Think of Gary Kemp and two images spring to mind: the foppish New Romantic whose songs underpinned the success of Spandau Ballet, and the mother-fixated gangster skewering enemies to Bethnal Green snooker tables. Since The Krays, Kemp has taken a step back from films and one musical stride with his debut solo album Little Bruises. The record draws heavily on his own collection of Irish music, with a mandolin and uillean pipe frenzy aided by top musos such as Guy Barker and Davy Spillane. And Gary sings. ‘lnitially l was nervous about my voice, not knowing the character or style,’ he says. ‘I just felt I had to express the emotions in my own lyrics.’ Spandau’s split in 1990 allowed Kemp to take stock of his options - one of which was the movies. His acclaimed performance with brother Martin as the Kray twins masked the frustration at mouthing other people’s words. A love of writing dragged him back to the studio. ‘My life was changing and I needed to answer certain questions in my head,’ says Kemp. ‘Songwriting was the only way to solve these problems.’ The result is very different from Spandau Ballet; the anthemic sound which skirts round the fringes of World Music has taken Kemp in the direction of Peter Gabriel and Kate Bush. And not a frilly shirt in sight. (Brian Donaldson)
i i 'r i,
Gary Kemp is at La Belle Angela, Edinburgh on Thurs 5 Oct and King Tut’s, Glasgow on Fri 6 Oct.
Already a familiar sight in video shops. the Star 'l'rek offshoot Deep Space Nine finally makes it to terrestrial telly. For the creative team working on the show it was a chance to reshuffle the winning Trekkic elements. and give the space saga its first black lead character. Avery Brooks plays (‘ommander Benjamin Sisko. sent to a distant space station orbiting the planet Bajor. His mission: to boldy unite the planet‘s warring factions before it joins the Federation. It’s another
parable of racial tension -— a favourite sci-ti theme — but
the fact that the cynical Sisko arrives less than fully committed to the task comes as a refreshing change after decades of sickenly dedicated Starfleet officers. The most recent spin-off series Voyager shows that recycling the Star Trek format once too often results in chronic staleness, but Deep Space Nine has survived for three years in the US. building up the inevitable cult audience. Knocks spots off the similar but inferior Babylon 5. (Alastair Mabbott)
Deep Space Nine starts on Thurs 28 Sept at 6pm on BBCZ.
PROBABLY THE BEST . . .
The list’s at-a-glance guide to the highlights of the fortnight ahead.
I Theatre: Violin Time King of the tangential anecdote. Ken Campbell returns to Scotland to preview his latest commission from the Royal National Theatre. As usual. the themes are drawn from whatever area of life philosophy and creativity are currently Campbell.
li‘averse 'l'lteatre. Edinburgh. Front 'l'ltars 2/.
I Film: Chunking Express Hot director, Wong Kar-Wai's deeply hip and stylish take on the love lives of Hong Kong's youth is one of the most impressive movies to hit the ar‘thouse circuit this year.
Film/rouse. litlinbar‘glt. l‘l'U/lt Fri 22. I Rock: Pulp Swoon as Cocker flutters his eyes. gasp as he delicately flicks the sweat from his hair and cry as he foppishly rnanhandles his microphone. For yea. it is written that the common people shall rise up and the geeks shall inherit the earth. The tickets for this gig were sold out within nanoseconds ofgoing on sale so if you don't have one start weeping. Barrow/anti. Glasgow. Sun /.
I Television: Ruffian Hearts David Kane wrote and directed this made for television tale of the inhabitants of a Glasgow tenement as part of BBC 2's Love Bites trilogy. A comedy with a light touch that examines the lives and intertwining loves of the working class characters. Raf/ion Hearts marks the coming of age of one of Scotland’s most promising television writers. BBC 2. Sat 30.
I Photography: fotofeis The second International Festival of photography in Scotland kicks off a month-long frenzy of photographic frolics and furore in venues. billboards. hoardings and public spaces all over Scotland. Catch the early opening exhibitions of Mali photographers‘ work at the Fruitmarket and Maud Sulter‘s Alba at meCCA.
Various venues. From 'Iltttrs 5.
I Books: The Missing Journalist Andrew ()‘Hagan's autobiographical account of growing up on the west coast examines his increasing awareness of the ease with which people can just disappear from society. ()‘Hagan looks at the phenomenon from Bible John tip to the Fred West story which he covered as a journalist. Out now published by Pleat/or at £14.99.
In association with
01‘
Probably the best lager in the world.
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The List 22 Sept-5 Oct 1995 3