On The Up

This is local folk duo called Up who did a set in the Old Market Square, as part of the Great Notts Show, which is on for a few days.

Besides being in Up, which incidentally is Nottingham's only ukulele band, the two guys Rob and Eddie are also in another folk band called Shiftin Sands, which includes a female fiddle player.

The Great Notts Show is a large food, drink and gift market that is taking place in the Old Market Square until Sunday. A lot of people were milling about whilst the guys were playing, but many stopped to listen and were appreciative of their music.

Some more bands are on tomorrow, so I might pop down and take a look, or listen.

Musical Youth

My good friend Emma Baldon-Jones, together with Christine Palethorpe were guests on Notts TV tonight.

Besides being musicians in their own right, that also make up the folk duo Paper Doves. Besides playing keyboards, Christine plays the harp. Emma of course is a singer/songwriter, who I have featured many times on here, as I always like to go to her gigs, or see her busking along Beeston's high road.

Hopefully now that they have been on TV, they will get a few more gigs and hopefully a recording contract.

On The Fiddle

There was some lunchtime live music today at Fopp, in the form of folk singer Seth Lakeman.

Fopp is a local record store that is a real Aladdin's cave of music, films and books at sensible, and sometimes bargain prices. They sometimes invite musicians to play, but usually it is around 5pm, so I sadly  have to miss it, being still at work. So it was a treat to see and listen to some at lunchtime.

The shop was quite crowded, by both fans and the curious. Not forgetting the ordinary customers.

He was meant to start at 1pm, but arrived late, due to traffic problems. He apologised, took out his guitar and started to play. as you can see, he also plays the fiddle. I took this shot while he was playing a version of his song 'The Courier'.

Here's what it sounds like on his latest album 'Word of Mouth'.

Beer Drinkers United

A photo assignment this morning for my folk musician friend Dave Mitchell, who was playing at the Robin Hood Beer Festival at Nottingham Castle, and he wanted me to record the event for posterity.

Dave played for about an hour in the bandstand, while I took some photos of him in action. I was surprised to learn that the sound equipment was being controlled by the engineer on an iPad. No more knobs and dials to fiddle with, just a movement of ones finger on the screen.

Dave enjoyed his gig, but was clearly relieved when it was over, so he could enjoy one or two beers that were available at the festival, from the half pint glass that had been given to him.

I was also given a glass by one of the organisers, and so I decided to christen it by trying the re-introduced Shipstones ale, that has started to be brewed again after some twenty years. I wrote about it earlier this year. Here is the LINK to the story.

Here's a shot of the hand pumps that were dishing out the amber nectar. Although I must admit it wasn't as tasty as I had hoped it would be, and probably won't be buying it again, as I prefer more darker beers.

Playing Dividends

It's not everyday that an up and coming local artist posts out free CDs to anyone who wants one. Well that's exactly what Jack Peachy, AKA Gallery 47 did the other day. He had put a message on Facebook and so I messaged him my address, and lo and behold this three track album arrived through the letterbox; together with a little hand drawn cartoon of a dog.

We first saw Gallery 47 nearly two years ago at a fashion show. He was there to provide some music in between costume changes. And he wasn't bad. Just him and his guitar.  Jack's come on leaps and bounds, and has already released an album called 'Fate is the Law'.

I read on his Facebook page earlier this week that he has given up his full time job so that he can write and record his next album. A brave move, especially in these difficult times. But sometimes I think you have to follow your dream. And anyway he's young enough not to be too concerned about having to pay a mortgage etc. I wish him luck with his project and hopes he becomes as well known as Nottingham's other indie folk musician Jake Bugg.

Here's a video of him singing one of his songs on YouTube. Hope you like it.

Dancing The Night Away

The Old Dance School are a Birmingham based folk group that Gail and I went to see tonight at a venue that we'd not been to before.

Well, when I say not been to before, I'm not being completely honest, as we have been to the Lakeside Arts Centre in Highfields many times, but we have never been to their theatre. So it was a first tonight.

I happen to be thumbing through their brochure at the weekend, as I was having a bit of a sort out, and saw the advert for the concert. As I had never heard of the band before, I had a look to see if there was anything about them on YouTube. And of course there was. Some videos of their shows and promotional stuff. So I played a few tracks.

Gail said that she liked what she was hearing, so I said that they were here on Wednesday & did she want to go. "Why not" she replied, so I had a look on the Lakeside's website, to see if there were any tickets left. There were, so I booked two for the second row.

When we got there, one of the ushers showed us to our seats. Shen then noticed that there were two empty ones on the front row. "Do you want to sit here" she enquired. OK, thanks, we replied. And so settled in ready for the show to begin.

They were very good too. There is seven in the band, including a guy called Aaron who played the trumpet. Which to be honest, did spoil some of the songs, as it sounded a bit out of place. The two fiddle players Helen & Samantha were wonderful, so too was Laura who was on woodwind and vocals. She also chatted to the audience, and amusingly told us that she had opened a shop selling band CDs and tee shirts at bargain prices. The rest of the band; Tom the drummer, Adam on double bass and Robin the lead singer and guitarist really helped to gel the group together and made for a very enjoyable evening.

Here's a LINK to their website, so you can see and hear for yourself.

And The Songbird Keeps Singing

Gail and I now know that it's the start of Christmas, as we've just been to the Playhouse to see Kate Rusby and her band in concert.

It has become a bit of a tradition to see Kate's concert in December. We've had to wait a long time too, as I bought the tickets in May.

She mainly played Christmas type carols, but in a folk style, accompanied by a six piece brass band. She says that she loves to come to Nottingham and play amongst the pantomime set.

The theatre was packed, and everyone really enjoyed her style of music and little stories she tells about the songs, where they come from and her adventures on the road.

I took this photo last year. Kate looks exactly the same, but a little slimmer now that she's given birth to baby Phoebe.

Hitting The Beat

Another shot of Carmina.

This time it's of their drummer; Ian Beestin who did a pretty good drum solo.

Bop While You Shop

As it's August, it's traditional for our local council to put some bands on in the town centre to entertain the shoppers.

Today's band were called Carmina, and very good they were too. Mixing folk, pop and jazz in a seamless blend for two sets of about 30 minutes each.

They played a variety of own compositions and well known songs. They finished their concert with Joni Mitchell's rousing Big Yellow Taxi.

After they had finished, I had a chat to some of the band members, including their leading lady Pippa Marland, and explained about my blog site and interest in photography. I gave them one of my business cards and said that I would be happy to pass on some of the photos that I had taken.

I think Beeston was lucky to see the band today, as they are quite well known and are often touring. They are due to return to Beeston early next year, when they are doing an evening concert at a local church.

Should you wish to find out more about the band, they have a website which can be ACCESSED HERE.