Funk / Jazz / Music / Pop / R&B / Soul / Uncategorized

Love Supreme meets the challenge of that ‘difficult second festival’

We’ve all heard the cliche about that “difficult second album”. Imagine how the challenges are multiplied with that difficult second jazz festival. Yet, Love Supreme II was again supreme. The inaugural Love Supreme Festival in July 2013 was such a success, I gave it a glowing 10 out of 10. It was the UK’s first … Continue reading

Film / Horror / Lyrics / Music / Songwriting / Theatre / Uncategorized

Psycho the musical?

Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho has, no doubt, fuelled many nightmares since its release 50-plus years ago, but the only Psycho-related nightmare I have is that one day someone might turn it into a musical. I find musicals disturbing at the best of times (except Singin’ in the Rain, of course), but imagine a musical about Norman’s … Continue reading

Funk / Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Pop / R&B / Songwriting / Soul / Uncategorized / Writing

Lining up for summer jazz

Two of the summer’s big jazz festivals have announced their 2014 line-ups – here’s Pink Pie’s look at what’s in store at Brecon and Love Supreme. The 30th anniversary Brecon Jazz Festival is headlined by Burt Bacharach, who opens the event on Thursday 7th August.  I’m not being disrespectful by saying Burt was never the … Continue reading

Cardiff / Comedy / Film / Jazz / Music / Pop / Songwriting / Theatre / Uncategorized / Wales

The musical that rains supreme

It doesn’t have much of a plot, its songs were mostly recycled from earlier productions, and the star was suffering a fever when he had to film the title song-and-dance routine, getting soaked to the skin in a shrinking wool suit. Sounds like a recipe for disaster, doesn’t it? But this was Singin’ in the … Continue reading

Film / Funk / Jazz / Lyrics / Music / Pop / R&B / Rock / Songwriting / Superheroes / Television / Uncategorized / Writing

If you’re seeking a pop-inspired philosophy, be a driver, not a rollercoaster rider

Maybe pop songs aren’t the best place to seek your philosophy of life, but if that’s where you’re looking, may I recommend you pay more heed to the acid-jazz/funk of Brand New Heavies than to the pop-pop/pop of Ronan Keating? Ronan told us in 2000, “Life is a rollercoaster/ Just gotta ride it” and I’ve … Continue reading