Does it bother you now, the clothes you told me not to wear?

Went to see Dido tonight at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. Wasn't sure what to expect really; I haven't really seen anyone like her before - all the bands I normally see are rock bands of one hue or another; in the last year or so I've seen Iron Maiden, Vonda Shepard, Paul Simon, Steve Earle and Marilyn Manson, to name the five who spring readily to mind.

Anyway, Dido was marvellous. She was only on for an hour - I guess this is due to a lack of material at this point as she played all of her album plus two superb new songs - but what a great hour it was. Her band is very tight indeed and she's very confident in front of an audience, as well she might be with that voice. The crowd was very enthusiastic too, which always helps. And something else I hadn't appreciated until seeing her in the flesh, not that it's relevant to the show or the music - she is drop-dead gorgeous.

The guy who supported, Tom McRae, was excellent too. Nice to see a good support act. He's playing at the Zodiac in Oxford on May 4 so I'll have to go along.

Episode I: The Phantom Plot

I saw Star Wars Episode I for the first time last night on Sky Premier. Yeah, yeah, I know, I've been living under a rock since before the theatrical release. I was very disappointed. The special effects and computer-generated stuff were as stunning as you'd expect, but still.... It wasn't very well cast. Jake Lloyd playing Anakin Skywalker was pretty good, but too young; a kid that age building droids and a demon pod racer - do me a favour. I'm not quite sure why Ewan McGregor had to have an English accent; he doesn't do them that well, unlike Liam Neeson whom I thought excellent. I suppose Natalie Portman was cute though.

As for the plot.... dear, oh dear. It was the same basic plot as the original Star Wars movie, but more muddy and with less substance, though I concede that my recollection of the other movies is sketchy at best. I haven't seen Star Wars since 1977 or The Empire Strikes Back since 1980, and The Return Of The Jedi not at all. Darth Maul was totally wasted. A superb villain - much more menacing than Darth Vader, for example - yet he did almost nothing except kill Qui-Gon Jinn and then get sliced in half by Obi-Wan Kenobi. I don't understand that; he could have run and run as Darth Vader did. He should at least have survived until the next movie. Oh, and whoever dreamt up Jar Jar Binks deserves a severe slapping. A totally crap character with a risible jiveass accent right out of Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, blatantly placed there to be made into soft toys. Jeez, George, didja think you weren't going to make any money, or something?

The land of hope and dreams

I don't normally bother to rave about music here, unless it's a gig I was particularly impressed by. But having lived with Live In New York City, the new Bruce Springsteen album, for five days, I feel I have no option. I've been a Springsteen fan for sixteen years and this album reminds of everything about him, the songs, the lyrics and the mythology that I loved in the first place. I can think of no greater recommendation than that when I listen to these songs they transfix me and grab my complete attention, even after all these years. Especially after all these years, in fact, in view of the extra life and vitality breathed into, say, "Two Hearts" and "Out In The Street", or the scorching rendition of "Ramrod" worth the price of the CD alone. Which is not to mention the two stunning new songs, "Land Of Hope And Dreams" and "American Skin (41 Shots)".

But the song above all that reinforces everything everyone who's ever seen the E Street Band live says about the experience, that explains the mythology of the E Street Band, why a Springsteen concert truly is the land of hope and dreams, is the jaw-dropping performance of "Jungleland". "Jungleland" is from Born To Run, so it was 25 years old when this was recorded. It sounds fresher, more romantic in the grand cinematic sense, and bigger than ever. I'd post an mp3, but it would be entirely inappropriate. You need to go and buy the album.

That jingle jangle thing

I got myself a new toy last weekend. Actually, "toy" is the wrong word, since it's not computer-related and will give me a lifetime of pleasure. I've wanted a 12-string guitar for more years than I care to recall, so the purchase is more than overdue. In fact I bought one ten years ago, a Washburn that was, but I was dissatisfied with its volume and returned it. This Fender, however, is fine is that regard and is aesthetically much more appealing - it looks stunning in black. In any case it has a piezo pickup, which I've already tested and sounds fabulous. I just love that rolling, singing sound a 12-string makes, what Roger McGuinn calls the "jingle jangle thing". It does mean I have very sore finger ends on my left hand though. But I can live with that :-)

Quotation of the month

As a recent dumpee, but not so recent that I have no sense of humour, the truth of this statement is, to say the least, clear :-)

"Relationships are hard. It's like a full time job, and we should treat it like one. If your girlfriend wants to leave you, she should give you two weeks' notice. And before she leaves you, she should have to find you a temp." — Bob Ettinger