Last Week:
The Grove open mic night last Wednesday (21st Apr) saw the debut of the new acoustic 3-piece. It was the first time I'd visited the Grove in a long time and it's still a thriving night with many performers and spectators. We did our short 2-song set at the start of the second half. With the piano in the room now officially dead I used my keyboard in there for the first time.
This week:
I'm hopefully playing at Verve on Thursday night, I say hopefully because I've been unable to confirm my set at this time. Confirm before travelling as they say! On Sunday the acoustic 3-piece is back at the Hole Note Acoustic night at Hebden Bridge. That's in the upstairs room of the Hole in T'Wall from 8:15pm.
A-Z of Music:
ELO: 'A New World Record': Featuring about 3 songs from their 'greatest hits' this is a strong album typical of all the Jeff Lynne trademarks. I enjoyed this one, the album tracks are good too.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: 'Young American Dream': Still listening to this one, but it's showing a lot of promise. It's from the 80s (I think) and has some pretty good tracks. As usual, the vocal harmonies are as good as it gets and, stone me, they're touring the UK in the summer (minus Young). But don't tell everyone as I don't want it to sell out before I get a ticket!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Last week:
My first solo gig since the band finished was last night (Mon 19th) at Mr Foleys, on the Headrow in Leeds. I saw this as something of a fresh start, and it's amazing how much better a gig goes when you're in a positive frame of mind. Perhaps I should have tried that earlier!
When the night is not very busy, being in a good mood is very important to stop the dark clouds of doubt creeping in. A brighter mood can turn most gigs into a positive experience.
I played a mixture of covers and originals last night, and the room has a good sound, which helps, and this time I had no technical problems....my thanks go to Alan for the lone of the amp, and Ken for turning up to watch!
Working backwards a little bit, I saw the new Roman Polanski film 'The Ghost' on Friday night. I don't go to the cinema very often at all (and neither does anyone else judging by how quiet it was!), but I do have occasional cinematic moments. I've seen one of his films before and I love his low-fi approach, it's very atmospheric. Love the music he uses too.
I was away with the Stock Cars again over the weekend, at Birmingham and I'm thankful it stayed dry again.
NOW ON FACEBOOK
Yes, after all this time saying 'no' to facebook I've finally given in to it's advances and started a page. I've only just today figured out how to set up a 'music' page and am still tackling the art of adding 'friends'. As a long-time Myspace user it's taking some getting into.
I've taken the decision because I feel myspace is on the decline, although I will certainly be continuing with my page there. The music side of myspace is fine but the 'personal' pages are rapidly drying up as everyone moves to Facebook. Actually, they did this some time ago but it took me a while to realise!
As a songwriter promoting my own work, the main aim of these social networking sites is to find new fans, and potential customers, for my music. Bands don't tend to buy each others' music so attracting genuine musiclovers is the key. Now Facebook holds that key so I'll be on there as well now seeing how it goes. I'm also working on my Youtube channel, which I see as a half-way house between the two.
This week...
The next gig will be the debut of the new acoustic project with Dan and Ol, starting with The Grove Open Mic tomorrow night (Wed 21).
A-Z Of Music...
George Harrison: Living In The Material World:
The alphabetical side of this project has gone to pot, as you can see, but there's always time to listen to George Harrison. Not an album that really grabbed me, despite some of the trademark chord progressions and guitar work. 'Sue you, sue me blues' being about the best one, in typical whimsical Harrison style.
Alison Krauss: Every Time You Say Goodbye:
Foraging at it's best here, as I listen to this purely off the back of the aforementioned Plant/Krauss album. This one is purely country/bluegrass and not really at all in my line. I shall have to forage a little further!
Doobie Brothers: Best of:
I enjoyed this one thoroughly. Quality and energy throughout, good music for driving!
My first solo gig since the band finished was last night (Mon 19th) at Mr Foleys, on the Headrow in Leeds. I saw this as something of a fresh start, and it's amazing how much better a gig goes when you're in a positive frame of mind. Perhaps I should have tried that earlier!
When the night is not very busy, being in a good mood is very important to stop the dark clouds of doubt creeping in. A brighter mood can turn most gigs into a positive experience.
I played a mixture of covers and originals last night, and the room has a good sound, which helps, and this time I had no technical problems....my thanks go to Alan for the lone of the amp, and Ken for turning up to watch!
Working backwards a little bit, I saw the new Roman Polanski film 'The Ghost' on Friday night. I don't go to the cinema very often at all (and neither does anyone else judging by how quiet it was!), but I do have occasional cinematic moments. I've seen one of his films before and I love his low-fi approach, it's very atmospheric. Love the music he uses too.
I was away with the Stock Cars again over the weekend, at Birmingham and I'm thankful it stayed dry again.
NOW ON FACEBOOK
Yes, after all this time saying 'no' to facebook I've finally given in to it's advances and started a page. I've only just today figured out how to set up a 'music' page and am still tackling the art of adding 'friends'. As a long-time Myspace user it's taking some getting into.
I've taken the decision because I feel myspace is on the decline, although I will certainly be continuing with my page there. The music side of myspace is fine but the 'personal' pages are rapidly drying up as everyone moves to Facebook. Actually, they did this some time ago but it took me a while to realise!
As a songwriter promoting my own work, the main aim of these social networking sites is to find new fans, and potential customers, for my music. Bands don't tend to buy each others' music so attracting genuine musiclovers is the key. Now Facebook holds that key so I'll be on there as well now seeing how it goes. I'm also working on my Youtube channel, which I see as a half-way house between the two.
This week...
The next gig will be the debut of the new acoustic project with Dan and Ol, starting with The Grove Open Mic tomorrow night (Wed 21).
A-Z Of Music...
George Harrison: Living In The Material World:
The alphabetical side of this project has gone to pot, as you can see, but there's always time to listen to George Harrison. Not an album that really grabbed me, despite some of the trademark chord progressions and guitar work. 'Sue you, sue me blues' being about the best one, in typical whimsical Harrison style.
Alison Krauss: Every Time You Say Goodbye:
Foraging at it's best here, as I listen to this purely off the back of the aforementioned Plant/Krauss album. This one is purely country/bluegrass and not really at all in my line. I shall have to forage a little further!
Doobie Brothers: Best of:
I enjoyed this one thoroughly. Quality and energy throughout, good music for driving!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Last Week:
The week after Easter is always a bit strange for me, as the following weekend approaches far faster once things have returned to normal. It's a truncated week and having been so busy again it'll be a few more weeks before things settle down again.
Anyway, that little philosophy aside, things were pretty busy with stock car visits to Skegness on Thursday and Northampton on Saturday. Going to mid-week meetings qualifies me for real anorak status, and my new fur-lined coat is in the post. Saturday was the warmest day of the year and I must say it even made the long drag down the M1 bearable as I negociated the longest Average Speed Check in the world whilst listening to the Grand National and on the way back the US golf. Listening to golf commentary on the radio is funny in itself as they have to whisper in order to not put the players off. It sounds like they're stalking somebody.
On Sunday evening I was playing at the New Inn in Barwick-in-Elmet (this is supposed to be a music blog after all!). I had a problem with my PA amp which was off-putting, and whilst the gig went fairly well I was not best pleased with my equipment, it leaves you very exposed at a solo gig!
More Stock Cars followed with the Monday meeting at Sheffield (anorak now arrived) and then onto last night (Wednesday 14th) I had my second gig with Katie at the Cardigan Arms in Leeds. This fabulous old-style Leeds pub has an upstairs room they use for music, with a very tidy in-house PA system, which worked, unlike mine! We played a 30 minute set featuring 5 originals and a couple of covers. I was delighted with how this went, and was revelling in the comparitive novelty of not having to hump gear around, worry about the sound, or indeed worry about anything.
Music is meant to be enjoyable to perform, which leads me onto another breaking news story.
THE PAUL JEFFERY BAND RIP
Yes, after a little while deliberating I've finally taken the decision to disband my band for the time being. It was of course a tough decision as for the past 3 years it's been my number 1 priority. I was finding the nature of the gigs a strain and the fact that there is so much outside pressure just to end up playing a handful of my own songs hasn't helped. My heart isn't really in the band project right now, although I still think you can't beat a band playing some of the songs.
For now I'm going to be concentrating on my solo work, plus the projects with Katie and the acoustic 3-piece with Dan & Ol (the latter I'm not sure I mentioned before but please read on for more details!). That's still 3 live music projects, hardly a quiet time for anyone once you throw in the recording and practicing side of things.
Maybe in a while I'll get the bug back to do something band-wise, but for now I'm really looking forward to playing without the stress and getting back focussed on making progress and promoting the songs: but most importantly looking forward to doing the gigs themselves and really enjoying them!
This week:
I'm performing a solo gig (full night) at Mr Foleys on the Headrow in Leeds on Monday night (19th) from about 9pm. This will be my 2nd visit there and I can tell you it has good beer and nice relaxed atmosphere. I'll be playing covers and originals and really anything goes. I reckon the next blog will be on Tuesday but just in case I'll mention now that I'll be out with Dan & Ol for our debut performance at The Grove in Leeds on Wednesday night. That's open mic so can't say a definite time, but suffice to say it's a great little unplugged gig which I've done many times solo in the past.
A-Z of Music:
Just the one this week,
THE BYRDS (2 x CDs of Essential Byrds):
I have now had my first introduction to this iconic and highly influential band. I enjoyed the earlier material with its trademark jangling guitars. The songs oosed 60s-ness and were so atmospheric of the era, very representative of that time. There's also a song about the JFK assassination on there, so it's a winner in my book! The later material goes into a country style, which I need to research more as some of it sounded tongue-in-cheek country. Especially 'Drugstore Truck Drivin Man, He's the head of the Ku-Klux Klan....'. Sorry to speaking from general ignorance here but I will get to learn more in due course about why the band did what they did, that is after all a big part of the foraging and curating process.
The week after Easter is always a bit strange for me, as the following weekend approaches far faster once things have returned to normal. It's a truncated week and having been so busy again it'll be a few more weeks before things settle down again.
Anyway, that little philosophy aside, things were pretty busy with stock car visits to Skegness on Thursday and Northampton on Saturday. Going to mid-week meetings qualifies me for real anorak status, and my new fur-lined coat is in the post. Saturday was the warmest day of the year and I must say it even made the long drag down the M1 bearable as I negociated the longest Average Speed Check in the world whilst listening to the Grand National and on the way back the US golf. Listening to golf commentary on the radio is funny in itself as they have to whisper in order to not put the players off. It sounds like they're stalking somebody.
On Sunday evening I was playing at the New Inn in Barwick-in-Elmet (this is supposed to be a music blog after all!). I had a problem with my PA amp which was off-putting, and whilst the gig went fairly well I was not best pleased with my equipment, it leaves you very exposed at a solo gig!
More Stock Cars followed with the Monday meeting at Sheffield (anorak now arrived) and then onto last night (Wednesday 14th) I had my second gig with Katie at the Cardigan Arms in Leeds. This fabulous old-style Leeds pub has an upstairs room they use for music, with a very tidy in-house PA system, which worked, unlike mine! We played a 30 minute set featuring 5 originals and a couple of covers. I was delighted with how this went, and was revelling in the comparitive novelty of not having to hump gear around, worry about the sound, or indeed worry about anything.
Music is meant to be enjoyable to perform, which leads me onto another breaking news story.
THE PAUL JEFFERY BAND RIP
Yes, after a little while deliberating I've finally taken the decision to disband my band for the time being. It was of course a tough decision as for the past 3 years it's been my number 1 priority. I was finding the nature of the gigs a strain and the fact that there is so much outside pressure just to end up playing a handful of my own songs hasn't helped. My heart isn't really in the band project right now, although I still think you can't beat a band playing some of the songs.
For now I'm going to be concentrating on my solo work, plus the projects with Katie and the acoustic 3-piece with Dan & Ol (the latter I'm not sure I mentioned before but please read on for more details!). That's still 3 live music projects, hardly a quiet time for anyone once you throw in the recording and practicing side of things.
Maybe in a while I'll get the bug back to do something band-wise, but for now I'm really looking forward to playing without the stress and getting back focussed on making progress and promoting the songs: but most importantly looking forward to doing the gigs themselves and really enjoying them!
This week:
I'm performing a solo gig (full night) at Mr Foleys on the Headrow in Leeds on Monday night (19th) from about 9pm. This will be my 2nd visit there and I can tell you it has good beer and nice relaxed atmosphere. I'll be playing covers and originals and really anything goes. I reckon the next blog will be on Tuesday but just in case I'll mention now that I'll be out with Dan & Ol for our debut performance at The Grove in Leeds on Wednesday night. That's open mic so can't say a definite time, but suffice to say it's a great little unplugged gig which I've done many times solo in the past.
A-Z of Music:
Just the one this week,
THE BYRDS (2 x CDs of Essential Byrds):
I have now had my first introduction to this iconic and highly influential band. I enjoyed the earlier material with its trademark jangling guitars. The songs oosed 60s-ness and were so atmospheric of the era, very representative of that time. There's also a song about the JFK assassination on there, so it's a winner in my book! The later material goes into a country style, which I need to research more as some of it sounded tongue-in-cheek country. Especially 'Drugstore Truck Drivin Man, He's the head of the Ku-Klux Klan....'. Sorry to speaking from general ignorance here but I will get to learn more in due course about why the band did what they did, that is after all a big part of the foraging and curating process.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
Happy Easter to one and all. I can't believe it's already the middle of this week, and will soon be the weekend again. Oh well, can't be bad.
LAST WEEK
My band was out on Wednesday night (31st March) at Harrys Bar in Wakefield, playing quite literally to a packed house....
When we arrived we were faced with the unique situation of not being able to physically get the gear in the pub, let alone set it up, as it was packed full of folk. As you may know, Harrys is a rather small room, so with no standing or sitting room left we had no choice but to wait and hope it thinned out a bit. The management were left with the potential headache of having to chuck customers out to fit the band in, which is supposed to be there to bring customers in! (if you follow me). I don't know, never happens at Wembley, or Oakworth...
Don't worry, they hadn't all come to see us by the way. It was the opening night of the Art Trail which had made the pub fit to burst by 8pm. Eventually we got the gear in and set up, and thankfully most people stayed to watch, so we played to a pretty full room. We also played the full set, starting at 10 and going on until nearly 12.
I had my new keyboard but a lack of practice time meant I hadn't sorted all the new sounds out for the songs, leading to one or two interesting moments and one or two very cheesy 80s ones! I didn't have the luxury of a monitor either due to the lack of space.
The Easter weekend then began, and there was much sport to attend. Starting with the Bulls going to Headingly and taking a draw, not great as we should have won, but better than losing none the less. Draws are rare in RL, unlike football, they're not a feeling I'm very used to, you don't know whether to be happy or sad!
There then followed 3 stock car meetings, and luckily the one where it rained (Coventry) I was feeling almost guiltily dry under the main stand roof. Doesn't make for very good racing though when the shale turns to mush. And to rub it in, within half an hour of leaving, the rain had stopped and roads were dry. I think there was a cloud over Coventry that night.
THIS WEEK
I am playing a solo gig at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet on Sunday night, about 9pm. This is one of my favourite venues as people listen and it's a very intimate gig. Another small room, but to date no problems physically getting inside it!
A-Z OF MUSIC
Half Man, Half Biscuit:
Not strictly beginning with B and certainly not A, but I had it in my car anyway. I love this band for their sense of humour, a song that can make you laugh is to me as good as one that makes you feel any other sort of emotion. The humour is very Northern, very dry. You need to know a bit about football to get some of the gags, but aside from that it's just glorious from beginning to end. My favourites being 'Bob Wilson: Anchorman' and 'Joy Division Oven Gloves'. I heartily recommend them.
Robert Plant/Alison Krauss: Raising Sand.
The Grammy Award winning album, I like the concept but not all the content. I've been meaning to listen to this since it came out, but only just got round to it. From what I'd heard in snippets via adverts etc... I'd already come to the conclusion that this low-fi, 2 part harmony sound is very much suited to Robert Plant's voice as it is now. The blending of the 2 voices is superb.
3 songs in and I was really loving the album. After that it faded a little for me, apart from 'Please Read The Letters' which is strong if little over-long. Nice vibe and great arrangements throughout, but there weren't really any new ideas as the album progressed. Still, could have been far worse.
Big Country: Singles
As a long-time Runrig fan I was hoping for more from this band. All I knew before was that Peter Wishart was their keyboard player before joining Runrig, and that they supported Queen at Knebworth in 86. I think Peter made the right move to switch. I like the big anthemic, driving sound, which is similar to Runrig, but unfortunately it seemed to lack the strong melodies and clear direction they employ so well. I waited for a stronger song to hit me, but it never really happened.
LAST WEEK
My band was out on Wednesday night (31st March) at Harrys Bar in Wakefield, playing quite literally to a packed house....
When we arrived we were faced with the unique situation of not being able to physically get the gear in the pub, let alone set it up, as it was packed full of folk. As you may know, Harrys is a rather small room, so with no standing or sitting room left we had no choice but to wait and hope it thinned out a bit. The management were left with the potential headache of having to chuck customers out to fit the band in, which is supposed to be there to bring customers in! (if you follow me). I don't know, never happens at Wembley, or Oakworth...
Don't worry, they hadn't all come to see us by the way. It was the opening night of the Art Trail which had made the pub fit to burst by 8pm. Eventually we got the gear in and set up, and thankfully most people stayed to watch, so we played to a pretty full room. We also played the full set, starting at 10 and going on until nearly 12.
I had my new keyboard but a lack of practice time meant I hadn't sorted all the new sounds out for the songs, leading to one or two interesting moments and one or two very cheesy 80s ones! I didn't have the luxury of a monitor either due to the lack of space.
The Easter weekend then began, and there was much sport to attend. Starting with the Bulls going to Headingly and taking a draw, not great as we should have won, but better than losing none the less. Draws are rare in RL, unlike football, they're not a feeling I'm very used to, you don't know whether to be happy or sad!
There then followed 3 stock car meetings, and luckily the one where it rained (Coventry) I was feeling almost guiltily dry under the main stand roof. Doesn't make for very good racing though when the shale turns to mush. And to rub it in, within half an hour of leaving, the rain had stopped and roads were dry. I think there was a cloud over Coventry that night.
THIS WEEK
I am playing a solo gig at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet on Sunday night, about 9pm. This is one of my favourite venues as people listen and it's a very intimate gig. Another small room, but to date no problems physically getting inside it!
A-Z OF MUSIC
Half Man, Half Biscuit:
Not strictly beginning with B and certainly not A, but I had it in my car anyway. I love this band for their sense of humour, a song that can make you laugh is to me as good as one that makes you feel any other sort of emotion. The humour is very Northern, very dry. You need to know a bit about football to get some of the gags, but aside from that it's just glorious from beginning to end. My favourites being 'Bob Wilson: Anchorman' and 'Joy Division Oven Gloves'. I heartily recommend them.
Robert Plant/Alison Krauss: Raising Sand.
The Grammy Award winning album, I like the concept but not all the content. I've been meaning to listen to this since it came out, but only just got round to it. From what I'd heard in snippets via adverts etc... I'd already come to the conclusion that this low-fi, 2 part harmony sound is very much suited to Robert Plant's voice as it is now. The blending of the 2 voices is superb.
3 songs in and I was really loving the album. After that it faded a little for me, apart from 'Please Read The Letters' which is strong if little over-long. Nice vibe and great arrangements throughout, but there weren't really any new ideas as the album progressed. Still, could have been far worse.
Big Country: Singles
As a long-time Runrig fan I was hoping for more from this band. All I knew before was that Peter Wishart was their keyboard player before joining Runrig, and that they supported Queen at Knebworth in 86. I think Peter made the right move to switch. I like the big anthemic, driving sound, which is similar to Runrig, but unfortunately it seemed to lack the strong melodies and clear direction they employ so well. I waited for a stronger song to hit me, but it never really happened.
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