Where to begin, well I'm changing the structure this year in an effort to make it more organised. Firstly, my weekly review, and then a few general notes at the end-those that don't fit into any particular day.
SUNDAY DEC 31st/JANUARY 1ST:
My year started in a holiday camp, and while Ruth Madoc's legs (circa 1970s) were nowhere to be seen, it was very easy to imagine Ted Bovis popping in. No, I wasn't having a scrote's christmas break, I was working with one of the Function bands I play with: Morris and the Minors. The holiday camp in question was Ribby Hall near Kirkham, not far out of Blackpool. It's all chalets, none of your cheap caravans herder am I bothering to mention this, well it's simply because I took a few pictures to see out the old year. Also because it kind of bookends things as we start afresh.
Clem contemplaits his upcoming US tour with Beth Wheatley. The latter can be found on my new EP.
John contemplates a change of tie colour.
Keith (left) shows off his new stage clothes, Keith can also be found on my new EP playing bass.
Oh, the fun we have backstage, so there you go. Thats was the end of 2006 and the start of 2007.
TUESDAY JAN2ND:
The official release date of the new EP. PAUL JEFFERY & FRIENDS: GET THE DRINKS IN
There details in an ealrier blog about this, suffice to say the CDs are now available from me and cost £3. To purchase email me at paul@pauljeffery.com
To listen to the tracks, click the links below:
Whiskey Coloured World (Anglestar Blend)
Get The Drinks In (Vocals by Sally Rivers)
Old Wishing Well
Drinking My Way Down (Vocals by Beth Wheatley)
And to read rave reviews (!) click here.
I'm so proud of this EP, because it's involved quite a few experiments which have worked. The guest vocals, the live drums and the hip-hop flavoured remix of 'Whiskey Couloured World' have all gone to make this a most enjoyable CD to make.
It will be on sale at gigs for the forseeable future. All that remains now is to get it shipped to the States so I can sell online at cdbaby. At roughly $5 it's surely a bargain!
Early reviews and chart positions on the net suggest a bright future for the disc.
WEDNESDAY JAN 3rd:
The first gig of the year took place at Korks Wine Bar in Otley. This is the home of the popular Otley Folk Club.
Folk clubs are an experiment for me. I feel that as a singer-songwriter for the more mature listener (debatable I know!), I can crossover in this direction. Of course it's always better to check in advance as some like the Grove Folk Club don't want anything to do with my genre of music. I can understand this point of view as some follow a more traditional format, making use of traditional songs.
The atmosphere appeals to me, because it's a million miles away from the scrote-infested pubs I've played in the past. People are friendly, and generally more gentile-I can't promise they like what I do, but as I'm not going in there f-ing and blinding I think it's OK.
On this occasion it was unplugged with a lovely Piano (in tune too!). I played '7 Shades Of Grey' (A cheerful way to start the new year!) and 'Whiskey Coloured World'. Later on I was invited back up to play 'Old Wishing Well'.
All in all, a great night with a warm atmosphere. The standard of music was very high and whilst I was clearly a bit of an outsider, I'd certainly go again. I loved the way the audience joined in with the traditional folk songs. I got a bit of that going on the outro to '7 Shades'. Below are a couple of rushed photos. The piano is over to the far right.
THURSDAY JAN 4TH:
Definetly the busiest day of the week. I spent the day working on the 2nd album with Jon Strong. We worked on the 2 piano tracks which were more or less finished in the day. The 2 songs are both Sarah Thurlow lyrics, 'Gods And Angels' and the very new 'Cold Steel Lover', which I had worked on over Christmas at home. The piano sound is great and I can't wait to hear these tracks when mixed.
In the evening it was off to The Primrose, Meanwood Road, Leeds. The Cloth Cat Open Mic night was busier than I expected for deepest darkest January, this despite the lack of a booked act. Every act (including 2 bands) got 4 songs: so I took the chance to play 'Whiskey', 'Even', 'Your Shadow' and 'Life'.
After being the youngest present the previous evening, this time I was one of the oldest. And you really feel it at these nights! I must have seemed like a quirk to most of the younger ones, but I was very pleased with the reception-even if my performance of 'Life' was a bit wayward. 'Even' was only added after I read a certain interview of a certain artist in a certain magazine.....I've cleaned the vomit off the page now.
Next week (see below) I'll be back there for my 30minute support/opening slot.
The Primrose about to rock.
FRIDAY JAN 5TH:
A chance to see one of my very favourite musicians and his band, playing but 5miles from home. Paul Carrack made his annual visit to the Ritz Ballroom in Brighouse, and I was there this time. If you close your eyes, his voice is identical to the records he made, there is absolutely no studio enhancement, and the band are brilliant, totally vibrant. Unfortunately the Ritz is set to close, sold to developers this year. It must be one of the last preserved 60's style ballrooms left in the area, and it will be sadly missed.
A fantastic night!
SATURDAY JAN 6TH:
I finally met one of my newer lyricists, Carol Douglas yesterday. She has 2 tracks on the 2nd album and we were also meeting to discuss an exciting new project in the pipeline, I'll say no more for now!
LOST IN LOVE TOWN ALBUM ON APPLE iTUNES:
Should this have come higher up??? Anyway follow this link to buy my debut solo album as a download. The album is currently being distributed to 32 download companies, so stand by for more and more links!
THIS WEEK:
The gig schedule is hectic this week, I'm currently keeping the myspace page updated with the shows, as the list appears on the front page. I hope soon to have a list on a seperate page here too.
Tuesday Jan 9th: Doctor Wu's, Leeds
Wednesday Jan 10th: The Pump Rooms, Halifax-a night hosted by local singer-songwriter Al Dickinson.
Thursday Jan 11th: The Primrose, Leeds. The afore-mentioned 30 minute slot.
Friday Jan 12th: Ukranian Club, Keighley. BACCApipes folk club.
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