In addition to the many podcasts currently playing tracks from my latest album there are also various Internet Radio stations who have songs on their playlist.

Recently, blk radio have been playing 'Your Shadow'. And Laughing Dog Radio have been playing the first 3 tracks from the album also.

It's amazing how many of these stations exist, and how organised I'm having to be to keep track of everything! Rather than spending most of my time doing cool artistic things like writing songs and recording them I seem to spend more time building databases and sifting through files. I'm aiming to be the first rock n roll secretary. Of course, it would be nice to pay someone else to do my secretarial work-a leggy Italian girl being my personal preference-but alas that's another matter altogether.

And for the sake of completeness, WLSOfm have broadcast 2 more songs in the last couple of weeks: Money From The Satisfied Man and Your Shadow.

The band played a private party on Saturday night. It's not really the intention of the band but naturally sometimes it's a good idea. We had a reasonably good night, I'm not scoring this one because it's someone's party and it's up to them if they enjoyed it or not, which they did so all was fine.

I mixed another track for Paradise Street, the new album looking more and more exciting, and the end is now in sight. More news of course to follow when it's actually released. It's been in danger of being like a Peter Gabriel album-due out 'Autumn' but not saying which year! I will let you know when it's out, you'd expect nothing less I know.

More podcasts, like peas in a pod

Yes, to start with 2 more podcasts:
I've yet to listen to these, but I'm sure they're well worth it.

Firstly Ed's Mixed Bag have included 'Your Shadow' on episode #162.

And secondly The Mental Nomad Podcast have aired 'Through Heartache And Back'. I think I'm correct in saying this is the first time this song has been picked up. Again, it's from the last album and is perhaps one of the lesser known tracks.

So I think that means we're all fully up to date with the latest web promotions.

I did 2 gigs this weekend. The band were out at Berry Brow Liberal Club on Saturday night. This was a much better night in many ways and we were very well received. We played one or two different covers such as 'Hold On I'm Coming' and 'Sweet Soul Music'. Why you may ask, well we've got a private function this Saturday coming and we'll need to be an all-smiling cabaret unit for that! They're still good songs after all.

Berry Brow scores a very welcome 7.

Then last night (Sunday 16th) I did a solo set at The Primrose in Leeds. It's a while since I've done a gig that comes under the heading of 'solo showcase'. In other words, 30 minute set-unpaid.
I had a great night. Certainly one of the best of the many sets I've done there. There was a good crowd who listened. I'm often a little uncomfortable at the thought of playing to people a lot younger, but actually they're more open-minded. And even if I'm seen as a bit of a curiosity at least it's well-played (hopefully) and delivered with passion. That's what counts.

There are other advantages to the 'Primmy' such as the big PA, and the sound engineer who wacks up the bottom end on 'If He Knew You'-that's fantastic! I did 'Message In A Bottle' as the only cover, plus 'Gods & Angels'. All the songs were well received and I sold quite a few CDs too.

The latter point is very important. Whilst it's hardly a gig I can afford to live off, I do sell myself better than say, Ossett Brewery gigs. It's a hard choice to balance-no wage but more CDs and promo, or no interest but a wage. I guess some sort of combination of the 2 would be best.

One thing is for sure, I'm looking forward to doing more shows like this, and even a few more open mics. I used to think of them as the 'bottom end of the scale'. But think of it this way: I turn up having had time for a decent meal beforehand, can carry all my gear in in one go, I conserve energy by playing only a few songs, and the chances are more people will remember me and appreciate the original material. I sell a few CDs and hand out some flyers and then am home in time to go to the pub.

This compares favourably in a lot of ways with a paid solo gig where I have to take all my gear and possibly not get any reaction at all, let alone sell a CD!

It also raises one final issue about solo gigs in general. A fellow-musician friend of mine was saying recently how he prefers the solo route to the band one. I have to say I've always leant towards the latter but am beginning to see his point more and more. At least all the musicians turn up for a solo gig! And as I scrabble round trying to put a band together for a gig later this month, I have to say it's somehow more appealing at times to keep it simple.

All said, the Primrose gig scores 7.




One final word on a totally different subject. By the time I do my next blog it will be 45 years since the murder of John F Kennedy. It will also be 5 years since I stood on the Grassy Knoll in Dealey Plaza commemorating the 40th. As we move towards a time of potentially more liberal administration in the States, I think it's worth reminding ourselves that the greatest lie ever put on people is still alive to this day. And if you think it's irrelevant ancient history let me list you all that have been persecuted and killed to keep this lie alive-some not that long ago.

JFK blown away, what else do I have to say.

And if we enlarge the image, here's one of the men that did it.

More fantastic album reviews and podcasts

Yes, another member of the human race has given a vote of confidence to my album. This week it's Wildy Haskell at Wildy's World.

Again, it's a very positive review and contains all the correct weblinks!! It scored 4 stars out of 5.

READ THE NICE REVIEW HERE

Following on from this, there's been a further 3 broadcasts of material.

1st is Dalecast, who has already played my material, he's chosen 'Your Shadow' this time.

2nd is Robkast from Holland, who has sent my some lovely messages regarding the songs. As of this moment in time I've not listened to the podcast but can be fairly sure it's worth mentioning to you!

And 3rd is US-based WLSO fm, who have played 2 songs lately. 'Even' and 'Gods & Angels'.

And now onto last week's happenings. On Tuesday I had a very productive recroding session with Paul F on the guitars. This has now put the Paradise Street debut album a large step nearer to completion. I'm still not 100% sure if the record will be out before Christmas, it's possible it will now be January. I hope you're not too upset by this and can wait that little bit longer. But it will be worth the wait, I'm enjoying making it immensely.

The first band gig was on Friday at the Cricketers at Horbury. Not a bad night, we didn't go down too badly at all. Again, for internal band reasons, not a happy event for me but we'll be back there in February 2009. This gig scores 4.

The next one was on Saturday at the Bay Horse, Lindley. Not overly busy, but it was a filthy night (even for Lindley). We managed to keep a small but appreciative crowd entertained until the end of the night. The set went better and I felt far happier driving home this time (plus I live pretty close by!). This one scores a 6.

If you're wondering what these numbers mean, look at the previous blog. But basically it's just a mark out of 10.

Sunday afternoon was the final stock car meeting of the season at Belle Vue, Manchester. After getting bogged down in Man City traffic the rain set in which led to some very boggy racing. So ends another BRISCA season and as with last year it was very wet, resulting in an early curtailment of the action, and a long hot bath afterwards!

Money From The Satisfied Man Single of the Day plus more blog features

I've had a week away in the Lakes (and I really do mean LAKES!) hence no blog last week. Did you miss me? Don't lie.

I'll start with the latest from my Cyber PR campaign. 'Money From The Satisfied Man' has been picked up by a blog called Single Of The Day. He's written an amusing article which you can read by clicking the link below.

READ THE AMUSING ARTICLE


They've tagged the idea of 'money from the satisfied man' onto the global financial crisis. Which is more a case of 'money to the satisfied man'!! Of course, you all know that the song is nothing whatsoever to do with the banking mess-but it gets the point across. Please do read the article as it's a flattering piece in which the tune gets compared in favourbale terms with the likes of Pink Floyd, Gary Moore and Don Henley.

Ironically, there is a song on the new album which IS highly relevant to the 21st century equivalent of the Wall Street Crash. It's track 4: 'The Prisoner'.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO A SONG RELEVANT TO THE CURRENT ECONOMIC CRISIS.


ANOTHER BLOG FEATURE INCLUDING SOME NICE COMMENTS FROM FOLK:

My second feature this week was on a general blog called 'Bonds Big Leather Couch'. It covers many topics besides music, but has a regular section for new artists.


READ MY FEATURE AND NICE COMMENTS HERE

Or...if you are lazy or pushed for time, here are a couple of things people have said about me. Bear in mind they only got to hear 2 songs from the album.

Dana said: Deep 6? Not feeling it - both songs seemed a bit too similar.But Paul Jeffrey? Definitely my kind of artist!

Bud Weiser said: Jeffrey's first song was average. The second showed off his vocals much better. Talented.

Bud Weiser...I'm not making this up, remember these are blog names! Find out for yourself.

That's enough of those for now, on now to my latest gigs. I'm including an exciting new feature-the all-important *GIG RATING*. This is bascially my mark out of 10 for how the gig goes.

Want to know my scale? Do you really?

10=the perfect gig, like Francium only achievable theoretically

9=very very good gig, equalling or up there with my favourite ever shows

8=very strong night, very enjoyable

7=good night, had fun

6=fair night, solid show

5=below average gig

4=well below average gig

3=poor night, not one to be repeated

2=very poor night, shit gig

1=very very shit night out

0=the worst gig of all-time, totally abortive night

OK...so the first gig to be subjected to this process, also the first gig of my 4th decade is the Paul Jeffery Band @ The Duck n Drake in Leeds, Sat Oct 25.

This gig was quite different to most of ours in that the promoter had added a last-minute support band. Normally it's just us. What was more unusual was that they were a touring German punk band! We used their gear, which made things easier in that respect. We also had a debuting drummer (Kev) so it was a unique night in many ways.

They were a pretty damn good band too. Other bands on the same bill do tend to bring out the competitive instinct in musicians. And tonight I could have done without that, as unfortunately the gig was spoilt for me within 30 seconds of getting in the van. I won't say why, but it didn't help things. Anyway, we played one set straight through, about 75 mins altogether.

We played OK, a lot louder than normal, trying to find that punk energy in the set! The crowd seemed to thin out a bit, and I'm not sure if they preferred a heavier band. We tried to be that band, but it's never that easy. We were certainly loud though. And I got some audience response in the numbers that really need it, like 'All Day+All Night'. In the end, we didn't get a bad reception but as I said it was spoilt beforehand for me. It's a shame too because despite it's rustic interior (the sinks didn't work) the pub is a haven for live music and there's all too few of those remaining.

So I'm afraid the first gig under this new system will score: 5

The following Friday we were out again at The Plough, Oct 31st. And indeed it was a Halloween Special as it was also a local rugby league club's fund raiser. They all wore fancy dress. This gave the night a surreal edge, although I remember certain clubs in Doncaster where this would have appeared run of the mill dresscode.

We are always well-looked after here. The landlord Ali is a real enthusiast. Probably the only one in West Yorkshire! We played OK to a crowd that hadn't come to see us particularly. In the end we had some dancers and by the last song a long overdue roar of approval. We played a couple of encours which cemented it as a 'good response' and went home happier than the previous Saturday.

This one scores a 6.

I'm sure I could think of more to tell you but this is turning into one long blog, so for now I'll say bye and pick it up again next week. Bye.