A BIG THANK YOU

TO ALL THAT CAME

LAST NIGHT.

CHEERS

MySpace Music. Live and Kicking

I am writing today in praise of MySpace music. We all know, as we sit in front of our screens, that there is a vast amount of music here. Some good, and some not so good. But all are worthy of praise
for the pleasure they bring through our speakers.

However that being said. Apart from the obvious exceptions ie The Arctic Monkeys & Lilly Allen not many of these musicians will ever get
to be heard by the general public. And this why I write.
Music NEEDS to be heard LIVE.

This where AMO Music come in. Simon Matthews & Anna Parry (of the Bath/Bristol band Fabric ) have realised that the wealth of talent out there needs a voice, and somewhere to ply their trade. So along with a few friends, they organise a Friday night of "Live" music at The Invention Studios in Bath.

Unfortunately as it's on a Friday, and in rather an obscure location, you out there in cyber land haven't found it yet, or perhaps you're out clubbing. Which is rather a shame after all the effort Simon and Anna put into promotion and publicity.

True, the Venue is inconspicuous and easy to miss. Being in an old church hall. But once you're inside the vibe & the acoustics are superb. And the music (most) is of outstanding quality.


You'll find artist there, like Stanton Deloplane, & Helen Sadler. with their clever use of the loop box and unusual instruments. The wonderful Alexander Thomas with his Theramin. Singer songwriters like Little Girl Blues, Rob Phillips, & Ryan Inglis. Along with bands like the a fore mentioned Fabric, The Girls, The John E Vistic Experience and the mighty 25 men. (Who's performance the other night was worthy of a much bigger audience) This list could go on and on.



So ladies and gentlemen. Wherever you are in the world. Instead of just listening to the music before you go out to the pub or club listening to euro pop. Go and see these bands.

And remember if they're not supported live, they may even remove their cyber link to you.
They've worked hard for your pleasure.
They need to be SEEN. Thank You.



Future Presentations

Nu Roots to Bridgwater

Eleanor McEvoy
& The Tim Edey Band
Bar 27
Bridgwater
10 February

A Sunday lunchtime date with Eleanor McEvoy. prior to her forthcoming Australian tour.
A very light a spacious bar, with plenty of tables, easy chairs and stools, greeted us when we arrived. These were quickly filled as other music lovers came in willing to forgo their Sunday roast. in exchange for Sarnie's' and a pint or two, And good Folk and roots music. The Show promoted locally by Midnight Mango is part of Nu-Routes.
A network of folk music promoters dedicated to bring together outstanding musicians.

We were warmed up gently for the first 40 minutes, with some superb flamenco guitar work by Terence Vaughn. Very relaxing for a Sunday afternoon.



After a short break, the 4 musicians were invited on stage. Eleanor took centre stage and after the customary "How you all doing"
They opened up with the Tim Edey composition 'Radio 2 comes to Kerry' A lively opening number to introduce us to the themselves & their instruments.

Fiddle, Harmonica, Guitar & Cajon Drum.

We then had the infamous reel, ( the on in 'E') Wrong So Wrong, and
a lovely piece, called Loraine's Dream. Which had everybody moved.
Before Eleanor left the stage.

We were taken on a world tour courtesy of 'The Odyssey' taken from the excellent album 'Farrago'

Brendan Power, then took centre stage giving us a couple of bluesy numbers. One dedicated to Eleanor. Saying It's not only women who have hearts. Two more reels then from Tim Edey on accordion and Lucy Randall on Bodhran. before Brendan joined for last one before another interval.

'Real Blues Reel'



After a short break. Eleanor returned on her own to give us 'I'll be Willing' and 'Ave Maria'

And then re; reference A "plastic soup" of waste floating in the Pacific Ocean is growing at an alarming rate and now covers an area twice the size of the continental United States.



We were treated to a brilliant cover (with an extra verse penned by Eleanor) of Barry McGuire's

'The Eve of Destruction'



Tim, Lucy, & Brendan then rejoined to perform 'To Sweep Away A Fool' and a new one, from the next and 7th Album. 'Old New Borrowed and Blue' wittily penned by the brilliant Dave Rotheray.
Finishing off with Dylan's 'I'll be your baby tonight'

And for the encore after excellent reception. from an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience. They then pulled out the stops with
'Trad 'N' Blues'



A couple of friends said to me after the Brewhouse gig last May. How they would of preferred her with a band. Well folks this was it.
Four brilliant musicians in their own right. (we had touches of magic from them all individually) came together. And it married perfectly.



What a way to spend your Sunday afternoon. (I'm usually watching the football) The Promotion of this event, & future presentations, tell me that I'll be spending more time at Bar 27. and finding -
Nu routes to Bridgwater.


The Musicians

Eleanor McEvoy - Vocals, Fiddle & Electric Guitar
Tim Edey - Acoustic/Bass Guitar & Accordion
Brendan Power - Vocals, & Harmonica
Lucy Randall - Bodhran, Cajon, & Tambourine

Links to this post;

Eleanor McEvoy
Eleanor on MySpace
Tim Edey
Midnight Mango

Dancing Tony comes to Somerset

The Monaros
The Wunder Bar
Midsomer Norton
9 February

Oh woe is me. Our friend (Pete) and main source of transport, is taken ill. So our (Jon & myself) Saturday evening's entertainment began at 15:30. A train to Bath. (Stopping off for a pint and a bite) continuing by bus to the North Somerset town of Midsomer Norton.



The object of this expedition, was the debut 'Live' gig of a Bristol/Taunton based band, from the same family. 'The Monaros'.

Four middle-aged wannabe popstars. Spawned from the much lamented Judges Children, Lazenby, & The Mighty Stars. They have now teamed up with their younger sister, (aka Paula Aaronson) to create their own brand of easy listening Pop-Rock indie tunes.

The Wunder Bar is a small basement venue. Dedicated to bring live music to the folks of rural Somerset. In attendance tonight were Simon & Anna from 'Fabric'. With 'the family' not playing till late, it was great to catch up with all their news. They are very rarely on the punters side of the stage.


By the time the band came on (10:15) the place was comfortably packed. A few drunken guys from the Midsomer Norton Polish gay scene tried to spoil it. but they soon calmed down When Aero Monaro started to sing.

The 4 brothers all looked dapper in sharp suits. And, Aero looked simply stunning in her ball gown.

Aero & Little Nicky at The Wunder Bar

The set consisted of 12 songs with one reprised at the end for an encore. All bar one number coming from 'Little Nicky's' rich and bulging song book. Superb lyrics (some surreal) based on his life & loves. together with wonderful catchy tunes. The one song they did as a cover was 'Heart of Glass' very apt. As their repertoire and look was akin to the Blondie of old.
You could say on Parallel Lines.

They were well received by an enthusiastic crowd. Plus they were welcomed back, which is always a good sign for a band, especially one their first outing. As Timmy Monaro said to me, afterwards.

"That was a tight set" Crisp and easy to listen to.

And if I did say they were middle aged, then I apologise. The vibe from this band would put a lot of younger wannabes to shame.

Go and see them soon.


They're playing next in Bristol, at The Louisiana on the 26 Feb. and,

Mr Wolf's on the 29th.





The Monaros are.....
Aero Monaro - Vocals
Little Nicky Monaro - Guitar
Bobby "the fish" Monaro - Keyboards
Timmy Monaro - Drums & backing vocals
Tony Monaro - Bass

The Set List.
Mia Keep Moving
20,000 Leagues
Hot Love
Ultramarine
Cowboy
Heart Of Glass
Here's One For Later
Birthday
Velcro
Dancing Tony
All That Matters
In The Space
Cowboy (reprise)

Links to this post

Facebook
MySpace

The Wunder Bar

The Louisiana

Mr Wolfs

Fabric

Happy Cliffmas!

It seems that as most of the world's wildlife goes into hibernation for the winter months, Sir Cliff clambers out from the undergrowth of his labyrinthine warren to wreak complete havoc on an extra vigilant public.

Perhaps it's his 'Never Say Die' attitude, singing 'Congratulations' round the Christmas tree, or larging it up big time with the 'Living Doll' next door - or is it that Christmas for the Cliff Face is nothing more than a chance to completely balls up another Christmas single?

Understood by many to outdate the prototype London Bus that appeared for the very first time on screen in Summer Holiday, or even the Sedan Chair it seems that somehow he has managed to inspire an ever growing fan base.

In an interview recently on the one show it was mentioned that in his lifetime he has released about 78 albums, some of which contrary to belief actually contains something resembling music. With that number alone being about twenty times the number of chords Status Quo have managed to find in last 50 years and them still doing well it's not difficult to see how or why he is still being appreciated by a long suffering audience.

Long outliving Orpheus Cliff has always managed to keep ahead of the times and in his Baroque collection released in 1789 this was definitely a landmark of its generation. In fact it was embalmed and lies deep in one of the crypts of Highgate Cemetery but an original promotional copy found its way recently into the museum of Egyptology in Cairo.

To some he was the genesis of the pop revolution which is not difficult to believe for someone who began life with his sell out show, playing for Emperor Titus at the official opening of the Coliseum in Rome, around AD 80.

For his die hard fans, Cliff at the ripe old age of 92 continues to disappoint by releasing yet another single. Having heard it I can safely say that he now has a stage appearance not dissimilar to that of Meatloaf. However he still manages to bounce around the stage with more energy than Russell Mael but has he lost it as a performer – we think so.

Out of the aforementioned 78 albums over half of those are Christmas compilations and remixes of Mistletoe and Wine. Perhaps the Status Quo formula really does work…. It has for Cliff over the past decade – or maybe he should stick to playing tennis as he's probably England's best hope….

For other gems like this. And some great photography.
Please visit a good friend of mine. Dave Cable over on MySpace

Earth-Light-Studios

Merry Christmas

Eleanor on the Balcony

'Eleanor McEvoy'

THE BTV MUSIC VIDEO AWARDS 2007

The Bairns are back in Town

Rachel Unthank & the Winterset touring to promote their new album
"The Bairns" Last night they were at the small, yet impressive venue of St Georges Hall, in Bristol.

When the Girls came on stage, the spotlight was immediately on the Unthank sisters, dressed in their party frocks. Rachel in an ecru coloured dress, and Becky in a Turquoise strapless, backless outfit. New Girl, Niopha Keegan, (who has taken over from Jackie Oates)
was more soberly dressed. And Belinda O'Hooley was, as ever the Gentleman.

Opening up with a favourite from the first album (Cruel Sister) "Monday Morning" a tale of a Monday after a weekend on the Toon.
Featuring Rachel as the main lead. With Becky & Niopha taking a verse each. accompanied by Belinda on Piano. - A posh piano. Far better than what I'm used to. so we are told.

All the songs come from their Northumberland/ Scottish border heritage. Although "Whitethorn" a pretty dirge, (if there can be such
a thing) and "Blackbird" were written by Belinda.
Rachel having the lighter voice, really brings the songs alive. Becky has a lovely softer, lower tone. Which was shown off perfectly, when they finished the first set with Becky and Belinda doing a wonderful rendition of Antony and the Johnsons "For Today I am a Boy"

The second set started off with "Felton Lonnin" Rachel singing, accompanied by Becky on high heel percussion.
Next came the clog dancing, audience participation. (Till the tide comes in) How the girls tops stay in place is a miracle. perhaps they should use "anti bounce Bras"-but then again don't.

We then had Rachel's version of the high heel percussion, accompanying Becky on "Sea Song." A Robert Wyatt cover.
The evening progressed with the girls light hearted comments
and bitches between themselves and the audience.
It made for a very enjoyable night.

To close the show we had Belinda's tale and song on how close she came to telling her family her Big secret.
An amusing number called "When I'm Cold and Stiff"
and they were bought back to the stage after thunderous stamping of feet, to do one more number. "Farewell Regality" A beautifully crafted homage to Hexhamshire Lasses.

The Winterset are;
Rachel Unthank - Voice and Cello
Becky Unthank - Voice
Belinda O'Hooley - Voice and Piano
Niopha Keegan- Fiddle and Voice

The Set List
On A Monday Morning
Blue Bleezing Blind Drunk
Whitethorn
Lull I (Newcastle Lullaby)
Blackbird
Fair Rossamund
For Today I Am A Boy

Felton Lonnin
Blue's Gaen Oot O'the fashion
Sea Song
Lull IV Can't stop it raining
Ma Bonny Lad
My Donald
Lull II My Lad's a Canny Lad
Till I'm Cold and Stiff

Fareweel Regality

MYSPACE: The radio edit of Felton Lonnin is now available to listen to on Myspace. More tracks will be available soon. Felton Lonnin is track one of the new album, and features four members of the Northern Sinfonia, Neil Harland on double bass, and feet percussion
by Becky Unthank’s high heels! Go listen to it now!
www.myspace.com/rachelunthank

For those of you who haven't done so yet.
Come on over to MySpace

It's about time you did

Death of a Princess (again)

Oh What a Night

Huge bundles of Thanks
go to all that came
special mentions go to

Rob Phillips, Cheers Mate
The Little Girl Blues, Thanks Leanne
and Simon, Anna,& Tom. Parry:Matthews.

And not forgetting Little Pete, Bobby Howlett & Louise

Fancy a Party

Taunton's Finest

Let's Get One Thing Straight.

There Is NO Louis, There Are NO Iguanas

They Are Louis And The Iguanas