I did 3 gigs last week. Wednesday and Thursday were solo in Leeds. They were both fairly short notice sets, which shows someone must love me. The Library on Wednesday was better than expected considering it wasn't very busy. There were just enough to make it a show and it turned out pretty well. I even managed to sell a few CDs! I played Shadow, Words, Whiskey, Gods n Angels, Won't Back Down, If He Knew You and These Eyes.

Onto Thursday which was a last minute call-up to The Primrose. It was supposedly for Lynne's birthday but she wasn't actually there! I had another good set, a favourable reaction in front of a smallish crowd. This time I did Old Wishing Well and left out Words. As usual the keyboard had a big sound. I've come to realise that there's more chance of a small crowd listening than a large one sometimes, and this means you get proportionally more attention. I wasn't really looking forward to these sets but they were 2 of the better ones. Oh and Matt Baxter's set on Wednesday was superb!

On Saturday night a ventured out in search of new venues and bands. I scored 0 out of 3! 2 pubs I called into advertised bands but of them there was no sign. The other pub has been boarded up and thus becomes another pub to point out which I managed to close down. (Ok I hadn't played there for 6 years but you get the general idea!). A less than fruitful recee and worse still for having to go into Bradford city centre.

Back to my birth city for the Bridge Tavern last night (Sunday). A normally quiet and peaceful gig to round off the week was livened up considerably by a possee of scrotes who came in after the football. A couple of years ago this would have spelt big trouble for me but now I can't say I was over-bothered. They didn't really cause any trouble, other than being roudy. They got a bit close once or twice but the landlord actually made some attempt to move them. In all my hundreds of pub gigs I think that's the first time I've ever seen the management intervene when a scrote has croseed the line. They normally couldn't give a monkey's.

We introduced some new very old classic rock covers. Wishing Well (not mine) is a song just about every Bradford band plays. So I thought we should do it as well. It's actually a song I really like, just that it got over-played. Ive always found I can sing it pretty well and we really had a good sound on that one. It was hard to concentrate with idiots close by but we managed to get through the new songs pretty well. Talk about a baptism of fire!

After it's postponement last October, the Police finally came to Manchester on Wednesday night, the 2nd of two 18,000 sell-out concerts as the comeback world tour nears it's end.


To hold 18,000 they open all the seats, all the way around including those normally curtained off behind the band. This is where we sat! So we got the back view of the band. Different certainly, but nonetheless good fun! There was sound facing our way, which was actually pretty good for once, unlike previous Sting gigs I've seen there. It was compelling to watch Stuart Copeland giving it his all for nearly 2 hours, and the whole thing was well worth the wait. Being where we were the atmosphere wasn't 100% but it's one of those nights I'll take a lot away from and remember fondly. So that's 2 more of my all-time heroes I've now seen within the last month, not many more to go at now.

I did the Chemic Tavern open mic on Thursday night, playing the opening slot I performed 'It Will Pass', 'Whiskey', 'Gods&Angels' and 'One Of Us'. Not the greatest reception given how early it was, but the venue is dead right for those sort of gigs. The size and semi-darkness provide a good atmosphere.

I skipped off to near Carlisle on Saturday to play another amazing wedding venue with Atlanta Soul. It rained solid all day, as it was the first day of summer after all! This time it was a hall that was actually someone's house, and when it's the daughters' wedding what better way to celebrate than to have a marquee holding 200 people in your back garden?! Just another stopping off point on my UK tour of strange and wonderful places to play.

Having made it home just as the sun came up I then had another solo gig on Sunday night. This was at my regular haunt the New Inn at Barwick-in-Elmet. It was a solid night, a little quieter than normal (8 people instead of 12), and I got to play some more of my original material to an audience that knows me pretty well now, on my 8th visit. That rounded off another busy week just in time to start the next busy week.

I still need to tell you more about Paradise Street, but if you can't wait take a look in my top friends on myspace. The page is now up and running and I'm updating regularly.

I've also been making some breakthroughs with internet radio. I'll let you know of any showtimes, but I've certainly made some interesting contacts. I also found time last week to nearly complete the mix of another song for the Paradise Street album. It may be finished for autumn, but as with Peter Gabriel, I'm not saying which one.

OK, here comes a concerted effort to catch up on the last 2 weeks, then I can say I've caught up. Just when you think you've found the end, someone moves the end......

The Band were back out 2 days after Skipton slightly closer to home at the Junction at Queensbury. This time there was no fog and more people. Almost a respecatble amount no less. The reception was none too bad, despite the presence of musicians in the audience which are easy to spot but very hard to please. As a poor spectator myself I can understand this, although it's something that's gone on for years in the pubs of the Thornton/Queensbury district. Still, any audience is welcome these days. Well, nearly any.

The weekend of the 7/8 June showed up the remarkable contrast that exists in my career, and that of most working musicians. On Saturday night I played at the Midland Hotel in Manchester with the fabulous Atlanta Soul Band. We had a dressing room with a balcony overlooking the square and the library, and generally could bask in the surroundings of one of the few hotels that can still be called 'grand'.
The following afternoon was The Bridge in Huddersfield.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with the Bridge, indeed my band had a much better time of it there than last time. But perhaps you wouldn't pay £150 a night to stay there?

As I said, the Bridge was a decent gig this time, on the hottest day of the year it was a lovely sunny afternoon. We played as loud as possible which seems to be the done thing there and despite around 50% of the punters sitting outside it was still an enjoyable gig. Afterwards we all embarked on a trip to Cleckheaton for a curry, just like old times. This was the 2nd sit-down meal the band had had in a week, and it does help to socialise with the band. Indeed, many of you may be surprised to read that the musicians could afford 2 meals in one week!

The first two weeks since my 'week off' have been very hectic, and the work-life balance went awry at times. I think I'm now starting to catch up a bit, but it was a bit difficult at times last week. The gigs were another mixture of good and bad.

On the Thursday the band played at The Abbey Inn, threw in a new cover and generally looked set for a decent night at what is one of the few pubs that can be classed as a 'music venue'. But it wasn't to be. We all knew the Thursday was not going to be like a Saturday gig there, but can someone please tell me why the gig wasn't advertised on the pub's own whiteboard???

The same thing happened on my last solo gig there in April. My posters were up, but so were several other bands' in a muddled up manner. Lots of people know me there from the open mics and solo and beer festival slots. Lots of musos and music enthusiasts go too. I was pretty annoyed at this slip up to be honest. It's hard enough work these days playing in pubs as it is, and yet again the warm night means the smokers can stay outside all night. Fair play to them, but the fact remains, how many had come to see a band? Hardly any, because none knew there was one playing. I'd like to say I love playing at the Abbey, but for all it's charm, friendliness, and support for live music, it seems to flatter to deceive, and in the process threw up possibly the worst PJ Band gig so far.

Having navigated Friday the 13th, there was another Atlanta Soul gig on the Saturday in deepest Lancashire, near Nelson. I keep mentioning these gigs because it gives a more rounded view of what I do, and at least means I get the occasional smart venue thrown in amongst the pubs. There was a lovely touch at this one right at the end (and I don't mean from the Finnish girl!). Instead of the usual fireworks, they let off paper chinese lanterns carrying a small flame. It was such a site as they all flew high into the night sky, lighting it up. It was almost like an alien invasion, except that this probably happened some years ago in Barnoldswick, and no-one could tell any different.

Last night I returned to Leeds to support Jon Strong at the Roscoe. My slot went really well and I managed to sell quite a few CDs. I played Cold Cold Day as the 2nd number and it had the best response it's ever got at a solo set. I think Gods And Angels is here to stay in the set too. I also threw in If He Knew You and a cover of One Of Us. It was also busier than last time, and all in all is just the sort of exposure I need.

I'll hopefully finally get around to plugging the Paradise Street myspace page in a special midweek blog, stay tuned.

You may have noticed that I'm a week behind with this, so will see if I can catch up a bit now.
Tuesday May 20th took me to the Arkle in Morley. This is the latest home for Scouse Andy's open mic night. First time I met him was at the Fox and Newt in Leeds last year. Since then it's been to the Old Vic, and since their change of entertainment policy (not having any) we're now at the Arkle.

It's an old-style estate pub, the sort that normally I'd avoid like the plague but this one seemed to be a good venue. The pub is big and fairly quiet but the open mic brought enough people in to make it an encouraging evening. I played four songs: Shadow, Whiskey, Here Comes the Sun and Freefallin'.

Thursday was another new venue: Quid Pro Quo in Leeds, on Greek Street in an area of yuppie bars in the city centre. This is back to the 'younger end' bars that I'm seeing less and less sense in doing. This one was ok, although it seems to be un-decided about whether it's definetly an open mic or not. There was a bacardi promotion going on, which meant at least a promo girl in a tight t-shirt. I was lucky in that I got to play first-did 5 songs, then had a beer and went home.
I played the same orignals as at Morley, and also These Eyes Of Mine, One Of Us and Rocket Man (requested by someone who saw me at Doctor Wu's).

I wouldn't mind going back there, it's got potential. The management seemed pretty impressed so we shall have to see.

Sunday evening was the Abbey Beer Festival, which actually ran all weekend. On the Saturday night the marquee blew down (thankfully after the show was over!) so I played outside and under heavy skies hoped it wouldn't rain. My luck held out!
It was an enjoyable set, with Old Wishing Well added along with Somebody to Love. I tried to give it an outdoor feel....I even did Summer Of 69 as the encour. There's some photos of what I gather was a succesful festival here.

So to Whitsun week, and my 'week off'. Ok, I actually managed about 2 days of actual rest in the Lakes whilst trying to cram in all the other things I had to do. On Wednesday (29th May) there was the Bruce Springsteen concert in Manchester. Everyone knows I like stadium rock, and even though we were sat far away, it was still a good atmosphere and I'm glad I went. He managed to get the crowd working on what was a rainy night down the front uncovered end. It still makes me ambitous to see these shows, and hope that one day I might be able to do the same thing. It's a far cry from the gigs I do, but it's about the best dream I've got!

On the Sunday afternoon, now back home again, the band was out at the Craven in Skipton. We had a good run playing for a thin crowd of locals. Turns out the landlord is from Bolton, so he got on well with Dave, Norm and myself especially. It was a bit surreal I must say. 3 days after Springsteen, belting out 'Hell Freezes Over' to a handful of people....still, it's a learning curve.

Last time I deviated from my normal format and told you all about the Free Download Track. Well, it's still free and downloadable so get hold of it for nowt while you still can! The offer only lasts a little while longer.

OK, so back to business. I'm now on May the 15th, which was my first visit to the revamped Cloth Cat Open Mic night at the Chemic Tavern in Leeds. I've played in many hundred pub venues over the years (as well as drinking in several hundred more!) and I find that the best time to form an impression over whether or not I'll like it is as soon as I walk through the door! I'm an introvert, very sensitive to changes and atmosphere and my environment. What I'm trying to say is that I knew this place was going to be good as soon as I walked in. It had something special, a homely, intimate atmosphere. I hope I'm proved right.

If you go back far enough with these 'ere blogs you'll remember that the Cloth Cat guys used to run the open mic at The Primrose in Meanwood. They've only recently returned to running one at the Chemic. I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit, playing 4 songs as an open spot. (Eyes, Whiskey, Gods, and Shadow-to give them their shortened titles as they appear in my diary!).

Take a moment to view the pub's myspace page. You'll find a pretty picture of the pub with snow on the foreground, and also note the choice of theme tune-'Cheers', which seems rather appropriate. And in case you're too excited to wait, here is the picture!!



*And I can now announce my very first headline slot at the Chemic.....on a real GRAND PIANO too! This will be on Thursday July 17th at 9pm. Be sure to attend as real GRAND PIANOS are very rare in pubs these days!

The following night the Band returned for the second time to the Cricketers Arms at Horbury. We had a good night there again, and look forward to returning soon. One thing that can never be taken for granted in a run of the mill pub gig is the fact that no-one owes you their attention. Even if you think that attention is fully deserved. Therefore it was only in the last 3 songs that the penny dropped and I could really begin to draw the crowd in. I've had my fair share of moments where I've got frustrated at being ignored (are you still there?), but ultimately I'm learning that it takes a bit of gandering out to achieve. This still doesn't change the fact that 'Hell Freezes Over' definetly deserved a better response earlier on, it's a song which is fast becoming my favourite to do live.

Rather than have a rest, I decided to spend the entire weekend watching cars race round a track. On Saturday it was the turn of MG racing at Oulton Park, which is a sedate way to spectate, but there's some really lovely machinery.
Hence....
and...A beautiful pair of 3.9 litre BCV8s!


And on Sunday it was Buxton for the stock cars, which of course is my normal choice of entertainment. I've found a bit on youtube which sort of gets the idea across of what happened in the Final. And yes, they are supposed to hit each other!