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.