ET - Enormous Talent

A co-worker said that she was in the city centre on Saturday and heard a really wonderful busker called Sian Alex. Sian, as in the Welsh spelling she added

She wondered if it was a musician I knew, as I know a few nowadays. I said that I hadn't heard of her before, but was intrigued to know what she sounded like, as my co-worker was really enthusiastic about her.

Bizarrely enough, whilst out for my lunchtime stroll, who happened to be setting up on Bridalsmithgate, but none other than Sian. So I said hello, while she was sorting out her cables, and asked her if she was starting, or packing up. Alex replied that she would be starting shortly. So I said that I would come back shortly.

When I returned to Bridalsmithgate Alex was singing away. In fact I could hear her as I was walking up St Peter's Gate. So I stopped and listened to a couple of her songs. And indeed she was very good. Some nice folk songs. Original ones too I think. But sadly I had to return to work. But I dropped some money in her collection box before I left.

Jamming On The High Street

There was some live music in the air this morning in Beeston, as there was some promotion of the next Oxfam day, which happens in two weeks time.

Some of my Oxfam friends were standing outside the shop, handing out flyers and trying to sell some tickets. Their endeavours were being helped by my musical friend Emma Bladon Jones, and this young lady, Lucia, who had a fine voice. I was talking to her father, who was proudly taking photos of her as well.

She, Emma and plenty more artists will be performing at different venues across Beeston and Chilwell, for what is turning out to be the best one yet.  I for one can't wait.

Tweetie Pie

Here's a shot of Josh Kemp, who entertained us with his own brand of folk music at the Tweet Up the other day.

I've seen Josh a few times, especially at Beeston's Oxjam music festival.

A Star Turn

Country's biggest superstar was in town tonight at the Ice Arena. Dolly Parton, fresh from her stint at Glastonbury over the weekend, popped into the city to entertain a sell out concert.

Not really being a Dolly Parton fan, and certainly not willing to pay £60 for a ticket, I passed up the opportunity of seeing Miss 9 to 5.

Instead I happily listened to Nottingham's latest rising star Joy Mumford. Who entertained me and Dolly's loyal fans while they waited to be let in.

Joy sang and played guitar for around 40 minutes, with a mixture of original songs and covers, in a calm laid back style, similar in a way to Joan Armatrading.  The growing audience appeared to be enjoying her style of music while they sipped on their Pimms that was being sold from a stall close by.

Joy recently won a competition where the prize is playing at Splendour, the all day gig at Wollaton Park, whose headlining band are the reformed Boomtown Rats.

The Guitar Gently Rides

How's this for a fancy guitar? I don't know what it sounds like when played, but it certainly is a showstopper.

It's probably the most colourful acoustic guitar that I have ever seen. I wonder why the designer decided on a cowboy theme. Maybe he's watched too many Clint Eastwood films.

Friday Night Folk

Last week was Dave Mitchell's first gig of the year, tonight it was Emma Bladon-Jones'.

She put a message on Facebook saying that she was doing a gig at a pub in Beeston called the White Lion.

I've seen a few musicians there before, and was expecting to see her downstairs near the bar, but I was told that she was playing upstairs. So up I went, and I was in for a surprise and something that I hadn't come across before. I had walked into a folk club meeting, and Emma was down as a guest performer.

The club is called the Second Time Around and meets at the pub every fortnight. I didn't know what would be happening, but the old guy that appeared to be in charge explained who would be the first few people to perform. So I listened to various musicians and singers do turns. It was all acoustic too, so microphones or backing tracks.

There were quite a few people in the audience, more than normal and it was observed that it was probably because of Emma; who is quite well known now in Beeston and Nottingham.

She wasn't very well at Christmas, and actually ended up in hospital for a few days, so it was great to see her performing again.  The audience certainly appreciated her style of folk music and received a good round of applause after she had finished her set.

Oxjam

Phew, have I had a busy day photographing bands and singers for Beeston's Oxjam music festival. Some sixty bands over twelve hours at ten locations.

Obviously with that many artists, and some appearing at the same time, but at different locations, it was going to be almost impossible to see them all. But I managed to do about twenty.

The three photos that I've put on were all taken in the evening at the former Barton's bus depot, which has now become an arts and crafts venue.

Rebecca King is a young soul singer from London, but lives in Nottingham. This was the first time that I heard her sing. And very good she was too.

I first came into contact with One Boy One Girl's music last October when they won the local music contest called Notts Factor. Since winning it, they have produced an EP, toured extensively and put out some videos which can be seen on YouTube.

I've mentioned Emma Bladon-Jones a few times on here now, since she went in for the Notts Factor competition too. This was her tenth gig of the day, as she had set herself a goal of playing at each of the venues during the length of Oxjam. This feat, which she sucessfully accomplished was being followed by a cameraman from the BBC, who had followed Emma around throughout the day, for an item on Midlands Today.

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.

D.I.S.C.O

You may remember a band that I mentioned last year called the Disco Prophets. They are a local group that play well known disco songs from the 1970s and 80s.

They went quiet for a while, but I have been in regular contact with their leader Rupert, who I knew when we were both children in London. He said that he's had a change of line up and got rid of the horn section.

So as a first outing and warm up gig for a charity night next week, they played at a pub in town for an hour or so. The Disco Prophets usually have a male singer as well called 'The Soul Panther' but as they didn't have one at that point, Fay, a singer from another band was borrowed for the evening. And very good she was too. Singing songs that were around probably before she was born.

They also had a new bass guitarist called Heather, who is Paul the keyboard player's partner. She was also excellent, thumping away on an instrument that was nearly as big as she is.

It was a great gig, and I think the smallish audience enjoyed their unique take on all those hits from all those years ago

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.

No Exit

This is local guitar legend Jimmy Wiggins, who I shot playing at a local pub; The Hop Pole.

Besides being a mean guitar player, he also owns a music shop in Chilwell called The Guitar Spot.

As a non musician. I think that I'd have trouble playing the triangle, I have never been in, although I have past it lots of times.

Maybe I might pop in tomorrow and say hello.

Striking The Right Chord

Gail has now started a college course on a Tuesday night. So instead of moping at home alone, I decided to go to a local bistro, as there was a musician playing. Although I do have loads of photos that need processing from all the events and places that I have covered over the last few days. But the draw of music and food was too much to resist.

The musician's name is Dan Johnson, and he sung a lot of blues tunes. So to help get into the mood, I treated myself to a Cajun chicken burger and ate while I listened and took photographs.

The bistro was busy, but not heaving, so I was able to walk and crouch around uninterrupted. I even asked if I could take some from behind the bar. Which I was allowed to do.