House Party gig – Steve Winch third album preview launch

House Party gig – Steve Winch third album preview launch

I have never been to a house party that hosts a real gig before. I’ve done gigs.  I’ve done house parties.  But never a combination of both.

This was a private party to have a sneak preview of Steve Winch’s new album, songs from the killer floor – volume three.  

It was very intimate.  Nice people.  Food and drink.  And good music.  What more do you need?  

We started off with a warm up from Adrian Stranik.  He is a rockabilly who gave us a range of blues, rock and roll and even a bit of Elvis Costello (well it was his birthday today).

Then onto the main event.  Steve has already two albums and is just about to launch his third album called Songs from the killer chair volume three.  Lucky attendees had an opportunity to buy a copy before its general release.

The set started with Tumbleweed.  This is the first track of the new album and one of my personal favourites.  I actually have quite a few favourites on the new album.  I would invite you to check out Ill wind gonna blow – which sounds like it could be used in a Tarrantino film!  I also really love Don’t you think it’s time and chasing freedom.

Steve has a lovely voice and is an accomplished songwriter.  He delivers the tracks so well that on Queen in my pocket (from his second album) he sang it so beautifully that he got a marriage proposal from a woman in the audience!  He can rock.  He can roll.  He can deliver with meaning, with humour and with passion.

He is a very talented individual.  And backed up by Steve Askew on Bass and Kristian Carter on drums, he delivered a great set and taster for his new album.

Want to know more?  Come along to the Launch of his new album on 4^th October at the Stables, Milton Keynes and see for yourself.  Tickets available from www.stables.org

More photos here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jasminestormie/sets/72157646863668945/

Set list

Tumbleweed

The hand that rocks the cradle

Mrs Robinson (cover)

The price I must pay

Five by Five

Portrait of a broken dream

The queen in my pocket

Teenage kicks (cover)

Roadmaps for the soul.

Symix at OAD – I review my husband – this could get messy!

Symix at OAD – I review my husband – this could get messy!

It wasn’t an official OAD special. But the 19 July 2014 was always going to be a special one for me.  My husband Simon, known as Symix in the DJ world was going to do a set.  I have been with him almost nine years now.  I know he underplays himself and what he can do.  I have heard the stories of all the famous people he has met and mixed with.  I even went to see Lee John from Imagination with him and found one of his mixes on a CD that was being sold there.  (It had been used for Lee John’s European tour).  But my husband is not one to draw attention to himself.  I wanted to shout it to the world.  Yes I’m the loud one in the relationship!  But I have never heard him DJ.  He still mixes but stopped performing before I had met him.  This was my chance to see him in action.

Anyway, you should by now know how much I love OAD.  I have written several blogs about how great it is and how much fun I have there.  Simon had not let me see the set list before the gig.  He had told me nothing.  Given me no hints and no matter how hard I try, I couldn’t get the information out of him.  All I knew was Fame by David Bowie was in there, along with No GDM by Gina X. That was it.  That’s never gonna last an hour set!  But he wouldn’t let me know what he had planned for his set list. It was driving me mad.

We got to Birmingham in the pouring rain, and I was glad to get to the hotel.  Well I would have been glad but before  I had even got to my room they had a power cut and we couldn’t even see to go to the toilet.  We were on the 4^th floor which meant a lot of energy up and down the stairs to complain.  I was worried I would have no energy to dance later.

We went to the pub next door and had something to eat and drink, then checking the hotel again (still no electricity) we walked into town and found a food festival on.  There was a gin stall that gave demos of mixed gin cocktails, well while in Brum.  So I did.  After another hour we headed back to the hotel and sat in the dark reception area.  (Yep still no electricity).  I got talking to a hen party who offered us some wine. Well while in Brum.  So I did.  I had just about given up the thought of having time to crimp my hair when the lights came back on – almost four hours later!  I hurried up to our room to get ready.  Well it does take some time to transform me into Jasmine Storm!

We were at OAD quite early.  I am always early.  It’s a bad habit.  But I would rather listen to music I love than sit in the pub or my hotel room.  It started to fill up and the anticipation of getting to hear Simon’s set grew.  It was so lovely to catch up with all my OAD friends . More like family really . Genuine lovely people.  You don’t realise how rare and lucky us darkling’s are until you stop and take a moment to realise. 

Simon’s set was due to start at 12.30am.  I took my place near the dj booth and was ready to dance.  Fame started the set. Bowie is always a good choice.  (My idol so excellent choice for me) but everyone else was also up and dancing.  Gina X – No GDM is one of my all-time favourite tracks and I loved dancing to that.  Well that was the two tracks I knew done and dusted.  What next?  More Bowie that’s what!  Fashion works for me.  Two Bowie’s – double bonus and on top of all the Bowie David already plays.  I know Simon put Memorabilia by Soft Cell in for me too.  It’s one of my favourite Soft Cell tracks.

But it wasn’t just me dancing and enjoying the set.  Everyone was on the dance floor.  I overheard someone say ‘This DJ is great.  Does anyone know who he is?’  I have never been more proud to be able to say  ‘That’s my husband!’

I love OAD, the atmosphere, the people and the music.  This night was a special to me.  But don’t take my word for it.  Here is what a few others have said in the Facebook group.

Fantastic night as usual and loved the guest dj’s

Fad gadget – that is all. Xxx

Some interesting tracks played and the usual lovely people

Top night. Loved the guest dj sets and the mixing was great. Haven’t heard that for a while. Big big thank you to everyone who made it happen

Yet another fab night! My highlight was the beach mixed with da da da in symix’s set. Genius :D

And final word comes from David, the manager of OAD - .For me, Symix’s DJ set was the highlight of the night, even more so because it was his first time as a guest DJ at OAD.  You will certainly be asked to DJ again!

Original Set List

Fame - David Bowie

Back to nature – Fad Gadget

No GDM – Gina X

Fashion – David Bowie

Lady Shave – Fad Gadget

Feel Me – Blancmange

Love Song – Simple Minds

Memorabilia – Soft Cell

Life in Tokyo – Japan

Planet Earth – Duran Duran

The Beach – New Order

Da Da Da – Trio

Just can’t get enough – Depeche Mode

Baby turns blue – Virgin Prunes

To cut a long story short – Spandau Ballet

Sound of the crowd – The Human League

We live so fast – Heaven 17

 

Note: We live so fast was cut from the set as the video was played just before, so the set was changed to the following:

Der Amboss – Visage

Love will tear us apart – Joy Division

Night train - Visage

 

 

The Commitments Show (Palace Theatre)

The Commitments

My son’s 17^th birthday. Over the last few years we have set a new tradition of going to see a west end show to celebrate. But 17 is a difficult age. I didn’t want to take him to something he would consider babyish.  The Commitments was the perfect answer. He is a guitarist himself and studying music so this was the perfect show. He loves blues and soul. He plays guitar and he likes musicals. How much more perfect can I get?

We had a lovely day in London, spending time at Covent Garden and Camden. We ate in his favourite pizza place and then onto the theatre.  I love the Palace Theatre. It looks old and yet feels rather small and intimate. It makes you feel special as if there are only a few of us that are viewing the performance.  The Commitments do soul and blues. The Palace Theatre feels like a tenuous link to the Palace Theatre Ballroom in The Blues Brothers.

Anyway on with the show.  The sets were good. I really loved how the Rabbitte’s home worked.  They even had a front door and old-fashioned wallpaper!

The opening scene was great, there was no wedding scene, but instead they were playing in a shop window. Fab start. I actually preferred it to the wedding scene in the film version.

I had always really loved the auditions part., when Jimmy is getting a band together.  I had hoped they had kept that as it was always one of my favourite scenes in the film. It was so funny. Don’t you want me was a great song for the audition!

Every actor/singer on stage could sing. (Yes even Jimmy!) But Deco was breath-takingly amazing. His voice would get him laid no matter how gross his habits.  Killian Donnelly played the part really well. I also loved Jimmy, played by Denis Grindel. He was so personable. But every performer was talented and really gave their all. Outspan was just like you expected him to be. Joey Fagan still gets all the ladies (and even winked at me!).  I couldn’t fault one of them. And authentic lrish accents to boot!

Some things have been changed, but this did not detract from the overall greatness of the show. Imelda was Jimmy’s friend (not Bernie as in the film) and they made Imelda a brunette instead of a blonde. And there was no Elvis conversation with Joey The Lips Fagan– which I always enjoyed.

Some of the songs felt a bit removed from the genre, for example ‘what becomes of the broken hearted’ (Jimmy Ruffin) and I cant get no satisfaction (The Rolling Stones), but I realised why towards the end.

The end of the show is The Commitments giving us the performance of their lives. I was out of my seat dancing and singing at the top of my voice. As I was first row, it may have helped get some others out of their seats. I have never been shy and sang away is if my life depended on it.  Mustang Sally, River deep mountain high and Try a little tenderness are a few classics and the performers gave their all.

It was an amazing show. At the end someone sitting in my row came up to me and told me how impressed he was I knew all the words to every song.

If I could, I would see this every night. If you are looking for a feel good show - This is it!

 

 

 

Maleficent is magnificent

Maleficent is magnificent

We are going to re-tell a story …let’s see how well you remember it.

What a beautiful opening to this film. A young fairy called Maleficent who smiles at everything and everyone in her kingdom loves her.

This is no fairy tale. This is a film NOT for children. This is a film with adult themes. The theme of love, betrayal and revenge.

Yes the sweet Maleficent falls in love with a human boy…and he is power crazy. This film made me feel so sorry for Maleficent. I felt her pain when she was betrayed. I felt her love when she was happy.

The young Maleficent is not on screen for long but she sets the scene and is so sweet you think how someone can turn so evil. But of course if I had been treated the same way..I would also react that way. A woman scorned and all that.

The three fairies are funny and add a light hearted sprinkle to the serious themes of the film.

Strong female characters are rare in films now..so this was refreshing and a joy to watch.  Forget Salt. Forget Tomb Raider, this is  Angelina Jolie’s finest hour.

Excellent film. Excellent cast. And the girl who day-dreamed really understood Maleficent. Forget girl power.  This is woman power.

 

West Side Story hits Milton Keynes! (June 2014)

West side story

This is my all-time favourite musical. I grew up knowing all the songs and dreaming of finding love like this.  When something is so precious to you, it is a little nerve wracking to see how it translates to the stage.

I first saw West Side story on stage 16 years ago when I took my 10 year old son to a matinee performance.  I had been blown away with the choreography.  It was something that he and I shared for years.

So when I heard last year that it was on stage again. I knew I had to go.  I suggested it to my youngest son and my older son overheard and said he wanted to come and see it again.  So it was an extra special night that I went to see West Side Story accompanied by both my sons.

I was again worried it wouldn’t stand up to my high expectations. I had no need to worry.

The opening scene was very true to the film and was excellently executed.  It really set the scene of the show.  The dancing and chorography was outstanding.  I cannot say enough how amazing it really is.

I really liked the dance interpretation of how it would be if Tony and Maria ran away together.  Everyone was dressed in white and through the power of dance it showed no matter what, they could not escape what has happened.  It was a fantastic scene and one that would be deserving of time on Strictly.

The outstanding numbers for me were Gee Officer Krupkee, which is fun and well done.  It was true to the film and worked well.  I also loved how they call came together for tonight at the end of the first act.  Good use of lighting and set gave it atmosphere.

All the performers were excellent, but their were two who stood out to me.  Maria, played by Katie Hall, was a perfect Natalie Wood and had a good accent as well as being able to sing, dance and act.  Her performance was so powerful I was in tears for much of it.  Absolutely fabulous.  The other outstanding performance was that of Anita, played by Djalenga Scott. She was fabulous, giving energy, character and charm to the part.  The girls definitely stole the show.

Others that deserve a mention are Action, played by Matthew Hawksley and Anybodys, played by Jessica Fiala.  They both gave a true reflection of the roles and made the characters believable.

For the traditionalist there were some changes I was not that happy with.  America is one of my favourite songs.  But it relies on the dynamics of the men versus women.  Unfortunately someone decided that the change of clothes for the men was more important so they did it with one girl verses the rest of the girls.  This is just wrong.  It needs the men.  It needs the original words.  It needs not to be changed.  I was very disappointed with this rendition, not because of the effort of the cast, but because it really needs the men to be true to the story.

The other issue with the show is the order of the songs.  At the end of the first act they had already stabbed and killed each other but gee officer krupkee and I feel pretty were in the second act.  This meant you were sad when you should be happy. It wasn’t right to move the order around as it does change the atmosphere of the show.

This is no fault of the cast, but of the director and producer of the show.  It is a shame as otherwise this show was perfect.  And I rarely call anything perfect!

None of this detracts from the excellent performance of the actors/dancers/singers. They were all very professional and delivered an outstanding performance.

If you can get a ticket…go. West Side Story is amazing and I sure hope it isn’t another 16 years before I see it live again!

 

OAD 5th anniversary featuring Midge Ure (acoustic set)

OAD 5^th anniversary featuring Midge Ure (acoustic set)

It was Only After Dark’s fifth birthday. It was also my anniversary.  I had discovered this wonderful club a year ago.

Once again it was sold out and packed out.  You couldn’t move for it was full of people with style and class.  The darkling’s were out in force.

Midge was to come on early so unusually this meant the club opened up at 8pm.  We got there about half past seven to find out that it was happy hour. Boy did that make us happy!

We went in early to get a good spot but that didn’t stop me from dancing to ‘The Bunker’ (Bollock Brothers) while we were waiting for Midge to come on.

I had seen Midge with Ultravox last November when they supported Simple Minds.  I had written back then how impressed I had been with Midge’s vocals.  (See that blog here: http://jasminestorm09.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/where-is-my-glittering-prize.html)  How he owned the room.  (And that room was the O2!).  How different would a small crowd of 200 be?  What would an acoustic set be like when we are used to hearing his songs with electronic backing?  I was about to find out.

He came on and sang a range of tracks including Fade to Grey (he was in Visage), many Ultravox tracks including, Dancing with tears in my eyes, The Voice, Love’s great adventure and Vienna, and some of his own solo stuff such as If I was and No Regrets.  He even did a riff from an old Slick track.  This man has style and fits into OAD perfectly.

He gave an excellent vocal performance….

but much more than that. He played guitar.  Not Ziggy but Midge!  He played it amazingly well.  A very talented man.

…But not only that, he was funny and charming.  He had the crowd eating out of his hand.  This must be challenging for a man who is used to being in a band.  And playing to a small crowd who he could see the faces of.  (Mine being right at the front!)

And finally he gave a rendition of Lady Stardust.  He told the story of the night he was at the Blitz Club when David Bowie came in.  He said everyone had thought themselves cool until that moment.  David Bowie is my personal hero and I loved hearing this story.  He played an excellent version of Lady Stardust and I was truly impressed.

Impressed with his professionalism.  Impressed with his sense of humour.  Impressed with his talents.  What a performance.  What a gig.  What a night!

My only disappointment was that Midge did not meet his fans afterwards.  We have been very lucky and spoilt with many specials at OAD having the artists meet you for a photo and signing.  I know I was not the only person who would have loved a photo and a word with Midge.

Well Midge…I didn’t get to speak to you directly…so here are my words to you.  I loved your performance.  Come back and visit us again soon.

After Midge had gone, we all danced and danced all night.  I love OAD.  I love my friends there, (I wrote a blog about that: http://jasminestorm09.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/the-girl-who-daydreamed.html) and I am proud to be a part of it.

A huge thank you to David, Sara and Sam for all their hard work so I can travel back in time once a month.  Long may OAD reign!

 

 

 

 

The girl who daydreamed.

There once was a girl who daydreamed a lot.  She daydreamed of having lots of friends and being popular.  She daydreamed that one day she would be accepted for who she was.  She wasn’t the most popular girl in school but neither was she disliked.  She was just one amongst many wanting to express her independence and freedom.  She already knew her taste in clothes and music were not like most of her friends.  She was different. 

Her home life was not the easiest and she looked after her younger sisters a lot as her mum was often very poorly in hospital.  Her stepdad worked full time and tried to keep the family together but it wasn’t easy.  Her real dad only saw her once a month and then for only two hours. 

She longed to break free from the routine. 

Then one day, when she was about 15 years old, her stepdad and mum took her to a pub that they were friendly with the owners of.  She didn’t know it yet but her life was about to change. 

The pub was called ‘The Starting Gate’ and it was the first Blitz club style ‘alternative’ night.

This girl was brave.  She went alone to the alternative night. It was full of punks, new wave fans, new romantics, and lots of people with spiky hair – but instead of feeling an outcast – she felt at home.  She made friends quickly and realised that here were others like her.  She was not alone.  She belonged.  This became her family and she lived for Sunday nights. 

This girl was me. 

I have since grown up.  I am no longer scared of being different.  I am proud to be me and not conform.  You can like me for who I am or walk on by.  I like who I am. 

I had often missed the ‘old days’ and my friends from The Starting Gate.  I had wondered if I had thought about it with rose tinted spectacles on.  But it is strange how life gives you what you need when you least expect it.  Over the last year I have met up with two of my dear friends from that time.  Both Steve Martin and Caz Tricks have made me realise I am a good judge of character.  They were lovely people then and are still lovely people who I feel privileged to know. 

How rare was this time in my life.  I could not imagine finding this again.  This had been so special.  So unique.  Surely nothing can replace such special memories? 

Can you imagine how I felt when last year, my friend Martyn told me he was playing a gig there and kindly added me as his guest at a club in Birmingham called Only After Dark?  I, of course went along to enjoy the Heaven 17 set but came away with so much more. 

Only After Dark is my youth recaptured.  It is everything I had loved the first time around at The Starting Gate.

-It is my kind of music.  I cannot tell you all the times I danced to ‘Bella Lugosi’ on my own at the gate. Now there are others to dance with me! And to be able to dance to Bowie tracks somewhere other than my front room says so much about how much I love it there.

-It is my kind of fashion (…turn to the left…). I love the way everyone makes an effort and dresses to impress in their own unique style  

-It is my kind of people.  I love the people.  Lovely people.  My OAD family.

I have made so many new friends, Al and Julie, Sara and David, Debbie, Martin Smith, Maureen and the incorrigible Mr Chris Wilde.  I know I have probably missed loads of people off  – but I really do value all your friendships and how lovely and welcoming you all are.  Who would have thought that Birmingham would become my new spiritual home? 

Dreams never die.  I am a dreamer and once a month my dreams become real! 

Thank you to all my old friends from The Starting Gate, and to all my new friends from OAD.

I am so pleased to have you all in my life.