Tag: music

Rockin at The De La Warr Pavillion


Back in 1970, when I was just eighteen years of age, a fledgling english rock band called Uriah Heep released their first studio album. That album ” … Very ‘Eavy ….. Very ‘Umble”, struck a chord with me and probably set the foundation of my musical tastes.

Over the years I saw the Heep live, several times, bought many of their albums and still listen to them regularly.

So imagine my delight when I found that they were touring…

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So tickets purchased I waited with anticipation. Of course there were some concerns. After so many years, most of the original band members have passed on. Would the current line up sound anything like the band that I followed.

And so, last Thursday, I arrived at the De La Warr Pavillion, Bexhill. Before I could answer the Uriah Heep questions I was going to be entertained by two support acts.

The first to perform was Tyketto, a band from New York, USA. Having never heard of them I assumed they were a relatively new band. How wrong could I be. They have been around since 1987!!!

Tyketto

They gave a very good account of themselves and were well received by me and the rest of the audience.

Following Tyketto, the next act very quickly set up their kit. They were April Wine and had also passed below my rock radar. Also not a new band, having formed in 1969, in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

April Wine

Although categorised, like Tyketto, as Hard Rock, their style is very different and dare I say it, more complex. Once again their reception was very positive.

But then it was time for the main event, the reason most of us were there.

After a surprisingly short time, the support bands kit was cleared away and the stage was set for Uriah Heep.

Also, like April Wine, Uriah Heep formed in 1969. Fifty six years entertaining their fans.

Uriah Heep

In that time they have produced some 25 studio albums, 20 live albums, many compilation albums and singles.

Uriah Heep

Their sound is very much as I remember although the current lead singer Bernie Shaw has a different sound to David Byron who fronted the band back in the day.

Uriah Heep

There is no doubt he has the stage presence and the voice needed to front Uriah Heep

Uriah Heep

Of course they did all the favourites as well as some newer songs. For me the highlight was to see and hear the lead guitarist, Mick Box, perform his unique magic.

Mick Box – Uriah Heep

Mick Box is the last surviving, original band member.

Uriah Heep

All too soon the show came to an end. This show was the final one of their UK tour.

Right Now ..


What am I listening to ….

Assassing by Marillion from their 1984 album, Fugazi.

I saw this band live, back in the 80’s, at Portsmouth Guildhall. If my memory serves, they were supported by a local band, Rufus Stone.

Live Music, Music and More Music


What is your favorite hobby or pastime?

My favourite pastime is listening to music, preferably, live music.

I believe you can’t beat a live performance for moving your soul, rousing emotions, and even reducing you to tears.

Over the last fifty or so years I have been lucky enough to see many live performances.

My first exposure to live music was at Claverham County Secondary School. The “school dance”, held for those pupils leaving to begin their working lives, featured “The Equals” ! The band had just hit the UK charts with their single “Baby, Come Back”. Little did we know that a member of that band would go on to have a successful solo career. That was “Eddie Grant”.

After I left school, I did a brief stint at Battle Engineering before starting an apprenticeship at HM Royal Dockyard, Portsmouth. This was to be the start of my musical education.

I was in digs at the time when one of my co-residents invited me to a concert at Portsmouth Guildhall. On stage that night were “Led Zeppelin” supported by “Blodwyn Pig.”

After that, there was no holding me back. Almost every week, I would attend performances on South Parade Pier, Kimbels Ballroom, and Portsmouth Guildhall. Back in those days, you would have up to five bands perform in a single evening.

During those heady days I saw Black Sabbath, Genesis, Jethro Tull, Roy Harper, Van de Graff Generator, Caravan, Hawkwind, and many many more.

Back then I was into Prog Rock, but I did venture into other genres. Thanks to Joan, my landlady at the time, I saw Tony Bennett, Manitas de Plata, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick, and many, many more.

As time has moved on, my musical tastes have changed. I still love my prog rock, but I have learnt to appreciate all kinds of music, as long as it is performed well. Highlights have been Carmina Burana at the O2 and a classical concert, at the Royal Albert Hall, that closed with the 1812 Overture complete with the live firing of canon and musket.

Nowadays ticket pricing places restraints on how many shows I can get to. Thankfully there is vinyl, CDs and the Internet for streaming music. Much to my wife’s disgust I turn on the music most mornings and get a couple of hours listening in.

And then the TV, courtesy of Sky Arts, broadcast so many great shows. Just last night I was watching a documentary following The Grateful Dead. Pure gold.

Please excuse the misquote, but, “If music be the food of life play on”

What Is My All-Time Favourite Album ?


What’s your all-time favorite album?

Such a hard question to answer.

My first response is “On The Threshold Of A Dream” by The Moody Blues first released in 1969. I certainly play this a lot so much so that I am on my 2nd vinyl copy, the first having worn out. I still listen to the album, but these days, I stream, using Tidal or Spotify.

A more considered response leads me to offer up “Foxtrot” by Genesis first released in 1972. I still have my original vinyl version but also have it on CD. Genesis are a band that I used to see live every time they visited Portsmouth. Pretty much an annual event, either at Portsmouth Guildhall or South Parade Pier.

Many other albums are jostling for that favourite spot. Amongst them, some of the great classics. “Dark Side Of The Moon” and “Echoes” by Pink Floyd, “Led Zeppelin II” and “IV”, “Aqualung” by Jethro Tull, “Tapestry” by Carole King, and the list goes on and on.

So to truly answer the question, I think “Foxtrot” by Genesis take the honour, but only just.

Music is such an emotive subject, and to nominate a favourite will always be coloured by how one is feeling, ones mood at any given time.

Ask me again tomorrow.

Turn It Up To 11


What do you listen to while you work?

I’ve been retired now for eight years. So work is perhaps not the right word. Perhaps the question is really, “What do I listen to while doing my chores ?”

The simple answer is Radio Paradise.

I stream this station, up to eight hours a day, sometimes more. They are the soundtrack to my life. The primary reason for my choice is the eclectic mix of music played, followed closely by the distinct lack of babble.

Music is the priority, no inane chatter from self-indulgent DJs. Below is a snapshot of the music that has been playing while I type this post.

In their own words …

RP is a blend of many styles and genres of music, carefully selected and mixed by two real human beings. You’ll hear modern and classic rock, world music, electronica, even a bit of classical and jazz. What you won’t hear are random computer-generated playlists or mind-numbing commercials.

Our specialty is taking a diverse assortment of songs and making them flow together in a way that makes sense harmonically, rhythmically, and lyrically — an art that, to us, is the very essence of radio. We hope that you’ll enjoy RP so much that you’ll want to share it with your friends, family, co-workers, neighbours, Facebook buddies, Twitter followers, etc.

Bill and Rebecca Goldsmith

Notably absent from the RP airwaves are the typical pop chart fodder. There is a distinct lack of breathy blondes, boy bands and rappers. What you will find is rock, prog rock, folk, jazz, classical, reggae, and pretty much every other genre. A veritable musical stew whose ingredients have been intelligently curated.

I have never been bored by the music they share. Sometimes, a track will be aired that I don’t particularly like, but just like with life, I grin and bear it. There is always the next track to look forward to.

Every so often, RP plays that classic track, work/chores stop, and I ….

Turn It Up To 11

Certainty !


List 10 things you know to be absolutely certain.

Here is my list of things I know to be absolutely certain.

    • Death – The one inevitable thing that none of us can avoid. The ultimate destination
    • Taxes – Only the very wealthy come close to avoiding personal taxation. The wealthy or crime-lords.
    • Utility Bills – Gas, Electric, Water, Sewage, Refuse Collection …. etc … etc. Unless you live totally off the grid you have to pay to maintain your living standards.
    • Hunger – We all have to eat. Hunger pains are our body’s way of reminding us to eat.
    • Thirst – We all need to drink to survive. Whilst we can survive quite a long time without food, we really can’t survive without water. Personally, I prefer to dilute my water with alcohol in the form of beer or wine.
    • Dust – If we do no cleaning, our homes fade away under a pile of dust. It’s in the air we breathe and settles everywhere. I read somewhere that if you leave dust alone for seven years, it doesn’t get any deeper. Good enough reason not to clean. Just don’t move the ornaments.
    • Politicians Only Lie – How can you tell when a politician is lying? His lips are moving. When has any government ever fulfilled their election promises ?
    • Old Age – Like death, old age is inevitable. Old age come with lots of baggage. Just when you have time on your hands, you don’t. Your body becomes like that old rusty bicycle in the shed. It still works but reluctantly whilst noisily complaining via creaking and squeaking and groaning.
    • Weeds Always Win – No matter how hard you try, you can never totally eradicate them. Just you pull out that bothersome bramble. But leave one single smidgen off root in the soil, and it is guaranteed to return. Grass grows out of every little crevice from seeds delivered by birds and the wind. Remember, a weed is just a plant in the wrong place.
    • Music Solves Everything – Good music makes you happy, can calm you down when you are angry. It makes you feel like dancing, alone or, better, with other people. Music can transport you to far off places without the bother of packing a suitcase or the tedious queues at airports. For example, close your eyes whilst listening to Echoes by Pink Floyd and you can be standing on a clifftop looking out over a vast landscape with nothing but the sound of the wind and the cawing of the crows.

    RIP Jeff Beck


    Sad to hear of the passing of Jeff Beck. An unsung hero of the rock world, a guitarists guitarist.

    I have been going to concerts for over fifty years. Although, I feel blessed to have seen Jeff perform live, twice, during those fifty years. I also feel sad that I didn’t manage to make it to more of his shows.

    The first time I was treated to the Beck phenomenon was when he appeared at Portsmouth Guildhall, as part of Beck, Bogert and Appice. This was 25th January, 1974. What a powerhouse group they were, although they were referred to as a “supergroup” by the music press. Jeff Beck, of course, on guitar. Carmine Appice on drums and Tim Bogert on bass. My memories are not strong enough to confirm this, but the interweb shows that Bobby Tench was part of the group although I don’t remember there being a fourth guy on stage. I wish I had been able to find a quality video to include. However, below is a track from their album.

    The last time I saw Jeff live, was an entirely different kind of concert. I had won the tickets in a competition, courtesy of Planet Rock. Not one of my favourite venues, we caught him live at Southampton Guildhall, 3rd July, 2009. Venue aside, all I can say is this has to be one of the best concerts I have ever attended. His playing was superb and he just about blew my socks off. The support act, on that occasion, was an upcoming Imelda May. Much more than a warm up act but it was clear who the audience were there to see. Imelda came back onto the stage to provide some stunning vocals during Jeffs set. The entire show was fabulous, spine tingling. Have a listen to the following, just a small part of that show.

    Thanks for the music and the memories Jeff. May you Rest In Peace.

    Gone but never forgotten.

    Low Spark Of The High-Heeled Boys


    Thank you, Radio Paradise, for just playing this. Stopped me in my tracks and I just had to turn up the volume.

    Such a great band, this has to be one of the best songs of the 70’s

    Tonight – El Caballo Resort


    Mad, impetuous fools that we are, we are heading up to Wooroloo and El Caballo Resort for an outdoor musical extravaganza.

    The show is entitled Simply The Best and is an evening of tribute acts and the line up goes like this …..

    Roy Orbison Show                                                            4.00pm – 5.00pm
    Johnny Cash & June Carter Show                               5.00pm – 5.20pm
    The Beatles Show                                                              5.30pm – 6.30pm
    Elvis Presley Show                                                           6.30pm – 6.50pm
    Creedence Clearwater Revival Show                            7:30pm – 8.30pm
    Marylyn Monroe Show                                                   8.30pm – 8.45pm
    Tina Turner Show                                                           9.00pm – 10.30pm

    We will either have a fabulous time or it will be a monumental disaster. Only time will tell.

    RIP John Weldon Cale – JJ Cale


    I was very much saddened to hear of the death of JJ Cale. He was 74 and died of a heart attack.

    JJ Cale helped found the “Tulsa Sound”,  a fusion of blues, rockabilly, and country. Whilst mainly known for his guitar playing, JJ Cale also played  piano, keyboards, bass, drums.

    He was a prolific singer / song writer and many of his songs were covered by other artists. These included covers by musicians such as “After Midnight” and “Cocaine” by Eric Clapton, “Clyde” by Waylon Jennings and “Call Me the Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd and Johnny Cash. Other artists that have recorded Cale’s work include Carlos Santana, Tom Petty and Randy Crawford. JJ Cales  songs could be best described as laid back, mellow, yet with a driving groove and over the years he has collaborated with many artists. Many more, including Neil Young, Bryan Ferry and Mark Knopfler, cite him as one of the influences of their own music.

    Once again the world has lost a major talent. But, thanks to his magic, the world is a richer place and his influences on other current musicians ensures that his legacy is carried forward.

    And folks, if you don’t know the works of JJ Cale, there are over twenty albums out there for you to dip into.

    http://youtu.be/E40IFKrzDIg