WagooMusic

‘Tis my habit, I’m afraid. My favorite songs by artists or bands are usually not the ones for which they become well-known. Take the songs of Fleetwood Mac, for example. We all know the ones they’re famous for. But in their storied career they delivered a few nuggets of genuine gold that radios stations overlooked. Don’t get me started about why they do this but commercial radio has had a narrow format for eons. But it needn’t be our loss. Check out these pearls that you won’t hear on radio playlists:

1. I’m So Afraid: The eponymously titled 1975 album that launched their success generated three enormously popular top 40 hits. This wasn’t one of them. Tucked in the back of the album at the very end this haunting rock melody was backed by a mournful organ that gave the arrangement an almost funereal feel. The song is about raw fear, depression and the chance that death itself might ensue (Sample Lyric: “Days when the rain and the sun are gone. Black as night, agony’s torn at my heart too long”).

2. Brown Eyes: Everyone remembers the “Tusk” album for the title song and Stevie Nicks’ “Sara”. It’s too bad this moody song didn’t get the attention it deserves. Christine McVie’s soulful plea to a brown-eyed lover gets an exquisitely crafted, soft, almost jazzy arrangement and some of the best background vocals the band ever did. (Sample Lyric: What do you want to say? And are you just another liar? Will you take me all the way?)

3. Mystified: Side one of the “Tango” album (Remember when albums had sides? You know, before there were CDs?) closes with this brief McVie ballad whose arrangement matches the song title extremely well. Her lover has captured her and the reason is as much a mystery to her as it is to the listener. Fleetwood Mac had a talent for producing songs that had a kind of cult feel to them. Mystified is definitely one of them but with a gentler feel to it, accompanied by Lindsey Buckingham’s deft instrumental lead guitar (Sample Lyric: “There’s a magic surrounds you. Tell me where your secret lies.)

4. You And I, Part II: This wistful tune closes out the other side of “Tango”. Almost sounds like a kind of Christmas melody, doesn’t it? Don’t let that put you off because the lighthearted tempo and upbeat message are just the kind of song you’d want to stick with you after the music stops. (Sample Lyric: Keep your heart open and your eyes shut tight. But don’t forget about me.)

Whatever kind of event you are running from live music, a corporate conference or seminar or simple family party or get together, chances are there will be a venue in London that suits your requirements.

London has long been famous for its music scene and the hundreds of venues that support live music events. From large arenas such as Earls Court, Wembley Arena and the O2 Arena, the numerous mid-size venues, such as Brixton Academy, Hammersmith Apollo and the Shepherd’s Bush Empire, to the hundreds of small clubs and pubs that host live music events London has a live music venue to suit any size band or budget. it is this music scene that over the years has produced some of the most influential musicians and bands the world has ever seen. During the 1970s and 1980s, musicians like David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Cat Stevens, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Who, Madness, the Jam, the Small Faces, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden, Fleetwood Mac, the Police, the Cure, Squeeze and Sade, took the world by storm, deriving their sound from the streets and rhythms vibrating through London.

Towards the end of the seventies London was the birth place of punk music with enduring figures such as the Sex Pistols, the Clash and Vivienne Westwood all based in the city. more recent artists to emerge from the London music scene include Bananarama, Bush, East 17, Siouxie and the Banshees, the Spice Girls, Jamiroquai, the Libertines, Babyshambles, Bloc Party, Coldplay and Amy Winehouse. London is also a centre for urban music. In particular the genres UK garage, drum and bass, dubstep and grime evolved in the city from the foreign genres of hip hop and reggae, alongside local drum and bass. In the 80′s London was the main city in the new wave of british heavy metal era which made bands like Iron Maiden and Motrhead famous all around the world.
London also hosts many music festivals, including the O2 Wireless Festival, Notting-Hill Carnival and The Camden Crawl.

So as shown above London has much to offer the music lover. Whether it is the listener or maker both can easily satiate their musical desires, but what of the businessman? Does London offer him sufficient options when it comes to holding a successful corporate event. The answer to this question is simply yes. Financial capital of Europe, international networking hub and global business centre, London offers corporate event planners the world-class platform on which to set their business communication. Old and new live in juxta position in London. The 2,000 year old Tower of London sits alongside Tower Bridge and City Hall in view of Canary Wharf and the so called Gherkin building. popular conference and event venues to the east of the city include The East Winter Gardens, Museum of Docklands and the Four Seasons Canary Wharf, to name but a few of the possibilities. In the west, Harrods, Kensington Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and the beautiful Syon House offer the perfect setting for events.

For training facilities, the Hatton in central London or the acclaimed universities and centres of research excellence offer clients value for money and delegates the chance to unwind after a busy and productive session by stepping into Covent Garden or Kensington for some shopping. As well as excellent accessibility to London from international destinations, the internal transport system in the city is simple to navigate. Combined with the wealth of venue options, London offers expertise and professional understanding. Visit London; destination management companies, technical providers or caterers- services available to ensure your event is a resounding success, and your return to London in the near future.

Once the hard work is over there are plenty of options for revelry in one of London’s many pubs and clubs. According to GLA Economic London has 3,800 pubs, 9% of the total number of public houses in Britain. there are also 233 nightclubs in London or 15% of nightclubs across Britain. so as you can see you will not be lacking for potential venues whatever kind of social event you are organising.

Whatever type of event you are holding you may require PA or audio visual hire facilities to ensure you present the most professional finish to your event. Live music events stand or fall on the quality of public address system in place and corporate events require not only equipment of the highest quality but also service and professionalism that is second to none. Once again London is not found wanting in this respect. London is home to some of the UK’s biggest and most experienced audio visual hire specialists. Many AV hire companies can supply a huge range of equipment and services. Sound system hire such as live music and conference PA systems, microphone hire, DJ equipment hire and backline such as drum kits and guitar amplifier are available at many audio visual hire suppliers in London. Also available are other aspects of AV equipment such as plasma screen hire, data projector hire, laptop hire, stage and effect lighting. Many companies in London will also offer a full events service including equipment installation, engineering and management. Stage hire and set design are also common services offered by many AV hire providers.

Also now available are companies such as audiorent.co.uk/ that allow corporate audio visual hire customers to input details of their event into an on-line quote form which is then sent to suitable AV hire companies who can cater for your particular hire requirements in your specific location. These AV rental companies will then contact you with quotes allowing you to decide on the most suitable company for your event in terms of price, equipment and service without having to make numerous phone calls or waste valuable time sending separate e-mails to individual companies. Audiorent.co.uk covers the whole of the UK including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Cambridge, Leeds and Glasgow offering AV and PA hire

Deborah Kim

He may have died 41 years ago, but his legend will live on forever.

New York Daily News reported Rolling Stone magazine compiled its “100 Greatest Guitarists of all Time” list and Jimi Hendrix rules all.

Following Hendrix were Eric Clapton and Jimmy Page in second and third place. Saturday Night Live fave and former Fleetwood Mac member Lindsay Buckingham rounded out the list at number 100.

According to News in a Box, the magazine created the list through fan votes and how innovative the guitarists were in their instrumental techniques.

Those who voted for Hendrix wrote that the “Little Wing” player had a unique presence on stage and the way he played his instrument is something only he can reproduce.

Music critics added that some of his chord voicings are so complicated that they will most likely never be reproduced in music books.

This is Hendrix’s second time as the list’s frontrunner. he was also named number one in 2003.

Other guitarists on the list include Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, B.B. King, Eddie Van Halen, Pete Townshend, and the Beatles’ George Harrison, who just missed the top ten and came in at number 11.