Last Week:
Whilst still in a spell of relative in-activity on the gig front (voluntarily and not permanently!), I did a show with Atlanta Soul last Saturday at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall. It went very well again and reinforced my view that it's a great live music venue. I do remember raving about it in a previous blog after last time we were there, so it's enough said that it was equally as enjoyable this time around.
And there's even a video clip this time...click here
Speaking of videos, a whole host of Paul Jeffery Band videos have been uploaded onto youtube from a gig we played in November 09. I haven't had chance to organise them on my own channel yet, but there's about 15(!) songs on there. Mainly covers but a fascinating insight into how the band was on stage.
To view one of the songs (and find your way to the other 14 or so!) please click here.
Hope you enjoy them and I'll be in touch soon!
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
There's been a bit of a lull in the number of gigs lately, not for any particular reason. I haven't been blacklisted by anyone (for a while) and it's not due to a loss of heart in playing live.
I used to try and cram in as many gigs as possible, 2007 being the best example of this. Now I operate a 'quota' system where I try and limit the number to a sensible and manageable amount. Over Christmas and, for some reason, January I've 'over-quotaed' a bit so I'm just letting things settle down before getting back at it on the road.
Of course if you throw in recording sessions (BitterSweetShop in particular), rehearsals with the 3-piece and a couple of quizzes it doesn't exactly leave much time for a mid-week tour. I'm 'in the studio' as bands often put it.
I will, however, be out playing with Atlanta Soul on Saturday at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall. Last time out, as mentioned on here, it was a great gig so I'm very much looking forward to going back there. I will let you know how it goes...
I used to try and cram in as many gigs as possible, 2007 being the best example of this. Now I operate a 'quota' system where I try and limit the number to a sensible and manageable amount. Over Christmas and, for some reason, January I've 'over-quotaed' a bit so I'm just letting things settle down before getting back at it on the road.
Of course if you throw in recording sessions (BitterSweetShop in particular), rehearsals with the 3-piece and a couple of quizzes it doesn't exactly leave much time for a mid-week tour. I'm 'in the studio' as bands often put it.
I will, however, be out playing with Atlanta Soul on Saturday at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall. Last time out, as mentioned on here, it was a great gig so I'm very much looking forward to going back there. I will let you know how it goes...
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Restless...
No, not me...but please take a listen to the song by my new project The BitterSweetShop.
www.myspace.com/bittersweetshop
www.myspace.com/bittersweetshop
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Last Week:
3 days last week (Friday to Sunday) were given over for the love of 'The Greatest Game' in Cardiff. That of course being Rugby League, which was venturing into Rugby Union territory which of course is not the greatest game. In all I watched 7 matches over the 2 day-event, covering about 600 miles getting there and back. Of course the Bulls were the victim of yet another dubious set of decisions en route to squandering an 18 point lead in the last 20 minutes. To make matters worse, Huddersfield won their game. But things are looking up and should be a big improvement on last season.
Needless to say there weren't any gigs this past few days. I'm still working on the next track for the BitterSweetShop, which I'm mixing at the moment. Not as we speak obviously.
This week:
Again, no gigs whilst I'm so busy with recording and a heap of new songs to work on too! I've also been finding some time to practice (yes, strange I know!) so hopefully I'll soon get chance to go out and play some solo gigs and play what I've been working on. I'd also soon like to do some more videos along the lines of the last batch: singing and playing the songs at home. If you didn't see the last videos here are the links to them:
Your Shadow
Cold Cold Day
Whiskey Coloured World (which is also the video on my myspace page)
Young Lost And Hopeful
Nobody Said
A-Z of Music:
Still near the end of the alphabet at the moment with Yello. Again, one of my early musical loves, I've been enjoying delving into albums such as 'Stella' from 1985, which I feel is one of their best.
3 days last week (Friday to Sunday) were given over for the love of 'The Greatest Game' in Cardiff. That of course being Rugby League, which was venturing into Rugby Union territory which of course is not the greatest game. In all I watched 7 matches over the 2 day-event, covering about 600 miles getting there and back. Of course the Bulls were the victim of yet another dubious set of decisions en route to squandering an 18 point lead in the last 20 minutes. To make matters worse, Huddersfield won their game. But things are looking up and should be a big improvement on last season.
Needless to say there weren't any gigs this past few days. I'm still working on the next track for the BitterSweetShop, which I'm mixing at the moment. Not as we speak obviously.
This week:
Again, no gigs whilst I'm so busy with recording and a heap of new songs to work on too! I've also been finding some time to practice (yes, strange I know!) so hopefully I'll soon get chance to go out and play some solo gigs and play what I've been working on. I'd also soon like to do some more videos along the lines of the last batch: singing and playing the songs at home. If you didn't see the last videos here are the links to them:
Your Shadow
Cold Cold Day
Whiskey Coloured World (which is also the video on my myspace page)
Young Lost And Hopeful
Nobody Said
A-Z of Music:
Still near the end of the alphabet at the moment with Yello. Again, one of my early musical loves, I've been enjoying delving into albums such as 'Stella' from 1985, which I feel is one of their best.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Last Week:
The gig with Atlanta Soul at Manchester University last Friday is likely to live on in memory for a long time to come. It was what can only be described as a proper gig! The Martin Harris Centre is a purpose built music theatre with the sort of sound that doesn't need eq-ing on the desk. A proper theatre venue, with an easy load-in (walk through the door and you're there!), fully seated, soundman, crew, gear in place, dressing room, steward to give you the 5 minute call....I felt like a real musician...
All we needed then was an audience to match. At first things didn't look too good, with talk of low ticket sales which thankfully turned out not to be true. OK it wasn't full but there were more than enough people to make a go of it with. Then there remained the question of what the audience response would be. Even at the best of gigs a crowd can take a bit of working and warming up. There's very few where they're onto you straight away. The latter have usually been venues with a bar and a standing crowd...this was a theatre with bar outside. I feared they'd take some warming up.
Not true. Even from Song 1 there were some out of their seats dancing. This continued and by the middle of the first set I think just about everyone was on their feet. By the second set many had come down to the front to dance. This was a world away from what I'd expected and thus was a very pleasant surprise indeed!
With a 10:30 finish, and not much gear to load out, I was away and home before midnight. Now I could get used to that!!
The weekend was fairly quiet after this. We went to look at a nuclear bunker in Cheshire on Sunday. I guess we needed cheering up! It's a museum now, but still contains all the earie atmosphere you'd expect from something like that. Full of Cold War memorabilia and a fascinating insight into the era and it's potential deadly outcome. Amongst a handful of government posts who had a desk there was the Inland Revenue. You may survive the Bomb but the taxman will still get you in the end.
This Week:
A slightly quieter week for gigs with this weekend being given over to the Cardiff trip. The opening weekend of the Super League season which can't come soon enough. It has been and still is a long winter.
The BitterSweetShop has finally got a song online from the new album. You can click here to visit our myspace site (still very new) and take a listen to the song.
A-Z of Music:
I've gravitated from Jean-Michel to Yello now. Another of my favourite European Electronic groups, I'm going to have lots more fun getting even more nostalgic. I've also been listening to Billy Joel's 1989 album 'Storm Front', largely because of hearing one of it's tracks on the radio recently. It's a great album from an era I admire a great deal.
The gig with Atlanta Soul at Manchester University last Friday is likely to live on in memory for a long time to come. It was what can only be described as a proper gig! The Martin Harris Centre is a purpose built music theatre with the sort of sound that doesn't need eq-ing on the desk. A proper theatre venue, with an easy load-in (walk through the door and you're there!), fully seated, soundman, crew, gear in place, dressing room, steward to give you the 5 minute call....I felt like a real musician...
All we needed then was an audience to match. At first things didn't look too good, with talk of low ticket sales which thankfully turned out not to be true. OK it wasn't full but there were more than enough people to make a go of it with. Then there remained the question of what the audience response would be. Even at the best of gigs a crowd can take a bit of working and warming up. There's very few where they're onto you straight away. The latter have usually been venues with a bar and a standing crowd...this was a theatre with bar outside. I feared they'd take some warming up.
Not true. Even from Song 1 there were some out of their seats dancing. This continued and by the middle of the first set I think just about everyone was on their feet. By the second set many had come down to the front to dance. This was a world away from what I'd expected and thus was a very pleasant surprise indeed!
With a 10:30 finish, and not much gear to load out, I was away and home before midnight. Now I could get used to that!!
The weekend was fairly quiet after this. We went to look at a nuclear bunker in Cheshire on Sunday. I guess we needed cheering up! It's a museum now, but still contains all the earie atmosphere you'd expect from something like that. Full of Cold War memorabilia and a fascinating insight into the era and it's potential deadly outcome. Amongst a handful of government posts who had a desk there was the Inland Revenue. You may survive the Bomb but the taxman will still get you in the end.
This Week:
A slightly quieter week for gigs with this weekend being given over to the Cardiff trip. The opening weekend of the Super League season which can't come soon enough. It has been and still is a long winter.
The BitterSweetShop has finally got a song online from the new album. You can click here to visit our myspace site (still very new) and take a listen to the song.
A-Z of Music:
I've gravitated from Jean-Michel to Yello now. Another of my favourite European Electronic groups, I'm going to have lots more fun getting even more nostalgic. I've also been listening to Billy Joel's 1989 album 'Storm Front', largely because of hearing one of it's tracks on the radio recently. It's a great album from an era I admire a great deal.
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Last week:
I'm so glad January has finished. I know it's still winter and there's the ever-present threat of more snow (depending on who you talk to) but I always find it a long, cold, dark and generally crap month. I'm sure it's no coincidence that it's a lot brighter today and even a little bit warmer. I don't really take much notice of the weather forecast, just in case it's bad news...after all you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.
I know a couple of people who revel in telling everyone it's going to snow 'later in the week', even if it's already Friday. They place great faith in the Country File Five Day Farmers' Forecast, told by a suitably youthful forecaster of course. Why I don't know, as it's all from the BBC Met Office, the same people who do the forecasts day in day out. But somehow because it's for farmers it's taken more seriously as if they're the only ones who have the right to know the real weather.
But the real point to me relating this is that they always seem to want it to snow. I'm sure it's so they can then crow about their vehicles' snow-driving capabilities while the likes of me are planning any possible excuse not to get out of bed that day.
Oh, last week, I was supposed to be talking about. Well the Paul Jeffery Trio played it's first full gig as planned at the Rose & Crown, Greetland on Saturday night. It went really well, the first full band gig of this sort I've done since about last March. It was good to do a gig at a venue that has the right attitude to putting on live music, and I'll be happy to play there again soon.
Last night (Monday) I also played a solo gig at Milo in Leeds. I arrived just in time to be greeted by about 50 people decending from a meeting upstairs. 50 people is a lot in there, and then I found out they were all musicians in bands or producers. I played the last set (headlining we call it if we're wanting to show off) so most had gone by then, but it was still a good night and a really good sound too for my set.
This week:
It's a bit quieter with now just the big Atlanta Soul gig at Manchester Uni this Friday. I'm doing some more writing of late so there's all that to fit in, plus the recording of the demos.
A-Z of Music:
What a great treat on Sunday night on BBC 4. I'd just walked in from the pub when an hour-long programme about Mark Knopfler started. It kind of restored my faith in him to be honest. I don't know if I mentioned it here but I saw him at the M.E.N last year and was a little disappointed, mainly because he just isn't an arena performer. Some great interview segments, and of course some great playing though, and I always like to listen to what seasoned musicians and songwriters have to say. Especially one as intelligent and articulate as he.
I'm so glad January has finished. I know it's still winter and there's the ever-present threat of more snow (depending on who you talk to) but I always find it a long, cold, dark and generally crap month. I'm sure it's no coincidence that it's a lot brighter today and even a little bit warmer. I don't really take much notice of the weather forecast, just in case it's bad news...after all you don't need a weather man to know which way the wind blows.
I know a couple of people who revel in telling everyone it's going to snow 'later in the week', even if it's already Friday. They place great faith in the Country File Five Day Farmers' Forecast, told by a suitably youthful forecaster of course. Why I don't know, as it's all from the BBC Met Office, the same people who do the forecasts day in day out. But somehow because it's for farmers it's taken more seriously as if they're the only ones who have the right to know the real weather.
But the real point to me relating this is that they always seem to want it to snow. I'm sure it's so they can then crow about their vehicles' snow-driving capabilities while the likes of me are planning any possible excuse not to get out of bed that day.
Oh, last week, I was supposed to be talking about. Well the Paul Jeffery Trio played it's first full gig as planned at the Rose & Crown, Greetland on Saturday night. It went really well, the first full band gig of this sort I've done since about last March. It was good to do a gig at a venue that has the right attitude to putting on live music, and I'll be happy to play there again soon.
Last night (Monday) I also played a solo gig at Milo in Leeds. I arrived just in time to be greeted by about 50 people decending from a meeting upstairs. 50 people is a lot in there, and then I found out they were all musicians in bands or producers. I played the last set (headlining we call it if we're wanting to show off) so most had gone by then, but it was still a good night and a really good sound too for my set.
This week:
It's a bit quieter with now just the big Atlanta Soul gig at Manchester Uni this Friday. I'm doing some more writing of late so there's all that to fit in, plus the recording of the demos.
A-Z of Music:
What a great treat on Sunday night on BBC 4. I'd just walked in from the pub when an hour-long programme about Mark Knopfler started. It kind of restored my faith in him to be honest. I don't know if I mentioned it here but I saw him at the M.E.N last year and was a little disappointed, mainly because he just isn't an arena performer. Some great interview segments, and of course some great playing though, and I always like to listen to what seasoned musicians and songwriters have to say. Especially one as intelligent and articulate as he.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Last week:
One gig last week, which was again as The BitterSweetShop in Leeds, this time headlining the Chemic's open mic night. Each week one act does a 'booked' slot in between the open mic artists (of which we have been one in the past!). I'm really happy with the way these recent Leeds gigs have gone, and there's a recording making progress too...it's still a way from completion but it's getting there.
This week:
The acoustic 3-piece will be doing it's first ever full gig this Saturday night at the Rose & Crown, Greetland. We're playing as 'The Paul Jeffery Trio' so why not come along to see a bit of history made...or at least what should be a really good gig in a nice venue!
By the time the next blog comes out, there will also have been yet another BitterSweetShop gig at Milo in Leeds. This one is on Monday 31st January and starts at around 8pm.
One gig last week, which was again as The BitterSweetShop in Leeds, this time headlining the Chemic's open mic night. Each week one act does a 'booked' slot in between the open mic artists (of which we have been one in the past!). I'm really happy with the way these recent Leeds gigs have gone, and there's a recording making progress too...it's still a way from completion but it's getting there.
This week:
The acoustic 3-piece will be doing it's first ever full gig this Saturday night at the Rose & Crown, Greetland. We're playing as 'The Paul Jeffery Trio' so why not come along to see a bit of history made...or at least what should be a really good gig in a nice venue!
By the time the next blog comes out, there will also have been yet another BitterSweetShop gig at Milo in Leeds. This one is on Monday 31st January and starts at around 8pm.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Last Week:
Another couple of gigs with The BitterSweetShop on Thursday at Verve in Leeds and then solo at the New Inn at Barwick on Sunday.
Verve is a superb acoustic venue, with a PA that is super-clear, highlighting every note (including the bum ones!). It was a little quieter than normal in Leeds which at least made parking easier. I really enjoyed the gig though, and the CD we're making is going to be wonderful, it just needs finishing now.
Sunday's set also went well with even a bit of dancing near the end!
Earlier that day I'd been to Morecambe and Glasson for a little while, so I've put a few pics on facebook here.
This week:
Katie and I are doing the Chemic Tavern this Thursday. It's the headline slot which will be at about 10pm.
Another couple of gigs with The BitterSweetShop on Thursday at Verve in Leeds and then solo at the New Inn at Barwick on Sunday.
Verve is a superb acoustic venue, with a PA that is super-clear, highlighting every note (including the bum ones!). It was a little quieter than normal in Leeds which at least made parking easier. I really enjoyed the gig though, and the CD we're making is going to be wonderful, it just needs finishing now.
Sunday's set also went well with even a bit of dancing near the end!
Earlier that day I'd been to Morecambe and Glasson for a little while, so I've put a few pics on facebook here.
This week:
Katie and I are doing the Chemic Tavern this Thursday. It's the headline slot which will be at about 10pm.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Happy New Year
Welcome back to the first blog of 2011. Hope everyone had a good break over Christmas etc... and I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
Last Week
I was gigging with Katie/The BitterSweetShop on Thursday at the George in Leeds. They're running a new weekly night there which is a mix of open mic and full band stuff. We did a 40 minute set which went very well, including guest trumpet on a couple of songs! Got quite a bit on with this line-up, see below!
On the weekend I made my annual visit to see Paul Carrack at the Ritz in Brighouse, yes Brighouse. It was up to the usual standard so that was great. On Sunday it was the first Bulls match of the year, only a friendly, but I'd been quite desperate to see a match for some time. Something to do with the slightly longer off-season the team had by not qualifying for the play-offs!
A couple of other recent developments:
**Another Fan-video created by Vsevolod is now up on my youtube channel. This time it's 'These Eyes Of Mine' which gets the treatment.
**On Monday night, another track 'Through Heartache And Back' was aired on DJ Serious-Music's 'Independents Only' Show. This monthly radio show is based mainly around the music featured on www.indiemusicworks.com/ The link to the show is http://indiemusicworks.com/webradio/imw1.html
This week:
2 gigs this week, starting with The BitterSweetShop again this time at Verve in Leeds on Thursday night (13th, 9pm). Then on Sunday it's solo at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet (16th, 9pm).
A-Z of music:
Still listening to the J-M Jarre back catalogue...now up to the Rendezvous Houston concert which even on mere audio alone conjures up fantastic images of what the famous 1986 concert must have been like to witness.
Welcome back to the first blog of 2011. Hope everyone had a good break over Christmas etc... and I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year, let's hope it's a good one without any fear.
Last Week
I was gigging with Katie/The BitterSweetShop on Thursday at the George in Leeds. They're running a new weekly night there which is a mix of open mic and full band stuff. We did a 40 minute set which went very well, including guest trumpet on a couple of songs! Got quite a bit on with this line-up, see below!
On the weekend I made my annual visit to see Paul Carrack at the Ritz in Brighouse, yes Brighouse. It was up to the usual standard so that was great. On Sunday it was the first Bulls match of the year, only a friendly, but I'd been quite desperate to see a match for some time. Something to do with the slightly longer off-season the team had by not qualifying for the play-offs!
A couple of other recent developments:
**Another Fan-video created by Vsevolod is now up on my youtube channel. This time it's 'These Eyes Of Mine' which gets the treatment.
**On Monday night, another track 'Through Heartache And Back' was aired on DJ Serious-Music's 'Independents Only' Show. This monthly radio show is based mainly around the music featured on www.indiemusicworks.com/ The link to the show is http://indiemusicworks.com/webradio/imw1.html
This week:
2 gigs this week, starting with The BitterSweetShop again this time at Verve in Leeds on Thursday night (13th, 9pm). Then on Sunday it's solo at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet (16th, 9pm).
A-Z of music:
Still listening to the J-M Jarre back catalogue...now up to the Rendezvous Houston concert which even on mere audio alone conjures up fantastic images of what the famous 1986 concert must have been like to witness.
Friday, December 24, 2010
It's been a couple of weeks since the last blog...I guess that's what Christmas does to you, time suddenly gets away. I dislike the Christmas build-up immensely. The most obvious reason is that I don't like shopping at any time of year, unless it's a stock car programme fair. But on a slightly deeper level I destest the commercialism that always ensues from about October onwards. Then there's the lousy weather, and it annoys me to hear the shops moaning about loss of trade as if we should all be ashamed for not venturing out. To my mind, if I didn't get any presents until next March I really wouldn't be bothered, it's not that important.
On a more music-related note, I always get asked how many gigs I'm doing over Christmas. And this year I can proudly and relievedly say 'none'. Again, it's no fun getting around in this weather and despite the possible financial incentives it's really no fun working at Christmas either. I played 8 New Years Eves on the trot and now that I've 'retired' for the safety of my local pub on Dec 31st I'm much the happier person. I also recall some fairly miserable Christmas Eve gigs, yes I think I've done my bit!
That said, the final gig before Christmas with Atlanta Soul in Stockport was very good indeed. The Bakers Vaults is another pub dedicated to live music and you can pretty much guarantee a good weekend crowd in there.
I have a few gigs lined up in January with all three line-ups featured. I'll be solo at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet on Sunday 16th and with Katie/The BitterSweetShop in Leeds twice: @The George on Thurs 6th and The Chemic on Thurs 20th. The latter will be a headline slot for the Cloth Cat night. Then on the 29th my acoustic trio will be performing it's first full night at the Rose & Crown in Greetland.
I've also been to a couple of gigs this past week or so. I went to see Half Man Half Biscuit at Holmfirth. A few past blogs will reveal how much I like their sense of humour. It was a good gig, but with everything hinging on hearing the lyrics clearly it was sometimes a bit hard to follow the songs I didn't know as well. Last Sunday I went to see the fantastic Jon Strong Band supported by the equally fantastic Tim Wood in Chapel Allerton. A lovely sounding room helped this to be one of the finest gigs I've ever seen from these guys. It was a thoroughly worthwhile trip, even with temperatures on the roads down to minus 9!!!
As mentioned recently I've been re-visiting my love for electronic music and in particular Jean-Michel Jarre. I've enjoyed listening to his back catalogue including some albums that I'd never before heard on CD, nor indeed heard at all for about 20 years.
OK, I won't moan on about Christmas any more except to say I prefer Spring, Summer and most of Autumn. It only remains for me to say thank you and wish you a Happy Christmas and New Year.
On a more music-related note, I always get asked how many gigs I'm doing over Christmas. And this year I can proudly and relievedly say 'none'. Again, it's no fun getting around in this weather and despite the possible financial incentives it's really no fun working at Christmas either. I played 8 New Years Eves on the trot and now that I've 'retired' for the safety of my local pub on Dec 31st I'm much the happier person. I also recall some fairly miserable Christmas Eve gigs, yes I think I've done my bit!
That said, the final gig before Christmas with Atlanta Soul in Stockport was very good indeed. The Bakers Vaults is another pub dedicated to live music and you can pretty much guarantee a good weekend crowd in there.
I have a few gigs lined up in January with all three line-ups featured. I'll be solo at the New Inn, Barwick-in-Elmet on Sunday 16th and with Katie/The BitterSweetShop in Leeds twice: @The George on Thurs 6th and The Chemic on Thurs 20th. The latter will be a headline slot for the Cloth Cat night. Then on the 29th my acoustic trio will be performing it's first full night at the Rose & Crown in Greetland.
I've also been to a couple of gigs this past week or so. I went to see Half Man Half Biscuit at Holmfirth. A few past blogs will reveal how much I like their sense of humour. It was a good gig, but with everything hinging on hearing the lyrics clearly it was sometimes a bit hard to follow the songs I didn't know as well. Last Sunday I went to see the fantastic Jon Strong Band supported by the equally fantastic Tim Wood in Chapel Allerton. A lovely sounding room helped this to be one of the finest gigs I've ever seen from these guys. It was a thoroughly worthwhile trip, even with temperatures on the roads down to minus 9!!!
As mentioned recently I've been re-visiting my love for electronic music and in particular Jean-Michel Jarre. I've enjoyed listening to his back catalogue including some albums that I'd never before heard on CD, nor indeed heard at all for about 20 years.
OK, I won't moan on about Christmas any more except to say I prefer Spring, Summer and most of Autumn. It only remains for me to say thank you and wish you a Happy Christmas and New Year.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Looking for a fox
Last week:
Despite really terrible weather conditions, both of my gigs went ahead on the weekend. On Saturday night I played with Atlanta Soul at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall, which is near Burnley. This gig was excellent on all levels, and it begs the question: where are the other venues to match this??
Based in West Yorkshire, I've been mainly used to playing in pubs, virtually none of which have a PA system or any sort of emphasis on live music. This venue had it's own PA, an engineer and an easy load-in. I could practically throw my gear into the car from the back door. This was the best load-in since the Boot & Shoe in Ackworth....one of the few venues I've played to match this one.
Then there's the element ranked close to Satan's spit in my home county....a door charge! Of £5!!! Ok-pause whilst Yorkshiremen reading this blog are given chance to get up off the floor.
OK now? Right. As I said, there is a door charge and a fiver may seem a lot to watch a band playing all covers, with no known following in the area and making it's debut at the club. But it works. 60 tickets had been sold IN ADVANCE. And more turned out on the night paying on the door. Now we have the makings of a proper gig. 60 folk have paid to see a band they've not heard of and are going to come and enjoy themselves.
Needless to say it went down a storm and I'm looking forward to being back there in March. The sound was terrific too. The set-up at Cafe Artisan is first class.
On Sunday night I played solo at the Rose & Crown in Greetland, with the temperature dipping well into the negatives that night. It was a bit on the quiet side but still enjoyable to do.
This week:
Quieter this time with just one gig with Atlanta Soul on Saturday at the Townhouse in Macclesfield. This should give me a bit of chance to recover from the extra work required last week to get around in the snow.
A-Z of music:
(or should that be musique?)
I watch the Sky Arts channel quite a lot. As they tend to show a lot of good music and music documentaries, mainly on artists I like (ie, old music!). Recently by chance I got to see a documentary about Jean-Michel Jaree. It reminded me once again of my love for Jarre and synth music in general. Long before I sang songs in bands I composed and performed instrumental music heavily influenced by the likes of Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and Jarre.
These days as I've got deeper and deeper into singer-songwriting it's all too easy to forget how long ago I loved this type of music and produced quite a lot of it. It makes one think...
Moan of the week:
Last week I tentatively mentioned the newly revamped scene at Myspace. Myspace Beta. This was before I'd got to realise the full extent of it's sins. I'm beginning to wonder whether Beta is the greek word for 'Shit' when it comes to technology. Remember BetaMax for example?
Basically, they've felt the need to change everything (I don't like change) and generally make the whole thing a poorly diluted form of Facebook (which I also don't like). However, having found my way around and got to know how to do the basic operations (adding friends, adding comments etc...) I relaxed a little.
But worse was to follow when I realised they'd changed my profile page (the one you see) to the new format. Then I really got annoyed. All the work which has gone into building that page has been swept away. It used to be so simple and the template allowed you to add in things as you went along, such as embedded videos and widgets. Now no html seems to be allowed. So all my vital links to my other pages (where I sell my CDs and downloads) have gone. The biog isn't immediately visible, the whole thing has been mucked around with. It's made it hard to promote my music on the site where once it was straightforward.
While Facebook continues to actively discourage the promotion of businesses on it's site, we're now faced with the tricky situation of there being no one definitive, easy-to-use music social networking site. I wonder if Purevolume.com is still going??
Despite really terrible weather conditions, both of my gigs went ahead on the weekend. On Saturday night I played with Atlanta Soul at Cafe Artisan in Rawtenstall, which is near Burnley. This gig was excellent on all levels, and it begs the question: where are the other venues to match this??
Based in West Yorkshire, I've been mainly used to playing in pubs, virtually none of which have a PA system or any sort of emphasis on live music. This venue had it's own PA, an engineer and an easy load-in. I could practically throw my gear into the car from the back door. This was the best load-in since the Boot & Shoe in Ackworth....one of the few venues I've played to match this one.
Then there's the element ranked close to Satan's spit in my home county....a door charge! Of £5!!! Ok-pause whilst Yorkshiremen reading this blog are given chance to get up off the floor.
OK now? Right. As I said, there is a door charge and a fiver may seem a lot to watch a band playing all covers, with no known following in the area and making it's debut at the club. But it works. 60 tickets had been sold IN ADVANCE. And more turned out on the night paying on the door. Now we have the makings of a proper gig. 60 folk have paid to see a band they've not heard of and are going to come and enjoy themselves.
Needless to say it went down a storm and I'm looking forward to being back there in March. The sound was terrific too. The set-up at Cafe Artisan is first class.
On Sunday night I played solo at the Rose & Crown in Greetland, with the temperature dipping well into the negatives that night. It was a bit on the quiet side but still enjoyable to do.
This week:
Quieter this time with just one gig with Atlanta Soul on Saturday at the Townhouse in Macclesfield. This should give me a bit of chance to recover from the extra work required last week to get around in the snow.
A-Z of music:
(or should that be musique?)
I watch the Sky Arts channel quite a lot. As they tend to show a lot of good music and music documentaries, mainly on artists I like (ie, old music!). Recently by chance I got to see a documentary about Jean-Michel Jaree. It reminded me once again of my love for Jarre and synth music in general. Long before I sang songs in bands I composed and performed instrumental music heavily influenced by the likes of Kraftwerk, Tangerine Dream, Vangelis and Jarre.
These days as I've got deeper and deeper into singer-songwriting it's all too easy to forget how long ago I loved this type of music and produced quite a lot of it. It makes one think...
Moan of the week:
Last week I tentatively mentioned the newly revamped scene at Myspace. Myspace Beta. This was before I'd got to realise the full extent of it's sins. I'm beginning to wonder whether Beta is the greek word for 'Shit' when it comes to technology. Remember BetaMax for example?
Basically, they've felt the need to change everything (I don't like change) and generally make the whole thing a poorly diluted form of Facebook (which I also don't like). However, having found my way around and got to know how to do the basic operations (adding friends, adding comments etc...) I relaxed a little.
But worse was to follow when I realised they'd changed my profile page (the one you see) to the new format. Then I really got annoyed. All the work which has gone into building that page has been swept away. It used to be so simple and the template allowed you to add in things as you went along, such as embedded videos and widgets. Now no html seems to be allowed. So all my vital links to my other pages (where I sell my CDs and downloads) have gone. The biog isn't immediately visible, the whole thing has been mucked around with. It's made it hard to promote my music on the site where once it was straightforward.
While Facebook continues to actively discourage the promotion of businesses on it's site, we're now faced with the tricky situation of there being no one definitive, easy-to-use music social networking site. I wonder if Purevolume.com is still going??
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Last week:
I stepped in to host the Moorlands Open Mic last Tuesday at Ogden. In and amongst the other performers I played a few songs solo and also some with Dan and Ol as a 3-piece. I've also been recording vocals with Katie for the BitterSweetShop's 'debut' CD which was great fun to do.
The weekend was the usual hectic madness but not for any work-related reasons this time. I went to see Peter Kay in Sheffield on Friday night which was brilliant, perhaps even better than expected. I went with an open mind as so long has passed now since he last did a stand-up tour and some of the gags have taken on near legendary status. This gives the new material a tougher job to measure up against it. I thought it was all very funny and it cheered me up no end. The opening Bernard Matthews comments set the tone nicely as I'd made the same observation on the way to the gig. Thanksgiving Day, turkey's ultimate revenge.
The following day I was down in London to watch the Masters Tennis at the o2. I was staying in Stratford amidst all the building work that's going on for the Olympics. I was a bit concerned about how much tennis I'd see from the upper tier but to be honest it was dead easy to see where the ball landed, the venue was superbly lit. It's luck of the draw when it comes to which match you will see. I saw the second semi where Federer demolised Djokovic. The afternoon semi had of course been Nadal-Murray which was something of an epic. We saw the closing stages of this in the bar outside which had a great atmosphere as there was a group of Spaniards present.
This week:
Snow permitting, and let's face it I hate snow, I'll be playing with Atlanta Soul on Saturday and then solo at the Rose & Crown in Greetland on Sunday evening.
Moan of the week:
2 words: Myspace Beta.
I stepped in to host the Moorlands Open Mic last Tuesday at Ogden. In and amongst the other performers I played a few songs solo and also some with Dan and Ol as a 3-piece. I've also been recording vocals with Katie for the BitterSweetShop's 'debut' CD which was great fun to do.
The weekend was the usual hectic madness but not for any work-related reasons this time. I went to see Peter Kay in Sheffield on Friday night which was brilliant, perhaps even better than expected. I went with an open mind as so long has passed now since he last did a stand-up tour and some of the gags have taken on near legendary status. This gives the new material a tougher job to measure up against it. I thought it was all very funny and it cheered me up no end. The opening Bernard Matthews comments set the tone nicely as I'd made the same observation on the way to the gig. Thanksgiving Day, turkey's ultimate revenge.
The following day I was down in London to watch the Masters Tennis at the o2. I was staying in Stratford amidst all the building work that's going on for the Olympics. I was a bit concerned about how much tennis I'd see from the upper tier but to be honest it was dead easy to see where the ball landed, the venue was superbly lit. It's luck of the draw when it comes to which match you will see. I saw the second semi where Federer demolised Djokovic. The afternoon semi had of course been Nadal-Murray which was something of an epic. We saw the closing stages of this in the bar outside which had a great atmosphere as there was a group of Spaniards present.
This week:
Snow permitting, and let's face it I hate snow, I'll be playing with Atlanta Soul on Saturday and then solo at the Rose & Crown in Greetland on Sunday evening.
Moan of the week:
2 words: Myspace Beta.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Last week (and the week before!):
Welcome back, I've been away for a week in Angelsey. It was just a holiday break, and what a fantastic place it is. I know many would prefer to disappear to somewhere a little warmer but for me it was perfect. The rain thankfully stayed away most of the time, and the whole island was very quiet. It was an absolute joy to visit the secluded coastline, bays, villages and have a whole vast beach all to myself.
The week previous I'd been to see Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson in Manchester. No need to complain about audience reaction this time (see previous blog!). The music was first class of course and with most of it being on the quiet side it meant people had to be quiet to listen.
This week:
Tonight (Tuesday) I'm hosting another open mic night, this time at Moorlands- a venue popular with my old band. Then this weekend something different again: I'm off to see the Masters Tennis at the O2 in London and also Peter Kaye on Friday night in Sheffield. I first saw Peter Kaye in a comedy club in Manchester in 1998, before he hit the big time. I actually also shared a stage with him briefly at the Palace later that year. We were playing for the NSPCC concert and he was on after the band I was in. As we loaded out behind the curtain, he performed in front. It's my only claim to fame I know!
Music:
I got a bit of time to catch up on Sky Arts on the weekend, as they always show some good classic concerts. Thin Lizzy were being shown, and after 20 minutes I realised this was the most Thin Lizzy I'd seen in one go. I'm always a bit put off because I remember the type of bloke who used to like them when we played rock covers gigs in pubs. I must admit I'm not overly enthused by them now. It's not very melodic and seems to appeal to a more basic need to rock and grunt along. Status Quo are often accused of this, but they to me have the melodies and I would much prefer to listen to them.
The other concert I saw on TV was much easier to judge. Talk Talk at Montreux '86 was excellent! What a great sound and all the music fitted together superbly. I love the un-expected chord changes and I must surely now get some of their back catalogue.
Welcome back, I've been away for a week in Angelsey. It was just a holiday break, and what a fantastic place it is. I know many would prefer to disappear to somewhere a little warmer but for me it was perfect. The rain thankfully stayed away most of the time, and the whole island was very quiet. It was an absolute joy to visit the secluded coastline, bays, villages and have a whole vast beach all to myself.
The week previous I'd been to see Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson in Manchester. No need to complain about audience reaction this time (see previous blog!). The music was first class of course and with most of it being on the quiet side it meant people had to be quiet to listen.
This week:
Tonight (Tuesday) I'm hosting another open mic night, this time at Moorlands- a venue popular with my old band. Then this weekend something different again: I'm off to see the Masters Tennis at the O2 in London and also Peter Kaye on Friday night in Sheffield. I first saw Peter Kaye in a comedy club in Manchester in 1998, before he hit the big time. I actually also shared a stage with him briefly at the Palace later that year. We were playing for the NSPCC concert and he was on after the band I was in. As we loaded out behind the curtain, he performed in front. It's my only claim to fame I know!
Music:
I got a bit of time to catch up on Sky Arts on the weekend, as they always show some good classic concerts. Thin Lizzy were being shown, and after 20 minutes I realised this was the most Thin Lizzy I'd seen in one go. I'm always a bit put off because I remember the type of bloke who used to like them when we played rock covers gigs in pubs. I must admit I'm not overly enthused by them now. It's not very melodic and seems to appeal to a more basic need to rock and grunt along. Status Quo are often accused of this, but they to me have the melodies and I would much prefer to listen to them.
The other concert I saw on TV was much easier to judge. Talk Talk at Montreux '86 was excellent! What a great sound and all the music fitted together superbly. I love the un-expected chord changes and I must surely now get some of their back catalogue.
Tuesday, November 09, 2010
Last week:
Enjoyed a few fireworks on Friday night then rounded off the stock car season at Coventry on Saturday (more fireworks, dissappointing racing results!). On Sunday night I went to one of those 60s package shows at the Grand in Leeds. I know I have a reputation for liking very old music and musicians but on this occasion I swear I wasn't supposed to be going. But a ticket became available so there it is.
On the bill were Chip Hawkes, Gerry & The Pacemakers, PJ Proby and The Searchers. It was a good gig and I'll always readily watch professional musicians perform live, I might even become one myself one day.
One thing got me though, the attitude of the audience. From being a performer for some time I've become very sensitive to audience reaction to musicians. This extends to all gigs and not just my own. At one time I used to watch a pro band totally oblivious to the audience reaction, now I find myself studying it.
It may just be my hyper-sensitivity to these things (I blame clubland) but I detect a slight lack of respect among punters these days. Naturally in these circumstances I blame X-Factor and co, something I'm only too happy to do. Seriously though I have a theory that these shows have made people more blase about what a live performance actually involves.
TV shows make it look a lot easier (The Searchers weren't using autotune!) and with the angle on reality TV being 'give the public a chance' I think more people now think they could give it a go. Or at the very least, that more people can 'sing', without necessarily having any experience or training.
The one thing those guys on Sunday have is experience. Hundreds of combined years of it! The crowd however seemed to treat it a bit like a commodity rather than a finely honed craft. One person even came out with one of those comments I used to detest at club gigs. 'Best song so far' she says. Does that mean the previous songs were rubbish? Is she keeping a scorecard? To me, as far as the average punter is concerned, in the presence of such luminaries as these, EVERY song is equally good. And before you ask, no I don't expect people to think like that at my shows, these guys are legends and have had number one hits.
This week:
Going to see Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson in concert. This one is more my choice and let's see what the audience reaction is like this time! Best song so far indeed.
A-Z of Music:
More ELO this week, I now need a discography of their's as this is a double delux 'best of' containing lots of songs I haven't previously heard. All good stuff though.
Moan of the week: See above!
Enjoyed a few fireworks on Friday night then rounded off the stock car season at Coventry on Saturday (more fireworks, dissappointing racing results!). On Sunday night I went to one of those 60s package shows at the Grand in Leeds. I know I have a reputation for liking very old music and musicians but on this occasion I swear I wasn't supposed to be going. But a ticket became available so there it is.
On the bill were Chip Hawkes, Gerry & The Pacemakers, PJ Proby and The Searchers. It was a good gig and I'll always readily watch professional musicians perform live, I might even become one myself one day.
One thing got me though, the attitude of the audience. From being a performer for some time I've become very sensitive to audience reaction to musicians. This extends to all gigs and not just my own. At one time I used to watch a pro band totally oblivious to the audience reaction, now I find myself studying it.
It may just be my hyper-sensitivity to these things (I blame clubland) but I detect a slight lack of respect among punters these days. Naturally in these circumstances I blame X-Factor and co, something I'm only too happy to do. Seriously though I have a theory that these shows have made people more blase about what a live performance actually involves.
TV shows make it look a lot easier (The Searchers weren't using autotune!) and with the angle on reality TV being 'give the public a chance' I think more people now think they could give it a go. Or at the very least, that more people can 'sing', without necessarily having any experience or training.
The one thing those guys on Sunday have is experience. Hundreds of combined years of it! The crowd however seemed to treat it a bit like a commodity rather than a finely honed craft. One person even came out with one of those comments I used to detest at club gigs. 'Best song so far' she says. Does that mean the previous songs were rubbish? Is she keeping a scorecard? To me, as far as the average punter is concerned, in the presence of such luminaries as these, EVERY song is equally good. And before you ask, no I don't expect people to think like that at my shows, these guys are legends and have had number one hits.
This week:
Going to see Rick Wakeman and Jon Anderson in concert. This one is more my choice and let's see what the audience reaction is like this time! Best song so far indeed.
A-Z of Music:
More ELO this week, I now need a discography of their's as this is a double delux 'best of' containing lots of songs I haven't previously heard. All good stuff though.
Moan of the week: See above!
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
There was a power cut here this morning, that's called 'outage' in the States I think...(usually it's the US who have more literal names for things)...we were told it could last until 4pm so I was kind of hoping I wouldn't have to do any work today as I seem to need a computer to do anything these days. However, those good old boys got it up and running again by mid-morning. Bastards, now I've got no excuse for not working.
Last Week
Fairly quiet. I spent Saturday night in Boston (Lincolnshire) having watched an enthralling stock car meeting in Kings Lynn. There was a Monstor Truck demonstration, it does 54 yards to the gallon. There's very little chance of a carbon-neutral stock car meeting.
I did get chance to add a home video to my youtube channel. So click below for a version of 'Young, Lost And Hopeful'.
Young Lost And Hopeful Video
I'm enjoying making these little films. For one it saves going out doing them at a gig! I know it's not quite the same, but thinking logically I've done over 1000 gigs and managed to promote the song a little, whereas I can film it at home and immediately post it for people all over the place to view. The chances being these people will actually want to see it, unlike the majority at a gig!
This week:
The big Stock Car finale in Coventry Saturday night. I have my priorities right!
A-Z of Music:
There was a major splash on Elton John over the weekend, with an hour-long 'One Show' (good music, and twice as long to watch Alex Jones), then there was 3 hours on Saturday night. I'm still watching these but the opening documentary was very good. I shared his sentiments about clubland (if I hadn't been fronting the bands I'd have stormed off too!), and the anecdote about Stevie Wonder made me laugh. Have to say Robert Crampton's derrogatory remarks about Sir Elton in the Times mag belonged more in the Sun than elsewhere. I don't recall him being a music critic, not that that would have made it any better.
I've also been listening to Tangerine Dream for the first time in years. I still enjoyed that. And then to follow that I've had a listen to some really old stuff I recorded. This was a mixture of cringing and pleasant nostalgia in equal measures. But good to remember those parts of songs I'd forgotten, those middle 8's and instrumentals I couldn't remember writing...
Last Week
Fairly quiet. I spent Saturday night in Boston (Lincolnshire) having watched an enthralling stock car meeting in Kings Lynn. There was a Monstor Truck demonstration, it does 54 yards to the gallon. There's very little chance of a carbon-neutral stock car meeting.
I did get chance to add a home video to my youtube channel. So click below for a version of 'Young, Lost And Hopeful'.
Young Lost And Hopeful Video
I'm enjoying making these little films. For one it saves going out doing them at a gig! I know it's not quite the same, but thinking logically I've done over 1000 gigs and managed to promote the song a little, whereas I can film it at home and immediately post it for people all over the place to view. The chances being these people will actually want to see it, unlike the majority at a gig!
This week:
The big Stock Car finale in Coventry Saturday night. I have my priorities right!
A-Z of Music:
There was a major splash on Elton John over the weekend, with an hour-long 'One Show' (good music, and twice as long to watch Alex Jones), then there was 3 hours on Saturday night. I'm still watching these but the opening documentary was very good. I shared his sentiments about clubland (if I hadn't been fronting the bands I'd have stormed off too!), and the anecdote about Stevie Wonder made me laugh. Have to say Robert Crampton's derrogatory remarks about Sir Elton in the Times mag belonged more in the Sun than elsewhere. I don't recall him being a music critic, not that that would have made it any better.
I've also been listening to Tangerine Dream for the first time in years. I still enjoyed that. And then to follow that I've had a listen to some really old stuff I recorded. This was a mixture of cringing and pleasant nostalgia in equal measures. But good to remember those parts of songs I'd forgotten, those middle 8's and instrumentals I couldn't remember writing...
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
The Blog is Back!
Yes, after a little break, the weekly blog is back today. The reason it's been away for a bit is that I've been having my website completely revamped...in fact if you're reading this you're probably on my website as we speak! So please feel free to take a look around, and listen to some of the songs!
The new format website means that it's easier to access this blog, as it's embedded directly into the site. This should mean more people get to read it, but will also mean I'll have to be extra-careful not to offend anyone...at least for a little while!!
Last Week:
I won't drag things out un-necassarily by including all the news from the past 2 months...so please imagine the last blog was a week ago, ok?!
Last Wednesday was my birthday, and as in previous years, it was the same date as Tom Petty's. How we continue to achieve this is beyond me. He was 60 this time, meaning that by far the majority of my biggest influences are 60+, the longer-term consequences of this are quite scarey.
On Thursday night I was gigging at Verve in Leeds with The BitterSweet Shop - that's Katie and I as a duo, and once again I enjoyed our set. We were first on and the vibe was intimate and the sound was really very good. We're currently working on our first CD which will be a 6-track mini album. I'm very excited by how it's coming together.
I also performed twice with Atlanta Soul on Saturday and Monday nights. They were both wedding parties (yes, people can get married on a Monday) and it was good to get out and play and feel like a working musician again. Saturday was in a big tent in Skipton and then Monday was over at Ormskirk.
In between these two gigs I went down to Northampton to watch the Stock Cars on Sunday, just 2 more meetings to go this season and I've been to that many this year I feel like I've taken part in it. Can't wait for the last 2 though, it's going down to the wire this time!!
This Week:
Quieter by far this time. I might possibly play one open mic, and also work on the BitterSweetShop album will continue.
A-Z of Music:
I've been listening to the new album by Elton John & Leon Russell (both well over 60...), entitled 'The Union'. 16 tracks of piano singer-songwriters, plus Neil Young on one song. It's growing on me, with no obvious singles, but it's more like the early days and the production is excellent. I know Leon is one of Elton's biggest influences, and the piano styles are similar. The pianos are panned to make it easier to tell who does what but they both play so well. It's a real inspiration to hear them both on the same record.
I've also been listening to fellow birthday boy Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, I currently have his first and latest album on the go! The debut has the same name as the band and dates back to 1976. The highlight is obviously 'American Girl' closely followed by 'Breakdown' but I like the rawness of it, even if some of the tracks are so short they feel almost unfinished.
'Mojo' is the 2010 version and after an indifferent first listen this one is really beginning to gel for me. It's different to the acoustic-driven radio hits of previous years. It's much more rootsy, bluesy and electric. There's acres of lead guitar work and it's much more of a band album. But for all the blues it's the reggae track 'Don't Pull Me Over' which is my absolute favourite. In fact I'd form a reggae band just to play it.
The new format website means that it's easier to access this blog, as it's embedded directly into the site. This should mean more people get to read it, but will also mean I'll have to be extra-careful not to offend anyone...at least for a little while!!
Last Week:
I won't drag things out un-necassarily by including all the news from the past 2 months...so please imagine the last blog was a week ago, ok?!
Last Wednesday was my birthday, and as in previous years, it was the same date as Tom Petty's. How we continue to achieve this is beyond me. He was 60 this time, meaning that by far the majority of my biggest influences are 60+, the longer-term consequences of this are quite scarey.
On Thursday night I was gigging at Verve in Leeds with The BitterSweet Shop - that's Katie and I as a duo, and once again I enjoyed our set. We were first on and the vibe was intimate and the sound was really very good. We're currently working on our first CD which will be a 6-track mini album. I'm very excited by how it's coming together.
I also performed twice with Atlanta Soul on Saturday and Monday nights. They were both wedding parties (yes, people can get married on a Monday) and it was good to get out and play and feel like a working musician again. Saturday was in a big tent in Skipton and then Monday was over at Ormskirk.
In between these two gigs I went down to Northampton to watch the Stock Cars on Sunday, just 2 more meetings to go this season and I've been to that many this year I feel like I've taken part in it. Can't wait for the last 2 though, it's going down to the wire this time!!
This Week:
Quieter by far this time. I might possibly play one open mic, and also work on the BitterSweetShop album will continue.
A-Z of Music:
I've been listening to the new album by Elton John & Leon Russell (both well over 60...), entitled 'The Union'. 16 tracks of piano singer-songwriters, plus Neil Young on one song. It's growing on me, with no obvious singles, but it's more like the early days and the production is excellent. I know Leon is one of Elton's biggest influences, and the piano styles are similar. The pianos are panned to make it easier to tell who does what but they both play so well. It's a real inspiration to hear them both on the same record.
I've also been listening to fellow birthday boy Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, I currently have his first and latest album on the go! The debut has the same name as the band and dates back to 1976. The highlight is obviously 'American Girl' closely followed by 'Breakdown' but I like the rawness of it, even if some of the tracks are so short they feel almost unfinished.
'Mojo' is the 2010 version and after an indifferent first listen this one is really beginning to gel for me. It's different to the acoustic-driven radio hits of previous years. It's much more rootsy, bluesy and electric. There's acres of lead guitar work and it's much more of a band album. But for all the blues it's the reggae track 'Don't Pull Me Over' which is my absolute favourite. In fact I'd form a reggae band just to play it.
Friday, August 27, 2010
Last Week: (and a half!)
I didn't get chance to write anything on here earlier in the week, so just to recap: I had a fairly busy week and a bit with open mic/acoustic appearances at The Ship in Leeds, Bar 62, Horsforth and the New Inn at Headingley. These were all solo and it's been good to sharpen up a bit and play my own material!
The main gig was on Saturday (Aug 21st) with the Barwick-in-Elmet music festival. I played a set at short-notice and it was 45 minutes of solely original material, a rare event in that sense but really good fun to do. The festival was by all accounts a great success. The gig was also notable for a unique interruption after I'd played my second song: A heckler perhaps? A streaker? Nope, it was the local combine harvester and my car was blocking it in. So I had to leave the room and go move it. I don't know, it never happens to Cliff....
WEBSITE AND VIDEO NEWS:
Just very briefly, my website is currently under-going a complete overhaul. It's almost there and indeed if you go to my site you'll see a lot of the changes already. When it's all done I'll mention a bit more about it.
I've also posted another new film on my youtube channel, this time playing a solo version of 'Your Shadow'. A lot of people have asked to see live performances, particularly those overseas who can't get to the gigs, so I'm hoping these films will go some way towards getting the idea across, and getting more exposure for the material.
This week:
It's the final bank holiday of the year, if I'm writing another blog on Tuesday it'll just be over...I've no gigs this weekend but will be busy doing lots of things.
A-Z of Music:
I listened to another Bruce Springsteen album last week, 'The Rising' (2002). I'm a big fan, and I'm still learning his back catalogue, which is substantial of course! This album has a lot of material to digest, all of it new to me. But there's always moments on his records that move me straight away. In this case it's the refrain to the opening track and the 4th song, 'Nothing Man'. Altogether it just inspires me to write more songs....oh to have more time!
I didn't get chance to write anything on here earlier in the week, so just to recap: I had a fairly busy week and a bit with open mic/acoustic appearances at The Ship in Leeds, Bar 62, Horsforth and the New Inn at Headingley. These were all solo and it's been good to sharpen up a bit and play my own material!
The main gig was on Saturday (Aug 21st) with the Barwick-in-Elmet music festival. I played a set at short-notice and it was 45 minutes of solely original material, a rare event in that sense but really good fun to do. The festival was by all accounts a great success. The gig was also notable for a unique interruption after I'd played my second song: A heckler perhaps? A streaker? Nope, it was the local combine harvester and my car was blocking it in. So I had to leave the room and go move it. I don't know, it never happens to Cliff....
WEBSITE AND VIDEO NEWS:
Just very briefly, my website is currently under-going a complete overhaul. It's almost there and indeed if you go to my site you'll see a lot of the changes already. When it's all done I'll mention a bit more about it.
I've also posted another new film on my youtube channel, this time playing a solo version of 'Your Shadow'. A lot of people have asked to see live performances, particularly those overseas who can't get to the gigs, so I'm hoping these films will go some way towards getting the idea across, and getting more exposure for the material.
This week:
It's the final bank holiday of the year, if I'm writing another blog on Tuesday it'll just be over...I've no gigs this weekend but will be busy doing lots of things.
A-Z of Music:
I listened to another Bruce Springsteen album last week, 'The Rising' (2002). I'm a big fan, and I'm still learning his back catalogue, which is substantial of course! This album has a lot of material to digest, all of it new to me. But there's always moments on his records that move me straight away. In this case it's the refrain to the opening track and the 4th song, 'Nothing Man'. Altogether it just inspires me to write more songs....oh to have more time!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Last Week:
I completed doing 5 gigs in 7 nights on Thursday (12th Aug) where I was hosting the Open Mic night at The Plough in Warmfield. This was the first time I'd done this (I played a few songs too) and it was very interesting to see how it worked from the other side.
This Week:
I'm doing the Ship Open Mic in Leeds tonight (Tues) and then tomorrow an acoustic set at Bar 62 in Horsforth.
A-Z of Music:
Mine this week! I've got behind a little with updating you on the latest updates...there's quite a few new videos involving my music which have appeared recently.
Cold Cold Day has been subject to a new 'fanfilm'! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Oh7Hn0S1Y
My Acoustic 3-piece has been filmed in action twice in the past few weeks...resulting in 3 new videos, the first indeed of the this project.
All I Want From Love
Even
Four Seasons In One Day (cover)
Have a look thanks!
Moan of the week:
Why do people with no knowledge of a particular case feel the need to debunk a particular theory put forward by people very knowledgable in their field? And why is someone who believes an alternative theory labelled a crank by someone who is ignorant of enough information to form any opinion?
I completed doing 5 gigs in 7 nights on Thursday (12th Aug) where I was hosting the Open Mic night at The Plough in Warmfield. This was the first time I'd done this (I played a few songs too) and it was very interesting to see how it worked from the other side.
This Week:
I'm doing the Ship Open Mic in Leeds tonight (Tues) and then tomorrow an acoustic set at Bar 62 in Horsforth.
A-Z of Music:
Mine this week! I've got behind a little with updating you on the latest updates...there's quite a few new videos involving my music which have appeared recently.
Cold Cold Day has been subject to a new 'fanfilm'! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Oh7Hn0S1Y
My Acoustic 3-piece has been filmed in action twice in the past few weeks...resulting in 3 new videos, the first indeed of the this project.
All I Want From Love
Even
Four Seasons In One Day (cover)
Have a look thanks!
Moan of the week:
Why do people with no knowledge of a particular case feel the need to debunk a particular theory put forward by people very knowledgable in their field? And why is someone who believes an alternative theory labelled a crank by someone who is ignorant of enough information to form any opinion?
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Last Week:
A bit like the days of old here, I've just completed 4 gigs in the previous 4 nights, and all with different line-ups!
On Friday I was solo at The Abbey in Bramley, then on Saturday I was playing a function in Huddersfield with various members of my old band, Morris And The Minors. This was a great evening and rather reminded me how much I'd enjoyed my time with them circa 2006-2007.
Then it was onto Todstock on Sunday afternoon with Dan & Oliver. I really enjoyed the set we played for this event, playing for about 40 minutes in the Acoustic Tent. The tent was run by the fantastic Hole Note Acoustic Club who of course we know well from various venues around Calderdale.
Last night (Monday 9th) I did another new venue with Katie in Leeds, this being The Hop. This is the same people behind the Hop in Wakefield and it's built into the arches underneath the station near Granary Wharf which gives it a unique atmosphere, as well as the ground-shaking noise of trains passing overhead once in a while! So there you have it, 4 gigs and this at a time when I'm supposed to be doing less gigs! All good fun though.
This Week:
Slightly quieter, with just The Plough on Thursday night this week. That's in Warmfield near Normanton near Wakefield. Postponed from a couple of weeks ago, I'm hosting their open mic night. So if anyone sings or plays, please feel free to come down and do a few songs!
A bit like the days of old here, I've just completed 4 gigs in the previous 4 nights, and all with different line-ups!
On Friday I was solo at The Abbey in Bramley, then on Saturday I was playing a function in Huddersfield with various members of my old band, Morris And The Minors. This was a great evening and rather reminded me how much I'd enjoyed my time with them circa 2006-2007.
Then it was onto Todstock on Sunday afternoon with Dan & Oliver. I really enjoyed the set we played for this event, playing for about 40 minutes in the Acoustic Tent. The tent was run by the fantastic Hole Note Acoustic Club who of course we know well from various venues around Calderdale.
Last night (Monday 9th) I did another new venue with Katie in Leeds, this being The Hop. This is the same people behind the Hop in Wakefield and it's built into the arches underneath the station near Granary Wharf which gives it a unique atmosphere, as well as the ground-shaking noise of trains passing overhead once in a while! So there you have it, 4 gigs and this at a time when I'm supposed to be doing less gigs! All good fun though.
This Week:
Slightly quieter, with just The Plough on Thursday night this week. That's in Warmfield near Normanton near Wakefield. Postponed from a couple of weeks ago, I'm hosting their open mic night. So if anyone sings or plays, please feel free to come down and do a few songs!
Tuesday, August 03, 2010
Last week:
A busy and totally enjoyable week with another visit to the Chemic Tavern last Thursday with Dan and Ol. We played a different trio of songs this time, and it sounded very good. No two weeks are the same at an open mic so it was good experience to go back and play again after the previous week. We're now looking forward to doing Todstock this coming Sunday (Aug 8th). We're in the 'Acoustic Tent', playing from 2pm til 3pm.
Here's the poster! My name's on there, spelt correctly, job done!
On Saturday afternoon the BitterSweetShop (that's Katie and I) had another gig, this time at the Yarnbury RFC Beer Festival. The club had gone to a lot of trouble to make their innaugural beer fest a success and it looked like it was indeed a great success! There was a stage errected, and thankfully it stayed dry for our set....always a nervous moment given the combination of the British Summer and outdoor gigs. I did a couple of solo tunes and then we performed about half an hour as a duo.
This Week:
In addition to the above mentioned Todstock, I'm doing a full Friday night session at the Abbey Inn in Bramley. That's starting at around 9pm.
A-Z of Music:
I'm still listening to the over-long Fleetwood Mac album 'Say You Will'. But I've also had my ears open to some other great tunes. I'm sure all musicians have had this experience, where you learn a song and then wonder why you weren't playing it years ago? Well I found this with Billy Joel's 'Always A Woman To Me'. What a song! I've always known this, but only just got around to learning it. It'll be in on Friday night!!
Stock Cars on the BBC!
Just a quick plug for my other great passion, which has found it's way onto BBC 1 for the next few Monday nights. 10:30pm, straight after the news. You have to watch it and thus understand what I keep rambling on about! Here's the link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrqGEGl13Qo
A busy and totally enjoyable week with another visit to the Chemic Tavern last Thursday with Dan and Ol. We played a different trio of songs this time, and it sounded very good. No two weeks are the same at an open mic so it was good experience to go back and play again after the previous week. We're now looking forward to doing Todstock this coming Sunday (Aug 8th). We're in the 'Acoustic Tent', playing from 2pm til 3pm.
Here's the poster! My name's on there, spelt correctly, job done!
On Saturday afternoon the BitterSweetShop (that's Katie and I) had another gig, this time at the Yarnbury RFC Beer Festival. The club had gone to a lot of trouble to make their innaugural beer fest a success and it looked like it was indeed a great success! There was a stage errected, and thankfully it stayed dry for our set....always a nervous moment given the combination of the British Summer and outdoor gigs. I did a couple of solo tunes and then we performed about half an hour as a duo.
This Week:
In addition to the above mentioned Todstock, I'm doing a full Friday night session at the Abbey Inn in Bramley. That's starting at around 9pm.
A-Z of Music:
I'm still listening to the over-long Fleetwood Mac album 'Say You Will'. But I've also had my ears open to some other great tunes. I'm sure all musicians have had this experience, where you learn a song and then wonder why you weren't playing it years ago? Well I found this with Billy Joel's 'Always A Woman To Me'. What a song! I've always known this, but only just got around to learning it. It'll be in on Friday night!!
Stock Cars on the BBC!
Just a quick plug for my other great passion, which has found it's way onto BBC 1 for the next few Monday nights. 10:30pm, straight after the news. You have to watch it and thus understand what I keep rambling on about! Here's the link to the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrqGEGl13Qo
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