Bryan Adams has this gravel voice that's really quire distinctive. Ideal for rock songs or in a Ballard with an acoustic guitar it just works !
He has a career and 16 albums - you could tell as he worked his way through a 2.5 hour concert. So many raunchy rock songs and then tender Ballards.
To me it is clear that so much of his material has 'cliche' verses that with the wrong artist just would sound corny. For Bryan they all work and he sung his repertoire with all of the audience in close company.
It wasn't Karoke, but you could easily think that what's going on. The audience knew all the words and Bryan knew that they knew. He then allowed for his own timing of passages so that we both could contribute to the song.
Bryan had video cameras going in 'black and white' and showing his own view of the audience. It was the first time that I had seen this and it was effective.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Famous people I've seen in person
I've always been a person who is really naturally good at facial recognition. During my travels I'm been fortunate enough to see a few celebrities that are 'incognito' that I recognise and usually within a few minutes others will also been taking a second look.
Recently I was in the security line and recognised a volunteer at his holiness the Dalai Lama's teachings. That person I last saw 40 years earlier in my early teens. That person walked past me and I immediately remarked that I know that face and her name is Lee Berryman. At that point I walked back to say hello and she had no idea who I was, actually she was staggered that I remembered her.
From memory here is my list; most of these celebrities is usually at Airports or Business / First Class Lounges. Do doubt, some of these are A- listers and others just on a list.
- Will Smith (Actor)
- Danny Glover (Actor)
- Helen Hunt (Actress)
- Bob Hoskins (Actor)
- Kristie Lu Stout (CNN)
- John Laws (Journalist)
- Babyface (R&B Singer)
- Karen Mock (Canto Pop Singer)
- Tony Abbott (Australian Government Politician)
- Andrew Peacock (Australian Government Politician)
- Rod McGeoch (Sydney Olympics)
- Kobe Bryant (NBA)
- Paul Pierce (NBA)
- Swimming)
- Pat Rafter (Tennis)
- Tony Mundine (Boxing)
- Jeff Fenech (Boxing)
- Andrew Gaze (Basketball)
- Christian Cullen (All Black)
- Sean Fitzpatrick (All Black)
- Peter Fitzpatrick (Wallaby and Journalist)
- Quade Cooper (Wallaby)
- Michael Hooper (Wallaby)
- Kane Douglas (Wallaby)
- John Ribot (Australian RL and past owner Melbourne Storm)
From memory here is my list; most of these celebrities is usually at Airports or Business / First Class Lounges. Do doubt, some of these are A- listers and others just on a list.
- Will Smith (Actor)
- Danny Glover (Actor)
- Helen Hunt (Actress)
- Bob Hoskins (Actor)
- Kristie Lu Stout (CNN)
- John Laws (Journalist)
- Babyface (R&B Singer)
- Karen Mock (Canto Pop Singer)
- Tony Abbott (Australian Government Politician)
- Andrew Peacock (Australian Government Politician)
- Rod McGeoch (Sydney Olympics)
- Kobe Bryant (NBA)
- Paul Pierce (NBA)
- Swimming)
- Pat Rafter (Tennis)
- Tony Mundine (Boxing)
- Jeff Fenech (Boxing)
- Andrew Gaze (Basketball)
- Christian Cullen (All Black)
- Sean Fitzpatrick (All Black)
- Peter Fitzpatrick (Wallaby and Journalist)
- Quade Cooper (Wallaby)
- Michael Hooper (Wallaby)
- Kane Douglas (Wallaby)
- John Ribot (Australian RL and past owner Melbourne Storm)
Friday, February 22, 2013
Mao's last dancer
Li Cuixin is the person that Mao's last dancer the movie is centred on. I had the privilege to meet him last evening and we had a opportunity to talk. Indeed a charming man, who is clearly driven and he is one of the people who meet that has bright eyes, in the sense you just know he has much going on behind that mask.
He is the new artistic director for Queensland Ballet and it is clear from his words that he intends to make the company a standout globally. That's quite an undertaking and it is clear that despite his charm and wit, this is a formidable individual.
In the Dialogues session, Li puts his dancers through their paces. He encourages, cajoles and coaches them - sometimes all at the same time. His goal is perfection and he wants his troupe to aim for nothing less. In one session, he is trying to coach a dancer to pirouette but don't let her weight shift with the spin but stay centred so she can avoid spinning outwards. This is seemingly impossible and she can't get it for the first, second and third tries. It starts to feel awkward and then on the fourth attempt she nails it.......Whoa so interesting to see mastery in formation.
For so many reasons the appointment of Li is a master stroke. He is ambitious and candid and you can only envisage that his drive will as he states 'take Queensland Ballet to the next level'.
Pardon the pun, but this wont be his last dance. I foresee that he will use this platform for bigger and better things.
He is the new artistic director for Queensland Ballet and it is clear from his words that he intends to make the company a standout globally. That's quite an undertaking and it is clear that despite his charm and wit, this is a formidable individual.
In the Dialogues session, Li puts his dancers through their paces. He encourages, cajoles and coaches them - sometimes all at the same time. His goal is perfection and he wants his troupe to aim for nothing less. In one session, he is trying to coach a dancer to pirouette but don't let her weight shift with the spin but stay centred so she can avoid spinning outwards. This is seemingly impossible and she can't get it for the first, second and third tries. It starts to feel awkward and then on the fourth attempt she nails it.......Whoa so interesting to see mastery in formation.
For so many reasons the appointment of Li is a master stroke. He is ambitious and candid and you can only envisage that his drive will as he states 'take Queensland Ballet to the next level'.
Pardon the pun, but this wont be his last dance. I foresee that he will use this platform for bigger and better things.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Best Concert I've ever attended
Barry Gibb performed last evening, but he was not alone as he brought his departed brothers on stage in photo frames and video clips. A Brisbane boy from Redcliffe, his family was in the audience as well as his oldest son and the daughter of Maurice Gibb.
The Mythology Tour was Barry's return to touring since the death of his last surviving younger brother and as he had unveiled a statue of the Bee Gees a few days earlier; it was clear that this was a special concert. A special moment was having Barry narrate his childhood, while old black and white slides were projected; they were pictures from his childhood and the audience familiar with the scenes murmured and buzzed in agreement.
My best ever? Well to start with we had incredible seats; directly in front and I mean inline with his microphone and only eight rows from the stage. Barry despite his age, oozes class and sex appeal.
And there were a number of ladies in the audience, who called out "Barry" as they were his long lost loves; while I'm sure most were wishful thinking, it is not unreasonable that actually there were some old flames in the crowd.
The Bee Gee's are a group that has survived through the 60's, 70's and 80's. There music, like fine wine has aged well and has a fresh but familiar comfortable feel. Did I mention that he can sing, I mean really properly sing and his concerts sound like the CD's and records that I've collected over the years. He is the ultimate professional and it is reflected in the quality of the sound that is lovingly shared with the audience.
The concert playlist was a collection of so many eras of music, going back to his teenage years. It must be so problematic for Barry to know which songs to reject, as he has penned so many great tunes over his career. There were a few songs that tugged the heart strings and brought the audience, including myself back through a time warp. It was indeed a journey through time and my own life, as the Bee Gees and the Beatles have been part of that consciousness as far back as I recall.
What a week of music, I'm feeling very blessed and have shared this experience with my darling wife! As the song goes:
I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again
Yes, this is the best concert that I've ever been to. I've seen quite a number and this one is a standout.
Concert Set List -
The Mythology Tour was Barry's return to touring since the death of his last surviving younger brother and as he had unveiled a statue of the Bee Gees a few days earlier; it was clear that this was a special concert. A special moment was having Barry narrate his childhood, while old black and white slides were projected; they were pictures from his childhood and the audience familiar with the scenes murmured and buzzed in agreement.
My best ever? Well to start with we had incredible seats; directly in front and I mean inline with his microphone and only eight rows from the stage. Barry despite his age, oozes class and sex appeal.
And there were a number of ladies in the audience, who called out "Barry" as they were his long lost loves; while I'm sure most were wishful thinking, it is not unreasonable that actually there were some old flames in the crowd.
The Bee Gee's are a group that has survived through the 60's, 70's and 80's. There music, like fine wine has aged well and has a fresh but familiar comfortable feel. Did I mention that he can sing, I mean really properly sing and his concerts sound like the CD's and records that I've collected over the years. He is the ultimate professional and it is reflected in the quality of the sound that is lovingly shared with the audience.
The concert playlist was a collection of so many eras of music, going back to his teenage years. It must be so problematic for Barry to know which songs to reject, as he has penned so many great tunes over his career. There were a few songs that tugged the heart strings and brought the audience, including myself back through a time warp. It was indeed a journey through time and my own life, as the Bee Gees and the Beatles have been part of that consciousness as far back as I recall.
What a week of music, I'm feeling very blessed and have shared this experience with my darling wife! As the song goes:
I know your eyes in the morning sun
I feel you touch me in the pouring rain
And the moment that you wander far from me
I wanna feel you in my arms again
Yes, this is the best concert that I've ever been to. I've seen quite a number and this one is a standout.
Concert Set List -
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
-
(Little Willie John cover + Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Stephen Gibb)
-
(The Beatles cover)
-
(Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (Duet performed with Samantha Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song) (with Stephen Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Duet performed with Beth Cohen)
-
(Duet performed with Beth … more)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song) (vocals performed by Samantha Gibb)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(Bee Gees song)
-
(written by Bee Gees for Celine Dion)
- Encore:
-
(Bee Gees song)
Friday, February 8, 2013
My old record collection (Beatles to the Bee Gees)
When I was young I had this great record collection, remember in Darwin there was no TV and as a result social events gravitated towards music. I do recall that listening to the Radio was a common pastime and everyone had there favourites.
My record collection from the 60's included the The Beatles, Bee Gees and other now classic acts. These were what was called LP (Long Play) and there was a 'learnt' art to check the needle and ensure that this was in working order before trying to place this as smoothly as possible onto the moving turntable.
It is now poignant that this week, we go to see Ringo Starr (one of two surviving Beatles members) and later this week Barry Gibb (the only brother still alive).
Ringo is famous for being Thomas the Tank Engine as well as being the drummer for the most famous band in the world. He had a successful solo career, but also was the lead singer for a number of Beatles songs:
Please Please Me - Boys
With the Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man
Beatles for Sale - Honey Don't
Help - Act Naturally
Rubber Soul - What Goes On
Revolver - Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's - With a Little Help from My Friends
The Beatles (white album) - Don't Pass Me By, Good Night
Abbey Road - Octopus's garden
Barry Gibb, where do you start? He was the lead singer for one of my favorite all time groups, a talented song writer who has an incredible track record of collaboration with other stars.
Undoubtedly Barry is the more talented Ringo, there is really no argument there. In terms of pure longevity the Bee Gees as a group spanned from 1960's through the 80's and interestingly their careers came after the Beatles.
One of the interesting facts is that they decided to move from Brisbane, Australia back to the UK and then struggled to get any attention. At that stage the Beatles had disbanded and there was a trend away from bands; despite this they have had an incredible career.
Some words on the Beatles to Bee Gees week later.....
My record collection from the 60's included the The Beatles, Bee Gees and other now classic acts. These were what was called LP (Long Play) and there was a 'learnt' art to check the needle and ensure that this was in working order before trying to place this as smoothly as possible onto the moving turntable.
It is now poignant that this week, we go to see Ringo Starr (one of two surviving Beatles members) and later this week Barry Gibb (the only brother still alive).
Ringo is famous for being Thomas the Tank Engine as well as being the drummer for the most famous band in the world. He had a successful solo career, but also was the lead singer for a number of Beatles songs:
Please Please Me - Boys
With the Beatles - I Wanna Be Your Man
Beatles for Sale - Honey Don't
Help - Act Naturally
Rubber Soul - What Goes On
Revolver - Yellow Submarine
Sgt. Pepper's - With a Little Help from My Friends
The Beatles (white album) - Don't Pass Me By, Good Night
Abbey Road - Octopus's garden
Barry Gibb, where do you start? He was the lead singer for one of my favorite all time groups, a talented song writer who has an incredible track record of collaboration with other stars.
Undoubtedly Barry is the more talented Ringo, there is really no argument there. In terms of pure longevity the Bee Gees as a group spanned from 1960's through the 80's and interestingly their careers came after the Beatles.
One of the interesting facts is that they decided to move from Brisbane, Australia back to the UK and then struggled to get any attention. At that stage the Beatles had disbanded and there was a trend away from bands; despite this they have had an incredible career.
Some words on the Beatles to Bee Gees week later.....
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Stranded @ Wilson Island
We struck it lucky when our long weekend break at Heron Island on the Great Barrier Reef became a free upgrade to Wilson Island.
Where? .......... you probably say. And that was also my reaction.
Wilson Island is the exclusive smaller island that is that is connected by a small boat from Heron Island. It seems that they had overbooked as had a function at Heron, therefore offered to move us to Wilson for the evening.
Heron Island is a beautiful island paradise; just an hour and a bit from Gladstone by a fast ferry. It is on the reef and you can snorkel just off the island. There is bird life, turtles and all the marine species that you expect. The food is all included and you have the conflict of eating and then you can't go into the water.
When we transfer to Wilson Island you leave behind all your wallets, iPhones and iPads. They supply a 'wet bag' and ask you to repack a smaller bag - a shirt or two, swimming costumes, wetsuit, sun screen and then you are ready to go.
On boarding our boat we soon understand why the 'wet bag' as there is quite the chop from the waves and the 'splash' effect is evident. It is a 'wet' landing and now I realise that the water shoes we bought, will come into great use. Also the notion of 'exclusive', becomes apparent as there are 4 guests in total.
As we land onto Wilson there is a beautiful white coral beach, with just amazing formations of coral. We are greeted by our chef (Lindsay) and Liaison Manager (Geri). Yes there are 2 staff and 4 guests.
Our beachside hut is named 'rapture'; interesting name.....my first thought is Jurassic Park? Actually rapture means being 'caught up', which is quite the misnomer as at Wilson Island you just drift away.
Each of these beachside huts is facing a private beach and have a great hammock. They are luxurious without being luxury, you soon have a smile on your face that really doesn't go away. There are no phones, TV or power points and the bathroom is centralised.
Lindsay works his magic at a common (longhouse); the first question that I will always remember asking him is 'what time is lunch?'. To which he answers: whenever you like. Lindsay recommends a swim and perhaps lunch at 2pm. They explain the safety aspects of swimming in the front (unpatrolled) beach and that there will be cocktails at sunset at 6:30pm.
Exciting, I trudge onto the white beach -- carefully avoiding the large sharp coral. It is a crystal clear day and the water is a surreal aqua blue. There is no-one else on the beach and it is somewhat erie, as I correct my goggles and have my first look underwater. It is amazing the water is only 1 metre deep and the reef is 2 metres offshore and there are thousands of fish of every colour that you can imagine.
Hint: They don't care that I'm there....it is just intimidating being in such a beautiful world and all alone. Looking underwater to see the teaming life and then above to see a peaceful desolate dry world.
The marine aspects are the highlight of Wilson Island; but a short word about the food. Lindsay has been professionally trained and he takes high quality ingredients and does amazing food. It would not look out of place a fine dining establishments, except you are wearing shorts and flipflops with premium wines.
What is incredible is that there is no technology and you are removed from cell phone and wireless data. Funny I didn't miss this at all and time just passed so slowly.
One day at Wilson feels like 3 days -- it's that good !
Where? .......... you probably say. And that was also my reaction.
Wilson Island is the exclusive smaller island that is that is connected by a small boat from Heron Island. It seems that they had overbooked as had a function at Heron, therefore offered to move us to Wilson for the evening.
Heron Island is a beautiful island paradise; just an hour and a bit from Gladstone by a fast ferry. It is on the reef and you can snorkel just off the island. There is bird life, turtles and all the marine species that you expect. The food is all included and you have the conflict of eating and then you can't go into the water.
When we transfer to Wilson Island you leave behind all your wallets, iPhones and iPads. They supply a 'wet bag' and ask you to repack a smaller bag - a shirt or two, swimming costumes, wetsuit, sun screen and then you are ready to go.
On boarding our boat we soon understand why the 'wet bag' as there is quite the chop from the waves and the 'splash' effect is evident. It is a 'wet' landing and now I realise that the water shoes we bought, will come into great use. Also the notion of 'exclusive', becomes apparent as there are 4 guests in total.
As we land onto Wilson there is a beautiful white coral beach, with just amazing formations of coral. We are greeted by our chef (Lindsay) and Liaison Manager (Geri). Yes there are 2 staff and 4 guests.
Our beachside hut is named 'rapture'; interesting name.....my first thought is Jurassic Park? Actually rapture means being 'caught up', which is quite the misnomer as at Wilson Island you just drift away.
Each of these beachside huts is facing a private beach and have a great hammock. They are luxurious without being luxury, you soon have a smile on your face that really doesn't go away. There are no phones, TV or power points and the bathroom is centralised.
Lindsay works his magic at a common (longhouse); the first question that I will always remember asking him is 'what time is lunch?'. To which he answers: whenever you like. Lindsay recommends a swim and perhaps lunch at 2pm. They explain the safety aspects of swimming in the front (unpatrolled) beach and that there will be cocktails at sunset at 6:30pm.
Exciting, I trudge onto the white beach -- carefully avoiding the large sharp coral. It is a crystal clear day and the water is a surreal aqua blue. There is no-one else on the beach and it is somewhat erie, as I correct my goggles and have my first look underwater. It is amazing the water is only 1 metre deep and the reef is 2 metres offshore and there are thousands of fish of every colour that you can imagine.
Hint: They don't care that I'm there....it is just intimidating being in such a beautiful world and all alone. Looking underwater to see the teaming life and then above to see a peaceful desolate dry world.
The marine aspects are the highlight of Wilson Island; but a short word about the food. Lindsay has been professionally trained and he takes high quality ingredients and does amazing food. It would not look out of place a fine dining establishments, except you are wearing shorts and flipflops with premium wines.
What is incredible is that there is no technology and you are removed from cell phone and wireless data. Funny I didn't miss this at all and time just passed so slowly.
One day at Wilson feels like 3 days -- it's that good !
Friday, December 21, 2012
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)