Later: With Jools
Posted by: Rasher on 07 May 2006
Good to see that a new series of just about the only music TV programme worth watching is back, and I made a special note of it as Pearl Jam were on, being one of my favorite bands (although I've bought the last 4 albums out of habit and wondered afterwards why I bothered). Anyroadsup, there was Corinne Bailey Rae on and I thought she was great, so I got my 8 year old daughter, who I thought would love her, to watch it next day (recorded it, see). She tells me she knows her songs already and then proceeded to sing along to them!!! Kids today, eh!! Sometimes I just wonder where she gets it all from, I really do! And then we have The Spinto Band. Now these guys were brilliant and I've just got to go out and get a CD right now. Reminded me of a cross between Talking Heads and Supergrass playing songs by The Strokes in limp mode. Fab stuff. We've watched them over and over and my wife can't understand why we like them, but then she STILL only likes U2 and The Waterboys - man, sometimes I think she is older than I am. Anyway, there's me and my daughter on the sofa watching them play "Oh Mandy" over and over 'till it's burned into our brains, nudging each other and grinning at how dipsy it really is. She can't get over why the bloke on the bass is wearing a girls cardigan, but I guess that era of youth daftness has yet to appear on her radar. We'll probably watch it again a few times more tomorrow when I get home from work and she's home from school.
Pearl Jam? They were okay I suppose but I think they take themselves a bit too seriously these days, and they'll end up being a bunch of numptys if they're not careful.
Can't wait 'till next week! Wonder who'll be on.
(Wasn't that Jamie Fox bloke a jerk!!)
Posted on: 07 May 2006 by u5227470736789439
I used to enjoy it when I had TV. I suppose I miss it a bit! Fred
Posted on: 07 May 2006 by Bob McC
I thought this weekend's Jools was one of the weakest ever offerings and hope it is a hiccough in a show that usually oozes quality.
Posted on: 07 May 2006 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by bob mccluckie:
I thought this weekend's Jools was one of the weakest ever offerings and hope it is a hiccough in a show that usually oozes quality.
We (Mrs JWM and I) used to love "Later", but we regret that we have been finding it increasingly tired and lacklustre. To us pretty much the whole of the last series was weak, and this first programme of the new series has not left us hopeful. Things do eventually run out of steam.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Stubby
I still watch it whenever it's on, I was particularly looking forward to this one as, like Rasher, I'm a big Pearl Jam fan. Rasher's comments about their recent offerings struck a chord with me too, although once again I've passed on my credit card details and am awaiting the postman to being me their new album as I type.
I thought the line up was ok, The Zutons and Corrine Bailey Rae were worth a listen, not so sure about The Spinto Band though...
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Malky
It lost its way a few series back. Ten years or so ago, I remember seeing some really great, original music. It seems a bit tired these days, over reliant on big names and greatest hits.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by woodface
This is a typical Later Episode: Lead act with product to sell, play 3-4 songs and go on a bit, a couple of indie hopefulls, embarrassing interview with b list celeb in audience and finally the obligatory 'off the cuff' performance with Jules and (often) lead performer where they pretend they have not rehearsed this little interlude to death (this is usually a rendition of 'Good Night Irene'). The latter part is to illustrate how 'real' they are. Best thing to do is to tape it and Fast Forward through the talk and the crap acts. Oh sorry, I forgot the token World/folk act that nobody likes but has to pretend to.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by manicatel
Yeah, OK, it may have lost some of its freshness, but is there a better live music series on the telly. Not one -off specials, glyndebourne, the proms etc?
matt.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by manicatel:
Yeah, OK, it may have lost some of its freshness, but is there a better live music series on the telly. Not one -off specials, glyndebourne, the proms etc?
matt.
The inevitable question arisng from that is WHY? Why is there not a better, or near-comparable, live music series? Because someone is technically incapable of producing one? Presumably not.
Jools certainly cornered the market in the early years of Later... and he is now of such legendary status, and so much part of the establishment, that 'king Jools' would be difficult to depose. (In that sense, it would be a bit like taking John Peel off air would have been - and no, I'm not suggesting Peely should have been!). Very difficult to do.
Even the Old Grey Whistle Test ran out of steam eventually and had the plug pulled. And something fresh and new came along in its wake.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by Rasher
I'd love to see another In Concert series. Now THAT would be something.
Posted on: 08 May 2006 by northpole
My oh my but I was ever so disappointed to see Pearl Jam coming across as wealthy, extremely comfortable middle class who just can't be arsed anymore. Hoping this performance was a misleading glip - otherwise they seem destined to follow REM into MOR oblivion.
Later does appear to have fallen into a formulaic approach with a clearly set out hierarchy of acts when what would be great is 2 or 3 top acts playing in the same space - too many egos / agents / record companies to allow that to happen these days perhaps?
Peter
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by Malky
I remember the mid-90's as the golden age of Later. Some fantastic performances I can recall;
The Jayhawks- Hollywood Town Hall era
The Kinks- Till The End Of The Day
as well as Jimmy Vaughan, Rainer Ptacek, Pops Staples, G-love and special sauce, Spearhead, Bonnie Rait and Steve Winwood.
Still got them all on VHS somewhere.
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by JWM
quote:
Originally posted by Malky:
I remember the mid-90's as the golden age of Later. Some fantastic performances I can recall;
The Jayhawks- Hollywood Town Hall era
The Kinks- Till The End Of The Day
as well as Jimmy Vaughan, Rainer Ptacek, Pops Staples, G-love and special sauce, Spearhead, Bonnie Rait and Steve Winwood.
Still got them all on VHS somewhere.
I certainly agree, and later in the 90s get us through those early years of children when it is more difficult to get out. And we have discovered some great new music through watching it, as well as seeing some old faves.
As we regard 'Hootenanny' as being 'Later at New Year', we also have to say that for us one great joy ('99?) was seeing Gomez giving an exilerating and interesting cover performance of the Doors' 'When the Music's Over'. How we'd love to see that again.
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by Rasher
In fairness to Pearl Jam, they are 14 years older than they were when they were recording Ten, so a bit of maturity isn't unexpected. We all do grow up eventually - well, most of us. I can live with that. I admit that I don't find them particularly worth listening to anymore though. In order to get old and still stay the same you have to be a cartoon band, like the New York Dolls or Kiss or Aerosmith. It doesn't work otherwise. How come the Dolls can rock, whereas the reformed Sex Pistols just looked sad and pathetic?
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by woodface
To be honest I am not convinced that music and television really work together any more? The problem with Later has always been it's eclectic nature, ultimately you will never like all the acts so end up sitting through some that are not to your taste.
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by JoeH
quote:
Originally posted by woodface:
To be honest I am not convinced that music and television really work together any more? The problem with Later has always been it's eclectic nature, ultimately you will never like all the acts so end up sitting through some that are not to your taste.
But wasn't it always like that? eg sitting through some hippy dreck on OGWT waiting for some 'decent' group to appear, or enduring the 'novelty' acts on TOTP in anticipation of Bowie or suchlike?
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by woodface
Good point JoeH, so really music on Television never really worked but we kind of put up with it. In the age of DVD we no longer have to? It is easy to look back on things like the Tube (excellent to variable), OGWT (patchy and a bit boring) and TOTP (always has been rubbish) and believe that things were better. In reality they weren't! I think with Later the annoying things have become more so and the good things diminished.
Posted on: 09 May 2006 by JoeH
quote:
I think with Later the annoying things have become more so and the good things diminished.
To be honest, I've never much cared for Later anyway, mainly because I find Jools Holland incredibly annoying regardless of whose on the show.
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Malky
John Fogerty tonight. Worth a punt.
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by manicatel
Just to put a positive mention in for jools. I can understand how his TV delivery style can grate on some people.
However, my brother is physically disabled, & a long time jools fan club member. When my brother started going to fewer live gigs, due to financial reasons, jools tour manager found out about it, & jools personally ok'd my brother+ 1 guest to be permanantly on the guest list at any of his UK shows. I think thats a nice touch & a refreshing change from a lot of the prima-donna attitude from famous entertainers we hear so much of.
matt
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Nigel Cavendish
I have never met him but I have no doubt he is a good bloke.
However, his show is mostly full of rubbish wannabes or has-beens and he comes across as a drooling sycophant.
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Diccus62
quote:
Originally posted by Malky:
John Fogerty tonight. Worth a punt.
....and We are Scientists who i hear very good reports of.
Its still my fav music show even if it has gone down hill. If there is one or two artists on that I like i'm happy. I notice that Jools doesnt play piano on every track these days which keeps me sane. I recently found out he played piano on the stunning 'Uncertain Smile' The The. One of my fave tracks from the 80's on 12" of course.
Diccus
Posted on: 12 May 2006 by Malky
Ah yes, I bought Soul Mining when it first came out (maybe after seeing The The on The Tube). I remember it being a favourite back in those days.
Posted on: 15 May 2006 by Malky
Well, I watched Friday's programme. Fogerty was in fine fettle belting out the old Creedence numbers. I really liked the hip-hop band with the Hendrix-y guitarist and mad rabbi frontman. Hmm.. I might start watching regularly again.
Posted on: 15 May 2006 by Malky
Just seen the line up for the 26th May show on BBC2 website.
Elvis Costello and Allen Toussaint,
David Crosby and Graham Nash,
The Streets,
and David Gilmour.
Sounds good.
Posted on: 26 May 2006 by Rasher
Don't forget tonight guys. Looks like making up for last weeks mediocrity.
