I've just finished watching Tim Henman win a match that seemed like it would go on forever, and after the last couple of weeks I know how he must feel. There've been 9 gigs in total since the last blog, 3 of which were cabaret admitedly, but viewed as a whole there were 8 shows in 9 days, six on consecutive nights.
The Primrose on June 13th was an improvement on the last 2 solo shows down there. Mainly due to there being an audience present. I was pleased with how my set went, and it was a much more enjoyable night.
On Sunday afternoon I had the band back together at The Railway and here we had the best gig of the June 'tour' and the best band gig so far. A really relaxed and friendly atmosphere complete with a great performance. It was one of those gigs that makes you glad to be a musician and I felt fully justified in going to the trouble of putting a band together in the first place.
I had to keep it all together last week, not having done 6 nights on the trot like that. In the end the 2 most tiring were the Morris and the Minors shows on Friday and Saturday, and with my own stuff it was a case of 2 points a-piece.
The bad ones came first. Tuesday solo at Zephyr Bar is always a gig that has the potential to be dodgy, it simply depends who's in the pub. This time, with the students gone, it was wall to wall townies, not one of which looked compus mentis to me! I can't honestly say there was one person in there who looked sober or clean. This was early Tuesday evening for Christ's sake. It looked like a scene from a 4am bar. Everyone just looked wasted, like what little brain was there to start with had been washed away in a heavy drinking binge.
Needless to say nobody was really listening. And I had the added bonus of an encroacher asking for Oasis songs. As I duly obliged he came over and asked me when I was going to do it. He musn't have heard of Don't Look Back In Anger, their biggest hit. Still, that's about your average Oasis fan's mentality I suppose. He was more keen on his pissed up mate who was dancing on the tables and trying to chat up some giggling girlies than anything else.
It didn't get out of hand though and at least I was spared a long night.
Wednesday with the band at Sandinista! was dissapointing more than anything else. We were due on at 11.20 which put paid to us getting much of a following. We managed to get on for about 11, by which stage a lot of the crowd had gone. On top of that the sound was difficult, although this was partly our fault, and really the night never achieved what it was supposed to for me.
On Thursday, the first day of summer, it was time for the Plough at Warmfield and here things went to plan. Ali, the landlord, is that rare breed: a live music enthusiast who happens to run a pub. Let's be honest, it wasn't very busy, but he managed to extract more added value than you would get in 100 pub gigs. Just think what he could do with a central venue and a bigger crowd! Along with his barstaff he managed to secure me 10 cd sales, a whipround for petrol money (not beer as I was driving) and an attentive polite audience. Thanks to Jon for recomending me to the venue, and I hope to be back there with the band in September.
Sunday night thankfully left me demob happy because it was the perfect way to wind down. A quiet solo set at Sandinista, not busy, but perfectly relaxed and comfortable for me.
I'm having a few days gigfree now so will update you on the next shows soon.
The second album is being worked on as we speak and I'm getting strangely addicted to myspace, as usual after everyone else has washed their hands of it. I'm only just coming round to Nirvana.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
FIRST REVIEW!
I think I mentioned this was happening, a recent gig at Sandinista's was reviewed by Sandman magazine. The review is printed in this month's edition and is also online at http://www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/sandman/pages/frame.html
It's only a short review, see what you make of it:
If you’ve heard anything by Paul Jeffrey before you see him you’re liable to end up rather confused. A slight balding man with glasses, a striped jumper and cheeky Yorkshire humour greets you before belting out emotional piano ballads that Bon Jovi would be proud of. The intensity of the emotion on the surface meant at times I found it hard to get into the rumbling chord progressions, they moved fast and his voice was constantly twisting and turning. There’s something of Elton John in the campness of this and bizarrely the songs retain a weird transcendent balance between despair and positivity. copyright Sophie Kemp
So there you have it, my first live review. It's the sort of thing I've part wanted and part dreaded for a long time. I suppose it's a positive review so I'm happy with that. I think it's interesting to get someone else's opinion although there is this feeling of circumstances being beyond my control, especially in the visual department. But we are up there to gain exposure so it's no bad thing.
Last week there were 2 gigs, the first was for Cloth Cat at The Primrose on Thursday 7th June. Here I had the band in 3-piece guise with Keith and Steve. We played for about 40 minutes including covers of You Do Something To Me, The Letter and So Lonely. The audience was a bit indifferent (as was the rest of the music that night!), but at least there was a crowd after some disasterous attendances there lately.
On Sunday I was at The New Inn at Barwick for the 3rd time. Again it went well and I was pleased that people listened well for the whole set. As usual the 2nd set was very long and it was a very hot night too. I was quite tired by the end of it, even more so after running out of petrol on the way home!
The 2nd album is almost ready. I think I can now say this with a degree of confidence as all the track arrangements are now finished. All that is left to do is tweak the mixes and sort out the running order. The last track to be finished, 'Laura Jones', is going to be one of my favourites, it's sounding superb.
Tonight (wednesday) there's another Primrose gig, solo this time, and I'm told there will be another review, this time for NoTitle Magazine. So I'd better not be too camp this time. On Sunday the band is playing in the afternoon at the Railway, Berry Brow, which was a great gig last time. The one I'm really looking forward to is Sandinista next Wednesday (the 20th) which is the band's second acoustic gig. I'd be glad though to see anyone supporting at any of the nights.
I think I mentioned this was happening, a recent gig at Sandinista's was reviewed by Sandman magazine. The review is printed in this month's edition and is also online at http://www.sandmanmagazine.co.uk/sandman/pages/frame.html
It's only a short review, see what you make of it:
If you’ve heard anything by Paul Jeffrey before you see him you’re liable to end up rather confused. A slight balding man with glasses, a striped jumper and cheeky Yorkshire humour greets you before belting out emotional piano ballads that Bon Jovi would be proud of. The intensity of the emotion on the surface meant at times I found it hard to get into the rumbling chord progressions, they moved fast and his voice was constantly twisting and turning. There’s something of Elton John in the campness of this and bizarrely the songs retain a weird transcendent balance between despair and positivity. copyright Sophie Kemp
So there you have it, my first live review. It's the sort of thing I've part wanted and part dreaded for a long time. I suppose it's a positive review so I'm happy with that. I think it's interesting to get someone else's opinion although there is this feeling of circumstances being beyond my control, especially in the visual department. But we are up there to gain exposure so it's no bad thing.
Last week there were 2 gigs, the first was for Cloth Cat at The Primrose on Thursday 7th June. Here I had the band in 3-piece guise with Keith and Steve. We played for about 40 minutes including covers of You Do Something To Me, The Letter and So Lonely. The audience was a bit indifferent (as was the rest of the music that night!), but at least there was a crowd after some disasterous attendances there lately.
On Sunday I was at The New Inn at Barwick for the 3rd time. Again it went well and I was pleased that people listened well for the whole set. As usual the 2nd set was very long and it was a very hot night too. I was quite tired by the end of it, even more so after running out of petrol on the way home!
The 2nd album is almost ready. I think I can now say this with a degree of confidence as all the track arrangements are now finished. All that is left to do is tweak the mixes and sort out the running order. The last track to be finished, 'Laura Jones', is going to be one of my favourites, it's sounding superb.
Tonight (wednesday) there's another Primrose gig, solo this time, and I'm told there will be another review, this time for NoTitle Magazine. So I'd better not be too camp this time. On Sunday the band is playing in the afternoon at the Railway, Berry Brow, which was a great gig last time. The one I'm really looking forward to is Sandinista next Wednesday (the 20th) which is the band's second acoustic gig. I'd be glad though to see anyone supporting at any of the nights.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
New Photos!
I forgot to mention the other day....
there's some new photos online taken at the recent Paul Jeffery Band acoustic gig at Carpe Diem, Leeds.
http://www.mppix.com/2007_music_pj_cd.htm
The photos were taken by Mark Sayer at MPPIX Photography. The above link will go straight to his site, so you can check out his other work.
I've also got the pics running as a slideshow at my myspace page.
there's some new photos online taken at the recent Paul Jeffery Band acoustic gig at Carpe Diem, Leeds.
http://www.mppix.com/2007_music_pj_cd.htm
The photos were taken by Mark Sayer at MPPIX Photography. The above link will go straight to his site, so you can check out his other work.
I've also got the pics running as a slideshow at my myspace page.
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Ok, loads to get through as a cold, a burnt head and a holiday have come and gone since mid-may.
'Young, Lost and Hopeful' continues to garner good reviews. It's gained these 'awards' they give out too, in addition to being Track Of The Day on May 21st.
Best Male Vocals overall, week of 21May2007
Best Male Vocals in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Best Production in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Best Melody in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Potential Soundtrack overall, week of 28May2007
Potential Soundtrack in Pop Rock, week of 28May2007
Shame it wasn't for the Ivors, maybe next year.
I was going to have a go at the two Norwegian reviews I received which went very much in the opposite direction to the general trend. Perhaps the word 'Hopeful' is too positive. However, I'm going to let them off as the poor person somehow had to review the same track twice, so it was actually only one Norwegian. I had it in my head that the only 2 bad reviews the song got were from the Scandanavian funland, but it's actually only one.
As I said at the start, it's been a funny fortnight for me. I made the old British era of forgetting a hat on Sunday the 20th, torching my head in the process. Although it gave me an excuse to say I'd been in an open-top car...still very painful though. Not sure if it was sunstroke as I also had a cold and was knackered from the two gigs already played that weekend.
Of course sods law dictated that the only Monday I felt off it, I had a gig to do. This was Doctor Wu's where they run a night of poetry, stand -up and even short films. I was not at my best, and wasn't too happy to be playing so late. But I found a comfy sofa and sat it out.
Everyone listened intently until the musicians went on. Gary Stewart copped it worse than me, as once again people displayed an inability to shut the fuck up during his set. They'd listened intently to some of the drivel earlier on no problem. I managed to get a rousing introduction from the compere which helped-there should be one of these at every mixed night-and mananged to sweat my way through 6 songs. I decided to debut 'If He Knew You' and 'Laura Jones' here, which will be on the new album. All in all not a bad set for me, and well received despite feeling like crap.
The following two days were given over to trying to feel better, and by Thursday things were back to the usual hectic pace. I went to watch old Elton at Sheffield and it was interesting to view from seats at the side of the stage. What a joy it must be to play a set from such a huge catalgue, as the mood takes you, and have 12,000 people go wild. No wonder Davey Johnstone says it's the best job in the world, too right!
The best moment came right at the end though. He finishes 'Your Song', walks off stage, and straight into a limo backed up with the doors open. Oh yes, I'd love to finish a gig like that too....he never spoke a word to the rest of the band, just straight off to a helicopter. And he never helped pack any gear away.
Saturday was the Barge and Barrel beer festival gig in Elland. This one is always more of a covers gig but I managed to play a good few originals too. They warmed up towards the end and it went down well. I had to laugh at the guy who said to me 'I liked half of what you did', damning with faint praise-Elland style! I know what he meant.
And that pretty much takes us into Spring Bank Week, which I spent in the Lakes, avoiding the Hole in t'Wall of course. Just time to mention one more gig which was last night, Sat 2nd. My first performance at the Royal Park Cellars, Headingly. Not a bad set, despite the lack of an audience, and another chance to play the 2 new songs.
'Young, Lost and Hopeful' continues to garner good reviews. It's gained these 'awards' they give out too, in addition to being Track Of The Day on May 21st.
Best Male Vocals overall, week of 21May2007
Best Male Vocals in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Best Production in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Best Melody in Pop Rock, week of 21May2007
Potential Soundtrack overall, week of 28May2007
Potential Soundtrack in Pop Rock, week of 28May2007
Shame it wasn't for the Ivors, maybe next year.
I was going to have a go at the two Norwegian reviews I received which went very much in the opposite direction to the general trend. Perhaps the word 'Hopeful' is too positive. However, I'm going to let them off as the poor person somehow had to review the same track twice, so it was actually only one Norwegian. I had it in my head that the only 2 bad reviews the song got were from the Scandanavian funland, but it's actually only one.
As I said at the start, it's been a funny fortnight for me. I made the old British era of forgetting a hat on Sunday the 20th, torching my head in the process. Although it gave me an excuse to say I'd been in an open-top car...still very painful though. Not sure if it was sunstroke as I also had a cold and was knackered from the two gigs already played that weekend.
Of course sods law dictated that the only Monday I felt off it, I had a gig to do. This was Doctor Wu's where they run a night of poetry, stand -up and even short films. I was not at my best, and wasn't too happy to be playing so late. But I found a comfy sofa and sat it out.
Everyone listened intently until the musicians went on. Gary Stewart copped it worse than me, as once again people displayed an inability to shut the fuck up during his set. They'd listened intently to some of the drivel earlier on no problem. I managed to get a rousing introduction from the compere which helped-there should be one of these at every mixed night-and mananged to sweat my way through 6 songs. I decided to debut 'If He Knew You' and 'Laura Jones' here, which will be on the new album. All in all not a bad set for me, and well received despite feeling like crap.
The following two days were given over to trying to feel better, and by Thursday things were back to the usual hectic pace. I went to watch old Elton at Sheffield and it was interesting to view from seats at the side of the stage. What a joy it must be to play a set from such a huge catalgue, as the mood takes you, and have 12,000 people go wild. No wonder Davey Johnstone says it's the best job in the world, too right!
The best moment came right at the end though. He finishes 'Your Song', walks off stage, and straight into a limo backed up with the doors open. Oh yes, I'd love to finish a gig like that too....he never spoke a word to the rest of the band, just straight off to a helicopter. And he never helped pack any gear away.
Saturday was the Barge and Barrel beer festival gig in Elland. This one is always more of a covers gig but I managed to play a good few originals too. They warmed up towards the end and it went down well. I had to laugh at the guy who said to me 'I liked half of what you did', damning with faint praise-Elland style! I know what he meant.
And that pretty much takes us into Spring Bank Week, which I spent in the Lakes, avoiding the Hole in t'Wall of course. Just time to mention one more gig which was last night, Sat 2nd. My first performance at the Royal Park Cellars, Headingly. Not a bad set, despite the lack of an audience, and another chance to play the 2 new songs.
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