Ian Dury Tribute Concert LONDON BRIXTON ACADEMY
No matter how many stars pack the stage tonight, you can't
shake the sad, overwhelming sense that there's something
missing. When Ian Dury died of cancer in March,
thirtysomething rock fans felt their first great loss. And
they're here in their thousands at this sell-out
celebration.
Though his career peaked in the early 80's, Dury's warm,
earthy Essex brogue, his saucy poetic postcards from the
edge and his love of the music hall, bolstered by the
Blockheads' quirksome funk, won him many friends and
influenced a generation of bands. Many of whom are here.
Sets by Madness, Wilco, Chas and Dave and former Clash man
Mick Jones {Strummer didn't turn up} warm up the masses,
while The Blockheads smile as they work their faultless
magic behind the parade of guests.
While the star of the show isn't here, his timeless tunes
are. And his mates do them justice. The comedians acquit
themselves well. Kathy Burke grins through the rude
reminiscences of Billericay Dickie. Mark Lamarr throws
himself into a riotous version of Blockheads. Cocksure
Keith Allen does a Dury shout for Blackmail Man. And Phil
Jupitus runs through Reasons to be Cheerful before hailing
the Blockheads as "the best fucking band in the world".
Madness play their part. Suggs does My Old Man, Chas Smash
gets tender on What A Waste and Lee Thompson, donning a
dusty suit and a comedy false nose and moustache, thrusts
through Plaistow Patricia.
Mick Jones returns for I'm Partial to Your Abracadabra.
Saffron from Republica bounces through Mash It Up Harry.
Kirsty MacColl makes her shaky way through Hit Me With Your
Rhythm Stick and in a supreme piece of ironic casting, Tom
Robinson sings I Want to be Straight. Meanwhile Humphrey
Ocean, bassist with Dury's earlier outfit Kilburn & The
High Roads, does There Ain't Half Been Some Clever
Bastards.
Robbie Williams is joined by the entire cast for the grand
finale, and in a great performance pays his respects to his
friend with Sweet Gene Vincent and Sex and Drugs and Rock
and Roll.
A fine send-off, then, for one of British rock's truly
individual greats. Goodnight, Ian, God Bless. You clever
bastard.
Gary Crossing
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