Scene and Heard

MUSIC NEWS: She’s conquered Britain, America and the world, now Adele is following in the footsteps of music legends Shirley Bassey, Paul McCartney, Tina Turner and, er, Sheena Easton.

The not-so-closely-guarded secret that the British singer would perform the theme to the new James Bond film was confirmed this week as a snippet of the song appeared online.

Though only about 90 seconds long, ‘Skyfall’ seems to hint at the classic Bond themes of old, a style which would suit the singer whose vintage-style belter voice belies her youth. It will also be a relief to Bond fans less than enamoured by some of the more recent lacklustre themes by Chris Cornell, Alicia Keyes and Jack White.

‘Skyfall’ in its entirety was set to be unveiled on the singer’s website home.adele.tv early this morning at 0:07 — today is the 50th anniversary of the first film in the franchise, Dr No.

As The Beatles’ 1967 film Magical Mystery Tour is reissued, previously unseen footage of the band making the film has appeared online.

The Beatles’ third movie was first broadcast by the BBC on St Stephen’s Day in 1967 but its surreal nature did not appeal to audiences and it was savaged by the critics. It has only been shown once since, in 1979. Tomorrow, BBC2 will show a new documentary on the film ahead of the release of a digitally remastered version.

A glimpse of the previously unseen footage can be viewed at thespace.org. The short clip shows The Beatles on a coach trip to a fish and chip shop. The fully restored edition of the film will be released on Oct 9 with a remixed soundtrack and special features, including scenes that were cut from the original.

GIG NEWS: Appearing at the Triskel Christchurch next Friday, Oct 12, is Maria Doyle Kennedy. The performance will showcase the beautiful soulful voice of the well-known actress and tracks from her latest album, Sing, which was co-written with husband Kieran Kennedy, and features duets with Damien Rice, Paul Brady and the legendary John Prine.

Waterford rock act O Emperor return from their German tour to a busy live autumn calendar in Ireland and the release of their new double A side single Electric Tongues/Erman Gou. Gigs include a double bill with Katie Kim at the Theatre Royal in their home city on Oct 27. For full listings, see www.facebook.com/OEmperor.

The singles will be available for download from Nov 1, but are live for streaming on the group’s Bandcamp pagehttp://oemperor.bandcamp.com

Tickets are now on sale for a series of intimate gigs by The Gloaming in December at venues including the Pepper Canister Church, Dublin and Triskel Christchurch, Cork.

The super-group features New York pianist Thomas Bartlett, Chicago guitarist Dennis Cahill, Irish sean-nós singer Iarla Ó Lionaird, fiddler and hardanger innovator Caoimhin Ó Raghallaigh and fiddle master Martin Hayes.

FILM TIPS: Cork Cine Club will show Margaret on Thursday, Oct 18, at 8pm in St. John’s Central College Lecture Theatre.

The film centres on a 17-year-old New York City high-school student (Anna Paquin) who feels certain that she inadvertently played a role in a traffic accident that has claimed a woman’s life. In her attempts to set things right she meets with opposition at every step.

Paquin gives a stellar performance alongside an impressive cast that includes Matt Damon, Matthew Broderick and Mark Ruffalo.

Writer-director Kenneth Lonergan (You Can Count On Me) shot Margaret in 2005, but his struggles to achieve a final cut (with help from Martin Scorsese),almost consigned the entire film to the editing room floor. Fortunately for cinephiles, the director managed to release the film in 2011 to critical acclaim.

VISUAL ARTS: The National Gallery of Ireland is holding an autumn lecture series on Ireland’s favourite painters and paintings on Thursday evenings from Oct 4 to Nov 22. It will explore eight works, among them Picasso’s Still Life with a Mandolin, Frederic Burton’s The Meeting on the Turret Stairs, Velasquez’ Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus, and François Boucher’s Female Nude Reclining on a Chaise-Longue. Tickets (€10 per talk/€75 season ticket). Admission includes wine reception at 6.30pm, followed by talk at 7pm. See www.nationalgallery.ie