Out tonight, Stereophonics in Brussels...

Artist	Stereophonics
Support act	The Silent Days
Genre	pop
Date	Wednesday 3 February 2010
Organisation	Live Nation
Hour	20:00 This is the expected start time for the first act. The exact timing will be communicated below on the day of the concert, at 12 pm (midday).

Timing

7:00pm doors
8:00pm The Silent Days
9:00pm Stereophonics
10:30pm curfew

Weller to play for Haïti...

Mod icon Paul Weller is amongst the latest group of acts to be confirmed for a special Haiti benefit show.

The disaster in Haiti has united the world in sorrow. The tiny Caribbean island, already one of the poorest areas in the region, was struck by an enormous earthquake centred on its densely populated capital.

Since then, aid has flooded into Haiti with global appeals resulting in some enormous events. In the United States George Clooney and Haiti born star Wyclef Jean hosted a new telethon which raised countless millions for those suffering on the island.

Now a new event in London aims to raise more money for the island. Hosted in the historic Roundhouse venue on February 25th, the new event will donate all profits to ActionAid and Médecins Sans Frontières.

With more acts being confirmed all the time, organisers Beanstalk have revealed that British songwriting legend Paul Weller is to perform at the event.

Set to return with his new album 'Wake Up The Nation' later this year Paul Weller is on ferocious form. Winning 'Best British Male' at the BRIT awards last year, the singer has proved that he can match the energy of bands half his age.

Joining Paul Weller at the show will be Sheffield rabble rousers Reverend And The Makers. Jon McClure and Co. will bring the noise at the London event, alongside appearances from Scottish singer KT Tunstall and more.

Haitian visual artist Andre Eugene the progenitor of the Grand Rue movement in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, who will be flying over and presenting work and photography by artists involved in Ghetto Biennale Arts Festival Port Au Prince in the bars and foyer of the Roundhouse.

Haiti Earthquake Fundraiser takes place at London's Roundhouse venue on February 25th.

Weller in Europe, (Simon Cooper's info)

Weller Into Europe

1st Feb 2010

Ahead of Paul's historic five night run at the Royal Albert Hall later this year, we're pleased to announce that he will be playing a handful of key dates around some classic European venues this May.

See below for full dates and ticket info.

May 13 - Melkweg, Amsterdam, Holland (on sale Feb 6th)

May 17 - Ancienne Belgique, Brussells, Belgium (on sale now)

Weller in AB, 2008:

May 18 - Live Music Hall, Cologne, Germany (on sale Feb 4th)

May 19 - Bataclan, Paris, France (on sale now)

Melody Gardot in Paris, Courtesy of Ian S.

Live at FIP Radio, RadioFrance, Paris, France, September 10, 2009. Ex FM stereo.

In a Jazz Times review, the magazine asked: “Could Melody Gardot end up as big as Norah Jones?” The magazine was politely pointing out how similar both singers are with the exception that Jones was first. Both share the same DJ friend and ally at WXPN, Philadelphia who pushed their music vigorously.

Signed to Universal’s Verve, after her debut Worrisome Heart had positive reaction, she was assigned some “big friends” for the followup, like producer Larry Klein, musical director Kenneth Pendergrast and with arranger and conductor Vince Mendoza. To top it off, audiophile favourites Al Schmitt and Bernie Grundman mixed and mastered My One And Only Thrill.

So here she is in Paris, performing live for FIP Radio, eight of the songs from her new album. You’ll quickly notice how she does sound very much like Norah Jones, nevermind what critics say that she’s like Peggy Lee or Nina Simone, or early Rickie Lee Jones. Not. The same after-hours lounge feel of Come Away With Me is present here and played expertly by her band of Patrick Hughes, Bryan Rogers, Ken Pendergast and Charlie Patierno.

This live outing, however, confirms she wasn’t conceived in the studio. Her voice has that air of intimacy, words linger on the tip of her tongue as she carasses them into emotion. These songs are mostly all written by her. She has the talent in songwriting and the voice to own them. Even the covers “belong” to her. Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine is no longer a summery pop song.

And what of her version of Smile? Her spoken word, a cappella rendition and slowly-paced reading makes the song something even Michael Jackson would have been happy with. A lullaby of love and hope to dream about.

Lineup (thanks to Kaare K Johnsen):
Melody Gardot - vocals, piano, guitar
Lewis Wright - vibraphone
Patrick Hughes - trumpet
Bryan Rogers - sax
Ken Pendergast - bass
Charles “Chuck” Staab III - drums

- The Little Chicken

Huge Thanx to Ian and to the blogger.

First post on the blog

With thanks to kingfrippson for sharing this radio broadcast and fastone for the as-always excellent artwork. GivenToFly0 identified all the songs.