Flying Entertainment in association with CS Entertainment APS present The closest to ABBA you will ever get! Accompanied by THE NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA OF LONDON Conducted by MATTHEW FREEMAN Abba-solutely the best party this Christmas! Starring Swedens WATERLOO With members of the ORIGINAL ABBA BAND MONDAY 07 DECEMBER DUBLIN O2 ARENA 0818 719 300 See 0871 220 0260 / Ticketmaster 0844 847 2539 / Ticketline 0844 888 9991 Special rates for GROUPS and PARTIES available PAUL WALDEN & DEREK NICOL FOR FLYING MUSIC IN ASSOCIATION WITH ADRIAN GRANT FOR KEY CONCERTS PRESENT www.thrillerlive.com FEATURING THE SONGS OF MICHAELAND THE JACKSON 5 TICKETS SELLING FAST BOOK NOW! Sat 28 Nov DUBLIN O2 ARENA Box Office 0818 719 300 www.ticketmaster.ie ME, ME, ME: Inside the minds of celebrities Today: AC/DCs Brian Johnson, from his recent autobiography On his first means of motorised transport: ...[It] was an ex- army khaki-coloured BSA 125cc Bantam. The bike was a typical piece of British why we nearly lost the war sh*te. Everything on this bike smacked of the First World War. On avoiding tax on the Isle of Man: Paul [Thompson, of Roxy Music] and I lived together for a while on the Isle of Man to escape the tax man. After six weeks on the island, I ran back to the tax man and begged forgiveness. I dont care who gets upset. Dont f**king go there, unless youre a motorcycle fan or a Norman Wisdom fanatic (which I happen to be, but I still wouldnt go back there). On Minis: The new Mini is a wonderful car the Germans got it just right. But for me, when its standing next to the original, its the 1960s one I want to drive. On tour buses: A tour bus is something every groupie wants to see the roof of and every male rock fan wants to see the inside of. The Americans make the best ones. The British and European ones are crrrap! The English build the coachwork, so its, Lets make really small seats and make everyone feel as uncomfortable as possible. Rockers And Rollers: An Automotive Autobiography, Michael Joseph, 25. GIG Yes Thursday, November 26, 2009 metrolife 15 Staying In Music Reviews Theres something about an oddsnsods collection released in the Christmas run-in that makes the heart sink. So it comes as a pleasant surprise to encounter this lively compilation of B-sides, live sessions and random rarities from Belfast piano-plinker Duke Special. Indeed, you might argue that Little Revolutions better encapsulates what Mr Special aka Peter Wilson is all about compared with his rather grandiose and windswept studio albums. Certainly, it captures the sly humour and playfulness that are a feature of his live shows. A cover version of Nina Simones Aint Got Album Of The Week Duke Special: Little Revolutions Hag No from the Ray DArcy show is a wink and nudge delight; Our Love Goes Deeper, a duet with the Divine Comedys Neil Hannon, is joyously perky; and a reading of the trad standard Clare To Here captures the poignancy of the lyrics without descending into maudlin gloop (always a danger with folk tunes). He even has the nerve to take on Radioheads Lucky and Yeah Yeah Yeahs Maps and emerges with his dignity intact. But the undoubted highlight is a cover of Soft Cells Tainted Love, recorded in front of a boozy Belfast audience and with Hannon guesting on backing vocals. Eamon de Paor Sister on the wickedly sexy anthem Everybody Wants available online now. Common: A mellow-voiced pioneer of the conscious hip-hop movement, Common released his breakthrough album, Like Water For Chocolate, in 2000. He has regularly collaborated with Kanye West, acted in Hollywood films, and channelled his inner playa on his 2008 album Universal Mind Control, including a track about lapdancing. Arwa Haider Together with corduroy trousers and fluffy dice, 1970s overlords Yes were one of those cultural phenomena who seemed doomed never to come back into fashion. And yet, against all expectations, the veteran progsters have lately undergone a bit of a critical rehabilitation. Thats largely thanks to the emergence of a new generation of progressive outfits, such as Muse, the Mars Volta and (sorry indie kids) post-OK Computer Radiohead. Not that any of these would be caught dead doffing hat to Yes to this day, 1973s stunningly portentous Tales From Topographic Oceans is regarded as the moment at which stadium rock fell headlong into self parody and has permanently tarred their reputation. And yet the similarities the ten- minute solos, the ever present self-seriousness, the doomy sci-fi lyrics are too obvious to be ignored. Like all proper 1970s rock bands, theyve been through their share of melodrama too. Having weathered more line-up changes than the England rugby team, Yes are currently touring with stand in vocalist Benoit David, recruited from a tribute act no less, and the son of original keyboardist Rick Wakeman (original singer Jon Anderson has declined to perform with Yes since 2004). But the engine room of the group guitarist Steve Howe, bassist Chris Squire and drummer Alan White is very much intact. And even if you dont like the prog stuff, you can always bop out to highlights from their outrageously commercial 1980s period, which culminated in the almost toxically cheesy Owner Of A Lonely Heart an excuse, if ever there was one, to roll up youre suit-sleeves, shake your perm, and dance like it was 1984. Eamon de Paor Tonight, Olympia Theatre, 72 Dame Street D2, 7.30pm, 39.20 to 44.20. Tel: 0818 719 300. www.yesworld.com Jesca Hoop: Hunting My Dress Last Laugh Records Filtering early Tori Amos through the more folky sensibility of Joanna Newsom, Jesca Hoops second album arrives fully formed on these shores. Hoops touchstones may be at the more preternatural reaches of alt folk, but she applies a grounding, off-kilter pop sensibility to these dusky, forest-sounding songs, which range from classy vintage folk (the title track) to murder ballad Tulip with its filthy grinding bass line, and the tightly sprung acoustic duet, Murder Of Birds, featuring a trickling kora and a barely audible Guy Garvey. Hoops protean vocals can shift from a whisper to a howl while a shocking sense of drama lurks deep within her deceptively pretty arrangements. Plus she used to babysit Tom Waits son! Claire Allfree Jay Sean: All Or Nothing Jayded/Cash Money With his clean-cut looks and honeyed vocals, London rnb pop cutie Jay Sean has been a polite presence on the mainstream for several years. He has scored several goals in the build-up to this third album, including major record deals (previously with Virgin in the UK; now with hip-hop label Cash Money in the US), and hes rightly credited as a British Asian cross- over star. All Or Nothing was recorded in America, and features several transatlantic guests (such as labelmate Lil Wayne on current hit Down), but otherwise its romantic business as usual for Sean. Other collaborations include Craig David (who struggled for the US success that Sean has coolly achieved) and Keisha Buchanan (aka the last fierce Sugababe). Its all appealingly delivered although its also so neatly measured that you just cant imagine Sean instigating a pop riot; itd be more of a courteous kerfuffle. Arwa Haider Tricky: Tricky Meets South Rakkas Crew Domino Moody Bristol maverick Tricky has always followed his own musical whims, with varying results they certainly clicked seductively on his last LP, 2008s Knowle West Boy. This latest diversion brings Tricky head-to- head with the electro-dancehall production of South Rakkas Crew, who hail from Jamaica but have been based in Canada and America. Tricky deals some typically nifty turns of phrase (We come in peace and leave you in pieces, from opener Bacative) alongside the rabble- rousing rhythms; several tracks such as Numb arent really dancehall at all but they are synth-fuelled sensations. Perhaps due to SRCs cosmopolitan credentials, this mostly recalls the global club fusions of artists like South Africas DJ Mujava. Its probably the most pop album Tricky has ever created, and its all the more bass-bumping fun for it. AH 20th Century Steel Band: Warm Heart Cold Steel Mr Bongo TV competition pop sensations arent a 21st-century phenomenon, you know. Long before Simon Cowell and co were calling the prime-time shots, Britains brilliantly named 20th Century Steel Band made their breakthrough on the popular talent show New Faces. The reissue of their 1976 debut album is definitely a kitsch curiosity (behold the afros and snazzy suits on the sleeve!), but its also an impeccable collection of innovatively arranged disco-calypso covers, sweeping from the theme from Shaft to soca anthem Endless Vibrations, plus fiery originals like Heaven & Hell (widely sampled by modern hip-hop acts). Anyone whos enjoyed Seor Coconuts quirky covers will love this, and their version of Barry Whites instrumental Loves Theme is a fabulous stand-out. Its worth reclaiming these steely dudes as household names. AH Character Study Eli Horowitzs favourite fictional figure I can always return to the largely unnamed narrator FH from Jesus Son by Denis Johnson. He yearns, he tries, he fails, he tries again. Most of his misfortune come as no surprise, to himself or anyone else, and most of it arrives without any soaring melodrama, just the persistent murmur of our flawed selves. He gets rejected by women, he runs away from fights, he sits on some baby bunnies. But somehow none of it feels hopeless, and all of it is instantly recognisable and powerfully humane. Its not a life of undying quests or zany high jinks its our own lives, uncertain and funny and misguided and occasionally lucky. And then, just when were realising that nothing really changes, suddenly things start to change. And the grace he finds, small as it is, feels entirely earned. Eli Horowitz is co-editor of The United States Of McSweeneys (Hamish Hamilton, 24) 50% cars 40% more cars 10% rock! index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html