David Bowie at Meltdown. Picture by Total Blam Blam
I’m changing time
Meltdown : The Telegraph : 07/03/02
David’s performance at Meltdown was the subject of an additional review in The Telegraph, from a journalist who is also a lifelong fan – Sarah Crompton. Here are a couple of extracts:-
“…… this year he released Heathen, … a work in which he has somehow found a way to unite the man he once was with the person he is, to tap back into the wellsprings of his creativity and, in a manner both moving and uplifting, pull out songs that linger in the memory.”
“It struck me that, once again, as he has so many times in his career, he was setting a new pattern for other rock idols to follow. …. Like great painters, they can find a way to refine a work to its essence, to make the product of their age as burnished as the songs of their youth; to combine innocence and experience and still be heroes.”
Meltdown : The Telegraph : 07/04/02
Also in The Telegraph, this time from Neil McCormick, a story about some of the well-known names backstage at Meltdown, and their take on the events of the evening.
Brian Eno:- “It was actually quite bizarre, sitting in the audience hearing all those sounds and arrangements we created being so immaculately replicated by other musicians.”
Bono:- “Back in the Seventies, it was something strange and alien, this harsh, cold, Teutonic sound.” Tonight everyone was singing along. It sounded like pop music.”
Kylie:- “I’ve never actually heard it before. When did it come out? Well, I was only nine! Its not the kind of thing we were singing in the playground in Melbourne!”
Bowie, Bono, Eno backstage at Meltdown. © Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com
Aladdin Sane : Usa Today : 07/01/02
As part of the Absolut Album Covers campaign – ” a salute to the artists whose designs have left an indelible mark on music” – Rob O’Connor, founder and creative director of London-based design agency Stylorouge, talks about the design process for the cover of Aladdin Sane. Click here to listen and to view some rather nifty Flash 6 animation.
and..
There are quite a number of reviews online covering the other performers at Meltdown, more of which from Blammo later. Here are a couple of links and quotes to whet your appetite.
Meltdown (Mercury Rev) : The Independent : 07/02/02
“Masterfully constructed, the show astonishes because the band can continually scale new peaks…. Goddess on a Hiway” is like a Chuck Berry car-driving song as remodelled by Philip K Dick, stretching out into a sensurround rhapsody. “Opus 40″ glories in subterranean explosions and wired-to-the-moon pyrotechnics, Donahue crouched down, tearing several shades of destruction from his guitar, while the predatory bass, drums and keyboards hover as if waiting for the kill.”
Meltdown (Television/Luke Haines) : The Independent : 06/24/02
From the pulsating brilliance of “Little Johnny Jewel” to the adrenaline rush of “See No Evil”, they are as beguiling as ever. “Marquee Moon”, with its rippling, free-form jazz-style wig-out, is quite exceptional. This was a rare appearance from a rarely talented band ? we should treasure them while we can.”
:))