It was a busy day culturally yesterday, even for old "Two Gigs" Goggins (as I have never been known). It started in the afternoon in Trafalgar Square for the "Africa on the Square" festival, where much fun was had by all. I particularly enjoyed the set by Aar Maanta, a UK-based Somali who is much funkier live than he generally is on record.
Then I strolled over to the South Bank to meet the lads for "Language is a Virus from Outer Space", an event celebrating the centenary of William Burroughs that was "curated" by Richard Strange. I was only going to see the long-awaited reunion of Doctors of Madness, which was just as well because the rest of it was utter twaddle. Fortunately the Doctors were great, and probably clinched the "Most Unlikely Guest Appearance of the Year" award when Joe Elliott of Def Leppard joined them to share lead vocals on "Suicide City".
Here's "Suicide City" without Joe, plus a track from Aar Maanta and - as a bonus - Richard Strange's finest solo moment.
"Qalbiga" - Aar Maanta
"Suicide City" - Doctors of Madness
"International Language" - Richard Strange
Richard Strange should be more famous. He makes an engaging front-man. Unfortunately, for the DoM, he has two problems - he can't sing and he can't tune his guitar.
ReplyDeleteThank you Griel Marcus
ReplyDeleteWhat?? A Doctors of Madness reunion that I don't know about? Any chance of more gigs?
ReplyDeleteJan, Netherlands
Jan - Supposedly it was a one-off, but let's hope they change their mind. Considering that line-up had not played together for 35 years they sounded great.
ReplyDelete