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I grew up naked. My parents were hippies, so it was common to find at least one of us gallivanting around without clothes, at least through Spring and Summer.
When I first hit the road as a teenage troubadour, my regular new year gig was at a clothing-optional festival. Audiences would strip off and dance. Can you imagine playing to hundreds of naked people? I looked forward to it every year.
Now, so many years down the track, I still play my guitar naked. And songwriting? Yup. Sometimes, if I can get away with it, I like to do my encores naked. The trio might need a bit of encouragement, but I’m sure they’ll come around…
I think of my music as naked. Listening to my songs is as close as you can get to me. I don’t dress them up. My innermost thoughts are naked before you.
It’s funny that some people still make a fuss about nudity… I wonder if it’s shocking for them, at the end of the day, when they take off their clothes and discover themselves – again – totally nude.
As Sam the American Eagle from the Muppets so memorably said “Did you know that underneath their clothing, the entire population of the world is walking around completely naked?” .........Chloe
Chris Flegg is about to release his new album entitled Time Precious Time. The album contains twelve Flegg originals including a fascinating song called Gerald.
Chris explains …….”Gerald is a song about a couple who often go to the park, maybe its to meet and talk, maybe it's a secret relationship, or maybe just two people who care for each other; then one of them comes alone and talks instead to Gerald.
At first they tell Gerald that their missing partner is just busy; the seasons pass, and eventually they tell the truth, their partner will never come again to the park, why we don't know, it doesn't matter, but it is a relief to finally tell the truth.
Chris checks to see how Gerald is getting on.
But although Gerald is only a tree, he knows everything, he knew all along. Gerald still stands, you can see him in Lincolns Inn Fields, London, and you can of course talk to him.
James Keelaghan returns to the UK for more dates in September and October
to promote his new album ‘House of Cards.’
‘Many of the songs on my new CD, ‘House of Cards’ would not be there but for the fact that Joella Foulds of the Celtic Colours Festival in Cape Breton brought together an amazing group of writers Karine Polwart, Dave Gunning, Rose Cousins, Lori Watson, and David Francey put us in a house, fed us and told us to write.’ James Keelaghan.
Track Listing:
Safe Home (David Francey & James Keelaghan) Next To You (Rose Cousins & James Keelaghan) Since You Asked (James Keelaghan) House of Cards (James Keelaghan, Lori Watson, Dave Gunning, Rose Cousins, David Francey & Karine Polwart) McConnville’s (James Keelaghan) What’s For You (David Francey, James Keelaghan, Karine Polwart)
Medusa (Karine Polwart & James Keelaghan) Twister (James Keelaghan) Leave Town (James Keelaghan) Circle of Stone (James Keelaghan)
It was Dave Marsh, the award-winning American music critic and historian who not so long ago stated that James Keelaghan is “Canada’s finest songwriter.” Those few but powerful words of praise say it all about an artist who continues to set the bar at a lofty height.
James Keelaghan is an artist who has proven to be a man for all seasons. As the calendar pages have turned, for almost a quarter of a century now, this poet of the folk and roots music world has gone about his work with a combination of passion, curiosity intent and intensity.
His masterful story telling has, over the course of nine recordings, been part of the bedrock of his success, earning Keelaghan nominations and awards - including a Juno (Canada's Grammy) - and acclaim from Australia to Scandinavia.
August September October November December
“Chloe Hall is a woman at the top of her singer/songwriter profession. She makes you laugh, cry, sigh and dream… A treasure to file alongside Joni Mitchell, Nanci Griffith and Paul Simon. Listen!” -- Bart Rivers – The Saturday Evening Post Magazine, USA
It’s the Australian cliché: Blue skies, sun, sand and surf but this sun-bleached Australian has had enough!
That’s right. I’m packing my toothbrush, blowing up my travel-neck-rest and making my way to the UK in search of quintessentially English weather.
I have a long-held belief that where there are long, wet, cold, dark winters, there’s fantastic storytelling and music. So, as the days grow longer and hotter down under, I’ll be eagerly folding stripy long-johns into a bulging suitcase.
So far my trio, imaginatively called ‘The Chloe Hall Trio’, have earned our stripes in Australia and Canada… But it’s only now, driven by this insatiable appetite for the worst weather in the world, that we’ll be unleashing our own brand of alternative folk on audiences throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
Catching the tail-end of summer, we’ll be undertaking a three month tour, launching my latest album ‘Outside’ in theatres across the UK.
This is a tour for people who love three part harmony, who enjoy a good story, and who are willing to take a punt that three voices, guitars and a percussion kit made out of an old tea-chest and found objects can make you feel really, really good.
I’ve found UK audiences to be the toughest, but the best. A genuine love of music, a cheekiness, and a keenness to share a drink after the show… Not to mention the ability to keep smiling despite relentlessly inclement weather.
The days will get shorter and colder. But we will keep playing! We’re bursting at the seams to share this music, and we are determined to play our way to the wildest, most terrible, indoors-only day.
With a little luck, we might even stumble across our first white Christmas.
+++++++++
John Warner of Trad & Now Magazine Australia says,
“I could celebrate - I could jump up and down - but the best I could do is to say, go and hear her and fall under the magic of Chloe Hall.”
See Tour Dates & Artist Roster
Pic. Tommy Sands & Family Met By United Nations
We sang and listened from Jerusalem to Ramallah, from Galilee to Gaza. We found many hopeful colours of truth between the simple black and white of traditional soundbites. We tried to walk bardlike between the worlds, with a coat of many colours, a colour for every clan but under the thumb of none.
Pic. Tommy Sands with Laurie Ornstein at Israeli, Arab, Bedouin School Concert Kirya
We were advised not to go… for all sorts of reasons. We were told that Israel attacked peace activists, that the terrible events of the Holocaust had paralysed their logic and their ancient wisdom tradition was buried in the rubble of the rising Israel.
We found it though, quiet but fiercely courageous in the "Combatants for Peace", in "The Bereaved Families" and the "Breaking the Silence", to name but a few groups who are so richly deserving of solidarity from everywhere. And we found it too in religious groups from left to right.
Pic. Sheikh Jarrah Protest E. Jerusalem
We were warned of being naïve and stupid…that Palestinian Terrorists are liable to kidnap foreigners like us and God knows what might happen. But any Palestinians we met, even under the strain of great pain were effortless in their welcoming, gentleness and intelligence.
It wasn’t our first trip to the Middle East and it wouldn’t be the last. Yes, of course we were naive but that is different from being stupid. We set out to carry good will messages between all the strands on all sides pursuing Human Rights and Peace, from grass roots to leaders and set up small unlikely meetings.
Pic. Tommy & Daughter Moya In The Ruins Of Gaza
We small people have no power to sign Peace Agreements but small deeds can still be done while we await the arrival of the great ones. My father used to say that ‘He who looks for something to turn up, should first take a wise look at his own shirt sleeves’.
The song I wrote with Mairead Maguire for the "Rachel Corrie" that we had hoped to perform for her on "The Shores of Gaza" didn't materialise for she was deported before we got there but we sang it in Gaza and everywhere else.
Pic. Audience Members Attending Concert In Nabulus
We can count cancellations and threats on one hand but we are unable to count the multitudinal messages of support from refugee camps to folk clubs, from Kibbutsen to Sheikh Jarrah.
We found enough information to give good reason to hate hopelessly but we learned too how pain can be used positively to sow the seeds of hope. By Tommy Sands
Malak Behrouznami – PNN - Legendary songwriter, performer and peace activist, Tommy Sands scheduled performance at the "Festival Bloomsday Concert " Sunday June 20 has been cancelled. The appearance was cancelled after Sands refused to be censored during his performance. Sands was asked by the organizers of the events, the Israeli Ireland Friendship League in association with the Municipality of Ramat Hasharon , to not perform "Peace on the Shores of Gaza," the song he had written as the anthem for the MV Rachel Corrie that set sail from Ireland to Gaza.
More at http://english.pnn.ps/index.php? option=com_content&task=view&id=8360&Itemid=56
Tom Jones has picked a Susan Werner classic for his new album Praise And Blame produced by Ethan Jones. Werner’s song ‘Did Trouble Me’ first appeared on Susan's album The Gospel Truth.
For his new CD Tom has chosen songs by Bob Dylan, John Lee Hooker, The Staple Singers, Susan Werner, Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharpe.
Sources inform us that the album is released through Island Records on July 26.
'Praise & Blame' track-listing:
1. What Good Am I
2. Lord Help
3. Did Trouble Me
4. Strange Things
5. Burning Hell
6. If I Give My Soul
7. Don't Knock
8. Nobody's fault But Mine
9. Didn't It Rain
10. Ain't No Grave
11. Run On
Peter Anstis from Expatsradio interviews singer songwriter Susan Werner about her controversial album 'The Gospel Truth' The CD is thought provoking as well as being a masterclass in performance, writing and production.
← Click on Expats logo to hear Susan talking to Peter Anstis.
Susan said of the CD:
“ I'm proud of the Gospel Truth as its the first album that both criticized the church and celebrated the music and the best values of the church. Here it's love - hate when it comes to the church - and very little in between. But in between is where America really lives with this stuff - separation of church and state - that struggle is part of the American personality. The response has been overwhelming - so many Americans grew up with the church - and many of us want to keep what was useful and what was of value while discarding that which is hurtful and discriminatory and limiting. As a friend of mine said, "the church got the music right and the words wrong." love that".
Click on poster to see The Grand Slambovian Ball / NYC / Halloween 2009
Gandalf Murphy and the Slambovian Circus of Dreams are to bring their Extraterrestrial Hillbilly Pirate Ball to London’s Electric Ballroom on October 21st 2010. This is a full on costume ball with Gandalf Murphy & many surprises. Audience participation essential especially in the garment department. Click on poster above to see last years ball in New York City
October 2010
GRAND SLAMBOVIAN - EXTRATERRESTRIAL - HILLBILLY - PIRATE BALL
Thurs 21. The Electric Ballroom, 184 Camden High Street, London, NW1 8QP
Tel:0871 971 6524 Tickets £23 Adv £19.50 -- From 7.30 p.m.-12.00 Midnight
Dala the biggest rising stars on the Canadian pop-folk circuit will now play all three days at the 5th UK Rhythm Festival which takes place over the weekend of Friday 20th, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd August 2010 at Twinwood Arena, Clapham, near Bedford.
← Click on Expats logo to hear Dala in conversation with Peter Anstis
Dala are 'cool'
Pictured above, Mairtin O'Connor, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine & Joe Giltrap in Milltown Co.Kerry for the World Bodhran Championships. Joe was attending on behalf of the Irish Post and Mairtin, Donal and Andy were playing a concert in Milltown on the evening of Sat 5th June.
The winner is Aimee Farrell-Courtney from Ratoath, Co.Meath pictured here with Joe Giltrap from the Irish Post
Singer songwriter Joe Giltrap recognised in annual
Leixlip Town Council Civic Awards.
‘Non-Resident Achievement of the Year’
for
"A successful music career spanning over thirty years"
The annual Leixlip Town Council Civic awards have been running for the past twenty years and were designed to recognise the achievements of the people of Leixlip, Co Kildare, Ireland. There are six categories - Social, Sporting, Business, Cultural, Young Person and Non-Resident.
The awards were presented by the Cathaoirleach of Leixlip Town Council, Cllr Teresa Byrne, at Leixlip House Hotel on Thursday 20th May and attended by the Mayor of Kildare Cllr Colm Purcell, town council members and past winners.
Joe Giltrap was born and raised in Leixlip, played Gaelic Football for Leixlip and Kildare as a juvenile before turning to soccer. He started playing folk music at a local pub with two friends Michael Lube (who went on to have a great career with Ray Lynam & The Hillbillys) and Albert Daniels (member of the Daniels Travelling Road Show family) before joining top recording Dublin folk group The Broadsiders.
He eventually moved to London and a chance meeting with fiddler Malcolm Rogers resulted in the formation of Irish Mist. Working solo and as part of Irish Mist Joe has entertained the exiled Irish all over the world.
He has produced an extensive canon of work and contributed music to numerous compilation albums. In 2004 Joe received a Lifetime Achievement Award from The Irish World for services to Irish Music
A nice collection of festivals last month, together with an Eisteddfod in Wrexham where I got five prizes, four for poetry and one for describing how I came to own a bottled fart. Off to the National Eisteddfod tomorrow morning, to be followed by Dartmoor Festival. I'm getting the hang of switching between languages. I've been putting some long hours in translating Daniel Owen's novel into English. It's quite challenging, and it has to be at the printers by mid September, so I'm under a bit of pressure at the moment. Also busy with the organisation for Tegeingl this month. There's a provisional timetable on the web site; go to www.tegeingl.com/engbook.htm and click on the link.
See Tour Dates to see what i'm up to or visit www.mrsackroyd.com
Po'Girl stopped off during their curent tour of the UK to visit BBC Radio 2 in London to record a session for Bob Harris Country. The band are seen here with Bob in studio 80A in BBC Broadcasting House. The session was recorded on Tuesday 18th May and will be broadcast on Radio 2 on the 10th of June 2010
A little older and wiser two legends of the Irish Music scene meet again.
Joe Giltrap in his Irish Post 'music columnist mode' chatting with Finbar Furey before Finbar's recent concert in Harrow, Middlesex.
Joe first came across the Furey's when he and Malcolm Rogers were touring Germany as Irish Mist in the 70's. Joe says, "In those days Irish Mist were either travelling ahead of the Furey’s on the road or following along behind them. It was a wonderful time in the ever developing story of Irish Music."
Recently we issued a press release about the band Skuffle suggesting that even classic rock songs can be played acoustically and enhanced by the use of a wooden percussion box known as a ‘Cajon’ or as we now prefer to call it ‘The Skuffle Box.’ It was legendary session man Kevin Healy’s idea to demonstrate that for a small amount of money an acoustic band of any age can be put together using a Cajon accompanied by additional acoustic instruments; in this case guitars and double bass. The Skuffle Box is available in kit form for as little as £39.85. Using a Cajon will enable young bands on a tight budget to produce a range of sounds.
Kevin Healy has selected a collection of classic songs to demonstrate the range and volume of sounds that basic acoustic instruments are capable of making.
And so, Healy, one of the UK’s best known session men has created the acoustic sound that is now known as Skuffle. Kevin says, “I have played guitar for some of the most famous names in music and have always been amazed by the sound acoustic instruments can make and the volume they can achieve. So I set about making an album which at first could be mistaken for a covers album. Nothing could be further from the truth! This is a full on exercise in the use and possibilities of acoustic instruments in contemporary music. It is my wish that ‘Skuffle’ might in some small way help younger musicians get back to playing inexpensive music instruments such as the Cajon, acoustic guitar, double bass etc” The possibilities are endless especially with some of the instruments that are now available from around the world.”
We now have a video of the band filmed at Air Studios demonstrating the Skuffle Box (Cajon) in all its glory played by Shan Chana. In this film Sean, Andy, Shan, Steve and Kevin all legendary session men at the top of their game tackle ACDC’s ‘Back In Black’ acoustically.
Use this You Tube link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KElIB2np4ok
Musicians left to right in the video are Sean Kingsley (vocals) now playing in Billy Elliott, Andy Taylor (Guitar) now playing in Oliver, Shan Chana (Percussion) now playing in Dirty Dancing, Steve McManus (Bass) now playing in Oliver, Kevin Healy (Guitar) session producer.
Taken from the CD Skuffle, Label – Joey’s Jukebox, Cat No. JOEYSCD001 www.joeysjukebox.com
'Back In Black' (Brian Johnson, Angus Young, Malcolm Young) is featured by kind permission of the publisher Bucks Music Group www.bucksmusicgroup.com
Filmed by George Robertson at Air Studios, London.
Cajons UK Distributor Knock On Wood http://www.knockonwood.co.uk/
Just a quick note about some other gigs that have come in for August
Sunday August 15th – The Boat Club, Newport (Parrog), Pembs – 2pm – there is music all day outside, so weather permitting, should be a lovely afternoon!
Wednesday August 25th – ‘Rockin the Suburbs’ – The Globe, Cardiff – 7.30pm http://www.theglobecardiff.com
All for now,
Thanks,
Lowri x
www.lowrievans.co.uk
www.myspace.com/lowrievans
Jest nodyn gloi amdano 2 gig arall sydd yn digwydd mis yma.
Dydd Sul Awst 15fed – Y Clwb Cychau, Trefdraeth (Parrog), Sir Benfro – 2yp – mae miwsig ar gael tu allan trwy’r prynhawn, felly os mae’r haul yn gwennu, mae’n addo fod yn diwrnod fantastig!
Nos Fercher Awst 25ain – ‘Rockin the Suburbs’ – Y Globe, Caerdydd – 7.30yh http://www.theglobecardiff.com
Dyna ni am nawr,
Diolch,
Lowri x
www.lowrievans.co.uk
www.myspace.com/lowrievans
Hey everybody!
So that baby-on-the-way I mentioned in the last newsletter, way back in November? He's arrived and made himself right at home. His name is Joseph, and I couldn't be happier with my new bundle. Though I will admit that 10 weeks of mamahood have left me tired. Really tired. Exhausted, in fact. At times, it's the transcendent, visionary state that people pay big money hoping to get to at spiritual workshops. But usually it's just the ordinary, nodding-off-mid-bagel kind. Spending the majority of my waking hours feeding, rocking, burping and changing the bambino has shown me new frontiers of punchy, giddy, blurry sleep deprivation.
Which is why I'm trying not to be too hard on myself about not having new songs to play for you. But there will be new music in the near future - namely a duo record I've been working on with my producer/co-writer, Danny Myrick. We really love singing together (as those of you who've seen us live have probably noticed), and we have a batch of songs we're really proud of. In fact, whenever Joseph starts fussing, I put those tunes on and he gentles down right quick.
One thing Danny and I haven't been able to settle on is a name for this project, so I thought I'd throw it out to you, dear readers. I like the straight-up "Myrick-Peacock"; Danny likes "Two-Car Garage"; we also tossed around some abbreviation of "Preachers' Kids" (like PKs), since the name "The Preachers' Kids" is already taken.
Amid singing lullabies, writing songs, recording demos and performing in far-flung locales, Alice still manages to devote time to the nonprofit she founded, Rock For Reading, which supports multiple literacy organizations. Rock For Reading collects and distributes books directly to students throughout the Chicago area. Over the past seven years, it's received 552,788 books, valued at $1,658,364, and to date has donated 540,759 books to Chicagoland organizations. To find out more about this most worthy of causes, click here.
For more R4R flavour see this Q&A Alice did with Keb' Mo' 2009's signature concert artist
Sept. 10: Three Oaks, Mich., Acorn Theater
Sept. 11: Chicago, Ill., Lincoln Hall
Sept. 26: Atlanta, Ga., Park Tavern
April 9, 2011: Philadelphia, Pa., Psalm Salon
Check the tour page of Alice's website for details about show times and more. She'll surely be booking a few additional gigs before that Philly show a year from today!
And, of course, it's all Alice all the time at the Alice Peacock YouTube Channel, Alice's MySpace page, Alice's Facebook page, and Alice's jam-packed official website.
← Click on Expats logo to hear Alice in conversation with Steve Wilson
From our archive, the American singer-songwriter Alice Peacock found time to chat with Expatsradio.com's country and western music presenter Steve Wilson about her album 'Who I Am’.
Chris Flegg is near to completing his latest album of original songs to bring his total output to eight albums since 2000. Amongst collaborators on this CD is acclaimed harmonica virtuoso Steve Lockwood. Chris had to wait for Steve to complete a project with the Prague Philharmonic before recording two tracks for the album, including a blues called Mean Old Daddy on which Steve plays in the style of Sonny Terry. The second is a ballad called Across The Wasteland which is a powerful commentary on the futility of recent wars which destroy a country’s infrastructure to the point where the victor raises a flag on wasteland. The harmonica has long been the soldier’s musical instrument making Steve a natural choice for adding a haunting backdrop to this powerful song.
A snapshot from Mean Old Daddy has already made the ITV evening news (10th Feb 2010 Anglia) because a film crew from ITV descended on Steve’s studio while he was rehearsing against the guitar and vocal tracks of this number for a local news item about a pensioner taught to play harmonica by Steve. The news clip included part of this song with Steve playing blues harp so that the album has in effect already hit the airwaves before it is completed! Steve’s rehearsing paid off since he was later able to record the album track in just one take with a performance so stunning there just was no room for improvement.
Vicki Swan and Jonny Dyer, both well known on the folk circuit, have also recorded double bass and accordion tracks for the album and jazz sax man Terry Ede has a clarinet part on a song called T-Rex Would Still Be Here, a novel take on the problem of global warming that attributes the demise of stubborn dinosaurs to their inability to control their use of energy to stop climate change.
The new album has a working title of Time Precious Time and is scheduled for release under Chris Flegg’s own label later this year.
Chole has just announced a new tour of the UK which will see her performing across the country from August through to November 2010. See Tour Dates
The Mandolinquents have announced another ten dates for 2010, see Tour Dates for information. The Mandolinquents feature everything from hot swing and ragtime instrumentals from the mandolin orchestras of the 1930s: Irving Berlin, Mozart, Ravel and Tchaikovsky to lively reels and beautiful traditional Irish airs to Chinese and Brazilian folk tunes. All this played with infectious fun, off-beat humour and stunning virtuosity on mandolin, mandola, mandocello, mandobass and classical guitar, with the occasional burst of song or fiddle.
Alice Peacock & Hugh Haller are thrilled to let you know that Joseph Hayes Haller was born on the night of Tuesday, Jan 26, 2010 at Vanderbilt Hospital, Nashville Tennessee.
Joey weighed in at 10 lbs. 5 oz. Alice, Hugh and Baby Joey are doing fine and wish to express their thanks to all their friends and fans for their love, support and warm-hearted messages.
Singer songwriter and Ivor Novello winner Catherine Howe has enjoyed a comeback in recent times due to the release of her 2006 critically acclaimed album Princelet Street. The release of Princelet Street proved that Catherine Howe had not lost any of her songwriting skills via a glorious album of thirteen original songs produced and arrange by Kevin Healy.
Catherine's return to music in 2006, after a twenty five year absence, resulted in the Chicago based Numero label releasing the very collectable and much sought after "What A Beautiful Day" originally issued by Reflection Records in 1971.
What A Beautiful Place was produced and scored by songwriter and jazz pianist Bobby Scott 1937–1990 (multi instrumentalist singer, producer and writer of such greats as Taste of Honey & He Ain't Heavy). Bobby played piano on the album which has now become one of the legendary recordings to be made at Trident Studios in London. Prior to Numero's reissue, the original vinyl copies of Catherine's and Bobby's classic work were selling for up to £1,500 between collectors.
Some time ago Catherine teamed up with with guitar-supremo Vo Fletcher who has played with Nigel Kennedy and Fairport Convention amongst others.
Eighteen months on their album 'English Tale' is almost finished. An EP from the new album entitled 'Going Home' is now available and already being played on the radio. Apart from the EP's tracks 'Going Home' and 'Nothing Love Does Surprises Me' there is an additional bonus recording of 'White Winter Hymnal' (Fleet Foxes 2009)
Krista's new album Chocolate Paper Suites is available now. Krista is now on tour taking in the U.S. A., UK, Holland and Beyond!
We are really pleased to see Krista back with us for promotion. Our company were without her for a while through no fault of either party. Often outside influences are beyond your control in the music business - but hey, we ride above them. We were thrilled to introduce her music to the UK now we continue where we left off. I cannot recommend the work of this lady highly enough; she is a real talent. See Tour Dates
It started out with a trip to ‘Hanks Guitar Shop’ in Denmark St, London to buy strings and there it was, in the back room with all the posh guitars - you can’t just try without asking, a second hand dark green Gibson L4A guitar. Half an hour later it was bought and on its way back to the office making it quite an expensive lunch hour.
It made its debut busking in French Row, St Albans, played through a battery amp and soon became a favourite instrument because of its easy action and the sweet sound you get from a Gibson that sets it apart from typical dreadnaught style flat top guitars. I understand that this model has been discontinued by Gibson, which makes it all the more special for me. Hence the title of my new album "My Green Guitar."
The album was conceived after noting comments received while busking about how nice it was hearing just instrumentals played simply on solo guitar, things like Cavatina and The Entertainer as well as my own tunes like Chasing Cuckoos.
See New Releases + Tour Dates + Artist Roster
Pic. Eric Bogle & Joe Giltrap
Following their recent concert at the Newcastle Irish Centre, Eric Bogle and Joe Giltrap pose for one last picture. Eric has recently announced his retirement from international touring. According to Eric his current tour of the UK and Ireland will be his last...."My decision to retire from international touring is irrevocable, final, and ......probably."
Joe says -- “My earliest memory of an Eric Bogle song was hearing Liam Clancy singing ‘Now I’m Easy’ or ‘The Cocky Farmer’ as it is also known. I actually recorded this song myself in 1979. It was on a long deleted EP called ‘Joe Giltrap & Zozimus’. I also recorded ‘The Band Played Waltzing Matilda’ with Irish Mist in 1982. It was on our ‘Second Time Round’ album, now also long deleted.
Eric played The Weavers for me in 1997. It was a fantastic ‘Sold Out’ gig and I sat watching from a prime spot on the pretext of being vital to the sound when in fact I should have been working on the door.
However, I am sure if Eric remembers it then it is for a different reason. It was a horrible wet London night, pouring rain, and some kids had thrown bricks onto the dressing room roof that day causing it to leak and it got progressively worse as the night went on. I remember Eric saying that it was good of me to arrange shower facilities before, during and after the gig.
I always include an Eric Bogle song in my set and get requests all the time for ‘The Cocky Farmer’ and ‘The Green Fields of France’. Songwriters are my heroes and Eric Bogle is a genius. It was a real honour to be asked to do a set on his show at the Tyneside Irish Centre.
You can read more about Eric's intentions by visiting his blog at http://www.ericbogle.net
Joe Giltrap http://www.joegiltrap.com/
Joe Giltrap & Irish Mist http://www.joegiltrap.com/irishmist.html
Chris Flegg recently popped into the studios of BBC Cambridge to play live and have a chat with Sue Marchant. Sue’s show is broadcast each weekday evening from the studios of BBC Cambridge and reaches an audience across the BBC Eastern Region taking in BBC Cambridge, BBC Northampton, BBC Three Counties, BBC Norfolk & BBC Suffolk
Chris is based in St Albans and performs all over the region so many of his loyal following tuned in to hear Sue chatting with Chris accompanied by some excellent guitar playing. To find out more about Sue's show, click on, The Sue Marchant Show
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/livemusicevents/#detail
We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to stop criminalising live music with the Licensing Act, and to support amendments backed by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee, and the music industry, which would exempt most small-scale performances in schools, hospitals, restaurants and licensed premises. More details Submitted by Phil Little of Live Music Forum – Deadline to sign up by: 27 July 2010 –
Will the British Government ever stop trying to destroy the arts and in particular the music business.
