Sunday 3 June 2012
Her Majesty
No. not Lizzie, don't worry I haven't gone all royalist. It's my friend Laura's band. They had their first gig last night at the Crash Festival at Nambucca in the Holloway Road. I was looking forward to seeing Laura perform as she split from her last band last year and for a while was in limbo. But as she is really committed to her music it didn't take too long for her to meet like minded souls. It's an all girl group which to some can be daunting, there are still dinosaurs out there who think that all girls can't do it, you must have a bloke in there to give cohesion. Well not here. It's the usual set up, guitar, bass, singer, drummer and also a keyboard player, which having known LeRox for long I was surprised at, but it works well. Apparently Rosie was classically trained on the old joanna so she does know her sharps from her flats. I think most of the girls have been in bands before, so they all know the game. Gemma Clarke who has a mass of blonde hair and is reminiscent of Animal from the Muppets when she gets going has played with Pete Docherty previously, but don't let that put you off. She bashes the skins like billy-o, always with a huge smile on her face. Mercedes the guitarist had an issue with a foot pedal which delayed action for a bit, but soon got cracking with some funky riffs. The bass player, sorry I don't know her name yet was like most bass players, just standing out of the way of Laura, but that's not a bad thing with Laura she does like to move about a bit, and will make her own space! But bass was driving and a bit up and down not just plink, plink. (can you tell I'm not a musician?) The constant was the keyboards, running behind keeping it all together. Bloody marvellous. I wish them the best of luck, They have been in the studio recently so some sort of release is imminent. I'll keep you posted. There wasn't a no photographs rule so here are some pictures. Unfortunately I couldn't get them all in, hence 3 pictures. Gawd bless Her Majesty long may you reign.
Friday 1 June 2012
Joan Armatrading
I went to see Joan at the Stables Milton Keynes with me Julie and my friend Hotpot.
What a fantastic gig. The venue is superb, apparently designed by Cleo and John Dankworth, so the acoustics were brilliant. It's set in countryside and some people were having a picnic in the grounds. We decided there wasn't a bad seat in the house. It is reasonably small, around 200 seats so perfect for me as I don't like big places.
Joan was fabulous, I'd never seen her live only on the telly at Glasto and other programmes. I was really moved during the whole performance, It was so moving to see the songs I had been singing for years performed less than 30 feet away. She started with Show some Emotion, mixed it up with a few songs from her new album Starlight, she did all the classics.. Me Myself I, I Love it When you Call me Names, All the way from America,
Love and Affection, where the drummer got up and played a beautiful Sax solo. Bloody marvellous, I thought I was the only one with a tear in my eye, turns out me Julie and Hotpot were equally affected. She finished off with Drop the Pilot, Willow (after being persuaded by the audience to play it) and another track from Starlight.
I shouted for Rosie but was told by her 'Don't you start', Turned out she was signing CDs and whatever you wanted (within reason) in the foyer afterwards. I asked why no Rosie and it just wasn't in the set list for this tour, so I guess I'll have to go again next tour. I highly recommend anyone thinking twice about going, to go, This tour appears to be smaller venues which is better in my view. I was pleasantly surprised that she was speaking to the audience, some artists just chat shit let's be honest, but she was very entertaining, she didn't have much choice at one point when she strummed her guitar and she thought it was out of tune, so promptly took it off stage to her guitar tech girly to sort out, proclaiming 'I obviously don't know how to tune a guitar'.
She admitted she had been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award the previous night in Uttoxeter, not for guitar tuning then Joan. Well deserved that is too. As she said it is a bit worrying, do people think you're getting near death, so better give her an award while we can. So good one Joanie, what a lovely lady, see you next year unless it's the O2 or Wembers. I would have posted a picture but there is a no photographs policy at the venue, which I think it pants, I was thinking of flouting it but didn't want to get thrown out!
What a fantastic gig. The venue is superb, apparently designed by Cleo and John Dankworth, so the acoustics were brilliant. It's set in countryside and some people were having a picnic in the grounds. We decided there wasn't a bad seat in the house. It is reasonably small, around 200 seats so perfect for me as I don't like big places.
Joan was fabulous, I'd never seen her live only on the telly at Glasto and other programmes. I was really moved during the whole performance, It was so moving to see the songs I had been singing for years performed less than 30 feet away. She started with Show some Emotion, mixed it up with a few songs from her new album Starlight, she did all the classics.. Me Myself I, I Love it When you Call me Names, All the way from America,
Love and Affection, where the drummer got up and played a beautiful Sax solo. Bloody marvellous, I thought I was the only one with a tear in my eye, turns out me Julie and Hotpot were equally affected. She finished off with Drop the Pilot, Willow (after being persuaded by the audience to play it) and another track from Starlight.
I shouted for Rosie but was told by her 'Don't you start', Turned out she was signing CDs and whatever you wanted (within reason) in the foyer afterwards. I asked why no Rosie and it just wasn't in the set list for this tour, so I guess I'll have to go again next tour. I highly recommend anyone thinking twice about going, to go, This tour appears to be smaller venues which is better in my view. I was pleasantly surprised that she was speaking to the audience, some artists just chat shit let's be honest, but she was very entertaining, she didn't have much choice at one point when she strummed her guitar and she thought it was out of tune, so promptly took it off stage to her guitar tech girly to sort out, proclaiming 'I obviously don't know how to tune a guitar'.
She admitted she had been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award the previous night in Uttoxeter, not for guitar tuning then Joan. Well deserved that is too. As she said it is a bit worrying, do people think you're getting near death, so better give her an award while we can. So good one Joanie, what a lovely lady, see you next year unless it's the O2 or Wembers. I would have posted a picture but there is a no photographs policy at the venue, which I think it pants, I was thinking of flouting it but didn't want to get thrown out!
Sunday 29 April 2012
Oh Fuck!
I have just realised it's been more than a year since I have been here.. outrageous. This will have something to do with the fact that 2011 was shit. Daisy Dog had to be put to sleep in April after we discovered she had cancer. I wasn't happy with the Vet and the way they dealt with it but that's life, and death I s'pose.
It has really taken ages to get used to not having her about. Not that you ever get over the death of a friend.
So I thought 2012 would be better. How wrong I was. My dear old Dad passed away in April, confirming that I hate April and Death is horrible, at any age.
The only consolation as my granddaughter tells me about April is that is also her birthday, she was ten this year so that was the proverbial silver lining.
It was lovely to spend time with her the day after Dad's funeral, reminding you that life does indeed go on..she is a joy.
So hopefully we will be off camping and going to festies this year. It can only get better surely!
On a brighter note I went to see my friend Helen Reddington (aka McCookerybook) the author of the Lost Women of Rock amongst other things. She was doing a talk about the book at David's Book Shop in Letchworth. It was very interesting as she has interviewed lots of women for the book with some interesting stories. You must buy the book to find out. It is now available in a more affordable soft back edition and well worth the dosh.
David's shop is fascinating, he also sells second hand vinyl. Yes vinyl. They have a little coffee shop too and for Helen's night there were free home made cookies...mmmmm. I must pop back there in the day time to have a good nose around, I recommend you do the same.
It has really taken ages to get used to not having her about. Not that you ever get over the death of a friend.
So I thought 2012 would be better. How wrong I was. My dear old Dad passed away in April, confirming that I hate April and Death is horrible, at any age.
The only consolation as my granddaughter tells me about April is that is also her birthday, she was ten this year so that was the proverbial silver lining.
It was lovely to spend time with her the day after Dad's funeral, reminding you that life does indeed go on..she is a joy.
So hopefully we will be off camping and going to festies this year. It can only get better surely!
On a brighter note I went to see my friend Helen Reddington (aka McCookerybook) the author of the Lost Women of Rock amongst other things. She was doing a talk about the book at David's Book Shop in Letchworth. It was very interesting as she has interviewed lots of women for the book with some interesting stories. You must buy the book to find out. It is now available in a more affordable soft back edition and well worth the dosh.
David's shop is fascinating, he also sells second hand vinyl. Yes vinyl. They have a little coffee shop too and for Helen's night there were free home made cookies...mmmmm. I must pop back there in the day time to have a good nose around, I recommend you do the same.
Friday 17 December 2010
Hawkwind, Snow and Punctures
Went to see Hawkwind last night at Bedford Corn Exchange. I must have a word, I only knew one song! All that back catalogue and they do the most obscure stuff, as for the new tunes...well...boring about sums it up! The song Sentinel had shades of 'Year of the Cat'...ugh! I couldn't even be bothered to take any pictures!!
I'm sure Mr Dibs (bass) is a lovely bloke, but he just doesn't fit in. And they had two bass players, what's that all about? Richard the drummer was on good form and for once I could hear what he was playing. Poor sod wasn't on a riser though so although he was singing you couldn't see him!
The dancers were good fun though, two young girly's on stilts with masks and fancy costumes, very effective, although given the age of the band, I kept thinking whose daughters are they?
I haven't been able to get to any gigs before that as I had a puncture on a bald tyre and no money to get new ones. Now I have got money and the bikes in the shop the bleeding tyres haven't arrived!
Bloody snow too.....supposed to be going to see the grandaughter tomorrow but think it will be too risky, even if the tyres do come!
I haven't even been able to get to the Perseverance, one of my favourite haunts for quirky entertainment and some excellent musicians!
I'm sure Mr Dibs (bass) is a lovely bloke, but he just doesn't fit in. And they had two bass players, what's that all about? Richard the drummer was on good form and for once I could hear what he was playing. Poor sod wasn't on a riser though so although he was singing you couldn't see him!
The dancers were good fun though, two young girly's on stilts with masks and fancy costumes, very effective, although given the age of the band, I kept thinking whose daughters are they?
I haven't been able to get to any gigs before that as I had a puncture on a bald tyre and no money to get new ones. Now I have got money and the bikes in the shop the bleeding tyres haven't arrived!
Bloody snow too.....supposed to be going to see the grandaughter tomorrow but think it will be too risky, even if the tyres do come!
I haven't even been able to get to the Perseverance, one of my favourite haunts for quirky entertainment and some excellent musicians!
Monday 27 September 2010
Daisy Dog is home
Hurrah...DD is home and getting better...she is on a diet of boiled chicken and fish and antibiotics. Nuff sed!
Saturday 25 September 2010
Daisy Dog update
Daisy Dog is ALIVE!
The Vets phoned to ask if I wanted to visit. I thought she was a gonner!
Turns out she had a really bad bout of gastro enteritis, she has had lots of fluid and antibiotics and will be OK. They said we can go tomorrow for a visit and take some treats. When I left she had eaten some fish and was barking like billy-o. Good girl.
The Vets phoned to ask if I wanted to visit. I thought she was a gonner!
Turns out she had a really bad bout of gastro enteritis, she has had lots of fluid and antibiotics and will be OK. They said we can go tomorrow for a visit and take some treats. When I left she had eaten some fish and was barking like billy-o. Good girl.
Friday 24 September 2010
Daisy Dog
Daisy is at the Vets..she's not a well dog.
She's had a lump on her leg for sometime but it ruptured this week. She kept licking it so we put the 'idiot' collar on..you know the lampshade thing to stop her. She seemed fine this morning although she had been sick. It got to the point where she couldn't drink, kept looking at her water bowl and walking away. So fortunately we had a hire car for the last 2 weeks to go camping, I whipped her down the vets and they've kept her in. They say she could have septicaemia caused by the open wound. Poor little dog..I left her at the Vets and cried. Everything is crossed now to hope she hangs on through the night.
She's had a lump on her leg for sometime but it ruptured this week. She kept licking it so we put the 'idiot' collar on..you know the lampshade thing to stop her. She seemed fine this morning although she had been sick. It got to the point where she couldn't drink, kept looking at her water bowl and walking away. So fortunately we had a hire car for the last 2 weeks to go camping, I whipped her down the vets and they've kept her in. They say she could have septicaemia caused by the open wound. Poor little dog..I left her at the Vets and cried. Everything is crossed now to hope she hangs on through the night.
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