fillerPoetry for the Inner Child
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To suggest an event to be added to this section please e-mail the details to News
Poetry for the Inner Child
“Magic Happens” is a new illustrated book of poetry for all ages by West Sussex based Simon Welsh. Although it has taken 12 long years to complete, some pieces were written in hours, others in days, but one even took 2 years to get right. The series includes nine poems divided into 3 sets: Creatures, Monsters, & Angelic Intervention.
The Creatures set has Ally Wangle and the Humpergees about a young girl with little creatures that live in her hair, and cause havoc in the classroom. Dinoceros about night time adventures riding on a friendly flying Dinoceros (a cross between a dinosaur and a rhinoceros). And a lovely uplifting tale of Finkymimp and Tanzy, about two new-found friends that meet in the darkness of the wardrobe.
The Monsters set tells of The Dribble Man, about the dangers of stepping on the cracks in the pavement. Then comes The Gluboo, a slimy story for children who won’t sleep, about a glue-spraying beast that lives under the bed, but this backfires on the grownups. Unit 4, a fabricated holding cell for naughty kids, also ends in tragedy for the only real monsters out there. These are parents that fib to their own children, just to get then to behave.
The Angelic Intervention set includes Dave Solo, about a little boy who finds an angel to release his artistic side. In Heather and the Unicorn, a little girl who so wants to believe, against everything she’s told, that she slips away into her own world. Very Little Pepper is about a farmer’s son who dreams of marrying a pretty fairy.
The book has been wonderfully illustrated by Samira Harris and also includes a Studio produced CD of all the poems performed by Simon. He has two other collections entitled All Hail the 21st Century (with 18 poems) and Surviving 1212 (also 18 poems) and he hopes to have these available as books by the end of this year. Simon is currently working on a new project called Bridges. You can get hold of a copy of his book by ordering on the internet for £12.50 including p&p from www.simonwelshpoetry.co.uk, personally from him by attending one of his readings, or over the counter at the Igigi General Store, 31 Western Road, Brighton.
Rabid Dog on High Street Claims Another Victim
With the imminent departure of Borders, and only 1 year on from the end of Woolworths and Zavvi (formerly Virgin Megastores), it has become even more clear who is Top Dog in High Street music retail in this country. Having already seen off many other challengers from Fopp, MVC, Our Price, and Tower Records, as well as halting the musical ambitions of WHSmith, Boots, and other leading shops, HMV is still king. But it may surprise you that its owned by the same group as Waterstones, who have managed a similar feat in the high street book retail sector.
I understand that we live in a free market economy, where retailers can set their prices, even at a loss, to succeed. But you also need competition, a choice of vender for the consumer, otherwise prices will continue to rise. Its great that a fantastic selection of music is now available to purchase online, but I'm certain that anyone from my generation, and older, still prefers the feel and convenience of a CD.
I'm not suggesting that the Music giant is using any illegal tactics to undercut the opposition, and I can often be found browsing in their stores. But their sheer size and hence buying power, with economies of scale, mean that perhaps their morals have slipped. I can only hope that the Supermarkets, who also arn't whiter than white, don't also abandon the music retail sector.
Ram Club wins Folk Club of the Year 2007
The Ram Club which meets on Fridays (8:30pm) at the Foley Arms, Claygate has just recieved the award for BBC Radio 2's "Folk Club of the Year". It was presented to the club at the BBC Folk Awards Ceremony on 5th Feb in London, and was recorded and broadcast on the 7th Feb as part of the Mike Harding show. They would like to thank everyone who has helped create the wonderful atmosphere at the club, as well as all the hard working artists that provide the good music. The voters in this category are the musicians. So if you've never been to the club, come along and find out why this is one of the best in the country.
More Info: http://www.theramclub.co.uk or BBC Folk Awards
More Info: http://www.theramclub.co.uk or BBC Folk Awards
Road to V Festival 2008
Virgin Radio has again been running a competition for unknown bands who would like to play at the V Festival in August this year. 14 finalists have been selected by a panel of experts including Carl Barat, Mags Revell, Paul Samuels, Sav Remzi, and Mark Beaumont.
Alexis Blue : Floors and Walls : Idle Lovers : Imperial Leisure : KC : Mama Shamone : Married to the Sea : Matt Trakker : More Assured, The : Rebs, The : Shallow Call, The : Situationists : Walk. Don't Walk : Wireless, The
More info and to rate the bands: http://www.roadtov.com
Alexis Blue : Floors and Walls : Idle Lovers : Imperial Leisure : KC : Mama Shamone : Married to the Sea : Matt Trakker : More Assured, The : Rebs, The : Shallow Call, The : Situationists : Walk. Don't Walk : Wireless, The
More info and to rate the bands: http://www.roadtov.com
Save the Half Moon, Putney
Urgent action is required to save the Half Moon, Putney, one of the stars of the south-west london live music scene since 1963. The venue's list of musical patrons is like a who's-who of the best in each generation's firmament, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Fairport Convention, The Yardbirds, John Martyn. Then Bad Manners, Billy Bragg, Dire Straits, Kate BUSH, Van Morrison, and Rory Gallagher, and even U2. More recently to Kasabian, as well as folk stars Ralph McTell, Christy Moore, Martin Carthy.
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Please join the campaign, lobby Youngs Brewery, and if you live in Putney write to your M.P.
Facebook group
Great news, the campaign has succeeded, it will remain a live music venue.
Half Moon update
Great news, the campaign has succeeded, it will remain a live music venue.
Half Moon update
Save Windsor Arts Centre
Please support the campaign to re-open the Windsor Arts Centre, following it's shock closure just before Christmas. The Centre was housed in the former fire station in The Old Court, St Leonards Rd, Windsor, and was being run by volunteers as a registered charity for the last 31 years. A protest group, WAY (Windsor Arts are Yours) has been set up, and so far has held 2 public meetings on 30th Jan and 9th Feb at Windsor Boys School, to discuss what can be done. If you live in the area and would like to help, please contact your local councillor.
More info: http://www.savewindsorartscentre.org/
Tommy Fest featuring Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel will go ahead this year at the West Wing Arts Centre in Slough, 21st-24th March.
Say NO to Form 696
In a further move by this government towards a Orwellian Police State, and a seeming desire to completely kill off all of the free live music scene in London, comes Form 696. It will affect all licensees of venues in the 21 London boroughs, who wish to hold live music events, and all the musicians who want to play in London. On the Form they are requested/ordered to provide names, addresses, aliases, and telephone No's, of musicians, and most worryingly, the likely ethnicity of their audience. We all know that the Metropolitan Police doesn't have the best track record in recent times when it comes to racial fairness. This Form can only serve to deter the staging of live musical events, as failure to comply with the bureaucracy could result in fines or imprisonment. It will stifle free expression and penalise certain genres of music and ethnic audiences.
Please go to this government website and sign the petition against Form 696.
Shine a Light on the Rolling Stones
This week sees the release of another wonderful film by acclaimed director Martin Scorsese. It is a study of the extra-ordinary career and music of The Rolling Stones. You can tell that Mr Scorsese is a real Stones fan, and has already used a great deal of their back-catalogue in his other films including "Mean Streets", "Goodfellas", "Casino", and most recently in "The Departed". Most of this new film "Shine a Light" was shot over 2 nights of special performances by the band at the Beacon Theatre in New York. This has been inter-mingled with some archive footage and interviews. At the start, Mr Scorsese is desperate for a set-list, in order to have some chance of being ready for the wild and often unplanned movements of a live show. If you go in expecting all of their greatest hits, you may be a little disapointed, as the majority of the music is from their early years. But still there are 3 or 4 sing-alongs in the second half, though I can't remember hearing anyone in the auditaurium, brave enough to even try. Its the kind of film where you almost need to be standing up, in order to be totally free to enjoy the music. Unfortunately in any of these new crampt cinemas, with all the seats bolted together, you can't even tap your feet without causing an earthquake. Though none of that is Mr Scorsese's fault, he has done a great job in trying to film such a manic event. He has had plenty of experience in this field, if you'll excuse the pun, as he was an editor on "Woodstock". His other films with a musical theme include, with The Band on "The Last Waltz", with the genius Bob Dylan on "No Direction Home"and on one episode of "The Blues" called "Feel Like Going Home". The double CD Soundtrack is now available for an amazing £8.93 from ASDA, and for under £10 from other outlets.
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For more info: http://www.shinealightmovie.com/
Smoking Ban only a year away
The overdue ban on smoking in Public places has an overwhelmingly mandate of MPs with a total of 384 in favour to 184 against, giving a majority of 200. This will prohibit people lighting up in all English pubs and clubs. This can only help the overall health of the nation, as well as those who have to work at these venues, and the bands who provide the great live music. We will re-claim these often avoided amenities for everyone to enjoy. The ban is due to start on June 4th 2007 so there's only a year to go. Hopefully some if not all venues will take the brave decision to phase in the new law sooner, rather than a sharp-shock overnight change-over leaving the foul odour in the carpets and furnishings for months after.
Many thanks go to the Labour Government, particularly the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and this demonstrates the power of public opinion to make lasting changes.
Many thanks go to the Labour Government, particularly the Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt and this demonstrates the power of public opinion to make lasting changes.
Spiers and Boden at Monthly folk night 15th Nov 2006
After playing to thousands at the Loughborough Folk Festival and at WOMAD, it must have been different for them to perform to a small gathering of under 25 fans. We were lucky enough to witness this duo with their feet stamping brand of folk music at the Boileroom in Guildford. Jon Boden sings and really brings the Fiddle (Violin) to life with such a sweet melody. This is complimented so well in partnership with John Spiers on the Melodeon and backing vocals. During the short break Steve Bradfield, a local musician from the band Radiate, gave us a few numbers on the guitar, including the soulful Bob Marley classic "No women no cry". Then one on the Banjo. He will be back at the same venue next month for the Christmas folk special. In the second half of the main act we were treated to Jon Boden on the guitar and Stomp-box with the other John on the Concertina. This intimate show was only possible due to the cancellation of a planned gig in Uxbridge. It was surely a bargain at £10 a head. The will be playing again, with their full band Bellowhead, in front of the cameras on "Later with Jools Holland" broadcast on 1st December. They have released four albums as a duo, "Through & Through", "Bellow", "Songs", and "Tunes" over the past 5 years. Jon Boden’s debut solo album "Painted Lady" was released on 15th May 2006 and Bellowhead's debut album "Burlesque" was released on the 18th September 2006 and is currently No1 in HMVs folk chart.
Find more info at: Spiers and Boden
Find more info at: Spiers and Boden
Susie Clarke live on The Eagle 14th January 2007
Tune in to Eagle Radio (96.4FM) this Sunday, 14th Jan, at 9:30pm and listen to a Live Session with Susie Clarke. She will be playing and talking to Julia Moore.
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.
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