost unbeatable selection of songs to draw on. Pity though that he no longer does "Alison," our all-time Costello favourite, but interesting that he opens his act with "Peace Love And Understanding." This is the Nick Lowe song which Elvis sings on the B-side of Lowe's [[Single: American Squirm|current single]]. | ||
Salford's new wave poet | Salford's new wave poet John Cooper Clarke opened the show. Totally unaccompanied on the large stage, he looked like he'd die the death, but instead was a revelation. He was great, though it'll be interesting to see if he continues to win audiences over so easily now that the whole package is out on tour of the U.K. | ||
Catch 'em at your local flea-pit. They're touring 'till the end of January. | Catch 'em at your local flea-pit. They're touring 'till the end of January. | ||
John Cooper Clarke also featured in the | John Cooper Clarke also featured in the Ian Dury shows, courtesy of the Alberto Y Los Trios Paranoias, the support group. C. P. Lee of the Albertos does a very funny send-up of Cooper Clarke, the band also do a savage one of Ian Dury. | ||
Ian Dury and The Blockheads, appearing at Ilford, Essex (Dury's home turf), on the last date of their tour, were just magnificent. | Ian Dury and The Blockheads, appearing at Ilford, Essex (Dury's home turf), on the last date of their tour, were just magnificent. | ||
Down at the foot of the stage the audience was so enthusiastic that they pounded and pogo-ed their way clean through the floor! For the rest of the set, a ring of bouncers held the dancing crowd back from the gaping hole and the basement below. | Down at the foot of the stage the audience was so enthusiastic that they pounded and pogo-ed their way clean through the floor! For the rest of the set, a ring of bouncers held the dancing crowd back from the gaping hole and the basement below. | ||
Like Elvis' Attractions, The Blockheads are a superbly polished band, with sax player | Like Elvis' Attractions, The Blockheads are a superbly polished band, with sax player Davey Payne outstanding. As for Ian Dury, he's a picture of a man on the ascendant, full of confidence in his ability. Success couldn't have happened to a less-likely but more-deserving character. | ||
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Revision as of 23:12, 27 August 2016
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