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PARSLEY'S COMMLOCK
Concert Reviews : Sparks concerts 2/3/4 out of 21, Islington Academy 17+18+20/05/08
Well, this is turning into a massive and wild experience, as the full majesty of Ron Mael's songwriting over the years unfolds. Each album is accompanied by animated images from the album sleeve and occasionally a little more. The stage is fairly bare and black. Russell has a new suit each night while Ron swaps ties. The supporting musicians are wearing black sweatshirt tops with a print of the relevant album sleeve on them.
The Academy had improved the sound by Saturday's 'Woofer In Tweeter's Clothing' album, and the venue was heaving to overflowing for Sunday's 'Kimono My House'. This had its unpleasant aspects as I saw an argument break out between a couple from the North of England who were allegedly stood in a good position 'since 7 o'clock' and some tall latecomers who dared to stand in space in front of them. One of the Asian girls from the album sleeve was in the audience and available for photos.
The absolute pinnacle for me was Tuesday's 'Propoganda' album. Despite being arranged for keyboards-guitar-bass-drums, these songs are positively orchestral in their power. The genius of the quirky tunes and changing rhythms was fully appreciated by an audience that looked like they had mostly known these songs for the thirty-plus years since they were written. Russell Mael was still able to reach every note and survive the absolute cramming of sarcastic, witty and downright oblique genius into a staggering barrage of lyrics.
We're all starting to recognise each other at the gigs and a camaraderie of Sparks-dom is emerging. It was cemented when (in the song 'Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth') Russell Mael sang 'return to my friends', as he made a sweeping motion with his arms to indicate that the audience were his friends.
I gather that the concerts are being video streamed from allsparks.com so there's no reason to miss them. That site also hosts the vote for songs to fill the second half of their final concert. For encores they are performing example rarities, and on the Saturday they performed 'Arts And Crafts Spectacular' which they announced as their friend Morrissey's favourite Sparks song. They have further milked the connection with a track on their newest album entitled 'Lighten Up, Morrissey'. He can finally feel he's arrived now that he's been immortalised in a song by this iconic duo.
Health Review : Radiotherapy & PET scans
Radiotherapy is where a linear accelerator is used to bombard parts of the body thought to contain cancer cells with radiation. The radiation is particularly harmful to cancer cells, but not without risks for normal cells either. If a hospital thinks you need radiotherapy you will hear about the risks (swelling of the skin known as lymphodema, bone damage, skin breakdown, damage to muscle tissue) at breakneck speed. Generally for the people administering the radiotherapy (known as 'oncologists') the risks of losing your life to a recurring cancer will significantly outweigh the risks of the side effects.
It might be possible to talk yourself into feeling comfortable about that, were it not for the fact that cancer treatment has changed considerably over the years. Yesterday's medical wisdom is tomorrow's 'oh my God why did they used to do that?' So in the case of breast cancer, the previously commonplace 'mastectomies' (removal of whole breasts) have been replaced with 'lumpectomies' (removal of lumps from breasts). The 5cm tolerance, of the cancer-surrounding area that could be subjected to radiation, has more recently been replaced with just 2cm.
Normally when radiotherapy is carried out, a hospital will perform a 'CT' scan where the shape of the body and parts to be subjected to radiation will be mapped out. This scan is equivalent to 400 X-rays so is not undertaken lightly, as it carries its own health risks.
One concern that patients may have is the apparently haphazard way serious treatment decisions are taken. For example, twenty years ago all lymph nodes (underarm valves that control fluid movement under the skin) might have been removed. Now they are only removed if test nodes show evidence of cancer spreading, but they are still all removed whether infected or not.
New PET scanners are capable of using the presence of glucose to indicate the actual rather than likely movement of the cancer. These are being made widely available in France, but are still barely available in the UK. In fact all treatment options will vary depending on your location. So if you can delay the onset of your cancer you may find new treatment options available (although don't delay diagnosis as this increases your risks!).
parsley@gardenrecords.com [www.gardenrecords.com]
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