GOODBYE STARMAN

 

As a child I grew up in a house full of music, my mother loved her LP collection and played them loud every weekend and my older sister had started her 7” collection which educated me in the sounds of the 70s.

 

It was this time I first heard the name David Bowie and saw his outragious posters and appearences on Top of the Pops. Since then David Bowie and his music has been in my life and in many ways closer than others. I remember the release of the ‘Let’s Dance’ album when I was working in a record store, David had come back all reinvented AGAIN and took over the charts and our store was mobbed with fans and merchandise. In fact I had to go with store owners to Brighton record fair to bid for more stock as that was the need for his music.

 

Later in my life David Bowie came back into it in a bigger way and I got closer than I could ever imagined to his music. It was discovering LG73 and who what must be said ‘the number one David Bowie fan’ Ramoana Stone. Her show ‘The Ramoana Experience’ was and still is all things Bowie with live concerts, interviews, interesting facts, fun and rare recordings. It was through Ramoana’s show that I had a go at presenting radio due to her kindness to give up one part of her air time. We had Bolan and Bowie together in the same show and even on David Bowie’s 65th birthday we did a massive birthday party with fans writing in messages and poems to the legend that was Bowie. It was through this radio show I met who is now my wife so thank you RaM and thank you David.

*The Ramoana Experience now on MaxRadio
http://www.MaxRadio.ca/

 

 

 

I also worked on a Bowie project with Pete Waller under his DeafboyOne banner in 2009 entitled 'Ground Control To DeafboyOne' in which I helped on it's design of the cover and recording of an album of David Bowie covers which are still close to our hearts as the album was made with love and respect.

 

 

 

Following this I also worked with EMI Venom on promoting that album in which an amazing video is still available to view on You Tube of 'Space Oddity'

 

I have also been lucky to meet another DJ, singer and all over one rocking entertainer and good friend Lady Starduzt name taken from a track of Mister Bowie’s. I produced only a few of her radio shows but got a friend for life

 

 

 

Waking up this morning and seeing his face on every post on Facebook was news I know we all dreaded to ever happen as David Bowie we fooled ourselves would always be here. He maybe gone but his music his various reinventions Ziggy & Alandin Sane as well as his ‘Heroes’, Tin Machine and many others will live on with us forever. I am just sad that future generations will only know this great singer, songwriter and entertainer in past tence.

 

 

The King is dead, long live the King

GIG REVIEW – Aladdinsane Worthing Pavilion 3rd September

Now before I start on gig review I must point out this is based on ‘Aladdinsane’ one set supporting T.Rextasy. I have to be fair because after show Paul Henderson explained to me on a full set the second set he takes on a later form of David Bowie’s career.
Where is the best place to start in a review? Well it’s the beginning of course and everyone at the theatre in Worthing had never seen ‘Aladdinsane’ before so there was a mix of Bolan/Bowie fans not knowing what to expect. In the bar before it started even thou ‘Aladdinsane’ are the leading tribute band to David Bowie people talked of only reading about him remembering him from ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ or only viewing a few videos on some website but was unsure what he’ll (they as a band) be like. Well I’m telling you all their concerns were wiped out within opening seconds of the show.
Everyone settled lights out, curtains open and this misty blue figure of Paul Henderson with back to everyone in full Ziggy Stardust mode before he sang a note there was this big roar from everyone and WHAM!!! In came this amazing sound now I have been to many shows at that theatre so I know of it’s often tinny feedback from it’s sound system but ‘Aladdinsane sounded so amazingly clear, crisp, highly tuned could say almost studio in sound as they work so hard together and are so tight as a band the sound they have is as far as perfection can go, they really rocked. When I told Paul of this he thanked me said it’s due to a lot of hard work but also said much credit must also go to a fantastic sound guy simply known as ‘John’.
Over the years I seen a lot of acts and many don’t even try to sound like their original tracks and you come away disappointed but ‘Aladdinsane’ go that bit further to get it spot on to the Bowie hits we all love and know so well even to the stage of Carl Stones using his guitar up against Marshall amp to perfect a feedback effect for end of ‘John I’m Only Dancing’ which was awesome.
Paul took the stage and looked liked he owned it for years and these Bowie struts and certain sudden looks just mesmerized you. His voice was amazing too so powerful you could hear clearly those Bowie tone’s coming from within. One woman after show said “you know before I came in being a big Bowie fan I did not expect much, I’m telling you this, I didn’t expect that this soooo cool”.
If I had to name just one track that stood out even thou I loved every second of all of them it have to be ‘Life On Mars’ not only for the way it sounded and was performed but effects too and loved Paul’s ending pose with the Alien eyes so cool.
When I watch a band I take everything in and I saw how Paul had full command of the band one glance, one turn or look and everyone knew what he wanted. Many cover bands the singers just sing and that is that but Paul doesn’t as his acoustic guitar playing is outstanding. I remember him say “this is where it all started” and he started to play ‘Space Oddity’ and this dry ice appears lights changed and it sort of stunned everyone you could hear a pin drop.
Aladdinsane is not just Paul thou it is a very highly skilled band that all play together like a finally tuned machine. You have Dan Elliman on keyboards and backing vocals and what I heard from feedback next day from someone was near end of ‘Changes’ you hear this amazing sax just exactly replicated like original from Bowie all done on keyboards this guy was just completely thrown by this. I had to agree as it did sound amazing even thou I add he was amazing on all the tracks adding those sounds we know Bowie put within his masterpieces. Franco Caprio on bass and backing vocals just looked so happy and enjoying himself not anything against other bass players but you can tell he was loving what he was doing. His bass playing much like Dan’s keyboards was faultless. Now as for Mark Hatton on drums he really lets rip and the theatre is normally known for letting the drummer down due to it’s shape (ceiling) and sound system but that night Mark’s drumming was on fire ‘John I’m Only Dancing’ I noticed people near me following Mark’s every beat. As for Carl Stones who plays lead guitar and backing vocals one word three letters ‘WOW’ you can’t really say much more. Yes I have to admit I love Les Paul guitars so call me bias if you like my thoughts however were confirmed by others one saying to me “it was like a master class in guitar playing”.
We did get an encore where Paul returned after a very quick costume change to perform ‘Heroes’ to the crowds delights.
After set (before T.Rextasy performed) people were talking of ‘All The Young Dudes’ and how everyone in the theatre became part of the song. One guy said to me on way to bar “that made my hairs stand on end” I thought “strange comment to make to a stranger” but saying that the guitar intro does do that too you. A guy who sat two seats from me looking like a London banker all sitting their very serious till this track started and he went crazy and didn’t sit down rest of evening.
I could sit here typing track after track of what they covered that night but all I have to say is they played the cream of Bowie’s early years and if any of you reading this doubt going DON’T as I know you won’t be coming away disappointed in fact you’ll be coming away like me only wanting more.
Check out Aladdinsane at –
http://www.myspace.com/aladdinsanebowie

http://www.aladdinsane.co.uk

http://www.youtube.com/user/aladdinsane99

and also find Paul Henderson on Facebook