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dog-nap (Ian)
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« Reply #2020 on: February 01, 2024, 07:23:32 PM » |
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A wonderful concert by Jacqui McShee and Kevin Dempsey at Croydon Folk Club. Jacqui talked a bit about the start of her career, singing protest songs on CND marches. The set was a varied mix of folk and jazz, including a gorgeous slowed-down version of ‘Ribbon Bow’. As one might expect, it was a ‘mature’ audience, which meant that there was not a single person holding up a mobile to film the music.
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davidmjs
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« Reply #2021 on: February 01, 2024, 08:48:02 PM » |
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A wonderful concert by Jacqui McShee and Kevin Dempsey at Croydon Folk Club. Jacqui talked a bit about the start of her career, singing protest songs on CND marches. The set was a varied mix of folk and jazz, including a gorgeous slowed-down version of ‘Ribbon Bow’. As one might expect, it was a ‘mature’ audience, which meant that there was not a single person holding up a mobile to film the music.
Any Dando Shaft material played? |
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Link to Bluesky (Twitter for normal people) profile by web button on left
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dog-nap (Ian)
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« Reply #2022 on: February 04, 2024, 04:11:16 PM » |
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No, they were not mentioned. The emphasis was firmly on Jacqui’s back catalogue. Several of the songs came from a record she and Kevin put out a few years ago (From There to Here). Then there were a couple of old favourites from Bert and John, some traditional material, and one or two obscurities from 1980s’ Pentangle albums.
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Will S
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« Reply #2023 on: February 12, 2024, 10:59:26 AM » |
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Big Country and The Icicle Works at the O2 Academy, Bristol on Friday night.
It was an all standing gig (well, there may have been some seats in front of the bar), and I managed to get right at the front at the barrier in what wasn't a large venue. A bit tough on my aging ankles by the end, but hey...
The Icicle Works (ie Ian McNabb and Chris Layhe) did a 40 minute acoustic set of some of their better known songs, and I loved it. Ian was sitting, mostly playing a 12 string acoustic, and Chris standing with his electric bass guitar. Having never managed to see them back in the day, I loved it.
Then Big Country came on and played the whole of the Steeltown album (this was the first date of the 40th anniversary 'Return to Steeltown' tour) in order, with the insertion of Winter Sky, which was a single b side and, they said, this was the first time they have ever played it live. They followed it up with a selection of their 'greatest hits'.
This is the first time I have seen them since Cropredy, over 10 years ago, when Mike Peters was fronting the band. They now have a new singer (I think he's been with them about 10 years) and in the meantime Tony Butler has left the band, and they have a new bass player, who was very good at reproducing those twangy basslines.
It was very high energy, and they all seemed to be very happy to be on stage, especially Bruce Watson, who was grinning from ear to ear (in between taking surreptitious puffs on his vape between songs - probably against all the rules!). I don't know if it was the small venue, my position (near to the bass player) or just start of the tour high spirits, but I found a couple of things slightly disappointing. First was that the sound seemed very bass-heavy and those chiming guitars didn't cut through the way I expected. Second was that everything was taken at full speed and there was little light and shade - no slowing/quietening things down for the quieter songs on the album.
Still, I wouldn't want to put anyone off going. I did enjoy it, but just thought there were a couple of things that could have been better.
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All the diamonds in the world
That mean anything to me,
Are conjured up by wind and sunlight
Sparkling on the sea
(Bruce Cockburn)
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PaulT
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« Reply #2024 on: February 16, 2024, 08:15:12 AM » |
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Soft Machine at the Deya brewery in Cheltenham last night - I'd been looking forward to this since it was announced...
Venue is a cavernous room with the brewing facility at the back, fronted by the bar. At the other end, a low stage. A few tables and benches (in "booths") along one side of the "auditorium", rows of benches and long tables running across the room. Standing room by the bar at the back. Sold out gig - not sure of the capacity, but I'd say they sold too many tix. I arrived almost an hour early, but no chance of a seat.
The sound was OK-ish, no more. From what I could hear of Soft Machine, they were pretty good, BUT - the quieter passages (eg Fred T Baker's bass solos and John Etheridge's gentle guitar pieces) were spoiled for me by the incessant chatter of, I'd estimate, about 1/3rd of the people standing at the back who patently weren't there for the music.
In fact, one lady, when I asked her politely if she'd not shriek at her friend's every utterance and asked her "didn't she want to hear Soft Machine?" replied - "is that the name of the band?"!!
There seemed to be a fairly sizable number of people who were there purely to socialise (with background music).
The most disappointing gig I've ever been to in over 50 years, no reflection whatsoever of Soft Machine, I left after 45 minutes. I won't be going to that venue again...
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Flobbadob!
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DarrenWilliams
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« Reply #2025 on: February 16, 2024, 11:04:24 AM » |
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Soft Machine at the Deya brewery in Cheltenham last night - I'd been looking forward to this since it was announced...
Venue is a cavernous room with the brewing facility at the back, fronted by the bar. At the other end, a low stage. A few tables and benches (in "booths") along one side of the "auditorium", rows of benches and long tables running across the room. Standing room by the bar at the back. Sold out gig - not sure of the capacity, but I'd say they sold too many tix. I arrived almost an hour early, but no chance of a seat.
The sound was OK-ish, no more. From what I could hear of Soft Machine, they were pretty good, BUT - the quieter passages (eg Fred T Baker's bass solos and John Etheridge's gentle guitar pieces) were spoiled for me by the incessant chatter of, I'd estimate, about 1/3rd of the people standing at the back who patently weren't there for the music.
In fact, one lady, when I asked her politely if she'd not shriek at her friend's every utterance and asked her "didn't she want to hear Soft Machine?" replied - "is that the name of the band?"!!
There seemed to be a fairly sizable number of people who were there purely to socialise (with background music).
The most disappointing gig I've ever been to in over 50 years, no reflection whatsoever of Soft Machine, I left after 45 minutes. I won't be going to that venue again...
I'm feeling annoyed on your behalf! I am seeing Soft Machine at Band On the Wall in Manchester on Monday. Hopefully the crowd there will be more attentive. |
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davidmjs
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« Reply #2026 on: February 16, 2024, 12:01:35 PM » |
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Soft Machine at the Deya brewery in Cheltenham last night - I'd been looking forward to this since it was announced...
Venue is a cavernous room with the brewing facility at the back, fronted by the bar. At the other end, a low stage. A few tables and benches (in "booths") along one side of the "auditorium", rows of benches and long tables running across the room. Standing room by the bar at the back. Sold out gig - not sure of the capacity, but I'd say they sold too many tix. I arrived almost an hour early, but no chance of a seat.
The sound was OK-ish, no more. From what I could hear of Soft Machine, they were pretty good, BUT - the quieter passages (eg Fred T Baker's bass solos and John Etheridge's gentle guitar pieces) were spoiled for me by the incessant chatter of, I'd estimate, about 1/3rd of the people standing at the back who patently weren't there for the music.
In fact, one lady, when I asked her politely if she'd not shriek at her friend's every utterance and asked her "didn't she want to hear Soft Machine?" replied - "is that the name of the band?"!!
There seemed to be a fairly sizable number of people who were there purely to socialise (with background music).
The most disappointing gig I've ever been to in over 50 years, no reflection whatsoever of Soft Machine, I left after 45 minutes. I won't be going to that venue again...
Feed that back to the band on social media. Very disappointing indeed. |
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Link to Bluesky (Twitter for normal people) profile by web button on left
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PJayBe
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« Reply #2027 on: February 16, 2024, 04:42:52 PM » |
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I'm feeling annoyed on your behalf!
I am seeing Soft Machine at Band On the Wall in Manchester on Monday. Hopefully the crowd there will be more attentive.
The Band on the Wall is one of the worst venues for talkers I have ever attended. |
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bassline (Mike)
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« Reply #2028 on: February 16, 2024, 07:12:29 PM » |
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One of the reasons I bought this shirt from the 2019 Fusion festival, which, by coincidence, I was wearing while reading this thread. It has this back print, reacted by me for sensitive viewers. Available for a tenner at fusionprogfestivals.com for a limited period.
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Well I never did..
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2029 on: February 16, 2024, 07:13:48 PM » |
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I'm surrounded by talkers no matter where I go. A mother/daughter seated directly behind us shriek-talked throughout the recent Eagles concert, punctuated with occasional off-key singing. It's obvious they didn't pay for their own tickets.  |
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #2030 on: February 16, 2024, 08:04:06 PM » |
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I'm surrounded by talkers no matter where I go. A mother/daughter seated directly behind us shriek-talked throughout the recent Eagles concert, punctuated with occasional off-key singing. It's obvious they didn't pay for their own tickets. Are you saying that they improved the gig?  Jules |
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Now be thankful for good things below
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2031 on: February 16, 2024, 10:30:59 PM » |
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I'm surrounded by talkers no matter where I go. A mother/daughter seated directly behind us shriek-talked throughout the recent Eagles concert, punctuated with occasional off-key singing. It's obvious they didn't pay for their own tickets. Are you saying that they improved the gig? Jules Unlike the performers on stage, mom/daughter would have benefitted from Autotune. |
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DarrenWilliams
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« Reply #2032 on: February 20, 2024, 09:28:54 AM » |
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Soft Machine at Band on the Wall. Superb musicians, great set list, enthusiastic but respectful audience.
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Nick Reg
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« Reply #2033 on: February 20, 2024, 09:35:03 AM » |
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I'm surrounded by talkers no matter where I go. A mother/daughter seated directly behind us shriek-talked throughout the recent Eagles concert, punctuated with occasional off-key singing. It's obvious they didn't pay for their own tickets. Are you saying that they improved the gig? Jules Unlike the performers on stage, mom/daughter would have benefitted from Autotune. I'll bet that there were more original members of their family than there were of The Eagles. |
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There's a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets
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Nick Reg
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« Reply #2034 on: February 20, 2024, 01:25:24 PM » |
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One of the reasons I bought this shirt from the 2019 Fusion festival, which, by coincidence, I was wearing while reading this thread. It has this back print, reacted by me for sensitive viewers. Available for a tenner at fusionprogfestivals.com for a limited period.
Have a listen to the Gas Brookfield track I've Paid My Money |
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There's a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2035 on: February 20, 2024, 04:59:37 PM » |
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I'm surrounded by talkers no matter where I go. A mother/daughter seated directly behind us shriek-talked throughout the recent Eagles concert, punctuated with occasional off-key singing. It's obvious they didn't pay for their own tickets. Are you saying that they improved the gig? Jules Unlike the performers on stage, mom/daughter would have benefitted from Autotune. I'll bet that there were more original members of their family than there were of The Eagles. I have no complaints about Eagles still flying the flag with so many members down and/or out. However, I can't help but notice that bands of this vintage (see, e.g., Journey, Fleetwood Mac) are adding loads of supplemental singers and musicians to bolster their live performances. Although we got lovely lead vocals from Don Henley, Deacon Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and Vince Gill (I like Joe Walsh's voice, but wouldn't call it "lovely"), there was a veritable choir of harmony singers, such that the voices of the actual Eagles were indistinguishable. |
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Nick Reg
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« Reply #2036 on: February 20, 2024, 06:26:10 PM » |
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Currently having a pre theatre meal in Stratford. The composer of the music for A Midsummer Nights Dream is Will Gregory of Goldfrapp . One of the guitarists is Andy Davis. Andy Cresswell Davis of Stackridge and The Korgis was in Goldfrapps touring band. I wonder.
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There's a man with a mullet going mad with a mallet in Millets
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Shane (Skirky)
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« Reply #2037 on: February 20, 2024, 10:06:25 PM » |
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I have no complaints about Eagles still flying the flag with so many members down and/or out. However, I can't help but notice that bands of this vintage (see, e.g., Journey, Fleetwood Mac) are adding loads of supplemental singers and musicians to bolster their live performances. Although we got lovely lead vocals from Don Henley, Deacon Frey, Timothy B. Schmit and Vince Gill (I like Joe Walsh's voice, but wouldn't call it "lovely"), there was a veritable choir of harmony singers, such that the voices of the actual Eagles were indistinguishable.
I think it’s the point at which folk stop being a band playing their songs and start trying to recreate the records. The last time I saw CSN there were a *lot* of group members helping out with the heavy lifting on the singing, but, in fairness, once you’ve double-tracked all the vocals on the album, the temptation must to be to try and do it again? Also, while I’m here, about this “bands carrying on with only one original member” thing. How’s the Wintour working out for everybody?  |
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« Last Edit: February 21, 2024, 11:23:35 AM by Shane (Skirky) »
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Everyone's from somewhere, baby - might as well be here.
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Jules Gray
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« Reply #2038 on: February 20, 2024, 11:11:16 PM » |
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I can't help but notice that bands of this vintage (see, e.g., Journey, Fleetwood Mac) are adding loads of supplemental singers and musicians
Maybe it's time to go and check out some younger musicians? Jules |
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Now be thankful for good things below
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John From Austin
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« Reply #2039 on: February 21, 2024, 12:07:31 AM » |
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I can't help but notice that bands of this vintage (see, e.g., Journey, Fleetwood Mac) are adding loads of supplemental singers and musicians
Maybe it's time to go and check out some younger musicians? Jules The only performer on my calendar under the age of 60 is Jon Batiste (37). I like my music like I like my wine - mature. |
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