{"id":16339,"date":"2023-08-27T09:05:36","date_gmt":"2023-08-27T08:05:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aata.dev\/?p=16339"},"modified":"2023-08-27T12:18:26","modified_gmt":"2023-08-27T11:18:26","slug":"sidetracks-and-detours-pass-it-on-weekly-walkabout-volume-15-sunday-27th-august-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aata.dev\/index.php\/2023\/08\/27\/sidetracks-and-detours-pass-it-on-weekly-walkabout-volume-15-sunday-27th-august-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Sidetracks And Detours PASS IT ON weekly walkabout volume 15 Sunday 27th August 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Sidetracks And Detours<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PASS IT ON<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

weekly walkabout volume 15<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday 27th<\/sup> August 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hello, and welcome to our Sunday supplement, Pass It On, volume 15. Our writers have wandered far and wide to collect news and comment for your reading, Michael Higgins, in doing so, travelled to Austria and Germany in fact: not all for Pass It On\u00b4s benefit, mind you , seems it might have been something of a holiday too. Peter Pearson suggests All Points  Forward by first looking to from whence we came and captures a fine recoding. Similarly Ralph Dent\u00b4s RDW column also goes back to where it began for him, Mel Torme, Perry Como, Frank Sinatra, Matt Monro, David Whitfield  and into the pop era, I guess, with Tom Jones. Steve Bewick delivers his always diverse and interesting and occasionally eccentric jazz playlists and serves you Hot Biscuits at the same time.  Steve Cooke\u00b4s ever-extending walks all across the arts always offer something new and Norman Warwick presents his interesting Island Insights from Lanzarote. So pour yourself a coffee, tuck into those hot biscuits and settle down  with a great read and some good music<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

detour ahead logo<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

CONTENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

BOOM RADIO <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnny Amd Tiggy Walker<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jazz On Air<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOT BISCUITS RADIO SHOW presented by Steve Bewick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researching History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN SEARCH OF TRUTHS by Michael Higgins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

all  across the arts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

EXCITING NEWS FOR ARTISTS by\u00a0 Steve Cooke<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Reader\u00b4s Perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALL POINTS FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by looking back at a fine album<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Americana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

LET\u00b4S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY IN THE BAND<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Norman<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Island Indights.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ACATIFE AND MAJEEK by Norman Warwick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Island Insights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

POETRY FROM EIGHT ISLANDS by Norman Warwick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

happy trails to you<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
On air sign background<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Radio<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After taking sidetracks & detours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Walkers are back!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnnie and Tiggy Walker return to Boom Radio this August Bank Holiday with a couple of hours of music with a summer feel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They’ll be playing some special tracks which remind them of glorious and not so glorious summers past – and chatting over their memories. Summer ’67 will, naturally, feature<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The pair were last with us at Christmas – and before that, Johnnie hosted a special programme last year marking the anniversary of the closure of the offshore pirate stations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Johnnie Walker and Tiggy Walker – Holiday Monday at 4.00<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
On air sign background<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Jazz On Air<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

HOT BISCUITS served by Steve Bewick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

On My Hot Biscuits programme next week my colleague and researcher Gary Heywood-Everett<\/a> explores the Filippo Deorsola music<\/a> on the artist\u00b4s recent CD Anaphora: Lexicon One<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On this Lexicon series, the trio of Italian musicians challenge the very traditions of jazz that influenced them. Anaphoira says of this first cd in the collection that Control must be taken back in order to let loose again!<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Italian pianist Filippo Deorsola brings together his Anaphora piano trio this April for Lexicon I, an album set on challenging the very jazz traditions that influence them.
Highly original and frequently unexpected, 11 compositions pull at the threads of avant-garde, straight-ahead jazz, contemporary classical music and even the blues, leaving the listener guessing at every turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Intimate moments of solo-piano, textural explorations of upright bass and explosions of rock-fueled drum grooves all contribute to the indefinable chaos of Anaphora\u2019s experimentations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Born through a chance meeting at a jam session CODARTS conservatoire in Rotterdam, Anaphora is driven by a desire to explore the relationship between a musical form, improvisation, and one\u2019s innate ability to navigate a musical landscape.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


In Jonathan Ho Chin Kiat (double bass) and Ap Verhoeven (drums) Deorsola has found two fellow musicians who embrace the genreless forward-thinking nature of contemporary jazz and prove willing conspirators in the search for breaking down expectations – both their own, and those of the listener.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Deorsola\u2019s own words, by eroding the comforts of familiarity, structure, and time and thrusting themselves into the unexpected, \u201cthe automatisms of the body are put into question. Control must be taken back in order to let loose again\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


Turning words into action, Deorsola\u2019s Bachelor Thesis research into Improvisation was presented at the 2020 Arts and Technology Conference in Porto, and he founded the M.A.D. Collective (Mutually Assured Deconstruction), a space where visual artists, authors, performers and academics come together to think of new ways of inquiry into the events and things around us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n


All told, Lexicon I is both a fascinating listening experience for fans of contemporary music, as well as a hint at what\u2019s to come in the future from Deorsola and his compatriots. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

credits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

released April 22, 2022

Filippo Deorsola – piano
Jonathan Ho Chin Kiat – double bass
Ap Verhoeven – drums

Rebekka Salomea – voice on #11<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In fact, whilst digesting your Hot Biscuits you can take the opportunity to also check out Ant Law<\/a> playing through his pure imagination. Described as \u201cAn innovator” and \u201cA gamechanger” by The Guardian, British guitarist Ant lives in London and leads his quintet, dubbed \u201cAn exciting band to hear live” by the Guardian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His  quintet\u2019s debut \u2018Entanglement\u2019 was released in 2013 to great acclaim, followed by \u2018Zero Sum World\u2019 in 2015. They have toured extensively and their third album \u2018Life I Know\u2019 for Edition Records was released on the 9th of November 2018. The release was very warmly received by the press. It received 5 star reviews, made numerous \u201cbest of 2018\u2033 lists, received airplay in the UK, Europe, Australia, and hundreds of thousands of plays (and counting) on Spotify. It is being described as \u201ccareer-defining\u201d. A fourth, digital only record, \u201cThe Sleeper Wakes\u201d (Edition Records) was released in 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ant plays in Tim Garland\u2019s band with Jason Rebello & Asaf Sirkis, featuring on albums \u2018Songs To The North Sky\u2019, \u2018Return To The Fire\u2019 & \u2018ONE\u2019 which was shortlisted for a Grammy and won the Jazzwise Best Album award. Ant is the \u201cL\u201d in Trio HLK who record\/tour with Dame Evelyn Glennie. He has worked with other notables Cory Henry, Thomas Gould and is featured from time to time in \u201cTotal Guitar\u201d, \u201cGuitar Techniques\u201d & \u201cGuitarist\u201d magazines. In the latter he recently made a list of \u201c10 Astounding Virtuosos\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2016 saw the emergence of the Art Of Rhythm Trio featuring Matt Ridley (bass) and Asaf Sirkis (drums & konnakol), notable for the the inclusion of Indian classical elements (check out the youtube videos) such as konnakol, the South-Indian spoken percussion, amidst all the jazz.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The show will also include A  guitar solo. Julian Stringle<\/a>, as a  3 minute window from the 606 Club<\/a>. Also on te playlist will be The John East Project from Mr. Businessman.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

photo<\/strong> We will also hear from The John East Project off their Mr Businessman recording.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The genesis of the John East Project was a conversation between John East and Steve Rubie of the 606 Club in October 2009, when Steve suggested that John put a band together and played a gig at the club. After a little nudging, John agreed and the first gig was in March 2010. The band was initially a four piece \u2013 Mark Fletcher on drums, Neville Malcolm on double bass, Phil Robson on guitar and John on Hammond Organ and vocals. To quote Steve Rubie \u201cThe gig was excellent, everyone loved it and regular dates soon followed\u201d. A two man horn section, comprising Scott Baylis on Trumpet and Flugelhorn and Max Grunhard on alto sax, was introduced for the second gig and Carl Orr replaced Phil Robson for the third gig. Dave Lewis on tenor sax replaced Max\u2019s alto in 2012. In 2016, Dan Hewson, who had been responsible for many of the arrangements for several years, joined the band on trombone for the recording session for the band\u2019s second album Mr Businessman and we liked the sound so much that he is now the seventh member of the band.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The band now gigs regularly at the 606 and elsewhere and the line-up is Mark Fletcher, (drums) Neville Malcolm, (bass guitar) Carl Orr, (guitar) Scott Baylis (trumpet, flugelhorn and piano) Dave Lewis (tenor saxophone) and Dan Hewson (trombone and piano). The band released its first album, \u201cLive at the 606\u201d in July 2012 and its second, \u201cMr Businessman\u201d, on CD and vinyl, in August 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I will present too, Phi-Psonics<\/a> with `Invocations from Octavia`and I will conclude the show with Phil Mulford<\/a>‘s Thunder Thumbs and  the music of Louis Johnson<\/a> (left<\/em><\/strong>). If this looks interesting then pass it on to friends and catch me anytime at<\/p>\n\n\n\n

www.mixcloud.com\/stevebewick\/<\/a> 24\/07<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Live Jazz<\/strong> Jazz In Reading<\/strong> Alan Barnes (saxophone)<\/strong>
Backed by\u00a0 the Pangbourne Jazz Club rhythm section:
Terry Hutchins<\/strong> (guitar) | Andy Crowdy<\/strong> (double bass)
Jim Pollard<\/strong> (piano) | Brian Greene<\/strong> (drums) \u00a0 pangbourne \u00a0 Alan is a much loved regular guest artist at Pangbourne and we are delighted to have him back again in 2023. His range and brilliance have made him a \u201cfirst call\u201d for studio and live work since his precocious arrival on the scene more than thirty years ago.
His recorded catalogue is immense.\u00a0 He has made over thirty albums as leader and co-leader alone, and the list of his session and side-man work includes Bjork, Bryan Ferry, Michel LeGrande, Clare Teale, Westlife, Jools Holland and Jamie Cullum. He has toured and played residencies with such diverse and demanding figures as Ruby Braff, Freddie Hubbard, Scott Hamilton, Warren Vache, Ken Peplowski, Harry Allen and Conte Candoli.
In British jazz, the young Barnes was recognized \u2013 and hired \u2013 by the established greats of the time:\u00a0 Stan Tracy, John Dankworth, Kenny Baker, Bob Wilber, and Humphrey Lyttelton.\u00a0 But he is equally respected for his longstanding and fruitful collaborations with contemporaries such as David Newton, Bruce Adams, and Martin Taylor
Alan Barnes\u2019s unique musicianship, indefatigable touring, and warm rapport with audiences have made him uniquely popular in British jazz.\u00a0 He has received over 25 British Jazz Awards, most recently in 2014 for clarinet, and has twice been made BBC Jazz Musician of the Year.

Barnes\u2019 melodic sense bypasses the usual scale-running clich\u00e9s that pepper the playing of lesser bop disciples. <\/em>– Peter Marsh, BBC Music Review.
His stylistic range is quite phenomenal\u2026 He has a wonderful capacity for suggesting a given style without actually imitating anyone.<\/em> Dave Gelly, Masters Of The Jazz Saxophone.
I was relishing the prospect of Barnes\u2019s casually consummate musicianship, deadpan humour (he could be a comedian, if jazz ever fails him), and indomitable belief in a respected place for the music\u2019s rich history in this eclectic and often forgetful world<\/em>. John Fordham, The Guardian.
Barnes plays music that was radical 50 years ago but he infuses it with so much passion and energy you could believe it was minted on the spot, which is always part of the story with jazz.<\/em> John L. Walters, The Guardian..<\/td><\/tr>
 <\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Investigating History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

IN SEARCH OF TRUTHS by Michael Higgins<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am currently writing up an ‘Unterwegs’ article – or should I call it Unterweger ?  (en route – underway- one who is underway etc.) on post Brexit Switzerland, Austria and southern Germany, with railway woes, language challenges, death and mourning in the Alps etc.  Also a Tiroler Zeitung (Tyrol Times) article regarding on the young and reading. And of course one on my experience of buying a historical painting via phone auction. And I have next month’s Bugle to write too. I have not yet got back to my history of the Royton Morris Dancers but perhaps tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I will send the late Robin Parker\u00b4s partner, Anni, our link to Sidetracks And Detours k. She has been in touch and has said she would like to see anything commemorating him, and indeed we have already have.  Linda Rowe suggested at our last Medicine Tap ‘Poets on Tap’ session that we ought to do a Robin Memorial show using his writings. This is very possible as his writings are varied from sonnets to parodies and as a former mayor has a widespread legacy. Robin (right)<\/em><\/strong> used to write an on-going parody framework based on the Oldham Tinkers’  ‘Oldham’s Burning Sands’, which could encompass anything from Football personalities to politics. I used to sing the female parts falsetto. Ah, the good old days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As an afterthought I spotted a burger bar in Munich called Hans im Gluck (Hans in luck or fortunate Hans). I recognised it as a Brothers Grimm fairy tale and re-read it when I got back home. Hans is actually quite luckless and trades down a bag of silver earned through seven years apprenticeship for first a horse, because he found the silver too heavy, then a cow because the horse was too fast, then a goose because he couldn’t milk the cow, then a whetstone from a knife grinder because the grinder said it was a money maker. Then he accidentally knocked the stone into a pond and thanked his luck that he didn’t have carry any more loads. A strange inspiration for a burger bar. However I now read that another of Grimms’ tales, Sneewittchen, (Snow White) is being re-made by Disney in a somewhat different fashion to their earlier 1930s effort. Apparently there will be no dwarves but ‘magical animals’ and Snow White will be an empowered woman. I often think adults, especially American adults, should be barred from having anything to do with innocent fairy tales. Ah to be young – or perhaps not to be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Lancashire Authors Association is publishing two of my poems and a prose piece in the annual anthology. The prose piece won the recently tested dialect contest. It was a throwaway piece entitled It’s Hard to Scribble i’ Dialect because of course it is. But I won and stand amazed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I shall send the Unterwegs and Tiroler Zeitung pieces when finished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

editor\u00b4s note<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Regular readers might remember that the Unterwegs piece Michael is promising will refer to the subject of a recent one man show here on Lanzarote by John Malkovich (right), a review of which by Norman Warwick was published in Pass It On volume 12 and is still available in our easy to negotiate archives of very nearly 1,000 free articles. It is all a chaotic and chilling story, perhaps, of a serial killer and we look forward to Michael\u00b4s report clearing up some confusing matters..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>all across the arts<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A COLLECTION OF NEWS by Steve Cooke<\/p>\n\n\n\n

ROCHDALE ARTISTS HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Rochdale Artists announce a new day group.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PREVIEW By Steve Cooke<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There has been an artists’ group in Rochdale for 80 years; Rochdale Artists was formed in 1987. Its objectives are to advance the education of anyone living or working in the Metropolitan Borough of Rochdale or the surrounding area, particularly in the field of the visual arts. The group welcomes new members of any experience and ability and currently includes members ranging from professionals to beginners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meetings<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently the group meets on Tuesday evenings at the Castleton Community Centre on Manchester Road. A full programme of events includes guest speakers and demonstrations. You can see the most recent events on the Newsletter page. Most months there is a theme linked in some way to the demonstration with an appraisal of members’ work later in the month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Current Quarterly Challenge is A Film Poster or Album Cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is now proposed that they form an extra group.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The group\u2019s David Bebbington explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018We are aware that many of our older and former members are no longer able to travel at night and so are missing the chance to meet with like-minded people on a regular basis to talk about and practice their art.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to allow people the opportunity to do this in a safe and welcoming environment, we have received funding to start a new arm of Rochdale Artists that will meet once a week during the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting on 11th October 2023, the day group (right)<\/em><\/strong> will meet every Wednesday between 11.00am and 1.00pm at Castleton Community Centre and initially we will run workshops, free-painting, and discussion days, very much based on the formula we use in our evening meetings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These meetings will take place in the same rooms as the evening group, so we will have access to the resources in the art cupboards, as well as the same tea\/coffee making facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subscriptions will be the same as the evening group at \u00a312 per year membership of Rochdale Artists and \u00a31 per visit to cover room hire. There will be no charge made if you don\u2019t attend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Should you choose to attend both day and night meetings, the one membership will cover both \u2013 we are just one Society which will now be holding two meetings weekly at \u00a31 per meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We do not intend to close the evening meetings, as not all members can attend during the day, especially younger members who we want to encourage but have other commitments during the day.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exhibitions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The group holds annual exhibitions within the area at places such as Hollingworth Lake Visitors Centre and Littleborough Coach House, as well as other venues. Members may submit up to three works in these exhibitions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Coming up<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 5th \u2013 Miniatures Workshop<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Art on a small scale can be a great way to complete works very quickly. Bring along your normal materials but maybe leave your 2\u201d brushes at home. Paper of the appropriate size will be supplied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 12th\u2013 Demonstration, Lee Pickering<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lee Pickering is a graffiti and tattoo artist, and will be leading a demonstration evening based on these types of art. Bring along drawing and\/or watercolour materials in order to join in the fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 19th \u2013 Free-painting night<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy an evening doing your own thing, or maybe completing the quarterly theme work in time to show next week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 26th\u2013 Theme Appraisal night<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tonight we will show off our works completed over the last quarter on the theme of A Film Poster or Album Cover. Towards the end of the evening we will choose our next Quarterly Theme<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Currently meeting every Tuesday 7 – 9pm at Castleton Community Centre, Keswick Street, off Manchester Road, Castleton, ,Rochdale, OL11 3AF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Starting on 11th October 2023, the day group also will meet every Wednesday between 11.00am and 1.00pm at the same venue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email: Stacey Coughlin at Rochdale Artists: stacey@rochdaleartists.com<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Visit: https:\/\/rochdaleartists.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Phone: 01706 379609<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>A Reader\u00b4s Perspective<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

ALL POINTS FORWARD by Peter Pearson<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

When Norman Warwick and I compiled last week\u00b4s discussion about favourite venues and favourite gigs I have to say that John Stewart and The Turf Inn at Dalry (right)<\/em><\/strong> top my list. The Turf was his spiritual home in the UK and was owned by his friend and big fan Andy Fergus. After John stopped touring extensively in the UK he returned almost annually to perform at the Turf and maybe a venue in York. The Turf was normally a three day residency and I would book the gigs and accommodation for three nights. I have the live CD’s and videos to remember these by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To jog Norm\u00b4s non-chronological memory here are some of the gigs at which I remember bumping into him. Eric Bibb at the RNCM when he turned up late. Buddy Mondlock at Chads in Cheadle, Tom Russell at High Lane CMC Stockport, John Stewart at the Winning Post York, Bury Met, The Priory at Ulverston and many other venues including Emmylou Harris at the Apollo, in Manchester, and Katy Moffatt (left)<\/em><\/strong> in Rawtenstall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used to enjoy Friday evenings at Westhoughton Folk Club (WFC) (owned by the GolfClub). Westhoughton, whilst providing a showcase for British Folk performers always had regular US Americana visitors and because they had a membership scheme and therefore a guaranteed minimum ticket income for each performance -they were able to take risks that other promoters were reluctant to take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tom Russell, Katy Moffatt and Dave Mallett were regulars at WFC,  I also saw Harvey Andrews there in his later years and Tim O’Brien and Darrell Scott as a duo. The club\u00b4s big scoop was to put on Beth Neilsen Chapman in 2006 at the time she was more likely to play the Bridgewater Hall. In order to cater for the demand they moved the gig to a larger Golf Club venue just down the road. In support were Chris While and Julie Matthews. (what a gig that must have been !<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I especially used to enjoy nights at Upstairs in The Adelphi Preston where I saw Chip Taylor, Eric Taylor, Kate Campbell, Tom Paxton.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was lucky to gate-crash a private gig Tom Paxton gave at a large hotel in Warrington. A couple of nights earlier I had seen  him play a solo acoustic set at the Adelphi. The Kennedys<\/p>\n\n\n\n

( Pete and Maura) were on tour at the same time and provided Tom with perfect back up. Pete Kennedy was on guitar and there was sublime vocal harmony from Maura. Tom was touring on the back of his Americana album, Wearing The Time I was part of a pretty exclusive gathering of around 20 people..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

apf sarah More recent highlights have been Sarah Jarosz (right)<\/em><\/strong> at Manchester\u00b4s Band On The Wall and since seeing her live I am even more convinced that she can emulate Nanci Griffith. She has more strings to her bow, – Guitar, Mandolim, Banjo, Fiddle -, writes her own songs and has a voice and stage presence to die for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Eric Brace and Thom Jutz at a church in Biddulph Stafford was another recent standout, which I reviewed on these pages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I could go on for ages but it never cease to be amazed by the spartan and small venues these artists appear at and how they make touring pay. Most of the Folk Clubs have disappeared and the regular promoters are disappearing rapidly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ed\u00b4s note <\/strong> Peter attached to this article an mp3 file of Sarah Jarosz singing a live version of I Wish It Would Rain written,  and recorded by Nanci Griffith (left) on her Little Love Affairs album released in 1988, more than 35 years ago. I think generally speaking that Peter and I are drawn to favour songs by the writers than to a cover version. Pete\u00b4s recording was obviously a live band version from somewhere on this recent tour. The band is superb, all big guitars (think Perfect by Fairground Attraction) but it is Sarah\u00b4s punchy, confident vocals that elevate the song: I actually loved Nanci\u00b4s softly sung version, and there was a lovely, solipsistic whisper of hope in her version, but Sarah\u00b4s is bolder. Her vocals are more defiant, angrier, like Peter Finch in Network as if she uis urging the whole world to perform a rain dance. I Wish It Would Rain, is a superbly crafted composition, and the world now has at least two very different but equally superb versions to enjoy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

live music<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

autumn season at THE STOLLER HALL, MANCHESTER<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

preview by Norman Warwick<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tenille Townes 28th<\/sup> August<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I wasn\u00b4t aware at all of The Stoller Hall when I left the UK for this \u00b4retirement\u00b4on Lanzarote. I am certainly aware of it now as the venue regularly announces forthcoming concerts, in all categorisations  from classical to contemporary and from folk to funky, via its excellent newsletter service and of course its on line facilities. Don\u00b4t forget that Tenille Townes is playing there tomorrow night, Monday 28th<\/sup> August 2023. If you need to know more about her and missed last week\u00b4s PASS IT ON,  you can find that article in our archives and read a lengthy and fascinating interview with her,  There are, though, several other contemporary music concerts at the venue in this next concert season.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In autumn 2023, The Stoller Hall welcome artists from across the folk and contemporary music worlds, including Shawn Colvin,<\/a> Luke Jackson Trio<\/a> and more. The venue also welcome Manchester Folk Festival in October when hosting a performance by Oysterband<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

SHAWN COLVIN<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n