English rockpop renaissance

Intentionally or not, the New Year’s Eve TV broadcast of Jools Holland’s Hootenanny showed English rockpop in rude health, demonstrating just why 2006 is regarded in some quarters as an annus mirabilis.

Leading the parade with some emotive soul singing was Amy Winehouse, in best trollop mode. Her duetting with Modfather Paul Weller was a rare bonus. Lily Allen, Marc Almond and The Zutons were pretty exciting, too, though La Winehouse stole the show - what a diva!

Even the vacuous celeb interviews, and the pretence that it was a live gig (when everyone knows it’s a built programme, probably recorded in early December) couldn’t take the shine off a fine celebration of the English rockpop renaissance.


Gerry Smith