Joe Kavanagh's Music News

What a short strange trip it's been. In the space of little more than a decade, the Irish nation has witnessed an almost inconceivable transformation of its political landscape, which has seen former sworn enemies Martin McGuinness and Ian Paisley form a genuine mutual admiration society, while, last week, a Conservative British Prime Minister issued a heartfelt apology to the people of Derry for the wrongs visited upon them by elements of the British army. Now the world of music has stepped through this most welcome of looking glasses, as a musical about Ireland's 1916 rebellion against the forces of the Crown made its ostentatious debut, as part of an outdoor music festival being held in London's West End last Sunday (June 21). Referred to as "Riverdance with guns", 1916: The Musical is not due for full release until next year, but some 2,000 punters packed into Leicester Square to hear two tracks from the Simon Humphrey's penned musical. Those on hand were apparently mightily impressed with what was on offer, as delighted assistant producer James Logan Bates explained, saying: "We couldn't believe how warmly the two numbers were received. It was very emotional seeing and hearing the cast perform on the huge screens they had up in Leicester Square. It's given everyone a huge boost." It's definitely a sign of the times because if you'd put the words "Irish nationalism", "London" and "going down a bomb" in the same sentence a few years back, the last thing you would have thought about was a musical. 1916: The Musical makes its full debut in Ireland early next year, and is expected to open in the West End later in 2011, before touring the US and Australia...

Staying briefly with music and Irish politics, Bono has given his seal of approval to the recently released Saville Report, which completely vindicated the 13 innocent civil rights march victims who were callously murdered by members of a British parachute regiment in Derry in 1972. Writing in a column for the New York Times, the U2 front man hailed the day of its release, describing it as: "One of the most extraordinary days in the mottled history of the island of Ireland was witnessed on both sides of the border last Tuesday... Healing is kind of a corny word but it's peculiarly appropriate here; wounds don't easily heal if they are not out in the open. The Saville report brought openness - clarity - because at its core, it accorded all the people involved in the calamity their proper role." Eloquently and accurately put...

From harmony in the fusion of music and politics, we move across the Atlantic, where Paul McCartney continues to catch flack for a joke he cracked while visiting the White House on June 2. The former Beatle became the first ever non-American to pick up the hugely prestigious Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, when, during a brief performance, he stated: "After the last eight years, it's great to have a President who knows where the library is." The comment has drawn intense criticism from supporters of former President George W. Bush, but McCartney lashed back at his detractors last week, blasting: "Has anyone ever watched Saturday Night Live? They joke about Bush all the time. As for a public apology, are they kidding? I was in two minds whether to say it and I actually waited until the President had gone because I didn't want to embarrass him or his family. But hey, come on, it's rock and roll. It wasn't a religious meeting and I'm allowed to make jokes." It's not exactly a precise comparison as I've never heard the legend, "Live from the White House, it's Saturday Night!" but I get what he's saying. In any case, George W., by his own admission, does not read books, not ones with pesky things like words anyway. Macca went on to describe how excited he was to meet current President Barack Obama, saying: "I was welling up. I think Obama's doing great. He's a smart guy." Given what's going on with BP, 'welling up' might not be the best choice of words. He might as well have said that he is mightily impressed with the current president's McChrystal clear vision for the future...

Paul McCartney's ex-wife Heather Mills was also in the news last week, announcing her intention to participate in the 2014 Winter Paralympics, where she hopes to become a member of the downhill skiing team. Mills had half her left leg amputated when she was struck by a police motorcycle in 1993, but she has since gone on to do a memorable turn on US TV show Dancing With The Stars. Speaking of her latest aspiration, she announced: "That would be so great. You know when you set in your head things that you want to do and achieve?" Yeah, like go out, get your hooks in a millionaire and take him for as much as you can. Mills also declared of her Paralympic dream: "If I managed to compete, it would be phenomenal - very inspiring for all the kids that I counsel." Who in their right mind would allow Heather Mills to counsel their kids? Mind you, she's probably just talking about imaginary ones, not unlike all those imaginary seats she holds on the boards of every charity this side of the Mississippi...

The massive Glastonbury music festival took place over the weekend under predominantly blue skies, as almost a quarter of a million revelers descended upon the fabled Somerset campsite to catch the likes of Muse, Stevie Wonder, Dizzee Rascal and Gorillaz, among hundreds of other acts. One group that failed to make the lineup this year however, was the recently reformed Faces, much to the chagrin of their guitarist/songwriter Ronnie Wood, who bemoaned the fact that they were not invited, despite his attempts at lobbying. I can't be certain but I'm sure that their cause isn't helped by the fact that Mick Hucknall has taken over singing responsibilities, in the absence of former front man, Rod Stewart. I don't care if they played in the dark and you were standing a full 500 yards back from the stage, good luck trying to get to sleep after catching a glimpse of that dude's face. It's kind of like something that has been carved into silly putty with a bent up cookie cutter, or maybe a clown's face Halloween mask that's been left too near an open fire. Woods also claimed that Keith Richards will play guitar with the Faces later on in the summer, after his Rolling Stones band mate agreed to join them for at least one date on their upcoming tour. Keef should feel right at home, given that he'll be sharing the stage with Ron Woods, an assorted group of pensioners and a coyote-ugly front man who thinks he's God's gift to womankind...

Getting back to Glastonbury for a moment, one of the other headline acts at the venerable festival was recently asked whom they would most like to collaborate with, only to deliver a rather curious answer. Lead singer/rapper with Faithless, Maxi Jazz declared that if he could pick one person to make music with, then it would be Sylvester Stallone. Now, I've never actually heard Sly sing, but I would imagine his singing voice to be similar to the call of a cape buffalo with a plastic bucket over its head. Still, if it prevents him making another installment of Rambo, then I'm all for it...

Argentinian soccer superstar, and all-around humble guy, Lionel Messi, has become the latest - and possibly least likely - voice to implore Oasis to put aside their differences and reform the band. The reigning World Footballer of the Year, claims that he only recently came across the British band, after being turned on to them by fellow Argentinian player, Carlos Tevez, who plays his club football for the Gallagher brothers beloved Manchester City. Speaking to the media last week, Messi explained his desire for an Oasis reunion, saying: "I kept promising I would listen to them, but I never got round to it. On the plane on the way to the World Cup, Carlos (Tevez) made me listen to their first two albums. I have to say I wasn't expecting much but it is some of the best material I have ever heard. They are absolutely amazing. Their songs are incredible. I have been listening to their stuff on my iPod dock in the hotel room, on the way to the matches and in the dressing room. I can't believe it's taken me all this time to finally listen to them. I've been watching their live performances on YouTube and they look like they'd be amazing to see in concert. I asked Carlos if we could go and see them in Manchester or London in concert, but he told me they have split up." Let's see if he's quite so gung ho after he listens to their other five albums...

Although virtually nobody outside her family and six fans has called for Dannii Minogue to return to her 'career' in music, rumors abounded last week that Kylie's little sister was on the brink of a return to the studio, having signed a recording contract that was reportedly worth in the region of $2 million. The speculation of her return to music was such that Dannii felt obliged to take to her Twitter account later in the week to debunk the rumors, saying that she was committed to concentrating on setting up her own fashion label. Thank goodness for that because the world of music needs Danni Minogue like a condom factory needs Edward Scissorhands working in it...

Taking a well-earned break from her time as one half of electro outfit La Roux, Elly Jackson decided to do a bit of modeling in Paris last week, which isn't all that peculiar until you consider that she made her debut on the catwalk modeling for Victor & Rolf's Menswear. Speaking of his delight at retaining Jackson's services for his Dutch label, Viktor Horsting claimed: "We love her style. We love her authenticity. We love the way she plays with gender. So it felt logical. She's right for our men's clothes." For me that is essentially saying: "She's perfect for us because she looks just like a man!" I've never claimed to be the most well-versed in terms of understanding the fairer sex but if I ever attempted to pass that comment off as a compliment to any of the girls I've ever dated, I'd be lucky to get out of the room with one testicle intact...

Perhaps tiring of the buzz of media scrutiny that appears to follow him around the US and the UK, George Michael has apparently decided to move to the other side of the world, with reports maintaining that the occasionally controversial, but always entertaining singer, has purchased a home in Australia. Michael will apparently up sticks in the near future to Sydney, in order to take up residence in a $4.8 million mansion, which according to the specs published in various media outlets last week include "a pool, glass walls, terrace and a huge deck". Taking the Australian accent into account, and given his proclivity for cottaging, the former Wham! singer might well have misunderstood the last word in that sentence when weighing up his decision to buy the home. I'd also imagine those glass walls are also going to require a few curtains quick smart because given the amount of ganga George Michael smokes, the cops may as well just stick an officer outside with a book of tickets as thick as a phone book. No matter how much he smokes though, I very much doubt he could compete with a stoner friend of mine who recently visited a doctor for a check up, only for the G.P. to turn to him, his face a mixture of earnestness and concern, and enquire of him: "You haven't, by any chance, been in a house fire recently?" On my life, that is a true story...