NIk Kershaw
Jan 24 '09
Hurst House is a five star hotel on the marshes in West Wales, its a place I have become a friend of and have spent many an hour there planning music nights and studios, and dreams beside. Tonight Nik Kershaw. He came down with his wife to be and set up in the dining room where the music is performed. A small stage some black curtain and a few lights. The audience get a nice meal, a very nice meal, and the music. Tonight Dorie Jackson and Emily Baker opened up with four songs, and I was blown away at the harmonies and the depth of the songs, the bits between songs were in need of some attention but it was so great, come and see them on my tour. Nik came on stage and played for a generous hour or more, all of the hits and more, the 80’s guru that he is. The crowd sang along and the evening was a success. He played really well I had forgotten how complicated his songs are, but in a simple way. He had a stage friend, a foot peddle that samples what you play and then you play along with it. It filled the night and made it varied. After the show I said my farewells and drove into the night, the stranger on the shore returns for another three hour road trip. Hurst House has got a great future and Matt our host does a fine job of taking the risk with his ideas to make this distant marsh a haven for music and performing arts. Come on down.
Cd
Comments (2)
Mr Bilk
Jan 23 '09
The Arts Club in London is a fine establishment, a club where you rub shoulders with mature ladies playing cards and young artists holding court at the bar. Its old leather chairs and rooms full of works of art and collectable books make you feel special and relaxed. I played a private show here last year for charity and it was one of the best solo shows I have ever done. Tonight my good friend Gordon invited me to come and see Aker Bilk, I sat next to Roger Daltrey and his lovely wife Heather. I didn’t know what to expect at all. Aker was always on the radio at home when I was a boy so I always saw him as Mums music. I did write Stranger than the stranger on the shore with Glenn for our album Sweets from a stranger, a play on words more than anything else. His stranger on the shore was a hit all over the world and the first UK act to have a number one in the US chart. He slowly walked on stage, 80 years young, he told some fine jokes and played a very tuneful clarinet. The band were great players and fun to listen to. I really had a great night out, and at last my Mums music is mine. If I can still stand at 80 I will be happy, let alone play a gig. He is a fine example of trad Jazz in its twighlight years. I popped Em in a taxi to catch a her train while I drove into the night ever the stranger on the shore.
Cd
Comments (2)
Elton new year party.
Jan 01 '09
I'm not sure about the O2 centre until I get there and then I remember what a great place it is to see live music, tonight I went to see Elton play his New years eve concert the Red piano show, it was amazing. The films to accompany the songs were moving and the lights and staging were warm and impressive. Back stage Elton was in his lair sitting with his dogs surrounded by shoes and clothes, the smell of rose candles and Clive next to him on the sofa. It was good to see him again, he always looks so well, although he was having a small paddy about not being able to get his helicopter to the show, low cloud. So he had to drive, and drive through Deptford, which is most peoples ghost journey. The band always play so well and i love watching Nigel play the drums, i have fond memories of Captain fantastic, when it came out i fell in love with the drums all over again. Astride the big red piano Elton held court in the big old Dome that was once a white elephant but now seems to be a thriving venue. Outside the cold air was crisp and somehow wonderland like. My Dad used to work right here in his little office on the gates of the Gas Works, where i used to sit and draw at his table as big dirty faced men came and went, this was the big world and i was a small person in short trousers. This land is where my father ran the allotment for the workers, where i played between the rows of spuds as they grew in the smelly soil. Being here makes me feel at home, seeing this show tonight was emotional in many ways, my recovery came flying back into my heart, as did my childhood and the present.
Someone saved my life tonight. It hurts but it helps.
Cd
Comments (4)
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