The Live Music Room.

[Wenge1]

Well last night I managed to make it to one of the strangest but also nicest gigs I’ve been to. As said on the previous post it was my daughters 40th birthday and I had promised to drive them to a restaurant and pick them up afterwards and we would baby sit their three daughters which include 5 month old twins. My wife was happy to do the sitting. So I dropped them off and headed off to the other side of town to a “farm food shop” where the gig was taking place. Upon arrival I struggled to find a place to park as the car parks were full. I then found out the place has a camp site and the event has been a weekly thing for the past four weeks. As I started walking towards the “stage area” I heard the promoter announcing John Murry, who then started to play. We got half an hour of assorted songs from his catalogue plus he finished with an Abba cover of super trooper. The audience was made up of families and would have no idea who he was with the exception of about 20 to 30 people who are regulars at the Church contacted, like myself, by the promoter. There were fire pits around the site where children were toasting marsh mellows, as you can see in the photo. John was visiting friends here, the promoter, and was added when the other support dropped out. The main act was Nick Ellis who is really good but I said I would only stay for John’s set. When he had finished I was talking to some of the regulars from the gigs at the Church and I was pulled away by Carl the promoter who introduced me as a guy who must be one of your biggest supporters to the man himself. He remembered me from previous shows especially a pub gig he did here as a small tour warm up. Where we had talked about Neil Young. He was in a great mood because his partner is a Doctor who works for the French charity Medicins Sans frontier in Afghanistan and he had had a call from her at lunchtime as she was about to board a USAF plane in Kabul. So he knew she was now safe. He had planned to play the pub again but plans had changed so he was heading back to Ireland to be there when she gets home. I said what a strange but nice place to play. He replied the strangest gig he did was a few months ago when he did a promotional YouTube show for his new album. The did it in Whelans in Dublin and it was empty, no one in other than them, the sound guy and camera crew. He has played there a lot but playing empty was really strange.
I left just before Nick came on and got back to find that the twins hadn’t made a peep.

Well Keith - that was gig with a difference that's for sure. Good that your live music again and thanks for the entertaining write up.

[Scooter]

Last night was my first real show since covid. When I say real I mean “normal” without social distancing etc. The three gigs I attended since the lockdown, one was at the Phil in Liverpool which was socially distanced and the other two were outside. So it was a pleasure and a pain (I’ll explain later) to be back.
The first band were a Rook and a Raven, I think or it may be a Raven and a Rook. Three guys who sang with some incredible harmonies. They are a five piece band but the drummer and bass players were not playing, not sure why. They said as a result they were having to use their brains a lot to get the songs right. The three played guitars both acoustic and electric and one switched between guitar and keyboards. They were reminiscent of CSN&Y. I can I’ll definitely be checking them out. I would have bought the CD but the trend now is for vinyl, so no CD’s for sale only vinyl. Not sure commercially that’s is a good move as at least two or three of us left empty handed.
Onto the main act which was ex Seahorses member Chris Helme playing solo. He established a good rapport with the audience saying yes he would play a few Seahorses songs but also some new songs from his forthcoming new album. I had not heard him before and really enjoyed his set which lasted for about an hour fifteen minutes. He did explain when he left the Seahorses he didn’t play anything by them and as a result his career faded so he had had to start including them in his set. Before each song we got the story. It was fascinating when he explained he was busking in York one week, got approached by the Seahorses and a week later was in a recording studio in Los Angeles. As his career faded he then ended up back in York working in HR for an insurance company. Four songs in he brought in the guys from Rook & Raven and they did an absolutely brilliant cover of Neil Youngs Helpless. As I said previously the guys harmonies were superb and this song displayed that talent.
It really was a pleasure to be out again listening to live music. Chris Helmes couldn’t thank the audience enough. He said talking to agents, venues etc there does seem to a reluctance from people to attend events and there has been a shift in attitudes.
I also said at the start there was pain. It was the old proverbial, during the Ravens set there were two guys talking trying to make themselves heard. Very annoying to say the least. They were obviously Seahorses fans because they weren’t any different unless Chris was playing a Seahorses song then the iPhones came out to film the song.
Tomorrow night another gig my favourite John Murry with a full band.

[Dan Steel]

Nice one Keith I bet you were made up going to a live gig at last. Hopefully more soon

[Scooter]

Had a busy couple of days so rather late posting this. Monday night I was back at the Church with the boss, there are only two people she will Come out for. One is Ian Prowse, the other is John Murry. It was John Murry back here for the third time and back 8n the city for the fifth time. He was supported by Mostar Diving Club’s Damien Katkhuda doing a solo set, which went down well.
Lights up during the break and out walked John by himself with his white strat. He had two microphones, one which gently distorted his voice and the other which was normal vocal. He used them very effectively. Starting with a lot of distortion on the guitar and away he went, third song in we got ABBA’s Super Trouper which has become a song fixed into his set. A song which he says is more dark than anything he has written. He was then joined by a bass player and drummer. The drummer was out of the Frames whose name I didn’t catch. John likes to talk to a band member and then include the audience. The bass player was a young Irish girl who was really funny and they had a real spark between them. We then got treated to most of his last album the stars are gods bullet holes and the album prior to that, a short history of decay. Nothing of the graceless age, my favourite album. I shouldn’t have worried because he then played California and Southern Skys (which is a must play for me). The band then left the stage. Back to just John and guitar, we then got treated to Little Colored Balloons. Only ever seen him sing it once before and it really is a hard song emotionally as it’s about how he nearly died from a heroin overdose in San Francisco. We got the full emotion. He then asked “any suggestions” so I shouted for Wrong Man which he was pleased because he had not included it on his set list. We got one more and that was it an hour and a half was gone in a blur. He kept asking if he could do more but the Church has an eleven o’clock curfew.
We met him on the way out and it was good to see him in such good form. He loves coming here and has developed a good friendship with the promoter whom he kept asking questions when he was on. A brilliant night, one that the boss loved. She made his night when she told him he was one of the few people she will go out to watch.
Next up is an Ian Prowse gig which has been delayed so many times, I think it was originally just before lockdown but the venue in Runcorn got used as a covid vaccination centre and kept getting extended. So I think that’s now mid December.

[Scooter]

I generally don't do "tribute bands" but we had the opportunity to have a night away with the bosses sister and BIL, nice meal, show and late night drink afterwards. So we spent last night in a wind swept Llandudno in North Wales, which is about a 40 minute drive away from home. The tribute band was The Sound Of Springsteen. The band did two sets (obviously not having the stamina of the man himself). The first set was a mixture of straight stuff, 41 shots, and towards the end of that set a hint was dropped that the fun songs would be on the second set and they were. As a band they were a real set of accomplished musicians who could really play. Three stood out, the young drummer Mikey Ciancio, 26 years old and he could really play. Secondly was Glenn Johnson who played sax, guitars, keyboards and I think anything else they threw at him. Finally a girl singer called Phillipa Cookman who also played the guitar. Her voice was powerful and solid. She has just released her own album of songs "written by her Dad" which I'll check out later.
They played for over two and half hours and were entertaining and gave their all in very slick sets.
The venue I had never been to was Venue Cymru in, as i said, Llandudno. It really is a good theatre with brilliant acoustics, some what reminiscent of the Phil in Liverpool. It also has, like the Phil, a smaller room for smaller shows. It tends to attract musicals, comedians and the MOR acts.
Covid rules are still in use in Wales so masks required. It's a coincidence that I opened up my emails this morning to find a survey from the Phil asking about mask wearing, etc in the future.
The $64 thousand question, would I go out of my way to see a tribute band. I think not but after saying that it was a good night out and as part of a night out it worked. They did say that musicians have had a hard time and it was great for them to be playing/earning again. So win/win.

[Dan Steel]

I generally don't do "tribute bands" but we had the opportunity to have a night away with the bosses sister and BIL, nice meal, show and late night drink afterwards. So we spent last night in a wind swept Llandudno in North Wales, which is about a 40 minute drive away from home. The tribute band was The Sound Of Springsteen. The band did two sets (obviously not having the stamina of the man himself). The first set was a mixture of straight stuff, 41 shots, and towards the end of that set a hint was dropped that the fun songs would be on the second set and they were. As a band they were a real set of accomplished musicians who could really play. Three stood out, the young drummer Mikey Ciancio, 26 years old and he could really play. Secondly was Glenn Johnson who played sax, guitars, keyboards and I think anything else they threw at him. Finally a girl singer called Phillipa Cookman who also played the guitar. Her voice was powerful and solid. She has just released her own album of songs "written by her Dad" which I'll check out later.
They played for over two and half hours and were entertaining and gave their all in very slick sets.
The venue I had never been to was Venue Cymru in, as i said, Llandudno. It really is a good theatre with brilliant acoustics, some what reminiscent of the Phil in Liverpool. It also has, like the Phil, a smaller room for smaller shows. It tends to attract musicals, comedians and the MOR acts.
Covid rules are still in use in Wales so masks required. It's a coincidence that I opened up my emails this morning to find a survey from the Phil asking about mask wearing, etc in the future.
The $64 thousand question, would I go out of my way to see a tribute band. I think not but after saying that it was a good night out and as part of a night out it worked. They did say that musicians have had a hard time and it was great for them to be playing/earning again. So win/win.

Glad you enjoyed it Keith.

[Scooter]

A second gig in four days, I’m getting dizzy as a result. Last night attended Church to see the opening act of a duo called Susterren, I think. Didn’t catch the name properly. Basically a drummer and guitarist Royal Blood style band. This resulted in something not seen in the Church before head banging! A bit of a contrast t the main act, Bob Log the third. To say the guy is a character is an understatement. The promoter pointed him out to me before the show and he seemed like a quite ordinary early fifties guy who wouldn’t say boo to a mouse. The lights went down and an upbeat blues tune started coming from an acoustic guitar featuring slide use. On walked a guy playing it who wore a crash helmet with an old phone draping from the front that was his microphone. He then played a set of upbeat (to say the least) delta blues style songs. The stage was littered with all sorts of stuff, an inflatable two man boat, a rubber ring duck, etc. On top of that he kept us in laughs. Before one song he said the atmosphere of the song is helped by the smell of toast so he moved a toaster to the front of the stage and brought out a loaf of bread and got a member of the audience to make toast “until there was nothing left but the bread wrapping”. His set was just full of foot stomping songs, his voice sounded like it was coming from a megaphone. For his penultimate song he explained that he didn’t do selfies after the show but during this song if anyone wanted a selfie to walk on stage sit on his knee and take them, “this would be the only opportunity to get one”. Loads got up and got the selfies. He was on for over an hour and it flew by. I don’t think I’ve been to a gig before where I’ve laughed so much. He could not only play but he really entertained.
Photo isn’t the best because of low light.

[Scooter]

A second gig in four days, I’m getting dizzy as a result. Last night attended Church to see the opening act of a duo called Susterren, I think. Didn’t catch the name properly. Basically a drummer and guitarist Royal Blood style band. This resulted in something not seen in the Church before head banging! A bit of a contrast t the main act, Bob Log the third. To say the guy is a character is an understatement. The promoter pointed him out to me before the show and he seemed like a quite ordinary early fifties guy who wouldn’t say boo to a mouse. The lights went down and an upbeat blues tune started coming from an acoustic guitar featuring slide use. On walked a guy playing it who wore a crash helmet with an old phone draping from the front that was his microphone. He then played a set of upbeat (to say the least) delta blues style songs. The stage was littered with all sorts of stuff, an inflatable two man boat, a rubber ring duck, etc. On top of that he kept us in laughs. Before one song he said the atmosphere of the song is helped by the smell of toast so he moved a toaster to the front of the stage and brought out a loaf of bread and got a member of the audience to make toast “until there was nothing left but the bread wrapping”. His set was just full of foot stomping songs, his voice sounded like it was coming from a megaphone. For his penultimate song he explained that he didn’t do selfies after the show but during this song if anyone wanted a selfie to walk on stage sit on his knee and take them, “this would be the only opportunity to get one”. Loads got up and got the selfies. He was on for over an hour and it flew by. I don’t think I’ve been to a gig before where I’ve laughed so much. He could not only play but he really entertained.
Photo isn’t the best because of low light.

Found a better photo…

[Dan Steel]

A second gig in four days, I’m getting dizzy as a result. Last night attended Church to see the opening act of a duo called Susterren, I think. Didn’t catch the name properly. Basically a drummer and guitarist Royal Blood style band. This resulted in something not seen in the Church before head banging! A bit of a contrast t the main act, Bob Log the third. To say the guy is a character is an understatement. The promoter pointed him out to me before the show and he seemed like a quite ordinary early fifties guy who wouldn’t say boo to a mouse. The lights went down and an upbeat blues tune started coming from an acoustic guitar featuring slide use. On walked a guy playing it who wore a crash helmet with an old phone draping from the front that was his microphone. He then played a set of upbeat (to say the least) delta blues style songs. The stage was littered with all sorts of stuff, an inflatable two man boat, a rubber ring duck, etc. On top of that he kept us in laughs. Before one song he said the atmosphere of the song is helped by the smell of toast so he moved a toaster to the front of the stage and brought out a loaf of bread and got a member of the audience to make toast “until there was nothing left but the bread wrapping”. His set was just full of foot stomping songs, his voice sounded like it was coming from a megaphone. For his penultimate song he explained that he didn’t do selfies after the show but during this song if anyone wanted a selfie to walk on stage sit on his knee and take them, “this would be the only opportunity to get one”. Loads got up and got the selfies. He was on for over an hour and it flew by. I don’t think I’ve been to a gig before where I’ve laughed so much. He could not only play but he really entertained.
Photo isn’t the best because of low light.

Found a better photo…

Glad your getting out to some gigs Keith, I can’t wait for the Felice Brothers gig and anymore that come up before it.

[Wenge1]

A second gig in four days, I’m getting dizzy as a result. Last night attended Church to see the opening act of a duo called Susterren, I think. Didn’t catch the name properly. Basically a drummer and guitarist Royal Blood style band. This resulted in something not seen in the Church before head banging! A bit of a contrast t the main act, Bob Log the third. To say the guy is a character is an understatement. The promoter pointed him out to me before the show and he seemed like a quite ordinary early fifties guy who wouldn’t say boo to a mouse. The lights went down and an upbeat blues tune started coming from an acoustic guitar featuring slide use. On walked a guy playing it who wore a crash helmet with an old phone draping from the front that was his microphone. He then played a set of upbeat (to say the least) delta blues style songs. The stage was littered with all sorts of stuff, an inflatable two man boat, a rubber ring duck, etc. On top of that he kept us in laughs. Before one song he said the atmosphere of the song is helped by the smell of toast so he moved a toaster to the front of the stage and brought out a loaf of bread and got a member of the audience to make toast “until there was nothing left but the bread wrapping”. His set was just full of foot stomping songs, his voice sounded like it was coming from a megaphone. For his penultimate song he explained that he didn’t do selfies after the show but during this song if anyone wanted a selfie to walk on stage sit on his knee and take them, “this would be the only opportunity to get one”. Loads got up and got the selfies. He was on for over an hour and it flew by. I don’t think I’ve been to a gig before where I’ve laughed so much. He could not only play but he really entertained.
Photo isn’t the best because of low light.

Blimy sounds like a right night out Keith

Just goes to show that sometimes different can be better ......

[Scooter]

Gigs are now starting to come to the church thick and fast but the next three I will miss as we”re having a long weekend away. Last night I got there after the football just in time as the support Caitlin Gillian stepped on to stage. She played for about half an hour. Playing some standard Irish folk songs mixed with her own songs. After the break on came the main act Sam Amidon. I hadn’t heard of him or heard his work but sat glued whilst he gave us a set of pure Americana folk. He has a guy with him on drums, keyboard, bass and MacBook. He switched between acoustic guitar and banjo. A lot of the songs had Eno type “treatments” hence the need for the MacBook. So whilst he sang the other guy would instigate the sounds be it bass, keyboard, or prerecorded from the MacBook. He played a lot of old American folks songs some of which he explained the history saying where the song came from etc. One of the best shows I’ve seen there, made so good as the sound, as always, was perfect. He played for nearly an hour and a half and it flew by. When I got home looked him up and found that his wife is Beth Orton. I remember she moved to America some years back but now they both live in London.
As I said I’ll miss the next three gigs but when I get back it’s the gig I instigated, a certain Ian Prowse. I put Ian In contact with the promoter and told him about the venue. When Ian plays here the venues are limited, usually one hundred at the most maximum. I pleased to say Ian listened, checked out the promoter and venue and has sold out his show to 200.

[Wenge1]

Gigs are now starting to come to the church thick and fast but the next three I will miss as we”re having a long weekend away. Last night I got there after the football just in time as the support Caitlin Gillian stepped on to stage. She played for about half an hour. Playing some standard Irish folk songs mixed with her own songs. After the break on came the main act Sam Amidon. I hadn’t heard of him or heard his work but sat glued whilst he gave us a set of pure Americana folk. He has a guy with him on drums, keyboard, bass and MacBook. He switched between acoustic guitar and banjo. A lot of the songs had Eno type “treatments” hence the need for the MacBook. So whilst he sang the other guy would instigate the sounds be it bass, keyboard, or prerecorded from the MacBook. He played a lot of old American folks songs some of which he explained the history saying where the song came from etc. One of the best shows I’ve seen there, made so good as the sound, as always, was perfect. He played for nearly an hour and a half and it flew by. When I got home looked him up and found that his wife is Beth Orton. I remember she moved to America some years back but now they both live in London.
As I said I’ll miss the next three gigs but when I get back it’s the gig I instigated, a certain Ian Prowse. I put Ian In contact with the promoter and told him about the venue. When Ian plays here the venues are limited, usually one hundred at the most maximum. I pleased to say Ian listened, checked out the promoter and venue and has sold out his show to 200.

Nice write up - thanks for taking the time to do it .......

[Dan Steel]

Gigs are now starting to come to the church thick and fast but the next three I will miss as we”re having a long weekend away. Last night I got there after the football just in time as the support Caitlin Gillian stepped on to stage. She played for about half an hour. Playing some standard Irish folk songs mixed with her own songs. After the break on came the main act Sam Amidon. I hadn’t heard of him or heard his work but sat glued whilst he gave us a set of pure Americana folk. He has a guy with him on drums, keyboard, bass and MacBook. He switched between acoustic guitar and banjo. A lot of the songs had Eno type “treatments” hence the need for the MacBook. So whilst he sang the other guy would instigate the sounds be it bass, keyboard, or prerecorded from the MacBook. He played a lot of old American folks songs some of which he explained the history saying where the song came from etc. One of the best shows I’ve seen there, made so good as the sound, as always, was perfect. He played for nearly an hour and a half and it flew by. When I got home looked him up and found that his wife is Beth Orton. I remember she moved to America some years back but now they both live in London.
As I said I’ll miss the next three gigs but when I get back it’s the gig I instigated, a certain Ian Prowse. I put Ian In contact with the promoter and told him about the venue. When Ian plays here the venues are limited, usually one hundred at the most maximum. I pleased to say Ian listened, checked out the promoter and venue and has sold out his show to 200.

Fine write up Keith glad the gigs at the church are coming back again.

[Scooter]

About three months ago we had my late mates wife over for dinner, mid meal we got a phone call from my wife’s cousin. We ignored it but the call then switched to the land line so we thought it must be something of concern. The call required an immediate answer to the question, “I can get us front row centre circle seats to see Robert Plant in Saving Grace at the seafront theatre in Rhyl did I want a ticket”?
So last night I ventured over to Rhyl to see them. I got there after the opener Scott Matthew had started but I’ve seen him a few times here at the church. Then lights down to a soundtrack of Arabic, Beaty, mystic music coming over the PA. On walked two guitarists and a drummer. They started to play a rhythm and were then joined by a lady who joined in playing an accordion. This was the band and now enter stage left was the man himself Robert Plant to sing Angel Dance from the Band of Joy album. He carried on with a second song from Band of Joy and then they moved onto some old blues songs. The set was made up of a mix of old a new, the old being “hidden gems that had not got the recognition they deserved, so we have breathed our life into them”. We also got songs from Moby Grape and two from Low including an excellent Tonight the Monkey Dies (I think that is the title). About five songs in the girl singer and Plant went to stand at the side of the stage, this was because one of the guys on guitar sang so they acted as backing vocals. He was very entertaining and funny. At one point he asked if the Barron Knights still played this type of theatre (seaside resort), he laughed and asked if the girl had heard of them. As expected from a young lady the answer was “who”. I should have explained the bands chemistry, there were two guys on guitars (acoustic and electric) and mandolins. A drummer and a lady singer who also played the accordion and the only time we saw one was when she played bass during the monkey dies. They all harmonised vocals superbly, which Robert Plant said was something this band had taught him. He explained this after he had missed the timing when starting one song. The band were in stitches whilst he apologised. The final song was a full band harmony of an old gospel song Goodnight. The sound was excellent and it was one of those gigs that really made me appreciate my system at home. That is a feeling I’ve not had in a while. It was an excellent show all round, sound, musicianship and entertaining. He told the story about a lot of the songs displaying his knowledge especially of old blues songs and musicians. If you get the chance to see them take it. He also shocked when there was a heckle in Welsh and he replied back in Welsh which raised a big cheer. He did refer to Zeppelin saying how they struggled to stay in tune and how far the sound systems had come since “those days”. It was up there as a classic show with a band who really could play and loved what they are doing. As I said if you get chance to see them take it.




The final harmonies…

[Dan Steel]

About three months ago we had my late mates wife over for dinner, mid meal we got a phone call from my wife’s cousin. We ignored it but the call then switched to the land line so we thought it must be something of concern. The call required an immediate answer to the question, “I can get us front row centre circle seats to see Robert Plant in Saving Grace at the seafront theatre in Rhyl did I want a ticket”?
So last night I ventured over to Rhyl to see them. I got there after the opener Scott Matthew had started but I’ve seen him a few times here at the church. Then lights down to a soundtrack of Arabic, Beaty, mystic music coming over the PA. On walked two guitarists and a drummer. They started to play a rhythm and were then joined by a lady who joined in playing an accordion. This was the band and now enter stage left was the man himself Robert Plant to sing Angel Dance from the Band of Joy album. He carried on with a second song from Band of Joy and then they moved onto some old blues songs. The set was made up of a mix of old a new, the old being “hidden gems that had not got the recognition they deserved, so we have breathed our life into them”. We also got songs from Moby Grape and two from Low including an excellent Tonight the Monkey Dies (I think that is the title). About five songs in the girl singer and Plant went to stand at the side of the stage, this was because one of the guys on guitar sang so they acted as backing vocals. He was very entertaining and funny. At one point he asked if the Barron Knights still played this type of theatre (seaside resort), he laughed and asked if the girl had heard of them. As expected from a young lady the answer was “who”. I should have explained the bands chemistry, there were two guys on guitars (acoustic and electric) and mandolins. A drummer and a lady singer who also played the accordion and the only time we saw one was when she played bass during the monkey dies. They all harmonised vocals superbly, which Robert Plant said was something this band had taught him. He explained this after he had missed the timing when starting one song. The band were in stitches whilst he apologised. The final song was a full band harmony of an old gospel song Goodnight. The sound was excellent and it was one of those gigs that really made me appreciate my system at home. That is a feeling I’ve not had in a while. It was an excellent show all round, sound, musicianship and entertaining. He told the story about a lot of the songs displaying his knowledge especially of old blues songs and musicians. If you get the chance to see them take it. He also shocked when there was a heckle in Welsh and he replied back in Welsh which raised a big cheer. He did refer to Zeppelin saying how they struggled to stay in tune and how far the sound systems had come since “those days”. It was up there as a classic show with a band who really could play and loved what they are doing. As I said if you get chance to see them take it.




The final harmonies…

Fabulous glad you got to see the great man, I saw him on the “Band Of Joy”tour and he was brilliant. He’s like a fine wine he gets better with age. Great photos Keith.

[evil_C]

We saw Saving Grace at Salisbury City Hall on 10 December 2019.

It was one of the best performances from Robert Plant that I have seen, and I’ve seen him in most incarnations since Zeppelin. Better even than the outing with Alison Krauss. As Bob Harris said of this band: “I’ve been privileged to share some amazing moments with Robert through the years but none were more magical, kind and beautiful than the performance by his new band Saving Grace this evening. One of the best gigs I’ve seen in years”.

[Wenge1]

.
Great write up .......

[evil_C]

My all time favourite guitar player this evening at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. How does he do it?! Just stunning.

[Scooter]

My all time favourite guitar player this evening at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh. How does he do it?! Just stunning.

Glad you enjoyed it. He is one musician I haven’t seen, seem to miss him.

[Coyote Jim]

https://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/whats-on
In case anyone fancies a jolly road trip to the north east.

[Coyote Jim]

https://www.jazzfest.co.uk/
In case anyone fancies a jolly road trip to the north west.

[Scooter]

On Saturday I got a message from the promoter that he had signed Kelley Stollz and John Murry was in town and was going to do a session in a pub here Sunday night. They had spent the morning searching out vinyl albums at a couple of car boots and he had bought a couple of Eurhymics albums. So the first song we got was a cover of Sweet Dreams. We then sat entranced as he covered a mixture of his own work and few covers including ABBA’s Super Trooper (which is slowly becoming a standard in his sets). At one point he asked who did we want a cover song from, Neil, Bruce or Bob. I opted for Neil as did most because I know his covers of Neil Young songs are always superb and he didn’t disappoint. He covered Alabama from Harvest and did it proud. We also got a couple of new songs one of which his aim is to get a song straight to the point and over in less than a minute but he wasn’t sure it would work, it did. Then he followed with Pyjama kid at just over five minutes and he discussed that as an audience we had kept our attention for the whole song so maybe shorter songs are not the way forward. John always talks to the band between songs but last night he was on form just talking to us the audience explaining songs and ideas he has. He admits he has to because he usually retunes the guitar for the next song which can be boring for the audience. He had planned to play for half an hour to three quarters but stayed for nearly two hours. He “finished” (he didn’t actually finish for another two songs) with Little Coloured Balloons, a song that he rarely plays now.
Overall we saw a song writer trying new songs and a guy who was having a good time. I should also add that he recorded the show and I’m hoping to get a copy. Not sure what will happen to the recording but I know he had a list of songs he wanted recording which he did but then added a whole lot more, he also said it would take a lot of editing out his conversation.
He has now relocated to Brighton from Ireland so hopefully we will see more of him. I’ve seen him many times now but last night was special, we watched an artist at work to a room of about twenty.

[Dan Steel]

Great write up Keith, I’m glad you enjoyed the gig.

[Wenge1]

https://www.edinburghjazzfestival.com/whats-on
In case anyone fancies a jolly road trip to the north east.

thought that was Newcastle .........

[Wenge1]

On Saturday I got a message from the promoter that he had signed Kelley Stollz and John Murry was in town and was going to do a session in a pub here Sunday night. They had spent the morning searching out vinyl albums at a couple of car boots and he had bought a couple of Eurhymics albums. So the first song we got was a cover of Sweet Dreams. We then sat entranced as he covered a mixture of his own work and few covers including ABBA’s Super Trooper (which is slowly becoming a standard in his sets). At one point he asked who did we want a cover song from, Neil, Bruce or Bob. I opted for Neil as did most because I know his covers of Neil Young songs are always superb and he didn’t disappoint. He covered Alabama from Harvest and did it proud. We also got a couple of new songs one of which his aim is to get a song straight to the point and over in less than a minute but he wasn’t sure it would work, it did. Then he followed with Pyjama kid at just over five minutes and he discussed that as an audience we had kept our attention for the whole song so maybe shorter songs are not the way forward. John always talks to the band between songs but last night he was on form just talking to us the audience explaining songs and ideas he has. He admits he has to because he usually retunes the guitar for the next song which can be boring for the audience. He had planned to play for half an hour to three quarters but stayed for nearly two hours. He “finished” (he didn’t actually finish for another two songs) with Little Coloured Balloons, a song that he rarely plays now.
Overall we saw a song writer trying new songs and a guy who was having a good time. I should also add that he recorded the show and I’m hoping to get a copy. Not sure what will happen to the recording but I know he had a list of songs he wanted recording which he did but then added a whole lot more, he also said it would take a lot of editing out his conversation.
He has now relocated to Brighton from Ireland so hopefully we will see more of him. I’ve seen him many times now but last night was special, we watched an artist at work to a room of about twenty.

Great write up .........