Posts Tagged 2019
Archive
September 10, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Phil Broadhurst: Soliloquy
Phil Broadhurst Soliloquy Rattle Phil Broadhurst’s final album was recorded in late 2019 and released in June of 2020 following his death, aged 70, in April. It is a beautiful set of spontaneous compositions, solo piano improvisations that were recorded at home – with thanks to Rattle head Steve Garden and engineer John Kim who […]Archive
August 23, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 273 – The Bootleg Beatles, Wellington, 2019
The Bootleg Beatles have been paying tribute to The Beatles for 40 years. And I usually think tribute acts are pretty silly and there’s something almost sublimely absurd about being a tribute band for 40 years when the real act lasted less than a decade – but hey, also The Beatles are the greatest. And […]Archive
July 30, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 267 – Calexico, Auckland, 2019
I’ve seen Calexico four times now. Which is a lot. Particularly since I don’t own any of their albums. The first time I saw them was super disappointing – and that’s when I had the most invested in it, I’d heard about a great show they did a few years earlier and I didn’t go. […]Archive
July 3, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 263 – The Blackbird Ensemble Performs Björk: All Is Full Of Love, Wellington, 2019
There I was talking about how I loved a few shows in 2019 but didn’t go to many then Covid-19 took 2020 right out of consideration. One of the shows on that list from last year was this. Even though I talked to composer/arranger Claire Cowan (and got a great vibe from her about this) […]Archive
June 25, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 261 – The Monkees, Wellington, 2019
As soon as I saw the advertising for The Monkees I was very keen to see them; sure it was just two of them – but in a way it’s the two that mattered most. And anyway you can’t bring people back from the dead, you either go and see the remaining members and make […]Archive
June 21, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 259 – James Acaster, Wellington, 2019
It really became impossible for me to review comedy – the Comedy Festival turned very sour, or the acts involved in it did – or both. And then the newspaper wouldn’t send me along because I was too hard to get in the door (not due to my size, btw). And it has become harder […]Archive
June 6, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Bat For Lashes: The Boys of Summer (Live at EartH, London, 2019)
Bat For Lashes The Boys of Summer (ep) Bat For Lashes I’ve long been a fan of covers that go deep beyond anything resembling a ‘novelty factor’; covers where the artist (always a gifted songwriter of course) takes apart a classic track and rebuild it, not to make it better but simply to better understand […]Archive
May 21, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
The Vinyl Countdown # 119
V/A, Bunny Lee: Dreads Enter The Gates With Praise (2019) “Striker” – Bunny Lee – one of the architects! Here he is making the selections for one of the Soul Jazz Records label’s fantastic compilations; this a representation of some of the heavy-hitters of the 1970s and is a must-have for reggae-heads. It was recommended […]Archive
May 18, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 250 – Hawks vs. Huskies, Napier, 2019
Over the last few years I’ve got back into basketball – at first casually, and then with a lot more interest – even buying a ball and going back to shooting hoops and obviously I’m currently bereft because there’s not only no live basketball to get to (or watch on TV) but also I’ve finished […]Archive
May 16, 2020 by Simon Sweetman
Stubs: # 249 – Rufus Wainwright, Wellington, 2019
There are these artists you like – maybe never totally love but always like enough…and Rufus Wainwright is a great example. I’d barely call myself a fan but this was the third time I’d seen him play – the first was a very special performance. The second was as opening act to Paul Simon (so […]Archive
May 6, 2020 by Simon Sweetman