Björk at Hammersmith - Getting too old for this lark
Published by on April 22nd, 2008
I am officially old. Too loud, too long standing around. Too many irritating (and smelly, and tall) people about. Too much interference from the venue. Right, that’s off my chest so let’s set that to one side for now and talk about the actual gig.
I have been a fan of Björk, discovering her music not from her breaking album Debut, but two years later with Post. For one reason or another - ranging from forgot to keep looking to unable to afford the £300 tickets for Covent Garden - I never managed to see her live, until last Sunday.
The Hammersmith Apollo - once called the Hammersmith Odeon where I have seen the likes of Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, and Peter Kay (there’s a much longer list somewhere) - is looking a little rough around the edges these days. It seems the signature crystal chandeliers hanging recessed into the walls to each side of the auditorium are the only parts properly looked after.
I’m not even going to mention the opening act, not that I can remember who it was anyway. Sampled music is one thing, playing someone else’s music almost in its entirety while now and then twiddling with filters and mixer knobs is an altogether different pointless exercise. One track was fine, by track three we were both bored.
Björk was, of course, a superb performer. This was very much a ‘greatest hits’ lineup, with a broad range of styles and, I think, at least one track from every major album. What pleased me the most was she did not simply replicate the recorded track, but created new arrangements, sometimes different rhythms atop the signature beats, played with the vocals, and performed to the entire audience.
There’s something brave and expressive about her. When she dances around, though deliberate and with intent, there are no finely tuned choreographed moves. What there is, is pure expression, and watching her I grasped just a little more depth and meaning to some of the tracks.
It is not until you hear such a broad selection of her music that you appreciate its breadth. From pounding dance beats to Icelandic nursery rhymes accompanied by a brass ensemble. I am always surprised, frequently challenged, and will likely never tire of her work.
So, today, what joy… there I was messing around on Emusic a few minutes ago - all to do with work, I might add - when I spotted what looks like Björk’s entire lineup available there for download!
If you’re a fan, how about 35 of her tracks as mp3’s, completely free?
Just follow this link and sign up for the two-week free trial:
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