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LENNY HENRY'S DUDLEY PREMIERE

21/8/2015

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It's not often that the words "Dudley" and "premiere" are mentioned  in the same sentence, but last night Lenny Henry strode along the red carpet  in his home town for the first public screening of his drama "Danny and the Human Zoo".

This feature length semi-autobiography airs on BBC1 on Bank Holiday Monday and recounts Danny's (ie Lenny's) torrid teenage years when he became an overnight sensation on TV talent show New Faces before enduring the indignity of performing with the Black And White Minstrels.

I was invited to compere the Q&A after the show, but some of the best fun was to be had outside as Lenny rolled up in a chauffeur driven limo at the Showcase Cinema, and joshed with the queuing fans. Unlike the frenzy you might see at a Leicester Square premiere, this was a down to earth, typically Black Country affair, the star posing for selfies and hugging long lost friends.

Also on the red carpet were Director Destiny Ekhagara (in the blue dress), and Khasion Franklin who plays the young Lenny.

"Danny and The Human Zoo" doesn't shy away from the racism - overt and otherwise - of the era, but it simultaneously celebrates the achievements and opportunities of the immigrant experience; not to mention Danny's hard won wisdom in the face of a shocking family secret.

Well worth watching.

Danny and The Human Zoo is on BBC1 at 9pm on Bank Holiday Monday, August 31

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POSTCARDS:  #2 LIVERPOOL

19/8/2015

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As an infrequent (but extremely willing) visitor to Liverpool, I can't help but be struck by the discrepancy between the city now and when I first knew it in the 80's.

Then, Merseyside was on its knees, laid low by forces as varied as the decline of Empire, the kill or cure economic medicine of Thatcherism, and the self destructive urges of Militant Tendency.  Two football tragedies in the space of four years - Heysel and Hillsborough - didn't help, and even now a tabloid and terrace mythology persists that the 'Pool has a victim mentality and thinks the world owes it a living.

For what it's worth, I've always found the other prevailing legend to be more accurate.  The Liverpool I know is a place of happy go lucky wit, and easy banter.  There's sometimes an edge of course - no big city can do without it - not to mention the defiant braggadocio of a population that has been sneered at once too often.

But let's face it, Liverpool has loads to boast about.  It's economic renaissance is as remarkable as its Imperial architecture; and when it comes to musical heritage The Beatles just about trumps any global brand short of Elvis.  Just to make sure, though, a second wave of Merseybeat gave us Echo & The Bunnymen, OMD and The Lightning Seeds.

Having cornered the market in pop, it then went and did the popular culture Double in the 80's by providing a home to one of the most successful football teams in Europe.

It hasn't got it all right, mind.  It seems to me that the showpiece Three Graces which adorn the waterfront have been deliberately and provocatively challenged by modern seafront buildings which, though interesting in their own right, sit at odds with their historical setting; and the concentration of wonderful museums down at Albert Dock has created a self-contained "Tourist Quarter" which means some visitors might give the rest of the city a miss altogether.

That would be a pity.  Whether it's the two great cathedrals (and I don't mean Anfield or Goodison), the five theatres or just the craic to be found in a random pub, Liverpool is a rarity - an earthy working class city where artistic creativity and simply being different is indulged.  I love it.

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STONE FOUNDATION ALBUM LAUNCH

7/8/2015

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Stone Foundation are clearly old enough to know better - but here they are, four blokes well past the first flush of youth, giving it their all for the sake of making their own sweet, soul music.

Normally there are eight of them,  but tonight's show at The Brewdog in Birmingham is performed by a slimmed down version of the band, hammering through a few of their latest numbers before the crowd settles back to hear new album "A Life Unlimited" over the P.A.

As singer-guitarist Neil Jones gives it the full-on, neck bulging emote during "Pushing Your Love", the thought strikes you that these guys could easily earn a comfortable crust knocking out Motown covers for the wedding circuit - or maybe they could hustle a living as a Blues Brothers tribute act.

But that just wouldn't be good enough.  Though clearly enamoured of the classic sounds of black America - not to mention a plentiful dash of Van Morrison and Dexy's - Stone Foundation are all about taking inspiration from the music they love, not merely copying it.

It's an approach which has won the backing of Northern Soul legend Nolan Porter - now a regular collaborator - and, on their latest release, Graham Parker - one of Britain's greatest white "black" voices.

Like so many thoroughly worthwhile bands, they suffer from the chronic lack of airplay on UK radio for musicians who aren't backed by oodles of record company payola and/or don't look like they would adorn your daughter's bedroom wall.  

Yet they already have a following in Japan and must surely be close to something like a breakthrough here.   You have to believe that songwriting and musicianship of this quality can't be ignored.

They're touring with the full complement in the autumn and should not be missed.

"A Life Unlimited Is Out Now".

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ENGLAND TAKE 2-1 ASHES LEAD

2/8/2015

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There's no pretence at art about the thumbnails below - they're just fan photos taken from the Priory Stand at Edgbaston on Friday afternoon. 

Still, they capture a wonderful moment in English cricket - the seconds after Alastair Cook's side clinched an eight wicket win over the Aussies to take a 2-1 lead in the Ashes.

The only time I ever bunked off school was to see an England v Australia Test - even as a youngster I realised that the chance to see Dennis Lillee and Jeff Thomson in their prime was worth a detention.

For years the Aussies had it over us, until the unforgettable series of 2005, when England claimed the urn for the first time in 18 years.

Back then, the Edgbaston test was a crucial turning point, with England winning by just two runs, and and after a caning at Lords, the Birmingham stadium could once again prove to be a turning point.

With Warwickshire's homegrown star Ian Bell unbeaten at the crease in the second innings (rescuing his Test career as well as his team) alongside Joe Root - who thumped the winning four - it was a good day all round for the home fans, marred only by the knowledge that top bowler Jimmy Anderson will miss the next match with a side strain.

The visitors, though, are no pushovers.  A Test which threatened to be over within two days, ultimately stretched into two full sessions on Day 3.  

Although the result was never in doubt after Australia were bowled out for 136 in the first innings, obstinate batting down the order by Peter Nevill and Mitchell Starc ensured that England had to wait for victory.  

There are undoubtedly more tough challenges ahead.
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