Music to my ears

I heard about the attack on Glasgow Airport as we were driving to London to see Lou Reed at Hammersmith Apollo. I've been to several Lou Reed concerts and although I'm a huge fan I accept that, live (as on record), he's not to everyone's taste.

Last night was different. Supported by his core band plus horns, strings and a fantastic children's choir, this 'landmark' performance of his 1973 album Berlin - played in its entirety - was one of the the best concerts I have ever been to (a view shared, it seems, by some of the non-devotees around me).

I first bought Berlin as an impressionable 14-year-old. I didn't like it at first, but I persevered and it became one of my all-time favourite albums. To hear it come to life in this way was a joy. For two whole hours I even forgot about the imminent smoking ban, despite the prominent no-smoking signs in the bars and auditorium.

Real life returned, however, soon afterwards. On the way home I turned on the radio, and heard - on Five Live - the unmistakeable voice of Antony Worrall Thompson sounding off about the ban. Given that it was after midnight, and it was live, the man deserves a medal!