ATLAS OFF THE MAP
When they say artists are dumb, it’s quite often the truth. Not having a clue about politics and without getting to the core of the Middle East conflicts, some musicians call off their Israeli gigs. Why they agree to play there in the first place is another question but, as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Conference Against Racism, Natasha Atlas hardly had the rights to cancel. An ambassador is supposed to spread a message rather then sulk in some comfy corner like she does. What’s interesting, though, is that all these Palestine-supporters never play Ramallah for the sake of their lives. And it’s the same in the movies: Israeli scenes of Adam Sandler’s “Zohan” were shot in Israel, while the Arabian ones were staged in Mexico. So Atlas joins Elvis Costello and other “politically minded” dummies… a shame!
REACH THE TOP OF THE HEAVEN
It’s a sad news of John Du Cann‘s passing on September 21st of a heart attack. An extraordinary guitarist who’s never got his due, Cann, as he was originally known, is most famous for fronting Vincent Crane’s ATOMIC ROOSTER for who he wrote a lot of the material including classics “The Devil’s Answer” and “Death Walks Behind You”. Before that John delivered scorching numbers with THE ATTACK and ANDROMEDA; and after, there were BULLET / HARD STUFF, his joing project with John Gustafson. And it’s the latter band’s two albums that Du Cann remastered for this November release on Angel Air, a label he loved dearly. There also were tour with THIN LIZZY and a hit with “Don’t Be A Dummy”: John’s was an immense talent, and the veteran will be sorely missed by many a fan.
DESTINATION OUTWARD BOUND
The resurrected RENAISSANCE featuring both Annie Haslam and Michael Dunford tour so successfully that they recorded and shot their concert at Philadelphia’s “Keswick Theatre” to release a CD and DVD through the band’s site just before the winter holidays. Something to look forward to, but why they didn’t call the rest of the classic line-up?
