BecksFusions, Castlefield Arena, Manchester and the Daily Different

Tricky and 3D


Stephanie Dosen sings Teardrop


Stephanie Dosen again.

'Unfinished Symphony' with Shara Nelson at Becks Fusions, Castlefield Arena, Manchester
Stephanie Dosen, Tricky and 3D

Freedoms lost in the UK

Massive Attack - Horace Andy - Angel

Becks Fusions, The Daily Different

In the time since the Go Jo's, or when Pan's People twirled and flashed their knickers on Top of the Pops, or Bob Dylan adeptly changed his flashcards for his Subterranean Homesick Blues, and since MTV first shone shiny music videos from the screen in 1981, regards live music and art, times have changed.

What I want to know is, what were the first instances of music and art being performed live, and moreso, what instances exist of art being created simultaneously during a musical performance.

So during a recent weekend, I went on a 'field- trip' to Becks Fusions down in Manchester to start finding out.

Wow!

What is it with Jose Gonzalez? I've just heard his cover of the song 'Teardrop' by Massive Attack on the Iain Anderson show (who I only recently discovered is Jethro Tull himself!! This radio show is fantastic. I'm pretty rubbish at listening to the radio as I waft my chicken head in true scatt fashion, but boy, Iain knows what he's doing. I've listened to his show infrequently, but every time I come across him again, he blows my tiny mind. The guy's a legend)

Anyway, going back to Jose Gonzalez - I got introduced to the Epic electronic sounds of The Knife by a lovely friend called Kate and became hooked, so when Mr Gonzalez came around with his version of Heartbeat I was rather offensive. Hearing it played at every emotional docu/drama/advert did not aid his plight. But I can't help liking his music wee cretin that he is. Said in the most affectionate terms possible - so listen to his version of Teardrop. If you get to listen again to Iain Anderson's 17th August show do it. Beautiful. Apparently his new album's been getting rave reviews - In our Nature. Better check it out.