Conference marvin::uk_music

    
    I didn't mind the politics. The politics shown didn't dis-agree
    with mine, so it was fine. People who think that the South African
    regime is a good one may disagree.
    
    I saw the early part of the concert with the soul singers, which
    was pretty good. I missed the Dire Straits bit though.
    
    I don't agree that last years Paul Simon concert was unenjoyable.
    I can understand that some people may feel that he took too much
    control over what the concert was, and therefore upset people's
    expectations. But that is the writers' perogative isn't it ?
    
    Love to see the tape, I'll bring some Ruddles County!
    
    Cheers.
    
    Mark.

    Brilliant concert, the line-up was as in the press plus surprise guests
    Eric Clapton with Dire Straits and Johnny Marr with Simple Minds (these
    were generally know before hand). The real surprise was Stevie Wonder
    (after realizing it wasn't Lenny Henry). Best moments  were Sly
    and Robbie, the Euthymics, Dire Straits, and Chubby Checkers with
    the Fat Boys (Did you see them doing the twist!!).
    
    Marc.

    re Dire Straits
    
    Mee too.....  (Shall I bring my axe)

Thought that Dire Straits were B R I L L I A N T.

Also liked Simple Minds,Wet,Wet,Wet and Joan Armatrading. 

Was a bit pissed off though with the African music - just not my cup of tea.

Tony.

    	Re the Dire Straits tape...watch this space. Maybe one evening
    in a coupla weeks time (I'm in Ireland next week).
    
    	K.

    
    .6>> Shouldn't that be "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK"
         
    Pah!! whodaya think I am, Eric Claptout???

    We had the live radio broadcast most of the day and at night we
    had six hours of highlights shown on Rupert Murdoch's TV network.
    As I haven't seen the tape yet (tonight we'll watch it) all I've
    got to go by is the radio show.  We had Simon Dean and Roger Scott
    doing the commentary - garbage!
    
    I enjoyed WWW who are releasing their first album in the US on June
    25 so this was good exposure for them.  Their first single "Wishing
    I was Lucky" has just been released here.
    
    I also liked Paul Young, Simple Minds, and UB40.  We went out before
    Dire Straits and EC came on so I'm looking forward to seeing the
    tape.

    
    Did'nt manage to see all the concert but from what I did see ,
    
    Best - Sting , Eurythmics 
    
    Pass Marks - Simple Minds 
    
    Failed miserably - George Michael - (very orginal doing cover versions
                                         George. He also wandered about
                                         the stage like a lost kebab).
    
    and Dire Straits -     Yaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

    Overall , it needed a bit more rock'n'roll , to much rubbish on
    view i.e. all that Rap stuff with Fat Boy's etc, and Afican stuff
    that no one really wanted to see.
    
    Walker 'Angry young man of Pop'    

    
    	re .12
    
    	Yep, Sting was brill, 'They Dance Alone' was definitely the
    	highlight until German TV stopped transmitting (just as the
    	BeeGees were coming on stage - DAMN!!)

    	re .13
    
    	How tiresome!!!
    
    	Doug.

    RE: .12
    
    >i.e. all that Rap stuff with Fat Boy's etc, and Afican stuff
    >that no one really wanted to see.
    
    I was there and enjoyed this, the Afican music was great (No Paul Simon
    here). If anyone else enjoyed it then check out the NME cassette
    on World Music, details available on request.
    
    Marc. 

    
    Re 12: George Michael
    
    I'd agree with you there but I don't think the crowd gave him much a 
    chance shouting w**ker etc. (you've got to expect the odd football song
    as it was Wembley).
                          
    Marc.

    
      Re .14
    
      Couldn't agree more... Sting had one of the best thought
      out sets of the day considering the topic of the concert.
      Two brill acoustic covers of old Police numbers aswell.
    
      Should have taken your ear muffs off, Tony.
    
      Jez
        

    re.18
    >  Roger Scott is the best (radio) DJ in this country. He tells some
    >excellent anecdotes from his music-splattered past
     
    I wouldn't know about that.  Because he was working with Simon Dean
    as part of a team his expertise wasn't as evident as if he'd been
    working on his own.  They did things like pretend SD was the Princess
    of Wales, then Prince Charles while RS "spoke" with them from their
    seats in the Royal box - that kind of thing.
    
    Hearing some of his stories would have been more interesting to the 
    American audience than that nonsense.  He did say, however, that
    he's seen Bruce Springsteen 36 times (!) and is determined to get
    it up to 40 on this tour.  That makes him all right in my book! 

    	Sounds like he was being put up for something - I wish he wouldn't
    do that. Re anecdotes: he said the following, casually, between
    two records on his afternoon show around four years ago:
    
    	"Was I really eating pizza with Bruce Springsteen at 3am this
    morning?"
    
    	K.

What do you mean you didnt like to African music?

It was  a concert all about south africa, wouldnt you expect some music from
that country?

I really  like African music, but unfortunately missed the whole thing, so I
don't know who it was who you didnt like.

I "beileved" that Aswad were playing , but I don't know who else was(?)


\Andy

    I only saw the last 45 mins. My question is : Why did Eric bother
    at all?
    
    He played rhythm quitar for all but 5 minutes then sang the (in
    my opinion) appalling "Wonderful Tonight". I may have missed something
    before "Sultans of Swing" of course. I, too, didn't think too highly
    of Dire Straits - all clever stuff but not very exciting.
    
    Dave

    
    I only watched on the box (saw most of it) and thought MOST of it
    was boring. There was TOO much political TALK coming from some of the
    bands and not enough actual DOING. I'm not a Dire Straits fan in
    the slightest but thought that there set stood out a mile from the
    rest. They relied on there music and what they have actually DONE
    to get the message over whereas most of the others gave a crap show
    (e.g Simple Minds) and aren't actually doing anything, or shall
    I be more specific and say how many other performers at Wembley
    specifically wont sell records in SA or give up ALL the royalties
    to the cause...NOT VERY MANY!!!!!!!!
    
    Tommy

    I watched 30%, I have the other 70% on tape. From what I have seen
    the biggest yawn of all was Lenny Henry followed closely by Michael
    Palin. What does Lenny Henry think he's trying to prove? He just
    irritates me these days. Used to be good but now probably suffers
    from illusions of grandeur. It was quite obvious he saw this as
    his vehicle to reach millions throughout the world. To hell with
    Nelson Mandela. Actually, most are probably there for that reason
    but does it have to be so blatent?
    
    Anyway, I thought Dire Straits were brilliant. I too made a special
    point of recording this set on my 'to be kept for posterity' tape.
    
    Richard

    > 	"Was I really eating pizza with Bruce Springsteen at 3am this
    >morning?
     
    No, surely you jest.  No one in this life could be *that* lucky.
                                                        
    >    -< set Sue/mode=jealous >-
                       
    Humph!

    We criticize the publicity grabbing/sincerity/politics of some
    of the artists, as well as the intentions of the (white) audience.
    
    But I wonder just what percentage of the black community turned
    out on Sunday to support "the cause".  It was probably (only a
    guess) attended by a *larg*e majority of whites.  I doubt it was 
    the cost that kept them away.  Is there *that* much grassroots 
    support by the black community of the anti-apartheid movement 
    in Britain?

    Just a little info from across the ocean -
    
    A few of the early replies mentioned that one of their favorite
    performers was Joan Armatrading. I believe that you are actually
    referring to Tracy Chapman, a black, female folk singer from the
    Boston area. Her debut album just came out about two months ago,
    and is doing well over here (will be gold soon).
    
    Alan S. 

< Note 108.30 by HAZEL::STARR "You grow up and you calm down" >
                             -< Tracy, not Joan! >-

    Alan S,

    Joan Armatrading sung "Love and Affection" during the Midge Ure set

    Tony. 

    Re: .30
        
>        A few of the early replies mentioned that one of their favorite
>    performers was Joan Armatrading. I believe that you are actually
>    referring to Tracy Chapman, a black, female folk singer from the
>    Boston area. Her debut album just came out about two months ago,
>    and is doing well over here (will be gold soon).

    Both of them played - Tracy Chapman did two stints on the side stage
    between sets, the second time to fill in during the delay when Stevie
    Wonder was originally meant to come on. Quite good, but rather
    reminiscent of Joan Armatrading who was on in one of the main sets
    earlier on - she did one of her old songs, which was brilliant (in
    my opinion).
    
    I've noted a lot of adverse comments about Dire Straits, from people
    who profess not to like their music - if you don't like them anyway,
    why comment on their performance? I like them and thought they were
    absolutely superb, the sound quality was excellent, and Eric Clapton
    was also good - EC was not meant to be top of the bill, he was just
    an invited guest, and fitted in with Mark Knopfler very well, even
    added some brilliant guitar playing, especially in the intro to
    Money for Nothing. And around 71,900 other people in the stadium
    thought so as well.
    
    And as for Lenny Henry - he was quite entertaining, especially his
    take-offs of M. Jackson and Tina Turner. He got a little boring
    during the 45 mins delay when he had to fill in, but that is
    understandable in the circumstances.
    
    As for the politics - I didn't mind - I agree with most of the
    anti-apartheid sentiments, but found some of the political statements
    rather *too* political. However, you would not expect to go to a
    concert to celebrate Nelson Mandela's 70th birthday and *not* hear
    any politics - or would you?
    
    Mike.
    

	I liked most of the stuff that was on. I may be getting old but I think 
that I would rather watch one of these vast stadium gigs on the TV rather than 
actually attend. I mean if I'd gone to the gig I wouldn't have seen that EC 
uses Seymour Duncan pickups on his Stratocaster such was the close up camera 
work.

	BTW wasn't the decision to stop simultaneous broadcasting in stereo at 
19:30 the crassest piece of programming from the BBC since they transmitted
only the first half of the day's play from an overseas cricket tour a year or 
two back.

	BTW again. The crassest piece of programming of all time with regard to 
cricket is a few years ago when ITV broadcast the Roses match. Clive Lloyd 
required one run for a century and the commentator says:

	"We'll take a break there and after the advertisments it will be 
wrestling with Kent Walton."

    Sorry about that, guys. I listened to most of the show, but 
    didn't hear Joan Armatrading (nor did I hear anyone mention her
    name at any other time in the day), so I just thought you were
    mistaken. But it was I who was mistaken.
    
    What do you expect from us colonists? 8^)
    
    Alan S.
    Who_wishes_he_had_seen_or_heard_Joan_too

    
    I went and had a great time ... although tired at the end of the
    day.
    
    George M was a let down and Coutney Pine's style didn't fit the
    day.  Gabriel, Steve Van Zant, Simple Minds, Straits/EC all played
    good sets whatever you tastes are.  African stuff was also good.
    
    Annie Lennox (first time seen) is just a brilliant performer.
    
    Wembley - it's really just like a soccer match - nothing like a
    festival.
    
    I went right to the back for the last two hours - the sound is great
    and the view was something else!!!
    
    'nough said!
    
    David.
    

    Ii went to the mandela concert and it was brilliant apart from george
    michael, i think he should stick to entertaining teenyboppers and
    leave the real music to people like dire staits, UB40 and Stevie
    Wonder

    I think you are being a little unfair to George Michael at the Mandela
    concert.  So he came on stage sang his songs and didn't say much,
    but that is because all those thousands of people hadn't just come
    to see him.  I went to his concert on Tuesday night at Wembly (I
    am not a teenybopper by the way) and he was absolutely brilliant
    he really proved he can sing.
    
    Deb

    Spot the deliberate mistake, I actually went to Earls Court!
    
    Deb

    
    I think its interesting to see that most GM fans are female.
    
    I wonder why ?      
    
    Hmm...

    re. -1 
    
    Is it an attraction for a more elusive star (Harry Enfield) being
    fulfilled by seeing George on stage?
    
    Yours Analytically
         Ian.      8^)    

    re.40
    > -< Is it his talent or his ........ ????? >-
                 
    His what?  Surely you don't mean "sex appeal", 'cuz he doesn't have
    any and as for his looks, well, he's *too* pretty. Oh, and he'stoo
    humble - he should speak up more for himself (talent/looks). ;-)
    
    But, I *do* like his voice/style so as long as I don't have to look 
    at him or hear him speak I'm all right.                         
    
    Sue

    
    RE: .38 / .39
    
    I think the point is that his set didn't quite fit into the general
    good-time type sets by most of the other artists.  He's a real pro
    for sure - can't deny that.
    
    David.
    

    re.30
    > Tracy Chapman, a black, female folk singer from the
    Boston area.
                
    We were told by the commentators covering the concert that she was
    from Cleveland.
    
    Sue (a colonist who listened to WBCN's [a Boston station] broadcast)

         
    RE: george michael
                
    I can't deny that he's got a good voice - he has.
         
    His sex apeal ??  There are two ladies running around in our area
    screaming their heads off about having front row tickets to see
    him last night so who am I too argue. (One's running about shouting
    "he winked at ME, he winked at ME"). ahem...                         
                                                                   
    His NODESTY though.  Sue, how can you say he's modest ??? (O.k, you
    didn't say it but thats what you meant wasn't it ??).  The guy has
    a head bigger than my bank overdraft (we are talking BIG ;-)  )
                                       
    Anon.
         

    Tony, reread my note taking note of the wink at the end of 
    the sentence in question.  There is no one who thinks more 
    highly of GM than GM!  
    
    Sue :-)

    
    Opps, sorry (I wasn't flaming anyway, just bored :-) )
    
    Half asleep at Queens House.

    re. -1
    The old 'Harry Enfield Abhorrance Society' strike again.
    
    
    I liked George when he was in Wham! cos it was loads of fun and I was
    sixteen at the time and we went to the discos and we knew all the
    words to Young Guns and we liked Andrew cos he didnt do anything
    but still got loads of money and showed himself up at posh parties
    by getting drunk and trying to get off with girls in front of their
    boyfriends and we liked Club Tropicana cos we knew all the words and
    and and and...
    
    
    Ah yes...
    
    [Pause for wistful look into the glowing sunset of the past (Sniff)]
     
    ...*those* were *the* days
    
    Yours Nostalgically
         Ian.
    

    re: 44
    
    I don't know where Tracy Chapman was born and brought up, but she
    is definitely from the Boston area now,and is considered a Boston
    musician. I have seen her a few times over the past few years  
    singing in our subway stations in Harvard Square.
    
    Alan S.

    Wowee - this is a real Notes conference now - about 3/50 replies
    actually talking about the gig - the rest slagging and slanging.
    
    Well I didn't watch any of it cos I don't like stadium rock
    (interesting to note that WWW are already classed in that
    category).   I also don't agree with "conscience rock".
    Whatever happened to normal stadium festivals ?
    
    BTW - seemingly Amnesty International don't support NM because
    they believe he has incited violence and therefore cannot be
    a political prisoner ... and I didn't even hear the politics ...

    
    RE: .51
    
    I reckon most went for the music.
    
    Stadium rock - I still prefer the Festival (Cambridge, Glastonbury
    etc.).  Stadium rock is too much like going to a soccer match - all the
    amenities are the same (beer and burgers), and Wembley is too
    claustrophobic.
    
    Yep, it sure is developing into a 'true' conference ... here at last!!! 

    David.
    

    
   >     BTW - seemingly Amnesty International don't support NM because
   > they believe he has incited violence and therefore cannot be
   > a political prisoner
    
    Amnesty International does condemn the South African government for
    it's contempt of human rights. 5,000 balloons were released at the
    Amnesty Festival of Youth over the weekend. Each balloon represented
    a child in SA who have been detained under the emergency regulations.
    Many of these children have been subjected to torture. 
    
    Marc.

    I didn't go or see it on TV as I was in Ireland for the weekend.
    I did see an interesting comment in the 'Independent' review. Evidently
    some one had rung up the box office to ask about tickets and said
    'When is Mandela appearing?. What happended to the message there?
    
    RB
     

    I heard that story,but it was an american tv station asking 
    for the running order,This goes some way towards explaining
    why the americans didn't even mention Mandella in their broadcast,
    calling it 'FREEDOM FEST'.I think it is Rupert Murdoch who 
    owns the tv channel that was in charge of the american end
    of things.
     I think that getting the message across is more important than
    people actually turning up as already converted.Basically,the 
    South African government  got the message of what we all think of
    them.

    So why not call it "Anti-South African Government" day ?
    Or does that not have the same safe feel about it ?

    Is this for sale, on video anywhere?
    
    Nancy