Le blog du Baron

11/05/2009: ONE MINUTE REVIEW "MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING" @ FORT CANNING

Back to Fort Canning Park over the week-end but this time to watch a SHAKESPEARE play rather than jump around to the sound of the KAISER CHIEFS.

I have now seen quite a few plays from the Bard (in Paris, Vienna and London including a representation of Henry V at the Globe Theatre) and although Richard III is by far my favourite, none is really as light and entertaining as MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING.

Director Edward DICK is certainly no stranger to Shakespeare having directed Romeo & Julia, Midsummer Night's Dream for the Sidney Theatre Company and even Twelth Night for  the Regent Park open air theatre. He had the great idea of setting the scene in a kind of early XXth century Art Deco hotel, with just enough colonial decadent flavour to fit Singapore perfectly.

But although his direction was inventive, he had a tendency to go for the easy, slapstick humour which certainly got the laughters but did not really highlight the subtleness and wittiness of the original text (check out Kenneth Brannagh film version to see what I mean).

Still, very good acting (Adrian Pang as Benedict), superb set and lots of rythm and pace makes it well worth the evening. And don't forget you can actually get in from 6:30 which gives you an hour for picknick and Pims.

technorati tags: Shakespeare Much ado about nothing Fort Canning Park
keotag tags: Shakespeare Much ado about nothing Fort Canning Park

28/04/2009: ONE MINUTE REVIEW "KELLEY POLLAR @ HOUSE DISCOPARK"

The concert of KELLEY POLAR at House on Dempsey Hill last Saturday could not have been more different  from the KAISER CHIEFS which I saw 2 weeks ago. 

To be honnest I expected 'nu disco' to sound at the same time more new and more disco (not much glitz and glam in the end). This being said, and although I don't think this will remain as the best bit of songwriting I have ever seen, some of the songs were definitely worth a good boogie, helped by an excellent bass player ("Atmosphere" as closing song).

A word on the place: small room. small crowd which was nice with lots of place to dance. And plenty more space outdoor to relax under the palmtrees.

technorati tags: One minute review Kelley Polar House Discopark Dempsey Hill
keotag tags: One minute review Kelley Polar House Discopark Dempsey Hill

08/04/2009: KAISER CHIEFS AT FORT CANNING PARK

I finally went to my first concert in Singapore yesterday evening. Apologies to Mr. Ben but it was to see the KAISER CHIEFS rather than ETC (who are soon to play an Easter gig so it was a close call). I have to admit that I have been somehow disappointed with their last album but thew new songs worked brilliantly played live. Credit to the Chiefs for putting on a great show, full of attitude and energy through and through. And even if they tend to overfill their songs with "na-na-na" choruses, it works well to get the crowd to join in during the concert. On the whole, a very good concert, the highlight being without a doubt their explosive version of NEVER MISS A BEAT followed by I PREDICT A RIOT in the middle of the set.

One word on the venue. It was the first time I got to one of the CONCERT AT THE PARK (still regret that I missed the TING TINGS in January) and it is such a great place for a concert. You can see the lights of Singapore all around, the moon above your head and what a nice feeling to attend a gig wearing shorts and flip flop (although I don't recommend when it gets muddy).

I'm already planning to be back, at the latest in August when Trent Reznor and NIN will be playing there ...

Here are some pictures taken during the evening (poor quality courtesy of my BB but hopefully enough to give everyone an idea).

 

 

                    

technorati tags: Kaiser Chiefs Fort Canning Park Live in Singapore 07/04/2009
keotag tags: Kaiser Chiefs Fort Canning Park Live in Singapore 07/04/2009

20/01/2009: ONE MINUTE REVIEW "SYNTHETICS"

In my line of duty, it is important to  find out about new independent producers and remixers. Which is why I'm always ready to lend an ear to a new remix and, providing it is any good, feature it on LE BLOG DU BARON. Here is the email I received fom Ben some time ago:

Dear Baron, I'm a keen follower of your blog, you've brightened my musical outlook with some great insights and downloads so thanks a million and keep it up!

I've ventured into the production side of things having been casually DJing around London for a good few years, and I've entered a track into this Radiohead Reckoner remix competition. I just been listening through your Zerocast Ultimate Radiohead Remix Competition and there's some crackers on there. I'd love you to hear my effort, it's always good to get feedback from other people who know their music and, well, if you like it perhaps you could post it on the blog? And if not, I'd love to hear what you genuinely think of it!

What do I think ? Actually I think it is absolutely excellent, one of the most atmospheric RECKONER remixes I have heard, and although I missed the deadline to vote for this remix by a long way, I promised myself to post it up. Here it is:

 

RADIOHEAD Reckoner (Synthetics 24hr Mix) download

 

And if you like what you hear, you can check SYNTHETICS MUSIC site here.

technorati tags: Radiohead Reckoner remix contest Synthetics One minute review
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13/10/2008: ONE MINUTE REVIEW "ETC"

Over the last few months I've started to receive more and more music submissions (a sign of my growing stature as a power blogger, LOL) and so I have decided to make the ONE MINUTE REVIEW a more regular feature on this blog.

And it seems only fair to start with ETC since Ben has been officially the first person to welcome me in Singapore. A pillar in the Singapore music scene, ETC offers the kind of garage pop you would expect more to hear on the late John Peel BBC program (a key influence on singer/ guitarist Ben Harrison, Peel described ETC as "noisy ... but not too noisy. Spanking good tunes") than on Singaporean airwaves. 

ASTROGAL is a strong favourites on the band MS page while a track like HANDPHONES ON THE DANCE FLOOR displays the kind of energy ETC delivers live. You can find out more about ETC on MySpace, ReverbNation or catch them on one of their frequent gigs around Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.

technorati tags: One minute review ETC Singapore music Scene Ben Harrison
keotag tags: One minute review ETC Singapore music Scene Ben Harrison