TTO |
Concert - Tribute to Kirsty MacColl |
|
| Go Home!
Episode Guides and Reviews Other Reviews Video Archive Miscellaneous Other Sites |
On September 23, 2002, Tracey Ullman was one of the participants in a concert tribute to the late Kirsty MacColl. It was held at the Royal Festival Hall in London and lasted about 90 minutes. Some of the other perfomers were Johnny Marr, Evan Dando, David Gray, and Eliza Carthy. Tracey was the final performer to be introduced. Here is a transcript of Tracey's appearance in the concert, as transcribed from the broadcast and Webcast on BBC 6music. Comments will be designated like so: [comment -- RR]. Any errors should be attributed to my imperfect hearing: Phill Jupitus (host): The first lady of English theatre... and -- a chan-toosie [a mangled pronunciation of chanteuse -- RR] from the pop parade... please welcome to the stage Tracey Ullman! [warm round of applause from the audience -- Tracey's initial comments are unintelligible; she's off-mike -- RR] Tracey: Hello! My name is Tracey Ullman, and for the first time in nearly twenty years (some whoops from the audience), I would like to sing my hit (1). Take it, lads! [the band breaks into "They Don't Know." This is only the second live performance of TDK of which I am aware, the other being from the Tonight Show in 1984. Tracey does a good job here, though when she sings "BA-BY" -- I think that's her singing it -- we hear why they decided to use Kirsty on the record. The song finishes to another warm round of applause -- RR] Tracey: Ah, thank you! Thank you, Kirsty MacColl, for giving me that fabulous song to sing. I'm so grateful to her, 'cause she did a version of it, and a few years later I did a version of it, and I think what I added -- difference was I wore a short pink lurex miniskirt (audience laughs) and I had Paul McCartney in the video [never underestimate the power of short pink lurex miniskirts -- RR]. So it was a couple of little differences and -- it was number 2, number 2, number 2, and we couldn't knock bloody "Karma Chameleon" and Boy George off number 1. Bastard! But I was number 1 in Norway for 8 weeks (audience cheers) excep- Yes! Made up for everything, you know -- rockin' the fjords. And it was number 1 in a few other countries, too, and without a doubt, it launched my career in America, this song, and -- I really -- it was my calling card. I want to thank you, Kirsty, and we miss you. (cheers from the audience) We love ya! [so do a lot of people who weren't on stage or in the audience -- RR] Kirsty wrote lots of different types of songs and got into different types of music, but the type that always got me were these beautiful girlie songs with killer middle eights and witty lyrics. And talkin' of witty lyrics, we're going to sing this -- last song, I think, and I've got the co-author here, Mr. Phil Rambow -- Phil Rambow, everybody -- and I'm sure you all know it, so (switching to an American southern accent) y'all sing along now, you hear? [the band breaks into "There's A Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis." Since this was the finale, I presume Tracey was joined on stage by several, if not all, of the other performers on the bill. Since I only had access to an audio version, there's no way to know for sure. However, Tracey's voice is most prominent, at least to my ears -- RR] Comments: Overall, the concert was a wonderful event to celebrate the life and career of someone who was taken from this earthly existence far sooner than anyone would have liked. In many of the songs, it almost sounded like Kirsty was joining in. Undoubtedly she was there in spirit. I thought Tracey's performances were fantastic (so were most of the others), and her comments were very appropriate, for we American fans of Tracey have to thank Kirsty for writing "They Don't Know" and letting Tracey record it. Without it, we might never had the opportunity to become fans.... By the way, if you want to read about the remainder of the concert, you can do so at Freeworld, the Kirsty MacColl Website.
Justice for Kirsty campaignThe family of Kirsty MacColl have started a Justice for Kirsty e-mail campaign, the intent of which is to seek justice and bring to account those responsible for her death in December 2000. Send an e-mail to support@justiceforkirsty.org to become involved. For more information, visit www.justiceforkirsty.org or Freeworld, the Kirsty MacColl Website. Remember, it was because of Kirsty and "They Don't Know" that we North American fans of Tracey discovered her... Footnote Page written by Roger
Reini |