There Ain't Half Been Some Talented Bastards

Tribute to Ian Dury at Brixton Academy  June 16th 2000

We'll be seeing The Blockheads at the Willowman Festival in a few weeks and it reminded me of this amazing night 14 years ago. It's hard to believe it was really that long ago and obviously recollections are a little hazy now. As you can see from the setlist below there was a glittering line-up of vocalists to join The Blockheads in their tribute to Ian.

All credit must go to the band who performed with so many different singers and musicians that night, some with very little or no experience of singing with a live band but the professionalism of the band shone through as they remained tight throughout and gave all the performers their chance to shine in a tribute to one of the world's greatest poets.


Setlist:

Wake Up and Make Love With Me (Vocal: Denise Roudette)
Clevor Trevor (Vocal: Wreckless Eric)
What A Waste (Vocal: Chas Smash)
I'm Partial To Your Abracadabra (Vocal: Mick Jones)
Plaistow Patricia (Vocal: Lee J. Thompson)
I Want To be Straight (Vocal: Tom Robinson & Wilko Johnson)
My Old Man (Vocal: Suggs)
Billericay Dickie (Vocal: Kathy Burke)
There Ain't Half Been Some Clever Bastards (Vocal: Humphrey Ocean)
Mash It Up Harry (Vocal: Saffron (from Republica))
Spasticus Autisticus (Vocal: Ingrid Mansfield-Oldham)
Blackmail Man (Vocal: Keith Allen)
Blockheads (Vocal: Mark Lamarr)
Reasons to be Cheerful Part 3 (Vocal: Phill Jupitus)
Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick (Vocal: Kirsty MacColl)
Sweet Gene Vincent (Vocal: Robbie Williams)
Sex and Drugs and Rock and Roll (Vocal: Robbie Williams, B/V Ensemble)