Monday, September 01, 2008
Orkney Blues Festival!!!
Well, it's just a couple of weeks till Orkney. It's always like going home for me, there so much about Orkney that reminds me of rural Alaska.
The band has been working up a whole bunch of new songs that I've written over the last six months. For those of you that haven't seen my band since the big re-shuffle earlier in the year, it's a kicking trio that plays all the hard-edged country blues really, really well. And that's saying something, because it's an odd hybrid of old-school country and hill country blues with a rock-n-roll attitude. Remember that Glenn Highway Blues cd of mine? We're screaming into that pocket and tapping into a major river of attitude. Bring comfortable shoes, you'll likely need them if there's space to dance.
Well, ok, there's still a big obvious influence of Chicago and Texas blues, etc. We've got 3 shows to play and I'd bet my draft card that they'll all be dramatically different.
Here's the website:
http://orkneyblues.co.uk/
See y'all real soon. If you're not making the trip, well, shame on you.
The band has been working up a whole bunch of new songs that I've written over the last six months. For those of you that haven't seen my band since the big re-shuffle earlier in the year, it's a kicking trio that plays all the hard-edged country blues really, really well. And that's saying something, because it's an odd hybrid of old-school country and hill country blues with a rock-n-roll attitude. Remember that Glenn Highway Blues cd of mine? We're screaming into that pocket and tapping into a major river of attitude. Bring comfortable shoes, you'll likely need them if there's space to dance.
Well, ok, there's still a big obvious influence of Chicago and Texas blues, etc. We've got 3 shows to play and I'd bet my draft card that they'll all be dramatically different.
Here's the website:
http://orkneyblues.co.uk/
See y'all real soon. If you're not making the trip, well, shame on you.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Moorings bar last night
What a great gig....
Alan Cynic sounded like he was having a tough night. I thought it was cool. First time I've heard him, I dug it.
Dave Arcari positively tore the room apart
Alan Cynic sounded like he was having a tough night. I thought it was cool. First time I've heard him, I dug it.
Dave Arcari positively tore the room apart
Les Paul, Mary Ford
Yet another reason why (if Id been born 30 years earlier), that Mary Ford would be my dream woman.....
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Tunnels, Saturday...
Gonna be a great gig!
We've been working on some new songs that we'll be recording soon.
We've been working on some new songs that we'll be recording soon.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Bellrock Blues images
Just got these from ym friend Chris Simmonds, he took them last weekend at the Bellrock Blues festival in the Newgate Bar (I think). Thanks Chris!
Live at Shetland Blues
Rare footage of me, Sandy Tweedale and Dave Arcari jamming together in Shetland last year. Yeah, that's me playing the lap steel with a long-neck beer bottle....
Monday, August 18, 2008
Bellrock, day 2
So, tired and hungry, I put myself in the car to head back to Arbroath for day 2. A gig and Chinese take-away, through sheets of rain near Lawrencekirk. Easy.
It was a great gig. The Crown Inn has great acoustics, and once the football fans moved next door we had the room to ourselves. The room filled up with friendly faces just shy of downbeat, and it was great to see a bunch of people that I'd last seen a year ago.
Set started with about 30 minutes of lap steel songs, all original stuff, and moved into more delta blues to close. A short break, some talk of loud whistling, and then off to more originals and some covers (as requests from y'all on the floor). Thanks to all of you that created such a warm atmosphere to try out the new material. Lots of keepers.
Off to the next gig, let's see, solo is back at the Bond in dundee on September 6th. See you there?
It was a great gig. The Crown Inn has great acoustics, and once the football fans moved next door we had the room to ourselves. The room filled up with friendly faces just shy of downbeat, and it was great to see a bunch of people that I'd last seen a year ago.
Set started with about 30 minutes of lap steel songs, all original stuff, and moved into more delta blues to close. A short break, some talk of loud whistling, and then off to more originals and some covers (as requests from y'all on the floor). Thanks to all of you that created such a warm atmosphere to try out the new material. Lots of keepers.
Off to the next gig, let's see, solo is back at the Bond in dundee on September 6th. See you there?
Sunday, August 17, 2008
August 23rd, the Tunnels
last minute gig-
I'll have the band at the Tunnels on Saturday, August 23. It's 4£ at the door, and I think it's doors at 8pm. There will be a couple of young solo performers and then us. It'll be a great night of music and a chance for us to share some of the new songs from the new CD we've started, as we clear up the backlog of tunes that I've got.
See you there, tell your friends....
I'll have the band at the Tunnels on Saturday, August 23. It's 4£ at the door, and I think it's doors at 8pm. There will be a couple of young solo performers and then us. It'll be a great night of music and a chance for us to share some of the new songs from the new CD we've started, as we clear up the backlog of tunes that I've got.
See you there, tell your friends....
Arbroath/Dundee take 1...
OK, the Saturday is behind us. One more day to go- the Crown Inn at 5 pm.
Yesterday was a managable day only because I have 3 great friends that are willing to move their body weight in gear, navigating crowds and city streets with speaker cabinets and guitars. Eat sandwiches from a gas station. And drink beer.
Eric, Alan and Marion, you guys are aces. Thanks a bunch.
Here's what we survived:
Started with a 2pm gig at the Newgate bar. A great room with fantastic acoustics. I was there from 2-4. And then had to race down south for a gig at the Bond. As always the Bond is a great time, lots of great people, smiling, drinking and dancing. A 7:30 finish and then a race back to Arbroath for an 8pm gig at the Station Bar (new and improved since the last time, bigger and better) for an 8-10 pm show there.
My fingers are pretty sore. I have no voice left. Once more gig to go.
Oh, in addition to Eric's company all day as navigator and wrangler, we made it to one of my favorite cheap places to eat- the 123 Chinese Takeaway by the train station. It's so good I'm going back today and bringing food home for the tribe. And eating there today as well.
OK, all. Gotta go pack the van. It'll be guitars with fairly light strings today. No prisoners, though.
Yesterday was a managable day only because I have 3 great friends that are willing to move their body weight in gear, navigating crowds and city streets with speaker cabinets and guitars. Eat sandwiches from a gas station. And drink beer.
Eric, Alan and Marion, you guys are aces. Thanks a bunch.
Here's what we survived:
Started with a 2pm gig at the Newgate bar. A great room with fantastic acoustics. I was there from 2-4. And then had to race down south for a gig at the Bond. As always the Bond is a great time, lots of great people, smiling, drinking and dancing. A 7:30 finish and then a race back to Arbroath for an 8pm gig at the Station Bar (new and improved since the last time, bigger and better) for an 8-10 pm show there.
My fingers are pretty sore. I have no voice left. Once more gig to go.
Oh, in addition to Eric's company all day as navigator and wrangler, we made it to one of my favorite cheap places to eat- the 123 Chinese Takeaway by the train station. It's so good I'm going back today and bringing food home for the tribe. And eating there today as well.
OK, all. Gotta go pack the van. It'll be guitars with fairly light strings today. No prisoners, though.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
The Master of the triple header....
It's true!
Look for me in Arbroath for the blues festival on Saturday afternoon, at the Bond in Dundee over dinner, then *back* to the Station Bar in Arbroath for a 3rd gig. All solo, but it's gonna be a horse race.
thanks to Lenny at the Bond for helping me make this work out!
Look for me in Arbroath for the blues festival on Saturday afternoon, at the Bond in Dundee over dinner, then *back* to the Station Bar in Arbroath for a 3rd gig. All solo, but it's gonna be a horse race.
thanks to Lenny at the Bond for helping me make this work out!
Saturday, August 09, 2008
What's up with the low post count lately?
Yeah, sorry all, it's been a crazy couple of weeks. So where are we?
Well, the band is hard at work on new tunes for the next CD. We've got around 20 or so new songs that we're filtering our way through, for a November release.
Well, the band is hard at work on new tunes for the next CD. We've got around 20 or so new songs that we're filtering our way through, for a November release.
Friday, August 08, 2008
Drummonds double-header
Yes, it's a double header, my band and Kent Duchain at Drummonds on Thursday.
If rumors are correct, it'll be one of the last sessions there too, sounds like Drummonds may be closing.....
See you there.
If rumors are correct, it'll be one of the last sessions there too, sounds like Drummonds may be closing.....
See you there.
Tuesday, August 05, 2008
More new tunes
So, in the about time category, I finally got off my backside and gave the guys in the band a bunch (like 20) new tunes to work on. All original, all blues/R&B/lap steel. All the songs fit well together. So, a little bit of work and off to the studio to do some more recording.
Yeah, I know, promises promises. But we're booking a Saturday night at the Blue Lamp for a CD release party. And that'll mail it down for sure.
Yeah, I know, promises promises. But we're booking a Saturday night at the Blue Lamp for a CD release party. And that'll mail it down for sure.
Tuesday, July 08, 2008
Heroes and Martyrs
Check them out on myspace. They're really not a blues band, but this is what happens to kids that grow up with guitar geeks for parents. That's Mike Oxley's daughter Anna singing and my oldest Zakk on the guitar. They rawk, they don't play 'Freebird'. Great taste in music and pretty good songwriting.
OK, myspace. They're on myspace.
Bell Rock Blues?
Anyone reading this associated with the Bell Rock Blues festival? Please call or email.
The schedule is up on the web site, but emails from me to the organizers don't seem to go through. I need to confirm the details in the next couple of weeks, ok?
The schedule is up on the web site, but emails from me to the organizers don't seem to go through. I need to confirm the details in the next couple of weeks, ok?
Lemon Tree on Friday!
How cool is this, to be going back to the Lemon Tree after so long. After all, it's been closed and is now back in business!. Phew, Aberdeen's best live music venue open again.
So, I'll be there friday the 11th at 1 pm for a lunch time show. It'll be a solo show that goes somewhere different than yu might be used to, I'll be bringing my two acoustic guitars and playing stuff that's more folk-blues than anything else. Lots of lap steel on an acoustic guitar, some new fingerstyle stuff. I think you'll like it.
See you there? No idea about the new lunch menu. I'm sure it'll be good. See you there!
So, I'll be there friday the 11th at 1 pm for a lunch time show. It'll be a solo show that goes somewhere different than yu might be used to, I'll be bringing my two acoustic guitars and playing stuff that's more folk-blues than anything else. Lots of lap steel on an acoustic guitar, some new fingerstyle stuff. I think you'll like it.
See you there? No idea about the new lunch menu. I'm sure it'll be good. See you there!
Friday, July 04, 2008
Dundee in retrospect
It was great to catch up with a whole bunch of old friends, people that I hadn't seen since the year before (or perhaps our last Dexter's gig). All in all the band played great, and for Kevin's first full fledged outing with band I think it went really well.
The proof of this new lineup is the inspiration to write new material, and there's 3 new songs since Dundee that we need to work up. All heading in a nice retro direction. If you haven't seen this line up, it's a great dance band, greasy grooves, serious dynamics and a great attitude. These guys love to play. It's fun again, which for me is a real plus.
The only drawback was playing in a room with a low ceiling that ramped up the feedback a bit. That big old guitar of mine is a great sound, but more sensitive to the room acoustics than a strat would be. So, the volume comes down a bit, and next gig out comes my old silvertone and some other odd bits of wood to get the old tones.
Stay in touch, might see some of you at the Bond on Saturday from 5:30-9? Solo gig?
The proof of this new lineup is the inspiration to write new material, and there's 3 new songs since Dundee that we need to work up. All heading in a nice retro direction. If you haven't seen this line up, it's a great dance band, greasy grooves, serious dynamics and a great attitude. These guys love to play. It's fun again, which for me is a real plus.
The only drawback was playing in a room with a low ceiling that ramped up the feedback a bit. That big old guitar of mine is a great sound, but more sensitive to the room acoustics than a strat would be. So, the volume comes down a bit, and next gig out comes my old silvertone and some other odd bits of wood to get the old tones.
Stay in touch, might see some of you at the Bond on Saturday from 5:30-9? Solo gig?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Ready for Dundee?
Yep, it's that time again, and here's what you need to know!
We're having a warm up gig on Thursday at Cafe Drummonds in Aberdeen. It's a party- it's Kevin's first gig with us. I'll be bringing the resonator too, play some solo stuff early on, then through the band set. If you can't make it to the Bonanza, this is a good one to see.
From there, we're off to Saturday where we're playing at the Lowdown early in the evening. I've got a solo gig later at the Abode, and then we're done with free time to hang out and listen to some of the other bands. Sunday afternoon is the BBF jam at Dexters after the Blindman's Blue Forum breakfast.
Going to be a good weekend. See you there!
We're having a warm up gig on Thursday at Cafe Drummonds in Aberdeen. It's a party- it's Kevin's first gig with us. I'll be bringing the resonator too, play some solo stuff early on, then through the band set. If you can't make it to the Bonanza, this is a good one to see.
From there, we're off to Saturday where we're playing at the Lowdown early in the evening. I've got a solo gig later at the Abode, and then we're done with free time to hang out and listen to some of the other bands. Sunday afternoon is the BBF jam at Dexters after the Blindman's Blue Forum breakfast.
Going to be a good weekend. See you there!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Yeah, old friends can be the best friends. I had a chance to catch up with some old friends last weekend and things just naturally evolved from life stories to blues songs. Old Allman brothers covers, some Blind Willie Johnson. We're older, sure. But our taste in music is pretty highly evolved, and the groove was comfortable.
More images to follow. See you for Lightnin Willie on Friday where I'll break out some of these old songs.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Lightnin Willie
Don't miss this one-
Lightnin Willie & the Poorboys
Culter Mills Sports & Rec Club
Cairn Road, Peterculter
When: June 6th
Doors at 7:15, bar open till 1am
The support act is some guy names Son, who's from Alaska.
The gig finishes at 11:30 or so, so you can grab the last bus back into town with me. See you there, email me if you need to reserve some tickets and I'll get you in touch with Dave, ok?
Lightnin Willie & the Poorboys
Culter Mills Sports & Rec Club
Cairn Road, Peterculter
When: June 6th
Doors at 7:15, bar open till 1am
The support act is some guy names Son, who's from Alaska.
The gig finishes at 11:30 or so, so you can grab the last bus back into town with me. See you there, email me if you need to reserve some tickets and I'll get you in touch with Dave, ok?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
From Braunschweig and Helmstedt
Here's some graphics from the gigs at Barnaby's and Helmstedt. The one that's not a gig flyer is from our meeting with the Helmstedt Fire marshall, when we parked the car in a fire lane. Who knew?
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Back from Germany.....
It was a great trip!
4 Days in Germany, a couple of gigs with friends and a gathering of great
4 Days in Germany, a couple of gigs with friends and a gathering of great
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Yeah, we're looking for a drummer
Long story. If you know someone that might fit well with this band, shoot me an email....
Yeah, we're looking for a drummer
Long story. If you know someone that might fit well with this band, shoot me an email....
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saying goodbye to Lucy
Last night we said goodbye to dear friend and family member. She left us in the early hours of the morning, peacefully in her sleep surrounded by a small group of family members who love her. What a day, explaining this to a seven year and an eight year old.
No flowers. Just call someone you care about today and tell them that.
No flowers. Just call someone you care about today and tell them that.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Cupar blues and beyond...
Played a solo set in front of Wolftrain last night at the Cupar Blues and Beyond club last night. Great to get back across the Tay bridge and see some old friends, and try out some new songs.
Wolftrain was great, as always.
I had my ES-125 plus a lap steel and an acoustic guitar that I never touched. Seemed the music felt right on an electric guitar, rather than that acoustic. And the lap steel always sounds great in that big room.
New songs, from the new CD- "Toss and Turn", "Sackcloth and Ashes", "Ball and Chain", "Nothing out of place", and "Long way to fall". Some Old faves, like "Goodnight Irene". The rest is a blur.
A million thanks to those of you that warned me about the traffic, and to Wolftrain for letting me plug into their gear. And of course to Charlie and the gang at the blues and beyond club. It's a great gig, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Wolftrain was great, as always.
I had my ES-125 plus a lap steel and an acoustic guitar that I never touched. Seemed the music felt right on an electric guitar, rather than that acoustic. And the lap steel always sounds great in that big room.
New songs, from the new CD- "Toss and Turn", "Sackcloth and Ashes", "Ball and Chain", "Nothing out of place", and "Long way to fall". Some Old faves, like "Goodnight Irene". The rest is a blur.
A million thanks to those of you that warned me about the traffic, and to Wolftrain for letting me plug into their gear. And of course to Charlie and the gang at the blues and beyond club. It's a great gig, and I'm already looking forward to the next one.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
What is the deal with my schedule?
Yeah, I've been distracted. I'll update my website and my blog schedule this weekend.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
what was that guitar?
I've been asked enough about this lately that I thought I'd just clear it up for y'all. The guitar I've been playing lately is this one in the Tony Whitfield picture below (ok, it's from Orkney last year but it's the only picture I have of the guitar). It's an old Gibson ES-125T. 'T' for the thin body, one very hot P-90 pickup and off you go.
The best part? Outside of the fact that it sounds amazing? It weighs less than 5 pounds.
The best part? Outside of the fact that it sounds amazing? It weighs less than 5 pounds.
Fire on a United flight from Rio
So, I found this on youtube- it's a before and after video of a recent United Airlines flight out of Rio. The plane was stuck on the ground because of air traffic control and in the early part of the video the passengers are a little unruly. Understandable, they spent 3 hours on the ground in the plane and stuck in their seats. The front part of this video is a passenger rebellion that almost ended the flight. The Brazillian police were called and several passengers arrested.
So, the plane takes off, it's a Boeing 777 fully loaded with gas on the way to New York. And at about 3 minutes into the flight the cockpit fills with smoke. The pilots switch over to oxygen masks and turn the plane around, setting it back down on the ground. Because they're so heavy with gas (and have no time to dump it) they land heavy and fast, scrub the fires and burn out the brakes (that's why the fire trucks are hosing down the tires, to keep them from catching fire and the plane exploding.
Everyone walks away, a little scared, but safe and alive to fly another day. How do I know all this? That voice you hear at 3:02 in the video is my baby brother, who landed that plane.
Oh, here's the video.....
CLICK HERE
Way to go Pete! You're a hero in my book...
So, the plane takes off, it's a Boeing 777 fully loaded with gas on the way to New York. And at about 3 minutes into the flight the cockpit fills with smoke. The pilots switch over to oxygen masks and turn the plane around, setting it back down on the ground. Because they're so heavy with gas (and have no time to dump it) they land heavy and fast, scrub the fires and burn out the brakes (that's why the fire trucks are hosing down the tires, to keep them from catching fire and the plane exploding.
Everyone walks away, a little scared, but safe and alive to fly another day. How do I know all this? That voice you hear at 3:02 in the video is my baby brother, who landed that plane.
Oh, here's the video.....
CLICK HERE
Way to go Pete! You're a hero in my book...
Friday, February 22, 2008
Dexters tomorrow
And it's an afternoon gig. We'll start around 3:30, send you on your way for a curry and a pint with friends.
Seriously, these afternoon slots at Dexters are a great time, great place to hang out. Bring some friends! Lots of new music to hear, stories to tell, and a chance to catch up before the blues bonanza this summer.
Seriously, these afternoon slots at Dexters are a great time, great place to hang out. Bring some friends! Lots of new music to hear, stories to tell, and a chance to catch up before the blues bonanza this summer.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Prepping for Germany!
Yeah, short German tour coming up real soon, and I'm pretty jazzed. Bunch of new songs to perform and a killer band to play with. If you're in the area be sure and say hi! Details posted over on the right side of the screen here. As I get more venue details I'll post them too.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Aberdeen Homeless Benefit
Phew, I'm wiped out.
Last night was the BBF/Aberdeen/Scots Blues Alliance benefit for the homeless at the Blue Lamp in Aberdeen. Lots of pictures and some video to follow.
It was a 4-band line up, Sandy Mathers band 'the Juke Joint Rollers', PapaMojo, my band and Tim 'dillo' Aves. Doors at 7, and by 7:30 all of the seats were full, by 7:45 it was SRO, and stayed that way for the rest of the night.
The Rollers kicked it off early with a great seat of harmonic-driven blues. Bright Lights, Big City was my personal fave, I'm a sucker for Jimmy Reed. Sandy did a great job throughout leading the band, playing harp and chatting up every woman of legal age in the room. And they all seemed to know him too, there must be a story here.
PapaMojo really fits well in this room, the acoustics are warm and live and at 9 they took over and drove everyone to the dance floor. It's great to hear country blues played well. Stef is a great guitar player with a really dry gravel voice, and Billy and Dave are the most under-rated rhythm section in Scotland. Perfect minimalism, not a not or a hit out of place. And I've got some video to prove it.
Tim and I had the luxury of going next and taking over a room that was red-hot. Having to follow these guys is a great challenge. And the complication was that in the middle of the PapaMojo set I got a call from my drummer who was snowed in and wasn't going to make it. PANIC?. naw, we had a great drumer in the room to sub in! So, with Billy behind the kid we blew through an hour of old raunchy hill country style blues, some old Elmore James and all the raw stuff that seems to connect with the 20-somethings as well as the 40-somethings. Tim is a great harp player who can hold his own on the guitar too, and we traded tunes back and forth. It was a fun set.
From there it was jam time, and the 90 minute jam that mixed up all the bands plus a few ringers from the audience kept the dance floor shakin. Fox stayed in place for most of the jam, he's a great guitar player, and the combination of Fox and Dillo was a good one. I even got a change to play a little harp and remind everyone that, well, as far as harp players go, I'm a pretty good guitar player
Gigs like this are always over too fast. But what I love about them is the chance to hang out with some great people and really good friends. It's too bad we didn't have a chance for a forum photo, but I think the count was (Dillo, Blindman, Barrelhouse, Fox, Dino, OldBones, FishFeathers, me) was 8. Did I miss anyone?
By the time Tim and I had the gear put away and discovered that there wasn't a lick of food in the house it was around 3 am. Long day.
By my count we had around 150 people on the heels of a snow storm. Next stop Dundee for the next UK BBF meet-up and breakfast. Any of y'all that want to crash the party, get in touch with us.....
Oh, yeah, video to follow. Watch this space!
Last night was the BBF/Aberdeen/Scots Blues Alliance benefit for the homeless at the Blue Lamp in Aberdeen. Lots of pictures and some video to follow.
It was a 4-band line up, Sandy Mathers band 'the Juke Joint Rollers', PapaMojo, my band and Tim 'dillo' Aves. Doors at 7, and by 7:30 all of the seats were full, by 7:45 it was SRO, and stayed that way for the rest of the night.
The Rollers kicked it off early with a great seat of harmonic-driven blues. Bright Lights, Big City was my personal fave, I'm a sucker for Jimmy Reed. Sandy did a great job throughout leading the band, playing harp and chatting up every woman of legal age in the room. And they all seemed to know him too, there must be a story here.
PapaMojo really fits well in this room, the acoustics are warm and live and at 9 they took over and drove everyone to the dance floor. It's great to hear country blues played well. Stef is a great guitar player with a really dry gravel voice, and Billy and Dave are the most under-rated rhythm section in Scotland. Perfect minimalism, not a not or a hit out of place. And I've got some video to prove it.
Tim and I had the luxury of going next and taking over a room that was red-hot. Having to follow these guys is a great challenge. And the complication was that in the middle of the PapaMojo set I got a call from my drummer who was snowed in and wasn't going to make it. PANIC?. naw, we had a great drumer in the room to sub in! So, with Billy behind the kid we blew through an hour of old raunchy hill country style blues, some old Elmore James and all the raw stuff that seems to connect with the 20-somethings as well as the 40-somethings. Tim is a great harp player who can hold his own on the guitar too, and we traded tunes back and forth. It was a fun set.
From there it was jam time, and the 90 minute jam that mixed up all the bands plus a few ringers from the audience kept the dance floor shakin. Fox stayed in place for most of the jam, he's a great guitar player, and the combination of Fox and Dillo was a good one. I even got a change to play a little harp and remind everyone that, well, as far as harp players go, I'm a pretty good guitar player
Gigs like this are always over too fast. But what I love about them is the chance to hang out with some great people and really good friends. It's too bad we didn't have a chance for a forum photo, but I think the count was (Dillo, Blindman, Barrelhouse, Fox, Dino, OldBones, FishFeathers, me) was 8. Did I miss anyone?
By the time Tim and I had the gear put away and discovered that there wasn't a lick of food in the house it was around 3 am. Long day.
By my count we had around 150 people on the heels of a snow storm. Next stop Dundee for the next UK BBF meet-up and breakfast. Any of y'all that want to crash the party, get in touch with us.....
Oh, yeah, video to follow. Watch this space!
Friday, January 18, 2008
Saturday, Jan. 26th- the Tunnels
It's the Creoles at 9, us around 10:30. Great show, Two bands for the price of one, and we're going late.
See you there!
See you there!
Post-Moorrings bar musings
It's good to be back!
I'm loving the new songs, the new vibe, the whole shootin match. And the fat that y'all are connecting with it too really makes it make sense.
If you haven't seen a show this year, the new vibe is a cross between the foot-stomping delta blues I play at a solo gig, and an electric band. It's raw, loud and edgy authentic blues. Works for dancing. And it went down well at the Moorings, which is proof that it's a good thing.
OK, off to the Tunnels next week for our next Aberdeen gig. See you there!
I'm loving the new songs, the new vibe, the whole shootin match. And the fat that y'all are connecting with it too really makes it make sense.
If you haven't seen a show this year, the new vibe is a cross between the foot-stomping delta blues I play at a solo gig, and an electric band. It's raw, loud and edgy authentic blues. Works for dancing. And it went down well at the Moorings, which is proof that it's a good thing.
OK, off to the Tunnels next week for our next Aberdeen gig. See you there!
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Inspiration from strange sources
Sometimes you get clobbered by an inspirational guitarist or songwriter that comes from a direction you don't expect. Imagine that happening in your own house, and that person being one of your kids?
5 years ago my oldest learned how to play the guitar at a summer camp, and kept it secret for a while, eventually getting the nerve to ask for a guitar and lessons. He's been shy about it ever since, playing in his own room, mostly metal and punk. It turns out he's a great songwriter and has been recording songs with an old acoustic guitar and putting them on myspace. He's really good, and sings well. In fact I didn't recognize it was him when I first listened to it.
But the kicker is that he's writing and performing songs in open tunings, and he's a monster in dropped-D. Completely self taught from listening to CDs and downloading tabs off the web.
Out of respect for his privacy I won't publish his myspace address. But, *crap* he's good.
5 years ago my oldest learned how to play the guitar at a summer camp, and kept it secret for a while, eventually getting the nerve to ask for a guitar and lessons. He's been shy about it ever since, playing in his own room, mostly metal and punk. It turns out he's a great songwriter and has been recording songs with an old acoustic guitar and putting them on myspace. He's really good, and sings well. In fact I didn't recognize it was him when I first listened to it.
But the kicker is that he's writing and performing songs in open tunings, and he's a monster in dropped-D. Completely self taught from listening to CDs and downloading tabs off the web.
Out of respect for his privacy I won't publish his myspace address. But, *crap* he's good.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
You stumble across some strange stuff..
But this is kinda cool.
There's a playlist of 'current and timeless masters of the instrument' a steel guitar playlist on FIQL.com, a library of playlists. It's got all the people you'd expect- David Lindley, Speedy West, Black Ace, Santo and Johnny, Jerry Douglas. And 2, count em, two tunes from my first CD! Man, not sure I belong there, but I'm flattered that someone thinks those songs belong on that list.
Click hear to see the play list
Wow....
There's a playlist of 'current and timeless masters of the instrument' a steel guitar playlist on FIQL.com, a library of playlists. It's got all the people you'd expect- David Lindley, Speedy West, Black Ace, Santo and Johnny, Jerry Douglas. And 2, count em, two tunes from my first CD! Man, not sure I belong there, but I'm flattered that someone thinks those songs belong on that list.
Click hear to see the play list
Wow....
Saturday, December 22, 2007
BUT RL IS STILL KING
Yeah, take them all, RL Burnside is still the king. Found this on youtube. Nothing fancy, just an old guitar and a folding chair and music without crap. Simplicity.
Friday, December 21, 2007
Thursday, December 20, 2007
All the best for the holidays!
Here's hoping that no matter where you are, the holidays are well spent with family and friends!
Sunday, December 16, 2007
~ that's all the gigs for 2007 ~
This time I mean it, one last show for an important cause.
The LemonAid benefit yesterday was one last blast for good cause that we shouldn't need to be fighting. Sad that there is even a need to assemble a bunch of musicians for a benefit to protest the closing of an arts center like the Lemon Tree. Especially over a small amount of money, in comparison to the money spent by the government on other things. But, there we were, if only to show support to a place that was really supportive of our music, and the music and theater and art of all our friends.
Thanks to all of you that joined us at the Tunnels yesterday to show support. I have no idea if we even registered on the City Council radar, but we did demonstrate that support for the arts is alive and well in Aberdeen.
The Lemon Tree was one of the first places to put me on the bill as a solo act in Scotland, one of the first places to book my band. I took my kids there for theater performances, my kids were involved in student productions there, and my wife and I sat there on a regular basis to soak up the music on friday at lunch for the Friday Live series, and the regular folk and blues offerings there in the evenings. We'll miss it! Thanks to the staff for all you've done over the years to make the place what it is/was.
"You don't miss your water, till your well runs dry"
The LemonAid benefit yesterday was one last blast for good cause that we shouldn't need to be fighting. Sad that there is even a need to assemble a bunch of musicians for a benefit to protest the closing of an arts center like the Lemon Tree. Especially over a small amount of money, in comparison to the money spent by the government on other things. But, there we were, if only to show support to a place that was really supportive of our music, and the music and theater and art of all our friends.
Thanks to all of you that joined us at the Tunnels yesterday to show support. I have no idea if we even registered on the City Council radar, but we did demonstrate that support for the arts is alive and well in Aberdeen.
The Lemon Tree was one of the first places to put me on the bill as a solo act in Scotland, one of the first places to book my band. I took my kids there for theater performances, my kids were involved in student productions there, and my wife and I sat there on a regular basis to soak up the music on friday at lunch for the Friday Live series, and the regular folk and blues offerings there in the evenings. We'll miss it! Thanks to the staff for all you've done over the years to make the place what it is/was.
"You don't miss your water, till your well runs dry"
Monday, December 10, 2007
Help the Lemon Tree benefit gig!
OK, I thought the year was over, but this is important.
There's a benefit gig at the Tunnels on Saturday afternoon. Lots of Aberdeen bands, all styles. We're there around 3. Details to follow.
You can do some christmas shopping, stumble in for a pint and help the Lemon Tree as well. Great way to kill a Saturday!
Check this space, as soon as I have details I'll post em-
There's a benefit gig at the Tunnels on Saturday afternoon. Lots of Aberdeen bands, all styles. We're there around 3. Details to follow.
You can do some christmas shopping, stumble in for a pint and help the Lemon Tree as well. Great way to kill a Saturday!
Check this space, as soon as I have details I'll post em-
Sunday, December 09, 2007
More unconstructed ramblings.....
Yeah, some interesting processing for 2008 going on here. More solo gigs? Sure did play some great places this year, packing only a guitar or two. Music is good fun, more personal. Less crazy and sweaty.
the Ipod collection of 2007
If you're interested, this is what had the most air-time on my Ipod this year-
Seasick Steve
Ray Bonneville (Rough Luck)
R L Burnside
T Model Ford
Southern Culture on the skids
Kelly Joe Phelps
Blind Willie Johnson
Bukka White
Mississippi Fred McDowell
Lightnin Hopkins
Not what I expected, if I'd guessed the top 10 would have been more electric players, but the stats on the computer don't lie I guess.
Seasick Steve
Ray Bonneville (Rough Luck)
R L Burnside
T Model Ford
Southern Culture on the skids
Kelly Joe Phelps
Blind Willie Johnson
Bukka White
Mississippi Fred McDowell
Lightnin Hopkins
Not what I expected, if I'd guessed the top 10 would have been more electric players, but the stats on the computer don't lie I guess.
Friday, December 07, 2007
and that's a wrap......
That's it, last gig of 2007 has now been played and I can get on with my Christmas shopping. Phew.
It was a great year with some great places to play and lots of fantastic people along the way. Ireland, Orkney and Shetland by ferry, Burnley by train, Alaska by plane, the Moorings by bus, the Lemon Tree on foot and lots of places by car. We got hopelessly lost on the way to Fetternear, and stuck in Customs in Seattle.
And last night was a great way to wrap up the year, sitting on a bar stool at Drummonds with Dino and Angus blasting out the Mississippi hill county slide and lap steel tunes in a 2-hour set till 1 am, to a club jammed to the rafters with happy dancers and drinkers. Great to see lots of you last night, regulars and semi-regulars all in one place.
I'm walking in my sleep, my finger tips are sore and I have no voice left. Sure signs of an extremely over the top gig.
Cheers all, see you next year in Germany, the US, the UK.....
It was a great year with some great places to play and lots of fantastic people along the way. Ireland, Orkney and Shetland by ferry, Burnley by train, Alaska by plane, the Moorings by bus, the Lemon Tree on foot and lots of places by car. We got hopelessly lost on the way to Fetternear, and stuck in Customs in Seattle.
And last night was a great way to wrap up the year, sitting on a bar stool at Drummonds with Dino and Angus blasting out the Mississippi hill county slide and lap steel tunes in a 2-hour set till 1 am, to a club jammed to the rafters with happy dancers and drinkers. Great to see lots of you last night, regulars and semi-regulars all in one place.
I'm walking in my sleep, my finger tips are sore and I have no voice left. Sure signs of an extremely over the top gig.
Cheers all, see you next year in Germany, the US, the UK.....
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
New recordings
It was such a frantic trip that the new CD didn't get finished, but we're working on it long distance...
11 new songs in all, 10 originals and a cover. It's more 'Americana' than pure blues. Yeah, sure, there's a couple of stone-cold blues tracks. But for the first time there's tunes that are more JJ Cale, lots of lap steel.
You'll like it. But you gotta wait a bit longer.
11 new songs in all, 10 originals and a cover. It's more 'Americana' than pure blues. Yeah, sure, there's a couple of stone-cold blues tracks. But for the first time there's tunes that are more JJ Cale, lots of lap steel.
You'll like it. But you gotta wait a bit longer.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
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