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Paul Weller on stage at the Roundhouse

There’s a song on Paul Weller’s new album called “That Dangerous Age” about middle-aged desperation to recapture one’s youth. Weller, 53, has form in this department: his new wife is 27 years younger than him. But the “dangerous age” has a musical dimension too. The middle years are tricky for rockers to negotiate. It’s a time when they fall prey to indecorous attempts to appear relevant, like David Bowie, who now seems to have given up making music, or when they turn into sedate establishment figures, like Eric Clapton.

Not long ago Weller appeared to be heading down the Clapton route, settling into a comfortable role as dad-rock guru to the Noel Gallagher generation of Britpop bores. But 2008’s bold, sprawling album 22 Dreams kick-started a remarkable resurgence. Now comes fresh evidence of Weller’s Indian summer, Sonik Kicks
, which he debuted by playing in full on the day of its release.

More

On this story

• Florence + The Machine, Alexandra Palace, London
• Roots Manuva, Roundhouse, London

IN Music

• Così fan tutte, Gerald W Lynch Theater, New York
• Circus Tricks, Riverside Studios, London
• The Civil Wars, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
• Out of Chaos, Volksbühne, Berlin

The show opened with Weller centre stage in the immaculate suit he wears on the cover of Sonik Kicks, a handkerchief standing to attention in breast pocket, his hair an ashy-blonde feather cut, guitar slung around his waist. The look was the Modfather redux – but the music painted a more nuanced portrait.

Two drummers gave the songs drive while psychedelic effects added rich textures, led by Ocean Colour Scene’s Steve Cradock on guitar. A string section (all young women, as string sections are obliged to be at rock concerts) played jaunty pizzicato melodies. Weller’s vocals were commanding and his attitude was no-nonsense. At the end of songs he shook his guitar as if wringing every last note from it, before striding into the next number.

“Study in Blue” was the highlight, a dream-like fusion of jazz and dub reggae with his wife Hannah on backing vocals, for which Weller wrecked his spotless Modfather look by wrapping a plasticky melodica around his neck. Middle age has opened up expansive and adventurous possibilities in his music.

For the second half of the show he played a series of muscular acoustic versions of his solo songs, before switching with a “Right, let’s have it” back into electric mode. The only Jam song was “Town Called Malice” as an encore. A protest song against unemployment and austerity in Margaret Thatcher’s Britain, it was a pointed choice of finale. Even nostalgia has a purpose in Weller’s fruitful 50s.

www.paulweller.com

The city last week heard nothing but disapproval from transportation officials, who oppose the removal of a bus stop on Main Street in Medford Square.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) told the Medford City Council it opposes removing the bus stop in front of 21 Main St., a move the body has been mulling over for months.

Those supporting the removal argue it’s become a public safety hazard and a burden on businesses that deal with trash, loitering and other problems.

Opponents of the move say the stop is too important to lose because the elderly and disabled depend on it.

Removing the stop would affect three bus lines — the 95 and 101, which travel to Sullivan Square, and the 96, which goes to Harvard Square.

Councilors discussed the proposal during a Committee of the Whole meeting on March 13, where Councilor Robert Penta suggested moving the stop from its current location to Riverside Avenue near CVS in order to help boost sales for businesses on that side of the Square.

However, MBTA officials told the council if they remove the stop, they should do so assuming the bus routes will not be changed. While the council has sole authority to designate bus stops in the city, only the MBTA can change routes.

“Please assume as you make these changes that the buses will not be rerouted,” MBTA planner Greg Strangeways told the council.

With reconstruction of the Cradock Bridge set to start in 2013 or later, City Council President Robert Maiocco insisted the bus stop will eventually need to be removed.

“Even if we determine that bus stop needs to be removed temporarily, we’d like to see it returned to its spot on Main Street,” Strangeways told the council.

The MBTA planner added bridge construction would already cause some delay for those bus routes. Looping the buses around the Square would only further the delay.

“Do you make your decisions based on time or public safety?” asked Ralph Quinn, co-owner of the ERA Andrew building at 12 High St.

Strangeways responded while safety is a concern for the MBTA, they have not experienced safety issues at the bus stop in question.

Still, Quinn called the intersection unsafe, pointing out how buses stop abruptly around the corner as cars race by to beat stoplights and pass by them.

“Our building has been hit six times in the last five years,” Quinn said.  “It’s a matter of time before someone gets severely hurt.”

Medford resident James Mapstone argued removing the bus stop would cause serious hardship for the disabled community. Mapstone, who depends on a scooter for mobility and is married to blind resident Barry Cramm, collected more than 100 signatures for a petition to oppose the stop’s removal.

Maury Carroll, co-owner of the new restaurant, Carroll’s, at 21 Main St., questioned Mapstone’s credibility on the issue. Carroll called attention to a flyer Mapstone was distributing in Medford Square that accused the restaurant owner of discriminating against public transit riders and against disabled people.

“I’ve given each councilor what I call a total slanderous piece of literature they’ve been handing people in Medford Square,” Carroll said. “They have as much credibility to speak on this as the man on the moon.”

Carroll noted how his wife and son are both public transit riders and flashed his handicap permit to disprove accusations he is prejudice against the disabled.

Carroll said he personally witnessed Mapstone aggressively tugging at peoples’ shirts in the Square to get them to sign his petition. Mapstone denied the accusations.

“I did not pull on anyone’s coattails,” Mapstone said. “I did not intimidate anyone.”

Diane McLeod, director of Medford’s Office of Human Diversity and Compliance, said she received several calls and e-mails from residents concerned about losing the bus stop. McLeod suggested the council look at other options, such as adding more trash barrels to the area, before removing the stop.

“There’s a lot of different options I would appreciate,” said McLeod. “Let’s look at those first. I feel like it’s throwing the baby out with the bathwater here.”

Medford resident and bus rider Ken Krause said the overriding concerns seem to center around behavior and he thinks steps could be taken to address those issues. Adding a shelter, public restroom and more trash barrels could help, he said.

Krause also pointed out the Medford Square Master Plan prepared by Sasaki Associates in 2005 recommended moving the bus stop south onto the Cradock Bridge with a pull-out lane to minimize traffic congestion.

“I’ve attended all three meetings on the issue, and moving the stop slightly south seems to be the most sensible improvement for all concerned,” Krause said.

Councilor Frederick Dello Russo Jr. suggested both the Office of Community Development and McLeod gather more information in order for the council to make an informed decision.

McLeod said she would look at a way to distribute a survey or questionnaire at the Main Street bus stop to gather feedback before coming back to the council.

Let the debate begin.

That’s what usually happens when we name our All-Tidewater teams.

Below is a list of boys and girls players who just missed making All-Tidewater.

I will talk about the boys and Lee Tolliver the girls.

When picking the All-Tidewater team, I speak to many coaches and experts. Nearly everyone agreed that there wasn’t a dominate team or player like past seasons.

There were no Norcom and no one like Norcom’s Dorian Finney-Smith or Norfolk Christian’s James Michael McAdoo.

When picking the team, I also look at the all-district and all-region teams. Sometimes I question some of the choices but I don’t see every game in every district like the district coaches do.

I also take a lot of stock in how far teams advance in the Eastern Region tournament. This season made it difficult because no team made the Eastern Region finals.

The last factor I weigh is what area coaches say on their All-Tidewater forms.

That said, there were five players who just missed making All-Tidewater.

Let’s start with Cape Henry sophomores Devon Hall and Jimmy Paige. Both helped lead the Dolphins to the school’s first boys state title. Hall was named the most valuable player of the state tournament and Paige was named to the all-tournament team.

Some public school coaches question the caliber of play in private schools but Cape Henry did beat Hampton, the 2012 Group AAA state champion.

The thing going against Hall and Paige was that they had similar numbers. Also, neither player was chosen the Tidewater Conference Player of the Year.

But I definitely see both players making All-Tidewater the next two seasons.

The TCIS Player of the Year honor went to Bishop Sullivan’s Marcus Burwell. Last season Burwell was second-team All-Tidewater. What worked against him this season is the Crusaders finished third in the Tidewater Conference. They also didn’t win the Tidewater Conference regular-season or tournament titles. And they lost in the first round of the state private school tournament.

Norcom’s Devin Patterson also was right there. He helped lead the Greyhounds to the Eastern District tournament title and was named second-team All-Eastern Region. He really turned it on late averaging 17.4 points in his final 11 games and scored 20 or more points five times. But the Greyhounds got bounced in the first round of the Eastern Region tournament.

The last player who just missed making All-Tidewater was Landstown guard Tim Marshall. He is arguably the best shooter in the Eastern Region. He was the victim of stats. He averaged only 13 points because he plays within a system. Had he been at any other school he probably would have averaged 20 points a game. It didn’t help that the Eagles – who won the Beach District regular-season and tournament titles – got bounced in the region quarterfinals. They were the favorites to win the region tournament. Evidently coaches took notice as Marshall and teammate Darren Roberson were named honorable mention all-region despite their impressive record, final state ranking and titles.

Here’s a look at players who just missed.

Third team

Cape Henry sophomore guard Devon Hall

• VISAA Division II state tournament Most Valuable Player

• Helped lead Dolphins to the VISAA Division II state title and a share of the Tidewater Conference regular-season title

• Averaged 15 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists and earned All-Tidewater Conference honors

Cape Henry sophomore guard Jimmy Paige

• All-Tidewater Conference

• Averaged 14 points, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks to help lead the Dolphins to the VISAA Division II state title and a share of the Tidewater Conference regular-season title

Norcom senior guard Devin Patterson

• Second-team All-Eastern Region and first-team All-Eastern District

• Helped lead Greyhounds to the Eastern District tournament title

• Averaged 15.5 points

Landstown senior guard Tim Marshall

• Honorable mention All-Eastern Region and first-team All-Beach District

• Helped lead Eagles to Beach District regular-season and tournament titles

• Averaged 13 points and made 58 3-pointers

Bishop Sullivan senior guard Marcus Burwell

• Tidewater Conference Player of the Year

• Averaged 17.4 points, 10.7 rebounds and 5.5 blocks

• Recorded first triple-double in the four-year history of the Virginia Preps Classic with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 10 blocks against Wilson

Fourth team

First Colonial senior guard Avion Jones

• Honorable mention All-Eastern Region and first-team All-Beach District

• Led South Hampton Roads Group AAA players with 20.3 points

• Helped lead the Patriots to Eastern Region tournament

Salem senior guard Divante Walker

• First-team All-Beach District

• Averaged 16.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 1.2 steals

Western Branch senior forward Rashon Woody

• First-team All-Southeastern District

• Averaged 17.9 points

Great Bridge sophomore guard Marcus Evans

• Second-team All-Southeastern District

• Averaged 14.1 points

Kellam junior forward Ramone Snowden

• First-team All-Beach District

• Averaged 17 points

 

 

GIRLS ALL-TIDEWATER TEAM

Today’s All-Tidewater Girls’ Basketball Team is a list of 10 players out of all of South Hampton Roads’ finest.

There are undoubtedly some fans who feel their favorites are missing.

So here’s a brief explanation of how the team was selected.

First of all, it’s been 10 years since I covered girls’ basketball, and it took a while to get back into the flow.

And as I do with field hockey, I weigh heavily on the all-district and all-region teams, tossing in a mix of nominations from coaches and as much observation of players as work permitted.

When it came down to it, selecting 10 players out of the South Hampton Roads talent pool was tough.

So here are the other players who were under consideration:

Third team

Areana Davis, Salem

Latrice Hunter, Norfolk Christian

Ariel Wilson, Lake Taylor

Sarah Bollmann, First Colonial

Nora Williams, Grassfield

Fourth team

Gabrielle Swinson, Landstown

Takerra Parsons, Bayside

Shanese Harris, Western Branch

Shrita Parker, Ocean Lakes

Krista Moss, Deep Creek

 

 

PAST ALL-TIDEWATER BOYS TEAMS

Here is a list of past All-Tidewater boys basketball teams.

The list doesn’t include teams from 1972-75 because we were unable to find those teams.

This list also doesn’t include the complete 1993 team led by Maury’s Joe Smith, who was the Player of the Year that season.

Another thing is that not every All-Tidewater team had a player of the year.

If anyone has information on any of these teams, please email me at larry.rubama@pilotonline.com

Enjoy and reminisce.

 

1970 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Roy Ebron, Booker T. Washington; Ricky Michaelsen, Princess Anne; Craig Liedler, Maury; Keith Sudduth, Cox; Charlie Carr, Maury.

Second team – G len Windle, Norcom; Roger Cooper, Lake Taylor; Tom Couch, First Colonial ; Ronnie Carter, Maury; Randy Michie, Western Branch.

Third team – Leroy Coker, Norcom; Jim Miller, Norfolk Christian; Ronald Boone, Kennedy; Irving McCoy, Booker T. Washington; Elvin Wilson, Norview.

Honorable mention – Donald Overton, Booker T. Washington; Johnny Freeman, Booker T. Washington; Lee Pearson, Churchland; Pat Callahan, Granby; Larry Riddick, Great Bridge; Soc Williams, Kellam; Earl Chaptman, Kennedy; Major Lewter, Kennedy; Larry Trotter, Maury; Charles Blake, Norcom; Richard Hoffman, Norfolk Catholic; Jimmy Gerald, Norview; Gearge Sweet, Western Branch

1971 – Earl Chaptman, Kennedy; Tommy Butts, Princess Anne; Karlton Hilton, Maury; Curtis Cole, Booker T. Washington; Irvin McCoy, Booker T. Washington.

Second team – Winford Copeland, Norcom; Major Lewter, Kennedy; Tom Couch, First Colonial; Wesley Smith, Cradock.

1972 – Not available

1973 – Not available

1974 – Not available

1975 – Not available

1976 – Ronnie Valentine, Norfolk Catholic; Dexter Reid, Granby; Derek Warren, Booker T. Washington; George Darby, Granby; Mike Ellis, Norcom.

Second team – Stanley Branch, Cradock; Sam Kroll, Norfolk Collegiate; Ken Evans, BTW; Mike Newhall, Norfolk Academy; LaRue Harrington Norcom; Arthur Jones, Wilson.

1977 – Joe Whitfield, Deep Creek; Rick Kresinske, Norfolk Catholic; Guy Morgan, First Colonial; Reggie Smallwood, Manor; Barry Wright, Norcom.

Second team – Nick Balance, Maury; Bubba Felton, Maury; Robert Greene, Norview; Ken Easley, Oscar Smith; Randy Powell, Great Bridge

1978 – Joe Whitfield, Deep Creek; Billy Mann, Lake Taylor; Guy Morgan, First Colonial; Barry Wright, Norcom; Gene Jones, Norfolk Catholic.

Second team – Larry Skinner, Maury; Jeff Kroll, Norfolk Collegiate; Jeff Inman, Great Bridge; Lonnie Blow, Frederick Military Academy; Allen Davenport, Norcom

1979 – Barry Wright, Norcom; Julius Norman, Booker T. Washington; Quentin Moore, Maury; Daryl Christian, Kellam; Mike Downs, Kempsville.

Second team – Rich Davidson, Cox; Robert Artis, Deep Creek; Wendell Henry, Bayside; Morris Clark, Indian River; Danny Troppoli, Frederick Military.

1980 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Billy Walker, Booker T Washington; Grady Brown, Indian River; Jesse Nimmo, Princess Anne; Andy Bolden, Granby; Quentin Moore, Maury; Daryl Christian, Kellam;

Second team – William Milteer, Maury; Rolando Lamb, Cradock; Andy Hartell, Norfolk Christian; Bobert Artis, Deep Creek; Ken Wood, BTW

1981 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Rolando Lamb, Cradock; Horace Lambert, Norview; Garth Forsyth, Norfolk Academy; Mark Davis, Great Bridge; James Holmon, Booker T Washington.

Second team – Lance Hinton, Norview; Jerome Branch, Wilson; Darryl Dozier, First Colonial; Bruce Smith, Booker T Washington; Gary Knox, Bayside

1982 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Wes Stallings, Deep Creek; Darryl Dozier, First Colonial; Pat Creecy, Indian River; John Thomas, Maury; Anthony Davis, Lake Taylor.

Second team – John Speller, Deep Creek; Garth Forsyth, Norfolk Academy; Anthony Gaston, Granby; Todd Black, Kempsville; Paul McGovern, Cox.

1983 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Mark Whitaker, Manor; Anthony Davis, Lake Taylor; Brian Smith, Lake Taylor; Barry Mitchell, First Colonial; Garth Forsyth, Norfolk Academy.

Second team – Joe Runk, Deep Creek; Anthony Gaston, Granby; Rodney Scott Booker T Washington; Mark Batzel, Kempsville; Deon Bell, Indian River

1984 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) J.R. Reid, Kempsville; Garrick Davis, Great bridge; David Blackwell, Manor; Ken Moore, Lake Taylor; Joe Darby, Green Run.

Second team – Amp Davis, Lake Taylor; P.J. Honore, Wilson; Walt Reynolds, Maury; Davis Lyons, Granby; Lamont Walker, Booker T Washington

1985 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) J.R. Reid, Kempsville; Joe Darby, Green Run; Lamont Walker, BTW; Glen Youngkin, Norfolk Academy; Lorenzo Starks, Norcom.

Second team – Marcus Snipes, Maury; Tony Williams, Maury; Marcus Anderson, Indian River; Brian Pieroni, Deep Creek; Joe Miller, Princess Anne

1986 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) J.R. Reid, Kempsville; Alonzo Mourning, Indian River; Arthur Jimerson, Deep Creek; James Melton, Booker T Washington; Kenny Brown, Maury.

Second team – Rico Campbell, Booker T Washington; Dwight Pernell, Deep Creek; Antonio Stith, Booker T Washington; Darrick Williams, Wilson; Ralph Young, Maury

1987 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Alonzo Mourning, Indian River; Greg Ford, Indian River; Kenny Brown, Maury; Rico Campbell, Booker T Washington; Odell Joyner, First Colonial.

Second team – Curley Young, Deep Creek; Carlos James, Lake Taylor; Reggie Blackwell, Manor; Cornell Parker, Maury; Darrick Williams, Maury.

1988 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Alonzo Mourning, Indian River; Kenny Johnson, Green Run; Curley Young, Deep Creek; Cornell Parker, Maury; Odell Joyner, First Colonial.

Second team – John Haase, Kellam; Larry Skinner, Booker T Washington; Torraine Sears, Great Bridge; David Baldwin, Norview; Steve Hamilton, Green Run

1989 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Curley Young, Deep Creek; Cornell Parker, Maury; Odell Joyner, First Colonial; Steve Hamilton, Green Run; Torraine Sears, Great Bridge.

Second team – Clayton Ritter, Kempsville; Tony Lundy, Suffolk; Sean Bell, Indian River; Phillip Williams, Booker T Washington; Stewart Wright, Wilson.

1990 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Darrell Paul, Deep Creek; Phillip Williams, Booker T Washignton; Joe Leake, Princess Anne; Thomas Barnes, Maury; Petey Sessoms, Cradock.

Second team – Arnicholeas Bount, Oscar Smith; Chris Davis, Deep Creek; David Stickel, Salem; Ronell Williams, Bayside; James Worsley, Indian River

1991 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Petey Sessoms, Cradock; Michael Evans, Booker T. Washington; Greg Taylor, Deep Creek; Mario Mullen, Bayside; Ronell Williams, Bayside;

Second team – Carnell Penn, Salem; Lorenzo Watkins, Cradock; Brian Brickhouse, Maury; John Nixon, Deep Creek; Marcus Cooper, Norview

1992 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Michael Evans, Booker T. Washington; Willie Young, Norview; Joe Smith, Maury; Ronell Williams, Bayside; John Nixon, Deep Creek.

Second team – Jeff Anderson, Cox; Ed Geth, Granby; Jeff Mordica, Great Bridge; Ivan Chappell, Western Branch; Jay Clarke, Manor

1993 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Joe Smith, Maury;

1994 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) D.J. Dunbar, Churchland; Kenny Brown, Booker T. Washington; Orlando Chatman, Oscar Smith; Marvin Rodgers, Churchland; Matt Whalen, Cox.

Second team – Jay Clarke, Norcom; Chris Elliott, Booker T. Washington; Shawn Hobson, Granby; Shaun Jackson, Maury; Tony Morrison, Indian River

1995 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Shawn Hobson, Granby; D.J. Dunbar, Churchland; Antoine Willie, Nansemond River; LaShawn Jones, Bayside; Shaun Jackson, Maury.

Second team – Rian Everett, Tallwood; Kinte Smith, Cape Henry; Shawn Wilson, Booker T. Washington; Matt Whalen, Cox; Kenny Inge, Atlantic Shores

1996 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Jason Capel, Indian River; Will Brooks, Green Run; Rian Everett, Tallwood; Kenny Inge, Atlantic Shores; Ike Richardson, Maury.

Second team – Plaxico Burress, Green Run; Neil Roberts, Tallwood; David Selby, Indian River Montoria Valentine, Nansemond River; Antoine Willie, Nansemond River

1997 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) David Selby, Indian River; Jaime Irvine, Cox; Terry Gray, Booker T. Washington; McKinley Ford, Kempsville; Sadiki Tingling, Churchland.

Second team – Lavar Griffin, Oscar Smith; Antoine Willie, Nansemond River; Toot Young, Lake Taylor; Terrell Taylor, Tallwood; Keith Willis, Norview

1998 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Carlton Aaron, Atlantic Shores; Terry Gray, Booker T. Washington; Keith Willis, Norview; Jaime Irvine, Cox; Stacy Gregg, Maury.

Second team – Ian Caskill, Cox; Terrell Taylor, Tallwood; Terrence Wilson, Nansemond River; Frankie Cabrera, Cape Henry; David Fanning, Western Branch.

1999 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) David Johnson, Maury; Ian Caskill, Cox; Daryl Towe, Princess Anne; Keith Willis, Norview; David Fanning, Western Branch.

Second team – James Smith, Cape Henry; Jason Clark, Kellam; Jontae Harrington, Lake Taylor; Stacy Gregg, Maury; Rashad Smith, Salem.

2000 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Hassan Robinson, Granby; Rashad Smith, Salem; James Smith, Cape Henry; Shawn Wiggins, Lakeland; Spencer Ross, Western Branch.

Second team – Jeff Marshall, Great Bridge; Troy Nance, Cape Henry; Calvin Smith, Granby; Jeff Johnson, Maury; Robert Strickland, Indian River.

2001 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) John Gilchrist, Salem, Jacoby Key, Salem; Robert Strickland, Indian River; Jason Smith, Cape Henry; Kiah Thomas, Granby.

Second team – C.J. Fayton, Princess Anne; Rex Kenley, Kellam; Chris Harper, Deep Creek; Calvin Smith, Granby; Antonio Johnson, Salem

2002 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) John Gilchrist, Salem; Marquie Cooke, Nansemond River; Paul Johnson, Salem; Rex Kenley, Kellam; Branden Smith, Indian River.

Second team – Keith Artis, Nansemond River; Arvydas Eitutavicius, Norfolk Collegiate; Jonathan Vincent, Lake Taylor; Daniel Williams, Booker T. Washington; Maurice Latham, Maury

2003 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Marquie Cooke, Nansemond River; Jamel Hamilton, Maury; Darryl Monroe, First Colonial; Valdas Vasylius, Norfolk Collegiate; Jonathan Vincent, Lake Taylor.

Second team – Brandon Adair, Princess Anne; Vernon Macklin, Norcom; Ruell Pringle, Salem; Bryant Wiggins, Maury; Chris Wooldridge, Norview

2004 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Marquie Cooke, Nansemond River; Jamel Hamilton, Maury; Vernon Macklin, Norcom; Donnie Stith, Salem;Bryant Wiggins, Maury.

Second team – David Jefferson, Lake Taylor; B.J. Jenkins, Green Run; Antoine Paige, Indian River; Jonathan Vincent, Lake Taylor; Terrance Woodbury, Granby

2005 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Vernon Macklin, Norcom; George Degroat, Norcom; Kendrick Easley, Granby; Keith Josey, Nansemond River; Stanley Pringle, Landstown.

Second team – Demetrius Buie, Maury; Tory Green, Salem; B.J. Jenkins, Green Run; Karolis Petrukonis, Norfolk Collegiate; Eric Whitehurst

2006 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Kelly Beidler, Tallwood; Ben Finney, Norcom; Myles Holley, Booker T. Washington; Karolis Petrukonis, Norfolk Collegiate; Mike Scott, Deep Creek

Second team – Kameron Chancellor, Maury; Franklin Hassell, Indian River; B.J. Jenkins, Green Run; Brandon Plummer, Booker T. Washington; Vaughn Wilson, Nansemond River.

2007 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Myles Holley, Booker T. Washington; Darius James, Tallwood; Andre Jones, Nansemond River; Chris McEachin, Norview; Richard Barbee, Salem.

Second team – Denzel Bowles, Kempsville; Mark Brown, Nansemond River; Calvin Johnson, Lake Taylor; Corey Law, Deep Creek; James Vann, Booker T. Washington

2008 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Corey Law, Deep Creek; Kendrix Brown, Norview; Marcus Davis, Ocean Lakes; Andre Jones, Nansemond River; Jamar Wertz, King’s Fork.

Second team – Andrew Dawkins, Atlantic Shores; Jaquon Parker, King’s Fork; Darius Theus, Norcom; Keith Wright, Norfolk Collegiate; Nick Wright, Nansemond River

2009 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Jaquon Parker, King’s Fork; Andrew Dawkins, Atlantic Shores; Donte Hill, Norfolk Collegiate; James McAdoo, Norfolk Christian; Steven Pledger, Atlantic Shores

Second team – Desmond Lee, Booker T. Washington; Donte Morales, Landstown; Darius Theus, Norcom; Jamar Wertz, King’s Fork; Deshawn Williams, Norcom

2010 – (PLAYER OF THE YEAR) Dorian Finney-Smith, Norcom; James McAdoo, Norfolk Christian; Davante Gardner, King’s Fork; Briante Weber, Great Bridge; Sim Frazier, Maury

Second team – Julian Norfleet, Landstown; Jamal Ferguson, Maury; Terrell Diggs, Churchland; Brandon Britt, Atlantic Shores; Terrell Allen, Cape Henry

2011 – (PLAYERS OF THE YEAR) Dorian Finney-Smith, Norcom AND James McAdoo, Norfolk Christian; Trey Freeman, Kellam; Quinton Upshur, Booker T. Washington; Ashton Moore, Nansemond River.

Second team – Decarlos Anderson, Norcom; Sim Frazier, Maury; Tyrice Thomas, Tallwood; Demetrius Pollard, Cape Henry; Marcus Burwell; Bishop Sullivan

 

 

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March 16, 2012

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The ageing legend proves he still has what it takes

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8 / 10

That old footballing maxim about the fleeting nature of form and the permanence of class is cold comfort to musicians ailing from the creaking bones and waning powers of middle age. For Paul Weller, the quips about his new single almost write themselves: ‘That Dangerous Age’… what, 53? When annual visits to the colonoscopist become mandatory and your own mortality is confronted every time you rev the engine of a gaudy new sports car? Knife-edge stuff, truly.

Yet if the song itself is testament to anything, it’s that His Modjesty is both in on the joke and remaining above it. A whip-smart riposte to tabloid accusations of a mid-life crisis (Weller’s new wife Hannah is – avert thine eyes, children! – 27 years his junior), ‘That Dangerous Age’ plays with perceptions of its author as a listless, moneyed skirt-chaser before rendering them utterly moot by being – and we’re not sure why we’re so surprised by this – very good indeed: two-and-a-half virile minutes of shoo-oop-ing plastic soul that would provoke jealousy in Bowie himself. It’s an early indication that the Indian summer ushered in by 2008’s ‘22 Dreams’ and the Mercury-nominated ‘Wake Up The Nation’ isn’t over just yet.

Those looking to find fault with ‘Sonik Kicks’ will doubtless mention Weller’s recent appraisal of it as “groundbreaking”, while ignoring the caveat of, “Well, for me it is…” that followed. In truth, he’s not quite so far outside his comfort zone as you might think: the album was made at his studio in Surrey, with the usual names (Steve Cradock, Noel Gallagher, Graham Coxon), plus his wife and kids on guesting duties. Producer and co-writer Simon Dine, widely credited with Weller’s current purple patch, returns again – although, as the two are now locked in a financial dispute, it’s likely for the last time. The best song here, the sumptuous, string-laden English pastoral of ‘By The Waters’, is a close cousin of ‘Wild Wood’, while ‘Be Happy Children’ – a mid-paced meditation on fatherhood that tests the limits of the listener’s sentimentality – is so dadrock-by-definition you briefly wonder if he’s gone all meta on us.

What is surprising, though, is Weller, that most non-negotiably English of musical icons, dabbling in krautrock, as he does on three tracks here. ‘Green’ is a Neu!-ish mish-mash of insistent synths and distended guitars, with Weller delivering an oblique spoken-word lyric that opens the album on a studiedly enigmatic note. Even taking that foretaste into account, however, ‘Kling I Klang’’s spiky electric oompah can’t help but come jackbooting out of left-field, spitting venom about the Afghan war while its knees busily piston up to its chin.

Oh, and did someone say jazz-reggae? No? Well, that’s understandable. But despite everything ‘Study In Blue’ has going against it (it’s a duet with his wife, features liberal use of melodica, and is – ahem – seven minutes of jazz-fucking-reggae), on record it’s disarmingly lovely. ‘When Your Garden’s Overgrown’, a tribute to Syd Barrett which wisely doesn’t bother trying to sound like its subject, is instead infused with the shameless love of strummed melody that characterised pre-Africa Damon Albarn.

At this stage in the game, Weller is perfectly aware of what his audience wants, but he’s also secure in the knowledge that they’re not going to simply desert at the first sign of divergence. As such, he’s now less beholden to expectation than he has been at any time since he disbanded The Jam. How much responsibility for this late-period renaissance lies with the now-estranged Dine? That’s a question for another album. ‘Sonik Kicks’ is the sound of Paul Weller growing old the only way he could – not particularly gracefully, but with no small amount of style.

Barry Nicolson

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Video: Paul Weller – ‘Sonik Kicks Will Be Groundbreaking’

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• Paul Weller – ‘Sonik Kicks Will Be Groundbreaking’

Music reviews: telegraph: Listen to Paul Weller’s new album ‘Sonik Kicks’

“Paul Weller has made his new album ‘Sonik Kicks’ available online a week ahead of its release.”

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Mawande Jack

An accelerated programme to construct houses for the poor, especially in the rural areas, this financial year has been unveiled.

Places earmarked for major housing projects include Mount Ayliff, Dordrecht, Ezibeleni, Cradock, Middelburg, Burgersdorp, Steynsburg, Aliwal North and Motherwell.

Work on many of the projects is expected to start this month. Two of the projects have been designated as national housing projects by Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale, to be launched in Soweto-on-Sea and Joe Slovo in Port Elizabeth.

Sexwale disclosed that the massive projects in the Nelson Mandela Bay involving 6500 low-cost housing units that would cost the state R617m.  About 8700 units were being planned for Dordrecht, Ezibeleni, Cradock, Middelburg and Burgersdorp at a cost of R663m.

The Eastern Cape human settlements departments said the problems in the 700 housing units project in Mount Ayliff that had stalled had been resolved and would cost R61m to complete by December. About R103m has been set aside for the repair of 1262 defective houses in Motherwell.

mawandej@thenewage.co.za