I'M FINALLY BACK OUT on the road as a solo artist! Yes, it may not have made any headlines but I've now done 2 gigs in the past week. I've been practicing for a while (this may come as a shock to you) but I still felt very rusty and under-rehearsed. Around 5 years ago I was doing these sort of gigs (open mics, acoustic showcases) at a furious rate. But lately this rate has dropped off and it's amazing how quickly you get out of the habit. I've also been trying to put a bit more thought into the arrangements this time, with some better dynamics and musical stuff like that.
So it was Thursday 12th July when I appeared at the Chemic Tavern in Leeds. It's slightly quieter in summer when the students go home but it's still a cracking intimate venue. The audience was very attentive and despite several bum notes it felt good to be back.
This was followed on Tuesday 17th (last night) by The Ship on Briggate in Leeds. A fantastic old-style Leeds pub. I played 4 songs this time and again it was a small but appreciative crowd. The sound is always good at this gig and host Ben has recently acquired a TC vocal harmoniser. I want one I must say. It made Simon & Garfunkel tracks sound really authentic.
So all in all it feels like the start of a journey, often the best part I find! I'm cracking on with another visit to the Chemic tomorrow night (Thurs 19th). I almost squeaked an encour out of last week's set so I said I'd come back next week ! The challenge now is to practice and perhaps sneak in a couple of different songs to last week.
LISTENING:
A quieter week than before but I still found time to listen to Paloma Faith's new album 'Fall To Grace.' Very nice, the first 4 songs especially which were excellent pop songwriting. Her voice is reasonably captivating although I can't help wondering what Joss Stone would do with the same songs....then again I often wonder about her.
More tales from my world tour of Leeds (open mics only) next week!
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
IT'S NOT RAINING today, I want an explanation. Apparently this is the wettest summer of the previous 6 consecutive wet summers we've had. Last Friday was a particular low-point with torrential rain and flash flooding. I've twice boated down the M1 motorway, never seen it that bad before. Then when it finally stops raining we've had fog! Damp and muggy, my crushed snail count is painfully high. (for the snails at least).
As you know, my favourite rugby league team (my only favourite) is cliff-hanging again. It seems though that the administrator has at last found his voicemessages and contacted a potential buyer. We now have a further 2 week stay of execution. The interested party is none other than that fabulous Curry establishment Akhbars. If they get us out of this mess I'll be straight down there.
GIGS
The time has at last come for me to do some solo gigs. I've finally had the chance to practice and sort out some arrangements, so this Thursday (12th) I'm going to go to one of my favourite open mics venues The Chemic in Leeds. This really will be like starting over as I've not done many shows like this in a long while. It seems an age since I was doing them at the rate of 3-4 a week.
STUDIO
Work continues on various projects including the BitterSweetShop CD which is moving forward and will feature stripped down 'as you hear them live' versions of our set.
WEB
As mentioned last week, a new song I've co-written, 'Crude Oil Stains' was aired on Whistle Radio. I''m struggling to find a link to where the show is archived at the moment, their site mentions it but there's no link. I've already had word from across the pond that the song was well received though!
LISTENING
I've again listened to a fair old variety of music this past week. Keane's new album 'Strangeland' was a pleasant one. I particularly liked the opening track 'You Are Young' which built up nicely and was very uplifting, a truly positive song. At times the songs are Beatle-esque but without ever quite achieving that level of potential. But still enjoyed it and still no guitars in sight!!
I also enjoyed the debut Texas album 'Southside' which still sounds fresh. I like all the Scottish bands of that era, their music has worn well. Very clear production and a driving rhythm throughout.
Then it was onto what I would term 'death by AOR' with the FM album 'Tough It Out' followed by Bon Jovi's 'New Jersey'. Let's just say I don't like this type of music anywhere near as much as I once did, tastes change I'm afraid! 'You are sentanced to Death by AOR', ohhh nooo.....
I'm off to practice for the Chemic, see you next time.
As you know, my favourite rugby league team (my only favourite) is cliff-hanging again. It seems though that the administrator has at last found his voicemessages and contacted a potential buyer. We now have a further 2 week stay of execution. The interested party is none other than that fabulous Curry establishment Akhbars. If they get us out of this mess I'll be straight down there.
GIGS
The time has at last come for me to do some solo gigs. I've finally had the chance to practice and sort out some arrangements, so this Thursday (12th) I'm going to go to one of my favourite open mics venues The Chemic in Leeds. This really will be like starting over as I've not done many shows like this in a long while. It seems an age since I was doing them at the rate of 3-4 a week.
STUDIO
Work continues on various projects including the BitterSweetShop CD which is moving forward and will feature stripped down 'as you hear them live' versions of our set.
WEB
As mentioned last week, a new song I've co-written, 'Crude Oil Stains' was aired on Whistle Radio. I''m struggling to find a link to where the show is archived at the moment, their site mentions it but there's no link. I've already had word from across the pond that the song was well received though!
LISTENING
I've again listened to a fair old variety of music this past week. Keane's new album 'Strangeland' was a pleasant one. I particularly liked the opening track 'You Are Young' which built up nicely and was very uplifting, a truly positive song. At times the songs are Beatle-esque but without ever quite achieving that level of potential. But still enjoyed it and still no guitars in sight!!
I also enjoyed the debut Texas album 'Southside' which still sounds fresh. I like all the Scottish bands of that era, their music has worn well. Very clear production and a driving rhythm throughout.
Then it was onto what I would term 'death by AOR' with the FM album 'Tough It Out' followed by Bon Jovi's 'New Jersey'. Let's just say I don't like this type of music anywhere near as much as I once did, tastes change I'm afraid! 'You are sentanced to Death by AOR', ohhh nooo.....
I'm off to practice for the Chemic, see you next time.
Wednesday, July 04, 2012
IT'S BEEN A BUSY COUPLE OF weeks so let's get straight on with it.
I was in France all last week on holiday, staying in the Pas De Calais region. More of that in a moment.
Following on from the amazing experience of seeing Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, 4 days later it was time for 'US Singer-Songwriter Legend Part 2' with Bruce Springsteen at the Etihad Stadium, closer to home this time in Manchester. Closer to home but a considerably wet day meant hopes weren't high! So we all stood there in the great British outdoors on the longest day of the year, me wearing a dayglo overcoat. I was hoping to be at least once mistaken for a steward but it wasn't to be. Anyway, by some minor miracle it stopped raining just before The Boss took to the stage, and there were only a couple of minor showers during his 30 hour set!
Needless to say it was a high-octane, passionate performance (actually 3 and a half hours long!). You can't fault the band's effort or enthusiasm. It could have done with being a bit louder to be honest, as the noise of the devotee fans singing out of tune often drowned out the man himself! He gives a lesson to us performers in stagecraft though. The songs come rapidly one after another. Fast songs or slow songs, new or old, everyone is delivered as if it's life dependent. Another memorable night leaving me with plenty of inspiration for the future.
France was my first experience of driving abroad, hence the short distances covered. I stayed for 3 days each in St Omer and Boulogne. Again, by luck rather than judgement, the weather was great. Fairly hot and dry in fact. It's an area often over-looked by tourists as everyone piles off the ferry and onto other places. But that's just the way I like it. Quiet towns with beautiful architecture, and huge deserted beaches. Now I could get used to that!
GIGS
Just prior to my trip I did a wonderful gig with BitterSweetShop at The Chemic in Leeds. This time we were the 'headline' act doing a 40 minute set. It was great to play a longer set but moreover it was great to play in front of an enthusiastic audience! Long may this continue, it was a one of the better gigs I've done.
I'm aiming to be out playing solo too very soon. I'm rusty and currently practicing some arrangments, it's all quite exciting and another 'back to basics' project.
STUDIO
Amazingly I'm finding time to write as well. I've just started work on a big heavy prog song that I'm really excited about. Warning: it's easily as depressing as 'Even', 'The Prisoner' or 'Gods &Angels' !!
WEB
Another new song that's already completed is about to be aired for the first time. It's called 'Crude Oil Stains' and was co-written with an American poet Nell Ledger Bolden. The song will be aired on Tuesday 10th July on Whistle Radio at 9pm EST. The station is Canadian but I'm sure with the benefit of the internet it can heard all over the place. Just click the links to find out more!
LISTENING
I enjoyed Amy MacDonald's new album. Solid, direct songs. I'm having my first taste of The Cure with their 'Disintegration' album: Am finding it doesn't taste very nice. Also on my travels I've been listening to Erasure 'The Innocents' and Spandau Ballet's last album 'Heart Like A Sky.' 'Kick' by INXS is an iconic album, and I still love 'Mystify' which I used to play live a lot. I'm in no doubt there's about 4 or 5 really memorable tracks on this album but I'm still unconvinced the band were really that special. It's the old 'style over content' dilemma for me. The lyrics are pretty poor and some of the other songs don't stand up too well. But it's all part of the learning process and at least now I've actually heard the records.
I was in France all last week on holiday, staying in the Pas De Calais region. More of that in a moment.
Following on from the amazing experience of seeing Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, 4 days later it was time for 'US Singer-Songwriter Legend Part 2' with Bruce Springsteen at the Etihad Stadium, closer to home this time in Manchester. Closer to home but a considerably wet day meant hopes weren't high! So we all stood there in the great British outdoors on the longest day of the year, me wearing a dayglo overcoat. I was hoping to be at least once mistaken for a steward but it wasn't to be. Anyway, by some minor miracle it stopped raining just before The Boss took to the stage, and there were only a couple of minor showers during his 30 hour set!
Needless to say it was a high-octane, passionate performance (actually 3 and a half hours long!). You can't fault the band's effort or enthusiasm. It could have done with being a bit louder to be honest, as the noise of the devotee fans singing out of tune often drowned out the man himself! He gives a lesson to us performers in stagecraft though. The songs come rapidly one after another. Fast songs or slow songs, new or old, everyone is delivered as if it's life dependent. Another memorable night leaving me with plenty of inspiration for the future.
France was my first experience of driving abroad, hence the short distances covered. I stayed for 3 days each in St Omer and Boulogne. Again, by luck rather than judgement, the weather was great. Fairly hot and dry in fact. It's an area often over-looked by tourists as everyone piles off the ferry and onto other places. But that's just the way I like it. Quiet towns with beautiful architecture, and huge deserted beaches. Now I could get used to that!
GIGS
Just prior to my trip I did a wonderful gig with BitterSweetShop at The Chemic in Leeds. This time we were the 'headline' act doing a 40 minute set. It was great to play a longer set but moreover it was great to play in front of an enthusiastic audience! Long may this continue, it was a one of the better gigs I've done.
I'm aiming to be out playing solo too very soon. I'm rusty and currently practicing some arrangments, it's all quite exciting and another 'back to basics' project.
STUDIO
Amazingly I'm finding time to write as well. I've just started work on a big heavy prog song that I'm really excited about. Warning: it's easily as depressing as 'Even', 'The Prisoner' or 'Gods &Angels' !!
WEB
Another new song that's already completed is about to be aired for the first time. It's called 'Crude Oil Stains' and was co-written with an American poet Nell Ledger Bolden. The song will be aired on Tuesday 10th July on Whistle Radio at 9pm EST. The station is Canadian but I'm sure with the benefit of the internet it can heard all over the place. Just click the links to find out more!
LISTENING
I enjoyed Amy MacDonald's new album. Solid, direct songs. I'm having my first taste of The Cure with their 'Disintegration' album: Am finding it doesn't taste very nice. Also on my travels I've been listening to Erasure 'The Innocents' and Spandau Ballet's last album 'Heart Like A Sky.' 'Kick' by INXS is an iconic album, and I still love 'Mystify' which I used to play live a lot. I'm in no doubt there's about 4 or 5 really memorable tracks on this album but I'm still unconvinced the band were really that special. It's the old 'style over content' dilemma for me. The lyrics are pretty poor and some of the other songs don't stand up too well. But it's all part of the learning process and at least now I've actually heard the records.
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