Portishead live...great stuff

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote: Is it just me or have Portishead aged about 10 years since I last saw them on telly?

The one on guitar maybe.But not the lovely Beth

Interview and session versions (?) of The Rip and Machine Gun on Pete Tong's Thursday night show.

Part 1 is at 20 mins in and Part 2 at 50 mins in

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/innewmusicwetrust/petetong/

Not impressed by the new album. Was really hoping they would go back in the direction of Dummy... maybe it requires a couple listens, but not at all as good as Dummy of the Self-titled...:\ohwell:

I'm sick of Machine Gun already altho wasn't a big fan of it in the first place.But The Rip , We Carry On, Silence and Threads are good uns

Had a bit of time to digest the Jools Holland bits. Machine Gun is a bit pointless really - repetitive, tuneless, aimless..... a bit of a non-sequitur really. The other tune We Carry On is a bit better - more expansive and cinematic. Take away Beth Gibbons' voice though and it's pretty pedestrian fare really - that's being truthful.

Maybe I was one of the few who preferred their second album to the all-too-familiar coffee table staple that was their first album? I don't know.... I loved the darker tones and more distorted vocalising of that second album. But then live, they're an unpredictable proposition aren't they? I believe it's true that Beth Gibbons stage-dived into the audience at one or two gigs - she was that pissed. Can someone verify this and confirm that it's not just rumour? Well, if that was the case, good for her! I wish I was there to see that!

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote:

Maybe I was one of the few who preferred their second album to the all-too-familiar coffee table staple that was their first album? I don't know.... I loved the darker tones and more distorted vocalising of that second album.

Oh aye i'm with you on that one.I much prefer the second album from the first.For the same reasons you mention - the darker tones and the distorted vocals.Like about half of the new album but out of all three albums ( i don't count the live in NY one ) the second is the best in my opinion.

johnny wrote:

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote:

Maybe I was one of the few who preferred their second album to the all-too-familiar coffee table staple that was their first album? I don't know.... I loved the darker tones and more distorted vocalising of that second album.

Oh aye i'm with you on that one.I much prefer the second album from the first.For the same reasons you mention - the darker tones and the distorted vocals.Like about half of the new album but out of all three albums ( i don't count the live in NY one ) the second is the best in my opinion.

While I think Dummy had more timeless songs, I put their second album not as second-class to their first, but in a catagory of its own. I wouldn't want it changed a bit... but it is definately a mood album, whereas Dummy is good for anytime.

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote: H

I believe it's true that Beth Gibbons stage-dived into the audience at one or two gigs - she was that pissed. Can someone verify this and confirm that it's not just rumour?

Hmmm..... not sure i've ever heard of her being totally pissed at a gig and jumping into the audience.Sure you're not thinking of Courtney Love?

johnny wrote:

By 'Eck! My Neck! wrote: H

I believe it's true that Beth Gibbons stage-dived into the audience at one or two gigs - she was that pissed. Can someone verify this and confirm that it's not just rumour?

Hmmm..... not sure i've ever heard of her being totally pissed at a gig and jumping into the audience.Sure you're not thinking of Courtney Love?

No, not at all, I'm positive that there was a gig review (either in the Melody Maker or the NME or even SELECT - can't be exactly sure) that actually went on about how surprised the audience was when Beth took it upon herself at one of the encores to actually jump into the crowd. The exact tour, year, city and venue escapes me but I might have to delve into some back issues of old music inklies to see if I can track it down. It were well funny reading about it though. I do remember seeing them collecting a Brit award (or was it the Mercury Music prize?) and Beth was none the worse for wear from drink and stood up there gesticulating and laughing behind Geoff Barrow's back as he tried to make an acceptance speech or summat.