REVIEW
LULU ANNOUNCES BIGGEST EVER UK TOUR
All About The Music Tour
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Sat 25th November 2017
LULU ANNOUNCES BIGGEST EVER UK TOUR
All About The Music Tour
Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea
Sat 25th November 2017
On the final gig of a 44 date tour Lulu took to the stage dressed entirely in black, from her Fedora hat and sunglasses down to her tassle-sleeved blouse and bootcut jeans creating a somewhat moody look but certainly didn't take long to brighten up the Southend Cliffs Pavilion crowd. It doesn't seem possible that Lulu has been in the music industry for over 50 years, (give or take a couple of hiatuses), so much so that I found myself Googling how old she actually is. Ditching the sunglasses after the first few numbers and proving that despite the fact that this has been a long tour, she looked every bit as energetic as someone at least half her age (it's sixty-nine by the way), the first half of the show was filled with a mixture of self penned songs, covers, including Al Green's Take Me To The River and Bowie's Man Who Sold The World and of course not leaving out her own hits with The Boat That I Row and ending with the hit that gave Lulu her first UK No 1 in 1993 with Take That, Relight My Fire.
Lulu can effortlessly work a stage and an audience and at the Cliffs Pavilion really gave each song every ounce of drama she could put into it. She is also backed by some hugely talented musicians not least her two guitarists Louis Riccardi and Darren Hodson who also join her for duets during the gig. Backing vocals and harmonies from the band are spot on.
Lulu returned to the stage for the second part of the show looking even more youthful having changed into a white denim jacket and converse trainers and didn't let the energy lapse for a moment while she paid homage to the late, great Tom Petty with Stop Dragging My Heart Around, strutted her stuff to Elle King's Ex's and Oh's and boastfully regaled us of the time she got to not only star with Sidney Poitier in To Sir With Love but also to sing the film's title song reaching number one on the US pop charts for five weeks in 1967 and was Billboard magazine's No. 1 pop single for that year.
She also paid an emotional tribute to her ex-husband, Maurice Gibb and his legendary Bee Gee brothers with a montage of their songs sharing some anecdotes of when she was lucky enough to be able to spend time with them in the recording studio. As she sat on the edge of the stage to sing this medley, a weeping member of the audience caught her eye, leaving Lulu herself fighting back the tears and needing a moment to compose herself which endeared her even more to the audience who were clearly absorbing everything she was saying.
Highlights included the song she and her brother wrote for Tina Turner, I Don't Want Fight with fabulous accompaniment from guitarist Louis, The Man With the Golden Gun where Lulu confessed she had a crush on its composer, John Barry for years and of course the much anticipated Shout! Lulu proved that yes, she really can still belt out a tune!
As Lulu tells us, "When they heard me sing Shout all those years ago, they said I'd never last. Well, I've still got it and I ain't going anywhere!" I don't disbelieve her!
Review: Kim Tobin
Lulu can effortlessly work a stage and an audience and at the Cliffs Pavilion really gave each song every ounce of drama she could put into it. She is also backed by some hugely talented musicians not least her two guitarists Louis Riccardi and Darren Hodson who also join her for duets during the gig. Backing vocals and harmonies from the band are spot on.
Lulu returned to the stage for the second part of the show looking even more youthful having changed into a white denim jacket and converse trainers and didn't let the energy lapse for a moment while she paid homage to the late, great Tom Petty with Stop Dragging My Heart Around, strutted her stuff to Elle King's Ex's and Oh's and boastfully regaled us of the time she got to not only star with Sidney Poitier in To Sir With Love but also to sing the film's title song reaching number one on the US pop charts for five weeks in 1967 and was Billboard magazine's No. 1 pop single for that year.
She also paid an emotional tribute to her ex-husband, Maurice Gibb and his legendary Bee Gee brothers with a montage of their songs sharing some anecdotes of when she was lucky enough to be able to spend time with them in the recording studio. As she sat on the edge of the stage to sing this medley, a weeping member of the audience caught her eye, leaving Lulu herself fighting back the tears and needing a moment to compose herself which endeared her even more to the audience who were clearly absorbing everything she was saying.
Highlights included the song she and her brother wrote for Tina Turner, I Don't Want Fight with fabulous accompaniment from guitarist Louis, The Man With the Golden Gun where Lulu confessed she had a crush on its composer, John Barry for years and of course the much anticipated Shout! Lulu proved that yes, she really can still belt out a tune!
As Lulu tells us, "When they heard me sing Shout all those years ago, they said I'd never last. Well, I've still got it and I ain't going anywhere!" I don't disbelieve her!
Review: Kim Tobin
Competition winners, Jenny Robinson, 29 from Wickford and Leanne Stock-Gibson, 23, from Leigh on Sea both said they really enjoyed the show and loved every minute of it!
Interview with Lulu!
All About The Music Tour celebrates six decades in the music industry how do you keep the magic alive?
Six decades is amazing! You know the weird thing is I have to say “It's really been that long?” They say time passes really fast when you are having fun and I could apply that to me. It's happened without me even blinking because this is what I live for, I live for music. It's a blessing in my life.
How do you keep the shows exciting for you and the audience?
First of all I’ve only been with this band for around 4 years and that’s helped shake things up. They’re all younger than me, so there's a young energy which I love. We keep it fresh and new and the great thing is these guys are influenced by the same music that I was and still am but they have a new slant.
I've heard you exhaust them?
That’s what they say – haha! If it's not fun it's a slog, and who wants to do anything that's a slog if you don't have to? Sometimes in life one has to do a slog but generally it's fun.
Onstage you tell stories between songs. How do you pick which tales to share with your fans?
Well, you have a set list and certain songs evoke certain memories. The rest just flows.
What can go wrong?
Almost anything, but when you have been doing this as long as I have you learn to use it. It keeps it real, keeps me humble and gives the audience a bit of a laugh when you’re all in on it together.
What was the first concert you ever performed at?
It was a theatre or small hall and I was very, very young and I sang ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ and I forgot the words. I just repeated the first verse and I wanted to die, but nobody mentioned it afterwards. I thought it was the worst thing I had done in my whole life. I was probably about 6. What I do remember is I had a sticky-out frock and I think I was so pleased with myself that the excitement affected my memory. [Laughs]
What was the first concert you went to?
I remember going to a really dirty club to see Alex Harvey when I was just about 13. I don't know if that was my first show but I was not allowed to go to those places because I was so young, but my mother wangled it so I could go. I used to sing in a band at the weekends, so the boys in the band had to look after me. Alex came backstage dressed in black leather and jet-black hair and he sang 'Shout'. It was the first time I ever heard it and I went out the next day and bought the record by The Isley Brothers, and the rest is history.
You were one of or the first female artist to play an Eastern bloc country in 1966 what was the experience like, considering you were only 17 or 18.
I was with The Hollies and it was scary. It was cold, the place was very run down and there were bullet marks on buildings. There was debris and there was a lot of poverty. It was also memorable because when we did the concerts there were guards all around watching the audience, so they didn't stand up or get excited. When they started to get excited the guards slapped them down.
Where does your energy come from?
I guess I was blessed with a lot of energy, and I think if you are healthy you have a lot of energy. Some people love it and some would prefer you to shut up and sit down. It's all about how you use your energy for the positive, and as you get older it’s about pacing your energy - and for that I do meditation and Chi Gong.
You famously toured with Take That around the Relight My Fire hit. Did the boys have as many cosmetics in their dressing room to prepare for the show as you?
They actually had a hairdresser who toured with them who did make up, too - but they needed very little, they were so young.
Do you travel light?
Well now I want to focus on the music when I'm on stage. It's not about costume changes and it's definitely not about glitter or sequins or frocks. I want the focus to be about the music. In practical terms, so it’s much easier. I wear a hat so I don't even have to do my hair. I can be ready in 20 minutes
Do you think today’s young female bands and artists are under too much pressure to look good?
YES. Now it's world domination or nothing, and that is tremendous pressure - and you'll be dropped like a hot potato if you don't sell a certain amount of records. It was different back then.
Do you listen to new music artists?
Yes I do. I know a lot of people my age sit around and listen to old music but that's not what I do. I listen to lots of stuff, old and new. The new Lady Gaga record is great, I love Zayn Malik, Adele, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Sigma - and I think Beyoncé has done something that no other black female has done. She is a consummate entertainer. I just get so excited by so many artists. I also love Paolo Nutini - Paolo is the real deal; he's a real blues singer. I also think Calvin Harris is doing the most unbelievable work. There is so much I enjoy.
What are your ‘must haves’ in the make-up bag.
Good skin care. Thank God for TimeBomb. Before you put anything on your skin, it has to be in the best condition it can be. You have to make sure you are hydrated internally and externally and make sure you get lots of sleep so your face looks like it's alive instead of dead. You've got to, as opposed to a young person, where it doesn't really matter because they always look gorgeous.
I have to have the right stuff underneath; good foundation, the right blusher and lots of eyelashes - and my favourite thing is to try and get the J-Lo lips! Really, for me, she just kills it. That's what I try to do, those luscious lips. Laughs
Everything is off before I go to bed.
How do you know what to perform on stage for the new tour?
If you are an artist you want to take your audience on a journey. You want to take them through memories, poignant, sad, happy, but ultimately you want them to have a good night out, so the goal is to get people up on their feet so they don't have sore bums from sitting down. So a collection of my hits, a few new self-penned songs and it all just comes together organically once the boys and I are in rehearsals.
Could you see yourself doing a new Bond theme, a follow up to 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun?
Only if I wrote it.
How were you affected when you needed vocal surgery in the early ‘80s?
It was pretty scary but thank god it all turned out ok. So now while on tour I don't speak for 12 hours after a show. This makes sure I’m in peak condition for the next show .With all the travelling and the talking that needs to be done, I’ve learnt to pace myself. Sometimes you have things happen to you in your life which shape you, and if you recover and learn from them it's not a bad experience. It's actually a good experience, ultimately, because you learn what to do to prevent it happening again and it gives you humility. So from that experience I have a lot of gratitude that I’m still doing it and doin’ it good.
Six decades is amazing! You know the weird thing is I have to say “It's really been that long?” They say time passes really fast when you are having fun and I could apply that to me. It's happened without me even blinking because this is what I live for, I live for music. It's a blessing in my life.
How do you keep the shows exciting for you and the audience?
First of all I’ve only been with this band for around 4 years and that’s helped shake things up. They’re all younger than me, so there's a young energy which I love. We keep it fresh and new and the great thing is these guys are influenced by the same music that I was and still am but they have a new slant.
I've heard you exhaust them?
That’s what they say – haha! If it's not fun it's a slog, and who wants to do anything that's a slog if you don't have to? Sometimes in life one has to do a slog but generally it's fun.
Onstage you tell stories between songs. How do you pick which tales to share with your fans?
Well, you have a set list and certain songs evoke certain memories. The rest just flows.
What can go wrong?
Almost anything, but when you have been doing this as long as I have you learn to use it. It keeps it real, keeps me humble and gives the audience a bit of a laugh when you’re all in on it together.
What was the first concert you ever performed at?
It was a theatre or small hall and I was very, very young and I sang ‘Smoke Gets In Your Eyes’ and I forgot the words. I just repeated the first verse and I wanted to die, but nobody mentioned it afterwards. I thought it was the worst thing I had done in my whole life. I was probably about 6. What I do remember is I had a sticky-out frock and I think I was so pleased with myself that the excitement affected my memory. [Laughs]
What was the first concert you went to?
I remember going to a really dirty club to see Alex Harvey when I was just about 13. I don't know if that was my first show but I was not allowed to go to those places because I was so young, but my mother wangled it so I could go. I used to sing in a band at the weekends, so the boys in the band had to look after me. Alex came backstage dressed in black leather and jet-black hair and he sang 'Shout'. It was the first time I ever heard it and I went out the next day and bought the record by The Isley Brothers, and the rest is history.
You were one of or the first female artist to play an Eastern bloc country in 1966 what was the experience like, considering you were only 17 or 18.
I was with The Hollies and it was scary. It was cold, the place was very run down and there were bullet marks on buildings. There was debris and there was a lot of poverty. It was also memorable because when we did the concerts there were guards all around watching the audience, so they didn't stand up or get excited. When they started to get excited the guards slapped them down.
Where does your energy come from?
I guess I was blessed with a lot of energy, and I think if you are healthy you have a lot of energy. Some people love it and some would prefer you to shut up and sit down. It's all about how you use your energy for the positive, and as you get older it’s about pacing your energy - and for that I do meditation and Chi Gong.
You famously toured with Take That around the Relight My Fire hit. Did the boys have as many cosmetics in their dressing room to prepare for the show as you?
They actually had a hairdresser who toured with them who did make up, too - but they needed very little, they were so young.
Do you travel light?
Well now I want to focus on the music when I'm on stage. It's not about costume changes and it's definitely not about glitter or sequins or frocks. I want the focus to be about the music. In practical terms, so it’s much easier. I wear a hat so I don't even have to do my hair. I can be ready in 20 minutes
Do you think today’s young female bands and artists are under too much pressure to look good?
YES. Now it's world domination or nothing, and that is tremendous pressure - and you'll be dropped like a hot potato if you don't sell a certain amount of records. It was different back then.
Do you listen to new music artists?
Yes I do. I know a lot of people my age sit around and listen to old music but that's not what I do. I listen to lots of stuff, old and new. The new Lady Gaga record is great, I love Zayn Malik, Adele, Rihanna, Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, Sigma - and I think Beyoncé has done something that no other black female has done. She is a consummate entertainer. I just get so excited by so many artists. I also love Paolo Nutini - Paolo is the real deal; he's a real blues singer. I also think Calvin Harris is doing the most unbelievable work. There is so much I enjoy.
What are your ‘must haves’ in the make-up bag.
Good skin care. Thank God for TimeBomb. Before you put anything on your skin, it has to be in the best condition it can be. You have to make sure you are hydrated internally and externally and make sure you get lots of sleep so your face looks like it's alive instead of dead. You've got to, as opposed to a young person, where it doesn't really matter because they always look gorgeous.
I have to have the right stuff underneath; good foundation, the right blusher and lots of eyelashes - and my favourite thing is to try and get the J-Lo lips! Really, for me, she just kills it. That's what I try to do, those luscious lips. Laughs
Everything is off before I go to bed.
How do you know what to perform on stage for the new tour?
If you are an artist you want to take your audience on a journey. You want to take them through memories, poignant, sad, happy, but ultimately you want them to have a good night out, so the goal is to get people up on their feet so they don't have sore bums from sitting down. So a collection of my hits, a few new self-penned songs and it all just comes together organically once the boys and I are in rehearsals.
Could you see yourself doing a new Bond theme, a follow up to 1974’s The Man With The Golden Gun?
Only if I wrote it.
How were you affected when you needed vocal surgery in the early ‘80s?
It was pretty scary but thank god it all turned out ok. So now while on tour I don't speak for 12 hours after a show. This makes sure I’m in peak condition for the next show .With all the travelling and the talking that needs to be done, I’ve learnt to pace myself. Sometimes you have things happen to you in your life which shape you, and if you recover and learn from them it's not a bad experience. It's actually a good experience, ultimately, because you learn what to do to prevent it happening again and it gives you humility. So from that experience I have a lot of gratitude that I’m still doing it and doin’ it good.
In your experience, what gets easier as you get older?
Most things become easier because I live from a position of having gratitude. I've become philosophical, and as tough as it is for me not to kneejerk into a negative place when things go wrong, I always have a way of getting back and looking at acceptance of what is and what I can't change. It doesn’t happen in a flash; it’s a process, and I now have the support and the tools to process.
And what gets tougher?
Maintenance. It’s a bitch…ha-ha! There's a big piece of acceptance in growing older. I look at myself and go 'oh my God’. You never really thought this would happen. When you have success at a young age, the pop star sort of thing, you think you’re invincible, so it’s a shock to see that you are not.
If you Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger went on stage together who do you think would be the last one standing?
I think that would be very difficult because you hear endless praise about Jagger doing his amazing run at the end of every gig The Stones play, and I don't see Macca giving up any time soon, so that would be a very tough race.
Do you compare notes with your contemporaries?
Yes. I saw Ringo Starr the other day and we were very pleased with ourselves. (laughs) I said, “You look great”. And he said, “You look great, Lu”. It was all “Oh my God, we are still here!” There's an appreciation of how we've managed to keep our heads above water. I know he has the same philosophy as me. We follow the same school of thought, in that we are very grateful for what we've got and we both love touring. Macca’s the same, Jagger’s the same. That’s all we talk about. We all say we love it.
If someone had told your 15 year-old self you would have this life ahead of you what would you have thought?
I would have said are you having a laugh, because I have had such an amazing life! How could a young 15 year-old have predicted the way my life was going unfold? It has been a roller coaster…I thought I was going to be a singing hairdresser who never left Glasgow!
Anything else you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
I wish I would have known I could write songs.
What makes you really proud?
At the weekend I was with my son and my grandchildren, we were making birthday cards and a poster for their mum, who was about to return from a few days away with her girls friends. It was such a sweet moment and I sat back and thought, “wow, didn’t Jordon do well” - and I get to share it. That was a proud moment.
Does your son ever say “Come on Mum, put your feet up”?
Well it’s more like he'd say “I'd like to tell you to sit down but I know it's not going to happen.” That would be more his way as saying it. If I go on a holiday he says “You deserve it. You've worked hard all your life, Mum.”
Could you see yourself retiring?
No I could not! As far as I am concerned, I don't work anywhere near the way I used to because it was compulsive then. Now I choose everything I do and I am as busy as I want to be - and as busy as anything.
If there was to be a film made about your life who would you like to play the main role?
Jennifer Lawrence!
What luxury items always go in your travel bag?
Fragrant Indian oils, Green & Black’s Dark Chocolate and a Travel pillow!
Who has given you the best advice about your voice?
I met Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas and he asked if I made it a habit to warm up my voice and if I did vocal exercises before a show, which I didn't back then. I was there with Maurice (Gibb) and Frank offered to teach me, but I never followed it up because I was too shy. And then of course I went off and hurt my voice, so now I am religious about looking after it. So, yes, Frank, I eventually took your advice.
What was the best advice Maurice gave you about singing?
Maurice never gave me advice, he thought everything I did was great! Bless his heart.
Is there anyone one you'd still like to work with or duet with?
Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, and I'd love to do something with Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and so many more!
Most things become easier because I live from a position of having gratitude. I've become philosophical, and as tough as it is for me not to kneejerk into a negative place when things go wrong, I always have a way of getting back and looking at acceptance of what is and what I can't change. It doesn’t happen in a flash; it’s a process, and I now have the support and the tools to process.
And what gets tougher?
Maintenance. It’s a bitch…ha-ha! There's a big piece of acceptance in growing older. I look at myself and go 'oh my God’. You never really thought this would happen. When you have success at a young age, the pop star sort of thing, you think you’re invincible, so it’s a shock to see that you are not.
If you Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger went on stage together who do you think would be the last one standing?
I think that would be very difficult because you hear endless praise about Jagger doing his amazing run at the end of every gig The Stones play, and I don't see Macca giving up any time soon, so that would be a very tough race.
Do you compare notes with your contemporaries?
Yes. I saw Ringo Starr the other day and we were very pleased with ourselves. (laughs) I said, “You look great”. And he said, “You look great, Lu”. It was all “Oh my God, we are still here!” There's an appreciation of how we've managed to keep our heads above water. I know he has the same philosophy as me. We follow the same school of thought, in that we are very grateful for what we've got and we both love touring. Macca’s the same, Jagger’s the same. That’s all we talk about. We all say we love it.
If someone had told your 15 year-old self you would have this life ahead of you what would you have thought?
I would have said are you having a laugh, because I have had such an amazing life! How could a young 15 year-old have predicted the way my life was going unfold? It has been a roller coaster…I thought I was going to be a singing hairdresser who never left Glasgow!
Anything else you wish you had known at the beginning of your career?
I wish I would have known I could write songs.
What makes you really proud?
At the weekend I was with my son and my grandchildren, we were making birthday cards and a poster for their mum, who was about to return from a few days away with her girls friends. It was such a sweet moment and I sat back and thought, “wow, didn’t Jordon do well” - and I get to share it. That was a proud moment.
Does your son ever say “Come on Mum, put your feet up”?
Well it’s more like he'd say “I'd like to tell you to sit down but I know it's not going to happen.” That would be more his way as saying it. If I go on a holiday he says “You deserve it. You've worked hard all your life, Mum.”
Could you see yourself retiring?
No I could not! As far as I am concerned, I don't work anywhere near the way I used to because it was compulsive then. Now I choose everything I do and I am as busy as I want to be - and as busy as anything.
If there was to be a film made about your life who would you like to play the main role?
Jennifer Lawrence!
What luxury items always go in your travel bag?
Fragrant Indian oils, Green & Black’s Dark Chocolate and a Travel pillow!
Who has given you the best advice about your voice?
I met Frank Sinatra in Las Vegas and he asked if I made it a habit to warm up my voice and if I did vocal exercises before a show, which I didn't back then. I was there with Maurice (Gibb) and Frank offered to teach me, but I never followed it up because I was too shy. And then of course I went off and hurt my voice, so now I am religious about looking after it. So, yes, Frank, I eventually took your advice.
What was the best advice Maurice gave you about singing?
Maurice never gave me advice, he thought everything I did was great! Bless his heart.
Is there anyone one you'd still like to work with or duet with?
Bruno Mars, Calvin Harris, and I'd love to do something with Steven Tyler from Aerosmith and so many more!