A week of heavy travelling with two trips to London and one to
Ireland four hours after completing the show tonight as well as a
most enjoyable visit to the North Norfolk coast (right) to meet up
with a friend from a long way in the past.
There really is some great music around and I'm trying to squeeze
at least some of it into the show.
You're gonna lose - The Aces
(CA, USA)
The Aces have attitude and a different idea of how to play blues.
They reduce the blues to pounding riffs and a distorted wall of
sound topped by wailing harp. They were among the first to absorb
and recast the drone riff-based Hill Country Blues style, and The
Aces do that their own way.
www.acesfan.com/
Alone - Tryad (various
locations)
Since we last spoke I've done two all night work sessions followed
by full days, yesterday a particularly frantic day in London. Gets
to feel a bit unreal here in the barn in the very early morning
just before dawn. I"ve been playing my current fave album on repeat
for days Tryad's
Listen.
Amazing variety, some possible influences come to light after a few
listens.
The album is available on Jamendo
http://tryad.org/
www.myspace.com/tryad
www.jamendo.com/en/artist/tryad
I'm delighted to report that the player seems to be working just
fine a gain now (actually, I think it is a new player). How is it
for you? So well done Jamendo for solving the technical
problem.
Water - Deep 6 Holiday (Los
Angeles, CA, USA)
From their
Awake at the
funeral album
Slightly shambolic sound from Deep 6 Holiday - but not in a bad
way. It almost makes you listen harder.Deep 6 Holiday's music
resonates with listeners because it allows them a space in which
they can comfortably experience feelings that are difficult and
taboo. The band's lyrical honesty, coupled with passionate
performances, are meant to relate the idea that we are all going
through the same types of struggles, and, in that way, we are all
constantly connected. From its dark and discordant harmonies to its
messages of hope, Deep 6 Holiday's
Awake at the Funeral takes you on a
musical journey—one in which you realize that sometimes the only
way you can feel at peace is by sitting alone in the darkness long
enough.
www.deep6holidaymusic.com/
www.myspace.com/deep6holiday
Note from
Steve Marshall in
the UK.
Listening and storing? Just because of the sheer volume of
material, for me it's mostly MP3s (of which I listen to around 400
per week), but if I really like something I"ll get hold of the CD
and import into iTunes at one of the higher qualities which does
make a difference. Of course, there is always the anxiety about
hard drive failure but I'm pretty rigorous about backups. So, It"s
amazing that I'm whinging about having to store all those CDs -
they take a little less room than the equivalent in vinyl.
How about you - any good ideas that we can share? Why not pop a
comment into the shownotes, drop me a line to
peter@suffolkandcool.com
Or leave a message on the MyChingo message machine right nest to
this week's show on the shownotes page at
suffolkandcool.libsyn.com
It really is dead easy and you can re-record the message until you
get it how you want it to sound. You never know, there might even
be a chance to play it in the show (no guarantees though).
I've never really made a strong connection between the blues and
the mandolin - just not obviously good bedfellows, or so I thought
until Bert Deivert kindly dropped a track of his in the Suffolk 'n"
Cool drop box. This is something of a revelation and I thank Bert
for it.
Seems like a Dream - Bert
Deivert
This song is on the cd TAKIN' SAM'S ADVICE, released by Bert
Deivert, blues mandolinist and American living in Sweden. The song
is included on the Yank Rachell Tribute cd at yankrachell.com
Yank Rachell was the most famous blues mandolinist in the world.
Right now thee a re a handful of active recording and touring blues
mandolinists in the world.
Came in via the Drop.io page at suffolkandool.com
www.deivert.com/blues.html
Graham Holland at the
Liverpool-based
It's a frog's life acoustic
podcast generally plays acoustic music only from the UK
(frankly I don't understand all this nationalism in music but
that"s another matter) Anyway, Our Graham who is a lovely guy has
invited a bunch of AMP member music podcasters to submit an
acoustic track from anywhere which he'll feature in future IAFL
shows in a "Hopping around the world" feature.
I've a few ideas for a track that I'd like to send but what do you
think - any favourites from previous Suffolk and Cool shows that
you think should reach a wider audience.
Use the same means of contact to let me know and I'll slip a couple
of tracks to Graham - he'll never notice.
Harper Valley pta - Samantha
Dann (Queensland, Australia)
I'm not usually a great enthusiast for cover versions but two
factors conspired to make an exception this week.
Grumbler put together an entire show (
Music and Mumblings
037) of covers but I think that was just as an excuse to cram in
more cheesy links than seems quite decent. I just don't know how he
keeps a straight face as he does shows like that. Good on yer
Grumber.
A cover of the old classic Harper Valley pta cropped up from Music
Submit - I don"t know if it is just that it is newer or because it
is by an Australian artist but for me it just cuts it as a really
fresh take.
There was a great video on Samantha's site too but it has been
removed. You"ll find it at
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OgMh5fdTerY
www.myspace.com/samanthamdann
OK now this is getting really interesting ... salsa, reggae an
unusual blend.
La Jurumba - Carlos de Nicaragua y
Familia (Le Havre, Normandie, France)
Carlos Wiltshire, alias Carlos de Nicaragua, was born in
Bluefields, on the nicaraguayan atlantic coast. His name is not
only in reference to his country of birth but mostly in reference
to the legendary indian chief Nicaraocai, philosopher, ferocious
warrior and fighter. Carlos de Nicaragua was one of the precursors
of the sound system concept in Paris.
In Paris, latinos, french and africans dance during the concerts
under the blazing fire of a nicaraguayan named Carlos and his band
"Familia", pioneers of the salsa reggae style. His admiration for
the reggae prophets Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear [...]
pushed him to dedicate himself to this music, reinventing it and
mixing it with the tumbao of dancing rhythms from the Bronx and
other great salsa capitals.
There is a video that you just have to see at:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MHqYGt6ejqE
www.myspace.com/carlosdenicaraguayfamilia
http://cdbaby.com/cd/carlosdenicaragua
Thanks to
Ross Patzelt from
Norwich, here in the UK for posting a really nice
review of Suffolk 'n' Cool on the iTunes store. If you have
iTunes check it out.
Ross has a couple of shows of his own at
www.rosspatzelt.co.uk
If you'd like to post a review of Suffolk 'n' Cool, that would be
really appreciated.
I mentioned that I was meeting up with Nicky on Saturday after a
gap of almost exactly "a lot of years” which went really well,
walked on a wonderfully wild North Norfolk beach and a heartening
meal at a rather fine restaurant at Holkham called
The
Victoria.
More travels, I'm off to Belfast in a few hours, very early
tomorrow morning (and regrettably back in the afternoon) so it
seems only appropriate to play something from across the Irish sea,
although in fact this is from across the Irish sea … and the
Atlantic Ocean.
Rising
Gael contacted me during the week and my thanks are due to Erin for
turning round my request for a track in record time to get it into
this week's show.
Fierce - Rising Gael
(Wisconsin, USA)
Rising Gael is a young Irish band that is setting the standard for
modern Celtic music. The driving rhythms played on guitar and drum
race with the fast fingers and electrifying bowing of the fiddle.
This mix is paired with pure, powerful vocals, resulting in a rich
and innovative sound.
This four-piece band is comprised of young and talented musicians
who share a passion for music. The versatile guitar playing of
Peter Tissot delivers sweet finger-picking and driving rhythm.
Added to the rhythm section are the energetic and racing beats of
the bodhran, played by Jeff Olson. The flying fingers and
electrifying bowing of Katie Dionne add beautiful and commanding
fiddle to the band's mix. Layered in the vibrant sound of the group
is Erin Ellison's powerful and nuanced vocals. In addition to
singing in the band, Erin contributes graceful and technically
impressive flute playing.
You can order the CDs and get some great looking gear direct from
their website.
http://risinggael.com/
www.myspace.com/risinggael