ACOMSDave

Community Journalist

Family Matters

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Frans Gertenback, is an artist living in Ballyclare. His exhibition ‘Family Matters’ consists of video installations, portraits and a large number of abstract works.

The underlying concept is one of the influence of family on your life. This is both the immediate family (mother, father, brother,sister grandparents) and the extended family which we all have.

The video installations are short looped items and are thought provoking in terms of place, time and styles. The portraits cover early life and later life, whilst the abstract paintings are just that abstract; it is up to each individual to interpret these as they will.

The exhibition runs from the 3rd to 31st January 2019 at the Artledera Studio, 43 Rosemary Street, Belfast.

I came away from the exhibition with little backward thought, unfortunately for me. I did not find the xhibition thought provoking as intended; but as with all exhibitions, this is my review and opinion, and I would suggest you go along, make time for the ‘Family Matters’ exhibition and enjoy the body of work.

For me one item of the exhibition stood out, and that was a portrait of a man shown below.

Further Reading:

  1. Artcetera Facebook
  2. Belfast Art Map

Civil Liberties

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So when should we start worrying about our ‘Civil Liberties’?

The answer is off necessity at all times.  If we as a nation are not careful then we lose our civil liberties;  in the past, we have had police confiscating cameras and phones being used to cover demonstrations under the guise of ‘national security’, which was proved to be a falsehood.  We have had people through the guise of rendition locked up without trial, and again later release and compensation paid.

In February 2009, Tracy McVeigh reported on a number of sold-out conferences which were about

‘The government and the courts are collaborating in shaving away freedoms and pushing Britain to the brink of becoming a “database” police state’

Have things changed and improved?  That is for each of us to judge, but we need to realise it is our individual responsibility to monitor the government and hold them accountable, and that we do this be turning out to elections.

Civil Liberties

Further reading:

Movie Lists

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After writing many reviews of moves, of all genres, I thought that I would try to provide a list of various genres of movies, with my recommendations. During the next year I hope to provide you with my suggested movie lists for these genres:

Movie Lists in a library

  • Action
  • Adult
  • Adventure
  • Animation / Anime
  • Biopic
  • Childrens
  • Comedy
  • Crime / detective /spy
  • Documentary
  • Drama
  • Horror
  • Family
  • Fantasy
  • Historical
  • Medical
  • Musical
  • Paranormal
  • Romance
  • Sport
  • Science fiction
  • Talk Show
  • Thriller / Suspense
  • War
  • Western

However, to start with, I must say here and now that I have not come up with definitive movie lists for each genre, because every movie has some merit, and deserves to be viewed in terms of its story, the action (or non-action) the director and especially the actors as just some things to look at.

There is one genre during the last year or two which has hit the headlines, mostly for good reasons; and this the genre of LGBT movies. You will notice it is not in the genre movie lists shown above, and that is because LGBT uniquely seems to encompass all of this list in various forms, but due to the homophobia that was rampant within the population and fanned by the media, it is only recently that we have seen so many positive movies with LGBT characters.

If you haven’t watched any of them, then I heavily suggest you do. They warrant viewing, and as the LGBT community has been recognised by so many as something which is part of human pysche. The following lists cover 2017 and 2018

2017

  • A Quiet Passion
  • Paris: 05:59: Theo & Hugo
  • 4 Days in France
  • Staying Vertical
  • My Life as a Zucchini
  • Frantz
  • The Assignment
  • BPM
  • Tom of Finland
  • The Ornithologist
  • The Ornithologist
  • Dream Boat

2018

  • Rafiki
  • We The Animals
  • Plaire Aimer Courir Vite
  • The Happy Prince
  • A Kid Like Jake
  • Bohemian Rhapsody
  • Howard – The Howard Ashman Story
  • Duck Butter
  • McQueenThe Gospel According to Andre
  • Mapplethorpe
  • Boy Erased
  • EveryAct of Life
  • The Death & Life of John F Donovan
Movie Lists in a penny arcade in Louisiana
Boys looking at penny movies in an arcade in Louisiana

Links to Out which reviewed these movies:

Cinema graphic to cover movie lists

Blogging for Fun (or even to make money)

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Blogging for Fun is compulsive, or it should be, and if it is not why are you doing it or contemplating doing so? Here is my guide to blogging, we all go about it differently, but there are some basics which you need to get on board with!

Shakespeare - Blogging for Fun

General Principles

  • Before you start know why you want to blog, and ask yourself whether you have the time to post on a regular basis.
  • Make it clear how often you will post – you will loose followers if you con’t keep to your planned schedule/timetable
  • If you decide to quit writing your blog, then be kind and let your followers know, You never know, you might just decide to come back!
  • Define your goals:-
    • Ask yourself what you are hoping to achieve by blogging?
      • What is your blog about?
      • What effect do you want to have on your readers?
      • Where do you think your readers will come from?
  • Understand what your reader wants, or expect from reading your blogging
  • Grab the reader’s attention:-
    • Spend time thinking about the title of your blog posting (and make it relevant)
    • Write an introductory sentence that tells the reader why they should spend their ‘valuable’ time reading your blog article
  • Make your posts easy to read – Short, clear and concise sentences, with plenty of white space (blank lines), heading styles, bold text, bulleted and numbered lists to make it easy
  • Always, Always review and edit what you write
  • Write as you talk – a blog is a conversation between you and the reader.
  • Express and opinion – don’t just lists facts, but express your personality and opinions
  • Be consistent – not only as to the frequency of your posts, but also in terms of the tone, style and content.
  • Be open, honest and inviting – remember a conversation is two way. Expect (indeed encourage) your readers to comment on and challenge your opinions; but also be prepared to defend your opinion.
  • Be visible and responsive – you don’t have to be online 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, but be regularl in reviewing comments and responding. This is good blogmandship!
  • Be polite, professional and respectful of others – Always think twice before posting a response
  • Promote your blog – look for similar types of blogs, or event those which are just downright interesting to you, and comment on their posts, leave your blog details in the comment.
  • Use links – using links serves several purposes; they connect what you are writing to the rest of the world and connects people to information you consider useful and relevant.
Blogging is fun, but it also needs planning and work

Some other blogs to look at:

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland – Discrimination

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Discrimination - Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

Tangentially to my visit to the Crescent Arts Centre I was walking out of the centre and saw four booklets/leaflets which all generated from the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland and covering ‘discrimination’:

  • A short guide to the role and services of the Equality Commission

  • Gender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender?

  • Sexual Orientation Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your sexual orientation?

  • Transgender Discrimination – Treated unfairly because of your gender identity?

I am highlighting these booklets/leaflets because the United Kingdom is currently undergoing seismic changes due to our withdrawal from Europe (Brexit). The impact of which we are only just beginning to see, but for those in minority groups the impact is becoming obvious through physical attacks, intimidation and verbal abuse by our an unwillingness to treat others with respect and care.

This disseminates through the rhetoric of many of our politicians, both national and local, and their thoughts and comments are often acted upon by individuals who have been easily swayed by what the politicians have said.

So back to my starting point, the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, if you feel that yo are being unfairly treated in a work situation, or in a business transaction (shops, restaurants etc.) then tell the Equality Commission and take action to defend yourself and others. At least if nothing else you will find a listening ear, and a willingness to try and help.

 

Equality Commission for Northern Ireland

 

 

A Few to View – Artists Galore

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Artists Galore

The joyous thing about travelling around is visiting places old and new, and in particular for me are art shows and artists galore. Each week throughout the United Kingdom and Spain, indeed Europe, exhibitions are taking place of established professional artists, and of amateurs whose work is no less valid to look at and review.

A while ago whilst in Belfast, I had the opportunity to see work put together by students who had been attending classes in the Crescent Arts Centre. As you can imagine there was a wide variety of skills on display, but each and every one of the artists deserve a resounding thank you for their efforts and for also being willing to show their work.

 

LInk to Crescent Arts Centre website, who run both classes and also put on a wonderfully wide range of shows covering from folk, to jazz, to classical to plays and musicals.  Please give them a look and if you are around,  go to one of there shows or exhibitions, you will not be disappointed.

Here are a few pictures to show some of the art shown:

 

The Rider – a western for today’s world

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The RiderThe difficulty with writing a review is that unless you are paid to write reviews as a job, you normally chose a film to which you are attracted for some reason; and this is just as true for me. I chose The Rider because I love westerns.

I went to see ‘The Rider’ with Brady Jandreau because I have always loved reading western stories and even more watching movies and TV series. For my generation, they were the staple feed for TV and the movie theatres.

I have also come to love the scenery and the characters often depicted in these movies and described by authors like Zane Grey, Louis L’Amour, Cormac McCarthy and Oliver Strange.

Chloé Zhao’s movie is about a rodeo rider who suffers a major life-changing injury, but has difficulty in transitioning from that person on a pedestal to being what? The movie is really a semi-biographic retelling of the life of Brady Jandreau, but the director would never have got near the real-life characters if it had been approached as a biography.

The story is gritty, at times it lacks the smoothness of actors who have spent their lives learning to act, but this is more than made up for by the real people playing roles that they know because they are their roles. Even the animals and the scenery takes on a more than real feel.

You learn how for a lot of rodeo riders they live a boom or bust existence, and when they finish often it is back to being on the edge of survival.

I went to the Queens Film Theatre for the 9 pm performance, wondering if there would be many who would venture out for a movie which whilst getting a lot of accolades, has done so in a quiet slowly progressing way. I was soon put right, it was almost a packed theatre, all became enticed into the story, a quietness descended over the theatre and it stayed that way until people started leaving almost after the credits had nearly finished and not before.

The performances are nothing short of miraculous from all, and I hope to look forward to more movies with Brady and members of the cast in the future.

I earnestly suggest you go and see this movie.

 

Further reading

The Jackie Rawe Interview

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ROB’S INTERVIEW QUESTIONS FOR JACKIE RAWE

This interview with Jackie Rawe, a musical artist of some note,  was put together by HINRG Rob who is a long-term fan and music aficionado.

Jackie Rawe

The Jackie Rawe Interview

1 Can you please give us some background information?

I was born in Bow in the East End of London, I was one of four children with an older sister and younger brother and sister who are twins. Most of my family could sing but would never do it in public, I became the only professional singer in the family.

2 Jackie can you please tell your fans how you got started in the music industry? 

My neighbour at the time was the one who got me into singing, she used to tell me I had a good voice and had faith in me. I never dreamed I’d be a singer, I’d never even thought about it although I used to sing in the school choirs and always sang along to the tv adverts as a kid.

After I left school and started working in an office, my neighbour rang a voice coach and over the phone, played him a recording of me singing from her cassette player, he told us to come along so he could hear me properly. For 6 months we travelled from Bow all along the district line to Ealing every Saturday and had a 30 minute singing lesson. I used to sing old standards as he had a pianist that couldn’t play the current pop material lol. After 6 months I gained the confidence in my own voice and started going for auditions. My uncle was a jazz singer and he also encouraged me when he knew I was into singing. My first professional job was with The Ross Mitchell band and we had a 1 year residency at the Locarno Ballroom in Portsmouth.

3 Your breakthrough hit I believe in dreams was originally called A lovers theme and it was released in 1979 by Ellie Warren. Are you aware of this version? 

Yes, I am aware of that version and I also know Ellie very well. My second singing job after the Ross Mitchell Band was with a band called the Ray McVey band, they had a residency in London’s Leicester Square. Ellie was the main female singer when I joined and I looked up to her, she was an amazing singer and a great performer.

4 I believe in dreams was released in 1985 on Fanfare Records which was run by Simon Colwell. Any memories of him? 

I met Simon a few times and he was very down to earth. I met him again in the early 90’s as I was a songwriter for Warner Chappell Publishing and Simon and I had a meeting with a view to one of his artist covering a song of mine. I also did an audition for the X Factor and performed for the judges but Simon had forgotten who I was, I don’t blame him, it was a long time ago lol.

5 You released a single called Love bites back in 1985 under the name of Jane Spring. Why was it not released under your own name?

Jackie Rawe - Love Bites BackThe name they used was not down to me and I don’t recall why they didn’t want to use my name, it’s interesting actually as they did organise a photo session and they used my picture on the record cover and I still have a copy of that single, it was a good photo as well. I’ll see if I can dig it out for the article.

6 You also released another single in 1985 called Heartbeat under the name Rawe deal on Zafiro Records Spain. It was released by Passion Records in the UK. It is rare and I have not heard it yet. Any memories of this song? 

I don’t remember anything about this track at all lol! Passion Records were in the same office as the Shakatak management so they knew me and I was one of the original singers with Shakatak from 1979 to 1983. Nigel Wright the co-owner of Skratch Music, producer and one of the original members of Shakatak was always coming up with different projects which Passion Records were involved in and I sang on a few tracks for him. Sometimes you just take the money and run as the saying goes. It’s part of the life of a session singer.

7 From 1986-1990 I believe that you were in the groups Midnight Sunrise and Massivo. Can you tell us anything about them? 

To be honest Midnight Sunrise wasn’t actually a group. The main man was Ian Levine and I used to do a lot of work for Ian as a session singer, singing background vocals on tons of his records. He wrote the track ‘On The House’ which he wanted me to sing and we had a photo session and did a video. I think I was just paid a fee for that record and some friends of Ian’s joined us for the photo shoot and the video, It was a put together kind of thing that was never going to tour. If the record would have become a hit I would have probably gone out on my own to do the PA’s. By the way I dyed my hair blond for that video and we dressed as gangsters and gangsters molls, it was good fun.

Massivo were a team of writer/producers with Steve McCutheon as the main man. I knew Steve because of my Shakatak days, his father was Les McCutheon who co-owned Scratch Music and co-produced all the early Shakatak records back in the early 80’s. Steve asked me to go in the studio to write a track and we wrote a song called ‘Kingdom of Love’, I liked that track a lot.

8 You have worked with the best UK hi-nrg labels including Almighty, Passion and Nightmare Records. Did you ever record for Klone or Energise? 

No not for those 2 companies although in the last 2 years I’ve met Gary from Energise and he has suggested that maybe we could do something so who knows what’s around the corner.

9 There is a rumour that you provide the vocals for a hit by Capella. Is this true?

Yes, I sang a track called ‘Move it up’ although not sure if it was actually a hit or not. Interesting job, I was asked to go to Italy to record the track, stayed over just one night, recorded the vocal, then got a flight home. No royalties just a session fee on that one. I wasn’t even told what my vocal was being used for, I found out some time later when someone asked me “Is that your voice on the Cappella record”, so I checked it out and low and behold!

10. Apart from I believe in dreams, you are best known for your work with Almighty Records under many different names. I believe that you recorded about 50 tracks with them including remixes of I believe in dreams. Anything that you wish to share about this period? 

I’ve had many great periods in my life and I’ve been very lucky with the work situations I have attracted, and the people I’ve met and worked with. Working for Almighty was one of those great periods, they gave me a lot of work most of it on a session basis but I’m very grateful for the experience I gained and obviously for the bills that got paid lol. I never had any notice of what I was going to be recording, I’d go in and Jon Dixon would play me the original record, then we would find a key that worked well for my voice and I’d start recording, sometimes a line or a couple of lines at a time if I’d never heard the song before. I spent more time with Jon Dixon than anyone else when I worked for Almighty Records. Jon produced most of the records I sang on and he is an excellent producer and engineer and very hard worker but he didn’t get credited for his work. Even though he stopped working for Almighty many years back he still books me for sessions and his most recent project that I sang on was an album and tv show with Jane McDonald.


11 Can you remember the names of the background vocalists on I believe in dreams original and remixes? 

Yes, ‘Jackie Rawe’ lol, I did all the background vocals and the lead vocals on both the Almighty and Fanfare versions.

12 I know that you have worked with 3 of the Almighty vocalists Jill Saward, Tracey Ackerman and Belle Laurence. Do you happen to know any of the other singers such as Hannah Jones Tessa Niles Linda Taylor Miriam Stockley and Juliette James? 

I know Tessa Niles, Linda Taylor & Miriam Stockley very well.

13 is there any unreleased songs hidden in the vaults that your fans won’t be aware of? 

Not that I know of.

14 Did you provide background vocals on any Hi-nrg songs for example Ian Levine productions or Almighty Records? 

Yes, absolutely tons for Ian Levine this was another great period in my life and a lot for Almighty but more lead vocals for Almighty. I sang my own background vocals on the records I made for Almighty. I also sang a lot of backing vocals on pop records including Boyzone, Geri Halliwell, Dannii Minogue, Louise Rednapp and the Honeyz just to name a few.

15 You are a very famous backing singer for artists such as Celine Dion Elton John and Dead or Alive. Any stories that you wish to share with us? 

Back in the late 70’s early 80’s I toured with Sheena Easton, it was through Sheena that I met her producer Chris Neil. Chris booked me for a lot of background vocal sessions, he produced Think Twice for Celine and Walking in Memphis for Cher and I sang background vocals on both of those records. He also booked me for sessions with Mike and the Mechanics, Godley and Cream and asked me to sing a duet with Paul Carrack which was called ‘When You Walk in The Room’ released in 1987. Paul made a video but I wasn’t used in the video, someone is miming to my voice. Most of the time when you’re working for A list artists like that, you don’t get to meet them. The instruments and backing vocals are recorded first then the artist comes in at a later stage to record their vocals, so I didn’t meet Celine or Cher but I did meet Mike Rutherford and Paul Carrack.

I met one of the guys from Dead or Alive but it wasn’t Pete Burns and it was so long ago that I don’t remember who it was. My friend Tracey Ackerman who you mentioned earlier used to do the Dead or Alive sessions but she wasn’t available for that session so she recommended me.

I met Elton when I sang on ‘Something About The Way You Look Tonight’, he is a very down to earth guy and I felt privileged to meet him and to sing on his record.

I’ve also sung background vocals for Tom Jones on a live TV show called Viva Cabaret and on live gigs with Eric Clapton and Roger Daltrey.

My voice was featured on a record by ‘The Streets’ called ‘Blinded by The Lights’. I sang on a few albums for Mike Skinner and the first time I worked with him he was making records in his bedroom and I sang in the wardrobe that was built into the alcove of the room, (next best thing to a vocal booth lol).

There are many more artists I’ve worked for in a live and recording situation, too many to mention in this interview but there is a list of credits on my website: www.jackierawe.com

16 I was lucky enough to see you live in concert twice. In Manchester and in London and you were absolutely amazing. Have you any plans for some more gigs on the gay scene? 

There are no pa’s in the diary on the gay circuit currently. I still sing every weekend in London and surrounding areas doing mostly soul and Motown.

17 Is there anything else to share with your fans?

I have been very blessed to have a singing career spanning 41 years (at the time of this interview) and to have travelled the globe touring with different artists. I love singing and to have my voice recorded on so many records either lead or background vocals has been such a gift to me and my legacy to the world.

18 Finally is it possible that you can list your Almighty Records songs? And which hold the best memories for you. My favourites are I believe in dreams and Unbreak my heart. . . 

Jackie Rawe Lead Vocals for Almighty Records 1993-2011

Jackie Rawe:

I Believe in Dreams                                   1997

Respect featuring Jackie Rawe:

You Know How To Love Me                       1998

Deja Vu featuring Tasmin:

Un-Break My Heart                                   1996

Don’t Speak                                              1997

To Deserve You                                        1997

I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing                     1998

My Heart Will Go On                                 1998

Uninvited                                                 1998

When You Say Nothing At All                     1999

If I Could Turn Back The Hands Of Time     1999

Get to You                                                2000

Against All Odds                                       2000

No Rhyme No Reason                               2000                          

Hold Your Head Up High                           2000

Rhythm and Rule                                      2000

Stay                                                         2001

The Measure of A Man                              2003

Leave Right Now                                       2003

All This Time                                            2003

That’s My Goal                                         2006

You Raise Me Up                                      2006

The Best I Can Do                                     2006

Everybody’s Changing                               2006

Somewhere Only We Know                       2006

Honest Mistake                                        2007                          

Moonlight Shadow                                     2011

This is The Last Time                                2011

Who’s That Girl:

La Isla Bonita                                           1997

Amazing                                                  2000

American Pie                                            2000

Burning Up                                               2000

Express Yourself                                       2000

Like A Prayer                                            2000

Live To Tell                                              2000

Open Your Heart To Me                            2000

The Power Of Goodbye                             2000

Rain                                                         2000

What It Feels Like For A Girl                      2000

Back To Basic:

Please Forgive Me                                    1993

The Dream Girls:

Year Of Decision                                       1996

Bianca:

Hot and Steamy                                        1997

Crush                                                       1998

2 Hope 4:

O Lucky You                                             1997

Wake Up Boo                                           1997

 

Thanks so much for taking the time to speak to us

You’re very welcome, and thank you for asking me.

 

 

 

Did the Independent Get It Right?

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Did the Independent get it right?The Independent needs to realise that whilst any community welcomes the free and open debate that this article brings, it is difficult to see that a bias has not been shown by the choice of the photograph chosen to represent the LGBT community.

The Independent needs to realise that the LGBT community is a kaleidoscope of people and as such, it knows that finding a representative picture of the community is not always easy, however,  why was it that the only photograph which was chosen to represent the LGBT community was directed to two gay men’s genitals (obviously with the clasping hands in front)?

Politics Not At Work

An Independent ViewA continuing discussion has to be happening with both Stormont and Westminster and that is obvious; but the fact that the Conservative government can only continue to hang on with the support of the Unionist votes who have made it plain that marriage equality is not acceptable on ‘their watch’ only further highlights the limited political attitude in Northern Ireland.  Politics in Northern Ireland is a sham and the politicians in Stormont cannot be said to be truly representing the population when they are not in Stormont carrying on business.

The Independent Needs to Review

However, in going back to the article I would suggest that the Independent is more selective in its photograph choice for future articles.

Northern Ireland’s largest church votes to deny same-sex couples full membership

 

Same-sex couples have been denied full access to Northern Ireland’s largest Protestant church.   As a result of a new policy formally adopted by the Presbyterian Church at its annual meeting in Belfast, they will no longer be able to have their children baptised.

Source: Northern Ireland’s largest church votes to deny same-sex couples full membership

Be Aware, Be Safe

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Be Aware

Be aware Be safe

We all take the new technology at our fingertips for granted, whether it be mobile phones, apps to do anything, tablets or laptops.  We also all make use of the various ‘free’ WiFi hotspots, but we all need to be more security conscious – be safe be aware.

Be Safe

Firstly Password

Don’t, repeat, Don’t use the same password for every device.  With social media scamming these days, you would be surprised on how easy it is for someone to get your second middle name or birthday date which surprisingly so many use!Be aware Be Safe

Remembering different passwords is difficult, but if you must write them down, do so in an address book under a fictitious name and disguise.  Or use a memorable sentence and exchange some of the letters for numbers or special characters e.g. E becomes 3, S becomes 5 and also throw in as I said a special character if allowed.  Be safe Be aware.

Be Safe Outside

For those of you who know how never make your phone or tablet discoverable by other devices.  When connecting to different WiFi outlet, use a different password each time!

Protect Your Device

Whenever possible have an anti-virus on your device, and keep it up to date.  If in doubt ask, better still learn, BE SAFE, NOT SORRY!

USB Memory Sticks

USB - Be Safe Be AwareWe all probably have at least one on which we have phtos etc for giving to our family or friends, or we may use them for transferring documents between computers.  But again, we rarely have these USB devices password protected or even better encrypted.

A free program like ‘Veracrypt’ is one of best programs currently available for this job.  There are others, and if you need help then please get some.

And lastly, if you find a USB stick anywhere and it is not yours, or if you lose your own and then refind it, never assume it is safe.  An old trick is to add malware or a virus to a stick – you gain a problem and/or they gain access to your device(s).  Be safe Be aware.