Category Archives: Spandau Ballet
The Why Factor?
And so we find ourselves at that time of year when our weekend TV entertainment is taken over once again by reality shows!
Now I must admit that I am a bit of a fan of Strictly Come Dancing [if I can ignore the bits where the geriatric Bruce Forsyth mumbles his way painfully through the bad script on his autocue while Tess Daly smiles through gritted teeth every time he touches her, or the fact that the new judge, Darcey Bussell, is possibly the most irritating woman in the history of television!]. What I like most about this show is the opportunity to see the professional dancers show us that Latin and Ballroom dancing is still an art form to be enjoyed.
On the other side we are then subjected to the X Factor which, for me, has surely passed its sell-by date? Last night saw the return of the live shows in the studio and once again I was underwhelmed by the so-called talent up on stage. I’m not sure precisely where any of these people come from but I am pretty confident that there are much better performers in the local pubs and clubs than the sorry few that make it to this stage of the competition. Perhaps it sounds different to the people in the studio but to us at home it can be rather embarrassingly awful to sit through.
I also wonder what the contestants themselves think will happen after their 15 minutes of fame? Previous winners have all but disappeared from the face of this earth with some maybe achieving a few column inches in various tabloid newspapers for wearing something awful or falling out of a nightclub – a lasting career in the music business? I seriously doubt it! We listen to Louis, Tulisa, Nicole and Gary banging on about finding someone “current” and “exciting” and we are then subjected to distinctly average covers of songs by the likes of Queen, Spandau Ballet and John Lennon? What’s that all about?
There is a glimmer of hope this evening however. Season 2 of Homeland starts on Channel4 at 9.00pm. If it is as gripping as Season 1 then we’re in for a treat!
You think you know someone
Driving up to Scone Palace in Perthshire on Saturday morning, myself, Geraldine and Russell were in high spirits. We were off to the Rewind Festival where an array of acts from the 80s were going to strut their somewhat arthritic stuff on a bright and sunny afternoon. To get ourselves into the mood we had the hits of the 80s blaring out the car stereo while we sang along and took in the stunning views as we crossed the Forth Road Bridge heading north. A Spandau Ballet discussion took place … but more of that later!
The headline act was Tony Hadley but others appearing on that day were Rick Astley, Billy Ocean, ABC, Bananarama, T’Pau, Kid Creole and the Coconuts, Hazel O’Connor, The Beat, Cutting Crew, The Bluebells, Go West and Hue & Cry, but not necessarily in that order!
For me, the definite highlight of the day was Billy Ocean. Boy, he may be 61 years old now but he is still the smoothest operator around and knows how to get the audience into the palm of his hand within a few seconds.
For Russell, however, it seemed as though his highlight was Bananarama! From the minute the 2 girls stepped onto the stage (yes, I know there used to be 3 of them), Russell was beside himself, jumping up and down (more or less in time with the music) and singing along at the top of his voice and yes, he knew all the words! I’m not sure who was more surprised, me or his wife! Neither of us had absolutely any idea he was clearly a closet fan of their work and the image of his pure enjoyment at their set will stay with me for a very long time. Never again will I see my pinstripe suited friend in the same light I can tell you!
But back to the Spandau Ballet conversation. In the car Russell announced that Tony Hadley would end the night by singing True. I disagreed (obviously) and insisted that the final song would be Gold. A true classic that would have everyone on their feet singing along. Who was correct? You guessed it – it was me! For those that know me well, you will be aware that of course I am always right and it is somewhat stupid to expect ANYONE to know more than me, especially about 80s music – my specialist subject!!!
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