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The Power of One
__For the past 4 years there has been live music in the courtyard of Pews Bar in Guildford, Crowds of music-lovers gathered every Thursday night to hear Gavin and his Guitar. Sadly from now on, the music has been moved inside, thanks to a series of complaints by one local resident to the council. Thats right folks it only needs one, to spoil it for the many. This may be a little easier to understand if the decibel level was that of Motorhead, or it was pulsing rave music from the Chemical Brothers till 3am, but its just one man with an acoustic guitar.
__The poor bar owner has spent a great deal of his valuable time over the past few months, in meetings with the council, police and other interested parties. In discussions on the future of open-air entertainment at the venue, which have included a wide range of other considerations, as well as the feelings of this one individual. Some council employees have tried in vain to help Pews maintain its external live music. The council's decision was anounced a couple of weeks ago, with the removal of Pews licence to have LIVE music in the Courtyard (you can still go there, sit outside, and listen to piped music.) go figure.
__Obviously there will be some people who just like to go there, sit outside and talk, and drink in pleasant surroundings, and they will be uneffected by this ruling. But for those who simply go there to enjoy the free live music, there is now only room inside for 25% of those who were in the courtyard. So please come along and show your support for Gavin and Pews. Its too early to tell the effect this judgement will have on the bar's profits. How much longer are we going to allow a few lone complainants, who willingly move near to live music venues, to control how the rest of us enjoy our freetime?
__The poor bar owner has spent a great deal of his valuable time over the past few months, in meetings with the council, police and other interested parties. In discussions on the future of open-air entertainment at the venue, which have included a wide range of other considerations, as well as the feelings of this one individual. Some council employees have tried in vain to help Pews maintain its external live music. The council's decision was anounced a couple of weeks ago, with the removal of Pews licence to have LIVE music in the Courtyard (you can still go there, sit outside, and listen to piped music.) go figure.
__Obviously there will be some people who just like to go there, sit outside and talk, and drink in pleasant surroundings, and they will be uneffected by this ruling. But for those who simply go there to enjoy the free live music, there is now only room inside for 25% of those who were in the courtyard. So please come along and show your support for Gavin and Pews. Its too early to tell the effect this judgement will have on the bar's profits. How much longer are we going to allow a few lone complainants, who willingly move near to live music venues, to control how the rest of us enjoy our freetime?
Tom Wehrle - Free music download
In order to help promote his new album "Room to Dream", Tom Wehrle from Missouri is giving you the opportunity to download it for free. He's hoping that you'll then buy a copy and tell all your friends how good it is. Tracks include Far Away, I've Fallen, I Will be Your Friend, W/O you, Hold on Tonight, Room to Dream, Just in Love With You, No More Flowers, My Heart Breaks Through, I'm Not Good Enough, Only Lonely, Nothing Else Can Take Your Place With Me, This Show's Over.
Go here and enter your details
More info : http://www.myspace.com/tomwehrle
Go here and enter your details
More info : http://www.myspace.com/tomwehrle
Theme Time Radio Hour with Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan started his radio broadcasting career in the USA in May 2006 with a weekly radio show XM Satellite Radio. For the first time in the UK, on BBC Radio 2, listeners will be able to hear Theme Time Radio Hour, Bob Dylan’s critically-acclaimed Radio show. "A lot of my own songs have been played on the radio, but this is the first time I've ever been on the other side of the mic," said Dylan of his shows. The show features an eclectic mix of music hand-selected by Dylan. The radio shows also includes interviews and commentary on music and other topics. Themes for the show include “weather” with a track list that includes "A Place In The Sun" sung in Italian by Stevie Wonder, "The Wind Cries Mary" by Jimi Hendrix and "Keep On The Sunny Side" by The Carter Family. Song list themes for other shows include ‘cars’, ‘dance’, ‘police’, and ‘whiskey’.
BBC Radio 2 will offer a sneak preview, broadcasting six of the shows over the Christmas period starting on Saturday 23rd Dec to Thursday 28th Dec 2006. The network will then broadcast a further two Dylan shows in March, eight in April, and a final two in May 2007. BBC 6 Music brings you the show beginning at 21:00 on 1st January 2007.
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BBC Radio 2 Schedule
23rd Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa24th Dec,a16:30-18:30aaa25th Dec,a19:00-20:00 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 26th Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa27th Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa28th Dec,a19:00-20:00 aaaaaaaaaaaa
21st Mar, 21:00-22:00 aaa 28th Mar, 21:00-22:00
04th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 06th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 07th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 08th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 09th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 11th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 18th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 25th Apr, 21:00-22:00
07th May, 21:00-23:00 aaa 28th May, 21:00-23:00
BBC Radio 2 will offer a sneak preview, broadcasting six of the shows over the Christmas period starting on Saturday 23rd Dec to Thursday 28th Dec 2006. The network will then broadcast a further two Dylan shows in March, eight in April, and a final two in May 2007. BBC 6 Music brings you the show beginning at 21:00 on 1st January 2007.
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BBC Radio 2 Schedule
23rd Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa24th Dec,a16:30-18:30aaa25th Dec,a19:00-20:00 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 26th Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa27th Dec,a19:00-20:00aaa28th Dec,a19:00-20:00 aaaaaaaaaaaa
21st Mar, 21:00-22:00 aaa 28th Mar, 21:00-22:00
04th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 06th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 07th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 08th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa 09th Apr, 20:00-21:00 aaa 11th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 18th Apr, 21:00-22:00 aaa 25th Apr, 21:00-22:00
07th May, 21:00-23:00 aaa 28th May, 21:00-23:00
Trouble with a Kookaburra, Down Under
Ever since man started to bash things together & call it music, it has been accompanied by the risk that what you think you composed, is deemed by others not to be an original creation. But this is hardly suprising as even before birth we are being bombarded with sounds, and all of these have been filed away, often without realising, in our brains. In the same way that authors must try to block out everything they've ever read, so songwriters must ignore everything they've ever heard. I think this must be a lot harder to do. Whether it is the Bach overtones in "A Whiter Shade of Pale", or the claims that the melodies of Lloyd-Webber were influenced by The Beatles, or the myriad of sampling in tracks from the 90s.
The lastest round in this contest involves an 80's hit by Australian rockers Men at Work entitled "Down Under" published by CBS (now owned by Sony BMG Music Entertainment), and a traditional kids song "Kookaburra" written by Marion Sinclair, a college teacher from Toorak, for a Girl Guide Jamboree. It was obviously her wish that the song would remain publicly accessible, when she signed it over to the Libraries Board of South Australia, although it has now been acquired by a commercial company Larrikin Music.
Exact details are yet to be clarified, though it is a little comfusing why it has taken so long, the kids song, sung by every campfire since 1934 is now part of Australian culture. Surely if you think there was a good case, then bring the action as soon as the other track is released in 1981, and not wait thirty years, until its a global hit. Also taking the question-writing accuracy of a TV quiz show, in this case (Spicks & Specks), as Gospel is never a good idea. A jury in a Federal Court will have to decide in November.
Unplugged Special at the Legendary Halfmoon
On the 24th of January 2010 there was an all-day (well afternoon & night) spectacular featuring the best in new talent. Many of the artists had already appeared at the monthly Halfmoon Unplugged showcase evenings, hosted by Redvers BAILEY & Natalie ROSS. We streamed into the backroom, set out with candlelit tables and chairs, and waited for the first of the eighteen acts to take to the stage.
A little later than advertised, but everyone was relaxed and enjoying the sence of anticipation building in the room. Onto the stage came Redvers BAILEY, to officially welcome everyone to this marathon of music. He plays with a band called One, but on this occasion he was alone with his electric guitar. A perfect start. Next came another solo guitarist Robin Joel SANGSTER. The running order had been carefully planed with a mixture of solo performers and Bands, all playing original compositions.
Joanna WESTON, has been playing the guitar since the age of 14, and studied at the ACM in Guildford. She was accompanied by another acoustic guitarist and a guy on the Cajon, an empty wooden chest, which the player sits on and beats with both hands and which has recently been rediscovered as an alternative to tomtoms. She was followed by another young lady on her own, with an acoustic guitar, Anoushka LUCAS. At first appeared very nervous by soon developed a humourous rapour with the crowd, revealing that she had been living in Russia for a while. This made them instantly forget about the fact that she couldn't remember some of the words to her own songs.
Next up was Westley HORNER, a regular at the weekly Halfmoon Unplugged evenings, with some of his own folky tunes. He was followed by SEEKR (aka Marek Duchnowski) strumming his guitar, and occasionally beating his bongos.
Next up was Westley HORNER, a regular at the weekly Halfmoon Unplugged evenings, with some of his own folky tunes. He was followed by SEEKR (aka Marek Duchnowski) strumming his guitar, and occasionally beating his bongos.
MATTHEWS, Hannah : ROSS, Natalie : Songbird (BANNON, Lauren) : FARRER, Tom : Cat Nickless : KORN, Daniel : Hollow Moon : WHITE, Hannah :
Ay Ducane : BANKS, Grace : Ryan OReilly Band :As the finale to this musical marathon came NewRising, with Jay on Acoustic guitar, Adam on the Cajon and Tom on bass guitar. They rhythmic, pounding beat had the audience crying out for more. This event also served as a fitting celebration for saving the Halfmoon from ending up as just another gastro-pub. Well done to Redvers and all those who petitioned the Brewery to change its mind
Virgin Radio - One Last Dream
Over the past few week's Virgin Radio has been running a competition for all those long disbanded bands that never quite made it to the BIG TIME. The prize of a lifetime is an opening slot for Eric Clapton at this years Hard Rock Calling in Hyde Park on 28th-29th June. The 3 best groups have reached the final.
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Paul Baker (lead vocals), Dan Synge (guitar), Rupert Bloomfield (bass guitar), James Hannington (drums), Paul Davey (saxophone), Bert Routledge (keyboards), Emma Smith (backing vocals). (5410)
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STEVE BOYCE BAND
Diz Nelson (lead vocals, still missing), Steve Boyce (guitar and vocals), Ron Sims (guitar and vocals), Rik Luk (bass guitar), and Gary Hunsley). (5409)
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20/20 VISION
Chris Squelch (lead vocals), Ron Fielding (guitar and backing vocals), Tommy Stead (bass guitar), Richard Adams (keyboards), Frank Manzanero (drums) and Mike Ben. (5408)
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This week they all had to record a cover of the classic rock antham "Born to be Wild" by Steppenwolf. You can listen to the 3 tracks here, One : Two : Three. Click on the link, then close your eyes, when its finished make a note of the number at the end of the web address, and whether or not you like it. Listen to all 3, then see which was which, by checking the number against the band's name above. This Friday (30th May) after a listeners vote, one band will be given their marching orders, and their dream will be over.
The contest was eventually won by the Steve Boyce Band, who opened for Eric Clapton at Hard Rock Calling.
Vote for Annie Grace Smith
Wait, no, she's not your local councilor or even a prospective member of parliament, and neither is she related to the recently deceased playboy model. Annie is a very talented young singer, who writes and performs her own songs, accompanied by Jack Pearce on guitar. She will be one of the contestants in the National Grand Final of the 2007 Live and Unsigned competition. If you'd like to vote for her just text "Idol Annie" to 83222. It will only cost you 50p (all procedes going to crimestoppers) + your usual network fee. If you don't pay the mobile bill, please get permission from whoever does, before you vote.
More info: http://www.liveandunsigned.uk.com or http://www.southcoastidol.co.uk
More info: http://www.myspace.com/anniegracesmithuk
More info: http://www.liveandunsigned.uk.com or http://www.southcoastidol.co.uk
More info: http://www.myspace.com/anniegracesmithuk
War of the Worlds on YouTube
There was an article in the Woking News and Mail last week about a short 2 and a half minute film made by Richard Knotek from Horsell. The film shows the distruction of modern Woking by the martians in a new take on H G Wells' "War of the Worlds". It was uploaded to the video sharing site YouTube and has been already viewed by more than 3000 people.
WeyFest Review
Review: The weather stayed fine for the outdoor part of this local charity event, held in the beer garden on the Exchange hotel, Farnham. Unfortunately an accident just outside Farnham had caused problems for much of the audience, though this provided the unusual delight of being able to watch the first few bands while seated out of the sun. First on the bill were the The Flying Tigers, who did what was needed, in that awkward job. Their lead singer Tracy Murphy has such a powerful voice to blast it out on the heavy rock numbers, but can also go into soulful mode on the slower R&B tracks.
Next up were Ciao Buddha, who's debut CD is called 'Rise', and they certainly woke up the crowd, and most of the neighbourhood too. A great 3-piece band. There were short 20 min breaks between the sets, while the bands carted their equipment in and out, but this gave ample time for the audience to pay a visit, or buy refreshments at the bar. Then it was the turn of The True Deceivers, with a folky-country-rock blend of musical styles. By the time the UK Blues Project started playing there was quite a crowd gathered. There is nothing like the blues to make you feel relaxed and chilled on a late summer afternoon. They also had a new CD available called 'No Rush'.
Then came the Dayglo Pirates, with special guest Glenn Cornick (a former member of the real Jethro Tull), who can usually be found playing with Wild Turkey. First came the older progressive set, and then a few more recent rock numbers. The lead singer Paul Forrest, in heavy coat, which he discarded to reveal green tights and multicoloured waistcoat, danced around the stage and playing his flute with one legged cocked. Sadly his mandolin wouldn't play but it was still an outstanding and memorable performance. At 8pm the lucky few of the crowd, who'd booked early, then moved inside.
For the finale, a performance by the Jackie Lynton band. This was due to complaints from the hotel's neighbour, about the loud, funky music and some ordinary people having a good time and raising lots of money for a good cause. Many thanks and gratitude go out to all the bands who played at WeyFest 2006 and to Steve and Julie, who run the Exchange Hotel, for hosting the event.
Wonder at the Half Moon
From the moment I entered the hallowed ground of this legendary venue, I knew in my heart that this gig was going to be special. Firstly, there were many more people already enjoying a quick pre-gig pint, than I'd seen there before. I must make clear at this point that I'm not old enough to have been here in the 60's and 70's, when some of the greatest bands and solo artists rocked the place (see Save the Half Moon, Putney). My experience has only been over the past 5 years, when you are lucky if the audience gets into double figures.
The second thing I noticed as I was once again reviewing some of the pictures on the walls, of famous musicians that previously graced the stage, was that the majority of the crowd were sad, slightly overweight, 40-somethings, like myself. This was no surprise as this was part of the 20th aniversary tour of The Wonder Stuff's second album HUP. After deciding to purchase a T-shirt, (sadly not at 80's prices, through made by a quality label), from the solitary girl on the merchadise stand, (as they are no longer available in the shops), I entered the large darkened room.
It felt so great to be standing right at the front next to the stage, but with no pit, no steel barriers, or indeed no sign of the gang of brutish thugs dressed in tight-fitting black T-shirts with SECURITY printed in big letters front and back, to remind them why they were there. A few of the crowd also wondered in, but it was only after Miles Hunt (the Wonder Stuff's charismatic frontman) strolled out into the main bar with the megaphone used on several of the bands classic tracks and alerted the drinkers that the show was about to start, that they entered.
There was a cheer as Miles got up on stage to introduce the support act, one of his heroes when learning guitar, and now funnily enough a patron of the same local boozer. Dirty Ray Weatherall, as he is now known was previously lead vocalist with the Immaculate Fools. From his fast strumming blues guitar and almost shouted high octane lyrical statements, it was easy to see the influence Ray's music had on young Miles and probably the rest of the band. Ray is also a contributor to Miles's Shared Project, which has produced a showcase album of musical talent unrecognised by the narrow vision of wide stream media in this country. This was the perfect warm-up and the crowd loved it.
There was an almost deafening howl as The Wonder Stuff stepped onto the stage, and with the first licks of their guitars, we were all instantly transported back to the summer of 88. They were joined onstage by Erica Nochalls on Violin. The publicity for the tour had stated that the band would be playing the whole of HUP (well we shall see), so it was not a shock that they started with "30 years in the Bathroom" and then "Radio Ass Kiss". But it was only after they moved on to "Them, Big Oak Trees", that we were let into the secret, that somehow all the songs on the album had ended up in the wrong order.
This was a little weird if you are one of those people who believe that an entire album is designed to flow from track to track as a single journey. This was like being of a totally different road, but I think whether or not it was a better path it was certainly a new enlightening experience. Of course with the modern wonders of the mp3 player, its possible to rearrange songs into hundreds of variations. I think that many of the crowd will be shuffling their HUP playlist, when they get home, into the band's prefered order.
The crowd were also in good voice and singing along to every track, even simultaniously launching into the chorus of "Letter from America" by The Proclaimers, (Miles and Erica had been touring with them earlier this year). Its good to know that 40-somethings can still pogo round the room when the mood calls for it, and even with a capacity turnout there was plenty of room for this. Next came "Golden Green", then "Cartoon Boyfriend", "Unfaithful", Piece of Sky", "Let's be Other People", "Don't let me down", "Can't Shape Up", "Room 410", and lastly "Good Night Though". This ticked of the main 12 songs on original album, but what about the 4 bonus tracks (on the remastered edition).
Yes they played "Gimme Some Truth" by John Lennon, and "Inside you" by Pop Will Eat Itself (a previous band of Miles Hunt and Malcolm Treece), but sadly there was no "Get Together" by The Youngbloods or The Wonder Stuff's own "It Was Me". They diid play "Circlesquare", "On the Ropes", "Last Second...", "Here Comes Everyone", Caught in my Shadow", "Mission Drive", "Size of a Cow", "A Song Without an End" which finally ended with a crashing drum solo, after the rest on the band had left the stage. For the encore they treated us to "Give, Give, Give, Me More, More, More", "Unbearable" from their fantastic debut album "The Eight-Legged Groove Machine" and "Ten Trenches Deep".
This was certainly one of the best gigs I have ever been to, at such an amazing venue, and I have been out almost every night of the week watching live music for the past 4 years. As to whether the album was named after the e-mail checker (very doubtful), or the Harvard University Press, or Mr Crumb's comic, or the US Navy rescue helecopter (H-25), isn't Wikipedia great, we shall never know. Hopefully there must be some Promoter / Brewery / Agency / Entrepreneur with a passion for live music, willing to run this historic venue, if Youngs no longer want it. Please don't let this wonderful gig be one of the last.
Yvonne Arnaud Film Season
Art house cinema in the comfort of a theatre. It runs for two weeks, from the 3-17 August, and this years films include:
03 August 6:00pm - Michael Clayton (15) : 8:30pm - Un Secret (15)
04 August 6:00pm - Away From Her (12A) : 8:30pm - Happy-Go-Lucky (15)
05 August 6:00pm - Happy-Go-Lucky (15) : 8:30pm - Elizabeth: The Golden Age (12A)
06 August 6:00pm - Elizabeth: The Golden Age (12A) : 8:00pm - Into the Wild (15)
07 August 2:45pm - Into the Wild (15) : 6:00pm - The 39 Steps (U) : 8:30pm – Atonement (15)
08 August 2:30pm – Atonement (15) : 5:45pm - Love in the Time of Cholera (15) : 8:30pm – Persepolis (12A)
09 August 1:00pm - Son of Rambow (12A) : 3:30pm - The Diving Bell and The Butterfly (12A) : 6:00pm - The Edge of Love (15) :aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaa8:30pm - No Country For Old Men (15)
10 August 1:00pm – Caramel (PG) : 3:30pm – Persepolis (12A) : 6:00pm – Priceless (12A) : 8:30pm - Joy Division (15)
11 August 5:45pm - Joy Division (15) : 8:30pm - Love in the Time of Cholera (15)
12 August 6:00pm - The Edge of Love (15) : 8:30pm - Sweeney Todd (18)
13 August 3:00pm - No Country For Old Men (15) : 6:00pm - The Other Boleyn Girl (12A) : 8:30pm - Female Agents (15)
14 August 3:00pm – Priceless (12A) : 6:00pm - The Kite Runner (12A) : 8:30pm - Sex and the City (15)
15 August 3:00pm - Sweeney Todd (18) : 6:00pm - Michael Clayton (15) : 8:30pm - La Vie En Rose (12A)
16 August 12:30pm - The Other Boleyn Girl (12A) : 3:00pm - Sex and the City (15) : 5:50pm – Priceless (12A) :aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa aaaaaaaaaa8:10pm - There Will Be Blood (15)
17 August 12:30pm - The Kite Runner (12A) : 3:10pm - There Will Be Blood (15) : 6:15pm - Un Secret (15) : 8:45pm - Female Agents (15)
More Info and to purchase tickets http://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/
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