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Patsy Matheson & Clive Gregson
Date: 03 September 2010
Patsy Matheson accompanied by Clive Gregson
‘a magical pairing of an ex Waking the Witch songstress with one of the country’s finest guitarists’
Celebrated singer/songwriter Patsy Matheson, recently described as ‘one of the UK 's great contemporary female folk musicians’ has teamed up with guitar ace Clive Gregson to create one of the liveliest and most dynamic acoustic collaborations around.
Patsy, probably best known for her work as one quarter of the award winning all girl acoustic outfit, Waking the Witch, certainly knows her way around the British Folk Circuit. Prior to forming Waking the Witch, she had released two self penned albums, performed solo at Glastonbury festival and even won a song writing competition where the judge was no other than Clive Gregson…
Now based in the US, Manchester born Gregson, as well as performing solo, has also worked with Nanci Griffiths, Christine Collister, Eddi Reader and the Richard Thomson Band. An established singer/songwriter, he is also, according to Guitar Player magazine, one of the world’s top 1000 Guitarists.
This will be Patsy’s second tour with Clive, and she is delighted to have joining her on acoustic and electric guitars, mandolin and accordion.
For more information, see www.patsymatheson.co.uk or www.clivegregson.com
Terry Reid - SOLD OUT!
Date: 04 September 2010
Terry Reid (Superlungs) was the man who turned down the Led Zepellin gig and recommended Robert Plant to front the band. He wsa also the man who turned down the lead singer role of Deep Purple in favour of Ian Gillan. A rare "must-have" album is "The River" circa 1973, if you can get your hands on it (possibly I-tunes).
He is appearing for 2 nights - it is worth while considering buying tickets for both - he is that good!!
Terry Reid
Date: 05 September 2010
Final Night for Terry Reid - Sat Sold out Very Few Tickets left for this show.
Yvonne Lyon & Gareth Davies Jones
Date: 12 September 2010
Yvonne Lyon
'Just stunning music' - Bob Harris, Radio 2
‘Listening to Yvonne is a life affirming experience.
She is the bees-knees!’ - Iain Anderson, BBC Radio Scotland
‘This is an awesome level of talent that I cannot compare’ - Maverick Magazine - 5 stars
‘Yvonne Lyon’s continually developing songwriting sets her right at the top of the tree’ R2 Magazine
Singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon is among the best and brightest emerging
talent currently from Scotland. Her new album, Ashes & Gold has been
achieving five star reviews and combines poignant lyrics with strong, creative
melodies, demonstrating a voice that can be both fragile and intense. She has
consistently drawn and stirred crowds across the UK with her emotive
performances.
Yvonne has shared the stage with the likes of Patti Griffin, Karine Polwart, Luka
Bloom, Steve Forbert and toured the UK with Juliet Turner.
Most recently Yvonne won the Burnsong International Songwriting Competition
and sung her winning song All Is Not Lost at the Scottish Parliament in
Edinburgh.
Gareth Davies-Jones
“Very beautiful music……I can thoroughly recommend this album (Water & Light)”
Bob Harris, BBC Radio 2
"Water & Light may well be one of the most perfect singer-songwriter albums that you will hear this year, or indeed any year."
Mike Wilson - Folking.com
“…..intelligent songs which make a point gently and invoke sympathy……..someone to be taken quite seriously”."
fROOTS
“Some artists often sing in the name of one cause or another without conviction, but that is not the case here. The legacy of well-written, descriptive music laid down by Woody Guthrie, still lives on here in the UK”
Maverick (5 Stars)
“It’s really refreshing to hear a quality songwriter like Gareth Davies-Jones, who has something to say and says it without fuss. Moving writing … all round class musicianship.”
Karine Polwart
“Gareth is a fresh new voice … real songs with some real things to say, in a melodic and entertaining way. He’s a fine addition to the troubadour tradition.”
Jez Lowe
“Gareth Davies-Jones - currently one of the UK’s best-kept musical secrets…… powerful songs and affecting performances”
Properganda
“Rich and soulful vocals, a fine ear for melody and mastertful acoustic guitar playing”
RocknReel
Souped up Fords
Date: 18 September 2010
Souped Up Fords have completed a great year including performances at the Dundee Blues Bonanza and the Arbroath Bell Rock Blues festival. A three piece firmly based in the blues ethos of teh 1960s and 1970s. The band idolise the guitar greats such as Buddy Guy, Otis Rush, Johnny Winter and Rory Gallagher. Initially the Soups produced a five track EP 'Impact' late in 2008 and have followed this up on December 12th 2009 with 'Another ladleful' recorded in Seagate studios in Dundee. The band has branched out from blues to become what Neil Paterson calls 'Blues Plus'.We are looking for an edge in our music that has been present in many earlier incarnations of this type of music. Our live performances are real and direct.
Dean Friedman
Date: 19 September 2010
In the summer of 1977, Dean Friedman marked his entry into pop consciousness with the enormous success of his infectious hit single Ariel, a quirkily irresistible and uncategorizable pop song about a free spirited, music loving, vegetarian Jewish girl in a peasant blouse who lived, as the lyric goes, "...way on the other side of the Hudson."
A year later, Friedman struck again, this time with a magical duet, performed with singer Denise Marsa, entitled Lucky Stars. Lucky Stars zoomed to the top of the UK singles charts going instantly gold.
The now classic single Lucky Stars paved the way for a slew of hits off of Friedman's humorously titled album "Well, Well" Said the Rocking Chair", including familiar tracks such as Lydia and Rocking Chair as well as singles from his first album, Woman of Mine and Ariel."An amazing Talent" - The Sun, "Outstanding" - Record Business, "Songsmith extraordinaire! A great performer!" - Music Week. "Immaculate writing and magnetic personality" - Cumberland News, were just of few of the superlatives used to describe Friedman's powerfully unique and original talent.
Although Friedman's next single, McDonald's Girl was officially banned by the BBC for mentioning the name of the well known fast food restaurant in its chorus, the irrepressible pop song has been covered by a number of acclaimed new bands including the ground breaking Canadian group Barenaked Ladies (WEA). (BNL member, Steve Page, sings background vocals on Dean's latest album.) And, just this summer, a new group named, The Blenders (Universal), recorded another cover of McDonald's Girl, which soared to #1 on the national airplay charts in Norway.
During the '80's, Friedman turned his hand to composing and producing music soundtracks for TV and film. Unbeknownst to many of his fans, he has composed, performed and produced all of the music to Central TV's hit series BOON. And it's Friedman, himself, who sings the country & western songs played over the end credits of every show, familiar to millions of viewers, such as The Texas Rangers, He's My Friend, He's My Buddy and Handsome Stranger. Other TV credits include the popular TV series Nick Arcade / Nickelodeon and Eerie Indiana / NBC.
Friedman also composed, performed and produced the soundtrack to the underground cult horror film classic I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle (Hobo Films/U.K.) in which he performs the unforgettable track She Runs on Blood, Not Gasoline.
While recording remains his main love, Friedman has always had a strong interest in state-of-the-art technologies (he has authored several best-selling MIDI synthesizer books for Music Sales Publishing). Much of his apparent reclusiveness is due in part to his having achieved considerable success in the hi-tech areas of virtual reality software and video game design, with his company InVideo Systems. Since creating TV's first VR game EAT-A-BUG for Nickelodeon TV, InVideo has established itself as one of the world's leading developers of VR entertainment systems with award winning installations in leading children's museums, science museums and family entertainment centers, including venues such as Disney and Blockbuster Golf and Games in Sunrise, FL.
J J Gilmour
Date: 24 September 2010
“If you don’t give me love” is the infectious first single from JJ Gilmour’s long-awaited second album “The boy who didn't fall”, released in early 2009. JJ Gilmour originally enjoyed huge European success in the late 1990s as lead vocalist with Scottish rock heroes The Silencers before releasing a critically acclaimed first solo album, “Sunnyside P.A.L” in 2002.
“The boy who didn't fall ” JJ's work was recorded and produced in Scotland by Graeme Duffin and Sandy Jones, the award-winning team behind the two-million selling hit “Love is all around” for Wet Wet Wet.
In recent years, JJ Gilmour has built up a staunch fan base across Europe, and is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s most distinctive singer/songwriters, able to fuse moving, intelligent lyrics with melodic harmonies.
J J Gilmour
Date: 25 September 2010
“If you don’t give me love” is the infectious first single from JJ Gilmour’s long-awaited second album “The boy who didn't fall”, released in early 2009. JJ Gilmour originally enjoyed huge European success in the late 1990s as lead vocalist with Scottish rock heroes The Silencers before releasing a critically acclaimed first solo album, “Sunnyside P.A.L” in 2002.
“The boy who didn't fall ” JJ's work was recorded and produced in Scotland by Graeme Duffin and Sandy Jones, the award-winning team behind the two-million selling hit “Love is all around” for Wet Wet Wet.
In recent years, JJ Gilmour has built up a staunch fan base across Europe, and is widely recognised as one of Scotland’s most distinctive singer/songwriters, able to fuse moving, intelligent lyrics with melodic harmonies.
Roberto Cassani
Date: 26 September 2010
You gotta see this guy live. He is like nothing on Earth. Folks are just stunned, like a 19th Century Clown qith the razor sharp poet energy of Leonard Cohen. Outstanding! - Martin Stephenson
Roberto Cassani sings unique, often humorous stories. He is a contemporary minstrel on a mission to make people smile. Since his arrival in Scotland, both the media and the audiences have been taking notice and Roberto has won the prestigious Burnsong, featured in lots of big summer festivals, as well as on national radio.
"Marvellously distinctive" (Iain Anderson - BBC Radio Scotland);
"If he wasn't amongst us already, somebody would have to invent Roberto Cassani: he's such a blast of fresh air!" (John Davy - Music News).
Curved Air
Date: 29 September 2010
Having reformed in 1998 to play the Isle of Wight and Glastonbury festivals, Curved Air founder members vocalist Sonja Kristina and drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa,
Curved Air founder members - vocalist Sonja Kristina and drummer Florian Pilkington-Miksa together with ace guitarist Kit Morgan and bassist Chris Harris - are joined for by special guests, Paul Sax on electric violin and Robert Norton on keyboards.
It is understood that there will probably only be two dates in Scotland. We would recommend that you book early as tickets have already started to sell (June 10)
Marcus Bonfanti
Date: 30 September 2010
After appearing with Paddy Milner and the Big Sounds in support of Earl Thomas, plus a dazzling impromptu solo performance at last year's festival, we welcome back Marcus Bonfanti to delight us with his outstandingly versatile guitar skills, together with his band, comprising Scott Wiber on bass and Alex Reeves on drums. The 27-year-old singer, songwriter and self-taught guitarist Marcus Bonfanti was born and raised in London to an English mother and an Italian father. Playing trumpet in brass bands and orchestras throughout his school life, Marcus didn't own a guitar until he was 15. "From 15 till now, all I've done is sit there with a guitar," he says, reminiscing about playing Cat Stevens and Beatles tunes, Buddy Holly and Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Marcus's musical influences are quite varied. "I listen to a lot of music. It's all quite varied. I love Muddy Waters, Leadbelly and Rory Gallagher. Tony Joe White is another big musical influence. And Tom Waits, Van Morrison. It kinda ranges quite far across. Then I love people like Freddie King, well, all the Kings - Freddie, B.B. and Albert. Stevie Ray Vaughan was one of the first guys that I really got heavily into, blues-wise, because you hear him play and you've never heard anything like it, you know what mean? It's mind-blowing".
Marcus Bonfanti deserves to become the next British blues-guitar hero. He's a wildly versatile guitarist who can handle almost anything in the electric-, country- or folk-blues field, ranging from stomping blues that echo Jimmy Page through to delicate acoustic finger-picking, with some sturdy vocal work and impressive harmonica playing.
Marisa Yeaman
Date: 03 October 2010
Marisa Yeaman is a young Australian singer/songwriter, and after three EPs, this is her first full-length venture. With less than half of the disc's content employing her band, Pure Motive is a showcase of the artist as she initially earned her chops: a girl, her guitar, and her songs, hitting the festivals, clubs, and pubs across the expanse of Oz. Somewhere along the way she tagged up with guitarist and sometime co-writer, Andrew Pendlebury, who also lends occasional vocal enhancement to complement a voice that is predominantly gentle and melodious, at times almost torchy, as in 'Lonely Puppet'. The duo generates a sound that is unique and complex in its apparent simplicity, but there's more depth here than initially meets the ear. Yeaman's not a rocker by any means, but, when she decides to cut it a bit loose, there's an edge surfacing that has the hallmark of, say, a Joni Mitchell, or, more precisely, Mary Chapin Carpenter, in her Shooting Straight in the Dark days; for that matter, 'Vacant Sign' would fit right into that CD's groove in every sense. With lyrics the likes of reading: "Some things in life can be easily defined; but love and danger draw a thin line", she has that essential ability to present a concept or feeling in the most precise package possible, saying, to paraphrase an old quote, 'the mostest, with the leastest'. Now that's the hallmark of good songwriting.
Bruce and Jamie Watson
Date: 08 October 2010
Bruce was invited to form a new band with ex ‘Skid’ Stuart Adamson in 1981. The pair laid the foundations of their debut album ‘The Crossing’ in a small mining village on the outskirts of Dunfermline. Bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki were drafted in after cutting their teeth with Pete Townshend on his ‘Empty Glass’ and ‘Chinese Eyes’ albums.
The band opened up for bands such as The Jam, Alice Cooper and U2 before hitting the charts world wide with songs such as, ‘Fields Of Fire’, ‘Chance’, ‘Look Away’ and their signature song ‘In A Big Country’. They were nominated for two Grammy awards in 1983 and performed at the Shrine Auditorium LA in front of a star-studded audience.
Throughout their twenty year career Big Country sold 10 million albums as they supported David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Elton John as well as headlining in their own right.
Despite a lull in the late 80’s the band made a comeback in the 90’s with their ‘Buffalo Skinners’ album. They continued up until 2000 but decided that after 20 years touring and recording the band should rest and continue on solo projects
In December 2001 Stuart Adamson passed away. Bruce along with Ian Grant put together a memorial concert for Stuart in Glasgow’s world-famous Barrowlands. On the night, they held a special reunion of Stuart’s previous band the ‘Skids’ for a spectacular trip down memory lane that included hits such as ‘Into The Valley’, ‘Saints Are Coming’ and ‘Masquerade’. This led to Bruce being asked to direct a benefit gig for another Scottish rock legend, Frankie Miller.
In 2002 Bruce hooked up with Fish (ex Marillion) and co–wrote his critically acclaimed ‘Field Of Crows’ album. The pair of them armed with a 7-piece band toured Europe.
Since then Bruce has added his trademark guitar sound to a multitude of diverse artists such as Dead Men Walking, The Casbah Club, Four Good Men and Waking The Witch.
The adventure now continues with ‘New kid on the block’ Jamie.
Jamie’s first professional show with Bruce was on the fourth of July at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline. It was the Skids 30th anniversary celebrations culminating in rip roaring finale at the T in the Park festival three days later.
They were both asked by the band to supply a twin lead guitar attack that replicated the bands three glorious albums. The plan was simple. Bruce would work out the main bulk of Stuart’s guitar parts while Jamie would concentrate on the trickier overdubs and harmonies. They both worked hard each night analysing Stuart’s work to come up with a wall of sound that was as close as damn it to the records.
After the shows had finished, Bruce was back off on the road again to celebrate Big Country’s 25th Anniversary which lead to Jamie stealing his old mans trusty portastudio in his absence. New sketches and ideas were recorded acoustically and these songs are now the basis of the new set. Jamie is keen to get the loud guitars out again but Old Father is in ‘pipe and slipper’ mode and has hidden his amplifiers.
Bruce & Jamie Watson
Date: 09 October 2010
Bruce was invited to form a new band with ex ‘Skid’ Stuart Adamson in 1981. The pair laid the foundations of their debut album ‘The Crossing’ in a small mining village on the outskirts of Dunfermline. Bassist Tony Butler and drummer Mark Brzezicki were drafted in after cutting their teeth with Pete Townshend on his ‘Empty Glass’ and ‘Chinese Eyes’ albums.
The band opened up for bands such as The Jam, Alice Cooper and U2 before hitting the charts world wide with songs such as, ‘Fields Of Fire’, ‘Chance’, ‘Look Away’ and their signature song ‘In A Big Country’. They were nominated for two Grammy awards in 1983 and performed at the Shrine Auditorium LA in front of a star-studded audience.
Throughout their twenty year career Big Country sold 10 million albums as they supported David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and Elton John as well as headlining in their own right.
Despite a lull in the late 80’s the band made a comeback in the 90’s with their ‘Buffalo Skinners’ album. They continued up until 2000 but decided that after 20 years touring and recording the band should rest and continue on solo projects.
In December 2001 Stuart Adamson passed away. Bruce along with Ian Grant put together a memorial concert for Stuart in Glasgow’s world-famous Barrowlands. On the night, they held a special reunion of Stuart’s previous band the ‘Skids’ for a spectacular trip down memory lane that included hits such as ‘Into The Valley’, ‘Saints Are Coming’ and ‘Masquerade’. This led to Bruce being asked to direct a benefit gig for another Scottish rock legend, Frankie Miller.
In 2002 Bruce hooked up with Fish (ex Marillion) and co–wrote his critically acclaimed ‘Field Of Crows’ album. The pair of them armed with a 7-piece band toured Europe.
Since then Bruce has added his trademark guitar sound to a multitude of diverse artists such as Dead Men Walking, The Casbah Club, Four Good Men and Waking The Witch.
The adventure now continues with ‘New kid on the block’ Jamie.
Jamie’s first professional show with Bruce was on the fourth of July at the Glen Pavilion in Dunfermline. It was the Skids 30th anniversary celebrations culminating in rip roaring finale at the T in the Park festival three days later.
They were both asked by the band to supply a twin lead guitar attack that replicated the bands three glorious albums. The plan was simple. Bruce would work out the main bulk of Stuart’s guitar parts while Jamie would concentrate on the trickier overdubs and harmonies. They both worked hard each night analysing Stuart’s work to come up with a wall of sound that was as close as damn it to the records.
After the shows had finished, Bruce was back off on the road again to celebrate Big Country’s 25th Anniversary which lead to Jamie stealing his old mans trusty portastudio in his absence. New sketches and ideas were recorded acoustically and these songs are now the basis of the new set. Jamie is keen to get the loud guitars out again but Old Father is in ‘pipe and slipper’ mode and has hidden his amplifiers.
Jerry Donahue & Doug Morter
Date: 11 October 2010
Take one of the world’s legendary American guitarists, an English singer/songwriter/guitarist, their beautifully crafted songs and instrumentals, and you have an international blend of folk/blues/instrumental/R&B.
Jerry Donahue has achieved legendary status as a guitarist - Over the past decade he has been voted every year as one of the top three guitarists worldwide by the readers of Guitar Player magazine. The magazine also referred to him as "the string-bending king of the planet". He is the only guitarist to have had three Fender guitars named after him, and now Peavey and Line 6 endorsements carry his name.
Jerry has performed and recorded with some of the biggest names in popular music. From his early days in such bands as Fotheringay and Fairport Convention, to notable performances with Gerry Rafferty, Robert Plant, Joan Armatrading, Elton John, The Proclaimers, The Beach Boys, Johnny Hallyday, George Harrison, Cliff Richard, Chris Rea, Warren Zevon, Bonnie Raitt, Hank Marvin, Roy Orbison, Nancy Griffith, The Yardbirds, and The Hellecasters, Jerry epitomizes the consummate guitarists guitarist.
Jerry is the son of the late 1940s/50s Big Band leader Sam Donahue and TV and film actress, Patricia Donahue, brother of the late Marc Donahue, and father of singer/ songwriter Kristina Donahue, Jerry has combined the Celtic folk music of his adopted home in the UK with his American rock, blues and country roots to arrive at his own, unique, unmistakable style.
Doug Morter (guitar/vocal) has for three decades, been playing, writing, recording, and touring with The Albion Band, Magna Carta, Maddy Prior (Steeleye Span front lady), Michael Chapman, and, with English singer/songwriter/comedian Richard Digance, he’s been the chosen support artist to Jethro Tull, Supertramp, Elkie Brooks, Joan Armatrading, and many more.
Doug started playing professionally 1969 with Hunter Muskett, followed by a project in duo with Richard Digance which included major tours supporting Jethro Tull, Joan Amatrading, Elkie Brooks, Richard Thompsom, Supertramp, Sutherland Brothers, Kinks and Steeleye Span. He also toured as part of the Maddy Prior Band, and in 1980 joined Magna Carta full time. After three albums and a lot of foreign tours, including North Africa and the Middle East for The British Council, he rejoined The Albion Band until 1985. In 1985, he released his first solo record, and started recording the first of two records with guitar virtuoso Jerry Donahue, which became the basis for The Backroom Boys, which still exists and tour whenever schedules permit.
Over the last fourteen years, Doug has concentrated on his solo career, The Backroom Boys, and a new project with ex members of the Van Morrison band, Jethro Tull, and John Martyn, called "Then Came the Wheel".
From 2007, Doug and Jerry have been concentrating on their CD "Gathering, Legends of Folk Rock".
Rab Noakes with Fraser Speirs
Date: 15 October 2010
Rab Noakes is a force to be reckoned with in the world of music in Scotland and beyond.
A recent preview piece in The Herald went thus:
Not that you would know it from his lean rock’n’roll physique but Rab Noakes is now in his sixties. His four decades of involvement in music have been marked by two recent releases: a second album with his occasional band The Varaflames, titled Unlimited Mileage, and the release on CD for the first time of his debut album Do You See The Lights? which first saw the light of day in 1970. Showcasing an exemplary taste in covers alongside his own songwriting, a Noakes show is a decidedly non-fusty lesson in the history of popular music.
2010 sees the release of no less than three new albums from Rab. One is a live one from Edinburgh in 2005. One is a collection of songs by Boudleaux & Felice Bryant and the other Standing Up Again is a new collection from 2009.
Born in 1947 Rab Noakes enjoyed the benefits of growing up as rock'n'roll was born and of being present as new sounds - from Little Richard to Woody Guthrie drifted across the Atlantic.
Impressed by the success of Scots Bert Jansch and The Incredible String Band he dusted down an old guitar and began touring in Britain and Denmark with a set embracing pop, country and folk. Prior to the release of his first album in 1970 five Noakes songs appeared on albums by Archie Fisher and Barbara Dickson.
A relationship with Gerry Rafferty has continued since Noakes was a founder member of Stealers Wheel. Noakes played guitar on one of Rafferty's recent albums, Over my Head.
Lindisfarne and Rab met in the North East of England when they were each playing regularly in that part of the world. The group demonstrated its respect for Rab by recording one of his songs on each of their first two albums. They also shared a producer in Bob Johnston who had introduced Bob Dylan to working in Nashville with the Blonde on Blonde record. Noakes himself recorded in Nashville with acclaimed producer Elliot Mazer. The resulting album Red Pump Special remains a collectors' item and is cited as an influence by several young upstarts.
In the eighties Noakes teamed up with some young Glaswegian musicians including Brendan Moon, Lorraine McIntosh and Andy Alston to form Gene Pitney's Birthday. Into the 'nineties this grew into The Varaflames whose members have included harmonica ace Fraser Speirs, Rod Clements of Lindisfarne, guitar ace Jerry Donahue, Deacon Blue's Ewen Vernal and Pick Withers of Dire Straits.
Rab Noakes has also been involved with some high-profile music production activity on shows such as John Byrne's Your Cheatin' Heart and Elaine C. Smith's TV series. Neon continues to provide quality TV and radio programmes from its base in Glasgow's Kinning Park. The unique knowledge and abilities in the Neon team continue to give the programmes an edge.
As we carry on into the 21st century Rab Noakes is preparing to go on the road with Fraser Speirs. They now work together often and have developed a unique act which covers a broad range of popular styles. As well as a handsome helping of original Noakes material they play a rich mixture of Blues, Country and Pop that reflects a lasting love of popular music as popular culture. He also plans to record and release a number of albums and to make a few appearances with the current Varaflames line up of Jim McDermott, David Paton, Colin Macfarlane and Fraser Speirs.
Noakes' own record production skills have been much in demand with albums by John Watt and macAlias being released and well-received. In 2003 he recorded with a young group from Aberdeen called Stuka. Fraser Speir's album, 'About Time', was recorded at Glasgow's Celtic Connections festival in 2000 and features guest performances from many artistes, Rab included.
In 2004 Neon expanded to release Karine Polwart's 'faultlines' album produced by Rab. Later in the year Neon released two more Rab productions 'At this Moment' by Karen Dunbar and 'Thai Whisky Tears' by The Cellers.
2004 also saw the Neon release of 'Standing Up', Rab's solo album originally issued on the Mediart label in 1994. Also that year, the River Records label released a CD comprising mostly live recordings made for commercial radio in the early eighties.
Rab's 2007 release of new material on Neon was his second album with the Varaflames - ''Unlimited Mileage'
‘Do you see the lights?’ Rab's debut album from 1970 is now available on CD for the first time. This was released on the Neon label in 2008.
Rab Noakes’ appearance is guaranteed to be spell-binding. His voice of musical and life experience is unparalleled in Scotland’s music community, and his charm, wit and talent will bring a suitable audience for such a star.
Catfish Keith
Date: 20 October 2010
Blues singer, songwriter and bottleneck slide guitarist Catfish Keith has established himself as one of the most exciting country blues performers of our time. Catfish's innovative style of foot-stomping, deep delta blues and American roots music has spellbound audiences the world over.
A two-time W. C. Handy Award nominee for BEST ACOUSTIC BLUES ALBUM, and an inductee into the BLUES HALL OF FAME, Catfish has twelve NUMBER ONE independent radio chart-topping albums to his credit, and packs houses all over the world with his dynamic stage show.
The 30-year veteran has toured the USA, UK and Europe dozens of times to wide acclaim, headlining major music festivals, and appearing with legends John Lee Hooker, Ray Charles, Robert Cray, Koko Taylor, Taj Mahal , Leo Kottke, Jessie Mae Hemphill, Johnny Shines and many, many others.
Buddy Whittington
Date: 05 November 2010
A lifelong Texan, Buddy Whittington 'entered the arena' on December 28, 1956, in Fort Worth, and became enamored of the electric guitar like countless kids of his vintage shortly thereafter, who were mesmerized at the reality that 'you plucked a string...'here', andthe sound came out...'over THERE.'
Though no other family members played an instrument, there was always music in the home, be it emanating from the TV on Saturday evenings ('Cowtown Jamboree' and Big 'D' Jamboree were locally produced live weekly shows featuring top name country artists of the day) AM radio also featured prominently, with KXOL, KFJZ, KLIF, KKDA, WBAP, WRR and KNOK providing a wide variety of sounds and styles to open and expand a young would-be musician's ears long before the advent of 'Underground' Album Rock Radio stations like KFAD and KNUS, KTXQ 'Q102' and KZEW 'The Zoo' 98 FM.
Western Swing music also played a part, as Mr. and Mrs. Whittington were big fans of Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys. Probably the biggest influence in young Bud's musical makeup was the record collection of his big sister, encompassing everything from British Invasion bands to R&B hits of the day, Elvis, Buddy Holly, Beatles, Stones, The Who, The Yardbirds, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers to 'The Temps and The Tops', Gary 'U.S.' Bond, Jimmy Reed, and Slim Harpo.
A succession of fledgling musical efforts with varying degrees of success ensued, culminating in an offer by John Mayall to join The Bluesbreakers in 1993.
"The band I was in at the time, 'The Sidemen', had a good friend in Mr. Jerry Thompson, who these days is President of Promoterline Inc., but back then was managing the Dallas Alley complex, where he would book us as the opening act on any number of outdoor events and shows, and we were booked as the opener for a Bluesbreakers' show.... Mr. Mayall asked me for my contact info, we stayed loosely in touch for the next two years, and when then-Bluesbreakers guitarist Coco Montoya decided it was time to hit the highway on his own, I 'received the call' and appeared on countless Mayall shows and recordings worldwide for the 15 years between 1993 and 2008, at which time the existing Bluesbreakers were 'kicked out of the nest' and the band was reformed by Mayall."
Buddy's self-titled solo CD appeared in 2007, and has garnered very favorable reviews and considerable airplay. The CD, recorded at Hurricane Sound in Garland, Texas by engineer / producer / drummer / 'ubertalentedmultiinstrumentalist' Mike Gage, features performances by Gage, longtime bassist Wayne Six, co-guitarist Michael 'Mouse' Mayes, and this configuration makes up the core of the current working band. 'We can play just about anything we need to between us, as we have all 'played in different bands together' for years, and really enjoy working with each other.' says Bud, who is currently writing songs for his second solo outing.
Classic Clapton
Date: 13 November 2010
CLASSIC CLAPTON are the World's No1 Eric Clapton Tribute Band.
The band was formed in 1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne long before the term tribute band was invented, and originally named themselves After Midnight after Eric Clapton’s first solo hit. Their ability to re-create Clapton’s electrifying stage performances really caught the audience’s imagination. In guitar/vocalist Mike Hall, the band possesses a front man who not only looks like Eric, he sings and plays guitar like him too!
In 1999, Mike won a national look-alike competition held at Madam Tussauds in London. Mike has met Slowhand twice, and even received a message of encouragement from the guitar maestro (written on a Concorde menu).
TYNE TEES TELEVISION were so impressed, they made a programme about them, called 'COVER THEIR TRACKS'. They filmed the band's concert at Newcastle Opera House in front of 600 ecstatic fans. It was shown in August 2000 and received rave reviews, leading to national recognition.
In 2001 they embarked on an extensive tour of UK Theatres. They called the tribute show "CLASSIC CLAPTON". Since then, they have continued to perform throughout the UK and Europe including concerts at The Royal Festival Hall, London and a triumphant appearance at Glastonbury Festival in 2002. In the past few years they have performed numerous concerts in Europe including Spain, Estonia and Holland.
In July 2009 they appeared at St Andrews Auditorium in Mumbai. This was a great concert - it sold out and apparently many people were turned away. There were quite a few Bollywood stars & celebrities in the audience. A 10,000 mile round-trip for 1 concert, but it was worth it.
In the past 24 years CLASSIC CLAPTON have become something of a rock institution.
Jackie Leven
Date: 19 November 2010
Born in 1950 into a Romany (Roma) family, Jackie Leven spent his childhood and teenage years clearly marked out as an outsider in the clannish, insular world that was Fife, Scotland at that time. Although Scottish himself, neither of his parents were from the area - his father was an Irish Cockney, his mother was from a large Northumberland (Geordie) family, and adapting to existing cultural norms was a hard, if not formidable task for such incomers.
This seems to have formed the start of an independence of mind in the young Leven, hopelessly wayward at school (although outstanding at English and essay writing), with few friends, and those mostly considered 'oddball'. His attendance at school was woeful, but those truanting times spent alone in glens and hills and by rivers still form the basis of his songs' imagery to this day.
Things started to change in his early teens. His mother, unusually for the time and the place, was a lover of American black blues music, and although Jackie was used to coming in the door from school to the strains of 'I got the blues in the bottle, but the stopcork in my hand' by Lightnin' Hopkins, it was a source of fascination to school friends whose own homes resonated to the sound of Wooden Heart by Elvis Presley.
Soon he was playing in local bands - the first real electric scene at this time in this part of the world, but also playing his own blues songs in local folk clubs, such as the Elbow Room in Kirkcaldy, where he was encouraged by stalwarts of the scene like Archie Fisher and Hamish Imlach, and passing singers like Doris Henderson, with whom he played a few shows as guitarist.
However, such activity also brought him to the attention of local gangs, one in particular starting a baseless vendetta against him, and he was duly obliged to leave Fife, and indeed Scotland.
This precipitated years of rootless wandering, sleeping rough, living hand to mouth, including a four month stint living in corners of the South Bank Centre, London, where he busked for a living. This was during the late sixties when there was much less of the (relatively) ready acceptance of street musicians that now exists in the capital. He also lived variously in County Kerry, Ireland, Berlin and Madrid, where he had a record released, “Control” (1971) By John St Field (his stage name of the time) - now considered to be a psychedelic underground classic. He started to live in squatted accommodation in different locations in the UK where he began to encounter people with real and sometimes serious mental illness and psychic disorder. He often quotes the American poet Theodore Roethke's great line - 'for what is madness but nobility of soul at odds with circumstance?'.
These experiences began to inform his songwriting, and this can be clearly seen in the often disturbing imagery in the songs which make up the first two albums by his daunting rock band Doll By Doll, whose other members - Joe Shaw, David MacIntosh and Robin Spreafico he met in this environment.
Doll By Doll (1978 - 1982), a controversial live act at odds with the cartoon violence of punk, made five critically acclaimed (or loathed) albums (one unreleased, all not available on WEA) before accepting they just weren't meant for those times, and regretfully going their separate ways.
After a late night recording session for a solo album due for release by Charisma/Virgin (1983) Jackie was the subject of an unprovoked street attack during which he, along with other injuries, was nearly murdered by strangulation. Unable to speak or sing, he lost his record deal, friends and way, entering his own period of psychic disorder, taking heroin (the classic drug of despair) and living in isolation for nearly a year.
He re-joined the world in 1985 after a successful course of traditional Chinese five-element acupuncture and psychic healing, and co-founded The CORE trust - 'an holistic approach to addiction'. To this day the Trust operates a centre in central London, working with people with all forms of addiction. Jackie has been their manager, chair of trustees, and is presently the patron, having at one time enjoyed a good working relationship with the late Princess Of Wales, who took a strong interest in the Trust. During one encounter with HRH, she said to
him "I understand you used to be a singer".
"I AM a singer" was his bristling reply.
"Well, sing something now" she suggested.
That something was the traditional Scottish air 'The Bonnie Earl Of Moray' which had formed the basis of his celebrated Doll By Doll song 'Main Travelled Roads'.
Shortly after this Jackie went to live in Oban on the west coast of Scotland. He spent the nights in bars with fishermen and forester friends, and the days writing the songs that became the basis of his return to music with the acclaimed Cooking Vinyl release “The Mystery Of Love Is Greater Than The Mystery Of Death”.
A string of excellent Cooking Vinyl albums have followed, and the latest, “Elegy For Johnny Cash” takes a unique and candid look at last journeys, and the people who make them.
Christine Collister
Date: 20 November 2010
Christine’s career now spans an incredible 26 years! Over that bridge of time she has released 17 albums … a DVD celebrating 20 years in the business and a single with the BBC : the theme tune for “The Life and Loves of a She-Devil” in 1984.
Throughout, she has mesmerized and astounded with her unique blend of soul, blues, pop, jazz, country and folk, and today she remains as powerful, subtle and effortless as ever.
‘..so much soul you think she’d been signed by Motown’ - Q
Boogalusa - Christmas Party!
Date: 03 December 2010
Based in Dundee, Scotland, Boogalusa are a six-piece band playing their own original music based on rootsy cajun/zydeco swampland swing. With the emphasis on uptempo, in-your-face, get-up-and-dance fervour, we've delighted audiences the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland as well as in Europe.
In the last 18 years we've notched up an impressive list of festival appearances, including T in the Park, the Edinburgh Festival, Celtic Connections, Mayfest, Shetland Festival, Orkney Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Glasgow Green, Dundee Millennium Party, etc., as well as festivals in France, Holland and Ireland.
We've also appeared on Pebble Mill, The Big Breakfast, several Scottish music programmes on both TV and radio, so we must be good. And one of our tracks, Slave to the Zydeco, written by David Oudney, has been covered by former Monkee Peter Tork. Boogalusa have recorded four albums, two studio CDs, two live albums and two singles, with the emphasis very much on their own songwriting. New material is currently being recorded with a view to releasing a new album next year.
Boogalusa - Christmas Party!
Date: 04 December 2010
Based in Dundee, Scotland, Boogalusa are a six-piece band playing their own original music based on rootsy cajun/zydeco swampland swing. With the emphasis on uptempo, in-your-face, get-up-and-dance fervour, we've delighted audiences the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland as well as in Europe.
In the last 18 years we've notched up an impressive list of festival appearances, including T in the Park, the Edinburgh Festival, Celtic Connections, Mayfest, Shetland Festival, Orkney Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Glasgow Green, Dundee Millennium Party, etc., as well as festivals in France, Holland and Ireland.
We've also appeared on Pebble Mill, The Big Breakfast, several Scottish music programmes on both TV and radio, so we must be good. And one of our tracks, Slave to the Zydeco, written by David Oudney, has been covered by former Monkee Peter Tork. Boogalusa have recorded four albums, two studio CDs, two live albums and two singles, with the emphasis very much on their own songwriting. New material is currently being recorded with a view to releasing a new album next year.
Boogalusa - Christmas Party!
Date: 10 December 2010
Based in Dundee, Scotland, Boogalusa are a six-piece band playing their own original music based on rootsy cajun/zydeco swampland swing. With the emphasis on uptempo, in-your-face, get-up-and-dance fervour, we've delighted audiences the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland as well as in Europe.
In the last 18 years we've notched up an impressive list of festival appearances, including T in the Park, the Edinburgh Festival, Celtic Connections, Mayfest, Shetland Festival, Orkney Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Glasgow Green, Dundee Millennium Party, etc., as well as festivals in France, Holland and Ireland.
We've also appeared on Pebble Mill, The Big Breakfast, several Scottish music programmes on both TV and radio, so we must be good. And one of our tracks, Slave to the Zydeco, written by David Oudney, has been covered by former Monkee Peter Tork. Boogalusa have recorded four albums, two studio CDs, two live albums and two singles, with the emphasis very much on their own songwriting. New material is currently being recorded with a view to releasing a new album next year.
Nine Below Zero - Electric
Date: 11 December 2010
Nine Below Zero are one of Britain's most respected R&B bands, famous for their no-frills, punchy and direct approach. Frontman Dennis Greaves, with his rasping vocals and stinging guitar work, is joined by fellow-founder Mark Feltham on harmonica, and a driving rhythm section of Gerry McAvoy (bass) and Brendan O'Neill (drums). Their gigs are energetic affairs: non-stop, thrill-a-minute parties.
It is very rare to see NBZ playing to such a small auience in full electric mode!
Nine Below Zero - Electric
Date: 12 December 2010
Nine Below Zero are one of Britain's most respected R&B bands, famous for their no-frills, punchy and direct approach. Frontman Dennis Greaves, with his rasping vocals and stinging guitar work, is joined by fellow-founder Mark Feltham on harmonica, and a driving rhythm section of Gerry McAvoy (bass) and Brendan O'Neill (drums). Their gigs are energetic affairs: non-stop, thrill-a-minute parties.
Probably the last chance to see NBZ in such an intimate venue playing full blown electric!
Boogalusa - Christmas Party!
Date: 17 December 2010
Based in Dundee, Scotland, Boogalusa are a six-piece band playing their own original music based on rootsy cajun/zydeco swampland swing. With the emphasis on uptempo, in-your-face, get-up-and-dance fervour, we've delighted audiences the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland as well as in Europe.
In the last 18 years we've notched up an impressive list of festival appearances, including T in the Park, the Edinburgh Festival, Celtic Connections, Mayfest, Shetland Festival, Orkney Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Glasgow Green, Dundee Millennium Party, etc., as well as festivals in France, Holland and Ireland.
We've also appeared on Pebble Mill, The Big Breakfast, several Scottish music programmes on both TV and radio, so we must be good. And one of our tracks, Slave to the Zydeco, written by David Oudney, has been covered by former Monkee Peter Tork. Boogalusa have recorded four albums, two studio CDs, two live albums and two singles, with the emphasis very much on their own songwriting. New material is currently being recorded with a view to releasing a new album next year.
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