The Independent - Wormwood Scrubs Concert
For
many people, the mention of a prison concert still brings
to mind performances by Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
Modern
in carcere
entertainment can, however, be considerably more varied.
The latest artist to elect to play to a captive audience is
acoustic songwriter James Varda, who will perform next
month for "lifers" at Wormwood Scrubs (the Scrubs has
established a thriving association with the arts,notably
through writers-in-residence like Ken Smith). Varda's new
album Hunger, was released late last year to enthusiastic
reviews, although one critic did describe him as "Billy
Bragg in tune". (Varda has elsewhere been compared to Labi
Siffre, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Bob Dylan and Joy
Division.) One writer went so far as to suggest that the
singer "evokes memories of the creative majesty of Roy
Harper"- an apercu which may have alienated some potential
fans (ie the ones who remember Roy Harper). Varda songs
like "From the Bellevue Hotel" should, for one night at
least, put the inmates of Wormwood Scrubs in an enviable
position. Non-residents will not be admitted, although they
will be able to see Varda at various venues throughout
Britain on his tour beginning next month.
The Independent Friday 6
January 1989.