RootsoftheWorld Blog
February 2013 and early March 2013
Published 6th February 2013
Welcome! Reader, Fellow Musical
Traveller and Explorer!
Welcome to the blog that loves world, roots and folk music
and helps you enjoy it wherever you are! Hello also to the blog that supports
Northeast England world, roots and folk music venues! Welcome to the blog that supports Northeast
England Roots Music artists!
Why…..? Because
everyone on the world, roots and folk scene together can make a stronger scene
and so that we can all find out what’s happening locally cos’ there’s loads
going on!
And if you aren’t lucky enough to live in our brilliant
region (being totally unbiased you’ll understand!) why not come and stay and take in a gig or
two!
Newcastle Roots
Music Radio February 2013-Now on I Tunes!:
and Featuring N.E.
Artists of the Month
Bridie Jackson and
the Arbour!
Licensed by the PRS, License Number LE-0006074.
7th edition now out
on Soundcloud , Podomatic at : so you can now catch Newcastle Roots Music Radio in your podcatching software!
If you can’t listen to it on the computer, or haven’t got
the time to, download and burn to CD and play it in the car or other MP3
player.
And tadahhhh! As said above Newcastle Roots Music Radio is now on I Tunes. So if you have
I tunes software on your computer just subscribe (free!) and it will appear for
you monthly! By the way you can have I tunes software on your
computer/laptop/tablet/ even if you aren’t a Mac user.
You can also catch up on all of the above platforms on the Newcastle Roots Music Radio that
you missed!
All the links at the end of this blog so scroll down!
Playlist for February 2013
Artist/Track/Album/Web
Sharon Shannon/Flying Circus/Windchime Dance/Transatlantic
Sessions Series 5 CD2/ http://www.sharonshannon.com
Sekouba Bambino/Moya Kankoun/The Griot’s Craft/ http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info.php?id=STCD1117
Louisa Lyne
and the Yiddische Kapelye
Gig guide;Music during it:
Christi
Andropolis/Cambric Shirt/ Rust and Holler/ http://www.brightyoungfolk.com/gigs/rust-and-holler-christi-andropolis/record-detail.aspx
The Young ‘Uns: The Stockton Lass/Man, I Feel Like A
yong ‘Un/ http://www.theyounguns.co.uk/
The Roots of the World Shopping
Basket February 2013
Recommended purveyor of CDs : Coda
Music, Edinburgh
Most of the above music can be purchased from and listened
to first, at specialist Roots music retailer Coda Music. They have helpful ,
knowledgeable and friendly staff! Many of the CDs featured on this podcast are
purchased from Coda.
Walk in, browse, smell, see, hear, talk, touch, buy, take
away in your hands!:
12, Bank Street,
On The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LN
On The Mound,
Edinburgh,
EH1 2LN
Anyway…now the purchases!
Mike Vass: Decemberwell
Mike Vass,
former Malinky member had a sleepless night , a fascination with the month of
December and decided he needed to explore that month musically. I for one am
very glad that he did! The
album begins with slow meandering yet stately commencement of “Wintro”, then
the flowing melody of “Looking Thru” with a great guitar
melody with the fiddle singing plaintively above it-I was totally gripped by
Mike’s heart achingly beautiful month driven music and needed more. I was not
disappointed. All of the creations are
of the highest standard. Philip Glass-esque/Spiro-esque sounds in “Snowfall”
and “Slide”; Pane with its stark chords reflecting the bleakness of the weather
with real hail sounds and the multi-layered Cycles. This is an album of immense
variety, fascinating in conception, of varying moods, textures and it makes me
smile!
Anna Chvostek:
“Rise”
Canadian Singer-Songwriter,
member of the wonderful “Wailing Jennys” Anna’s album is an album that has
grown out of love and passion for justice . It is great to hear music where you
know that the person concerned is passionate not only about their art but the
world we all inhabit and depend on. Anna is clearly one of these people. She is also able to command some excellent
musical associates including fellow Canadian Bruce Cockburn, providing some of
the vocal and electric guitar backing.The album gets off to a
thumping start with for me what is an anthemic song “The End of the Road, a
song that challenges oppression, celebrates solidarity and the power of truth.
It has a stomping rhythm , choppy guitar strumming and a powerful chorus.I hope
it is all going to be this good! It certainly is.A change of style with track
“G20” with a Klezmer feel, and from there on as well as her socially
challenging lyrics as well as a couple of songs by other writers it stays at
this standard. There’s plenty of variety, the arrangements are tight. “Will of
How” finds Annabelle in a very smoky jazzy kind of mood, a bit Billie
Hollidayish. There’s some bluegrassy numbers, “All Have Some” having some good grinding
country style fiddling. In a more Country/Folk style is “Foxtail” a happy
sounding country romp but with lyrics which reflect on death, life and it’s
cycle. This is an album that will keep giving back to you as its richness
musically and lyrically unfolds on repeated listenings.
Sekouba
“Bambino” Diabate: The Griot’s Craft
Sekouba is a Griot , part of
that group of people whose role is to preserve history, stories, genealogy,
wisdom and pass it down through the generations. He is a Guinean, and was
formally a member of Bembeya Jazz, joining in 1983, the Guinean band at the
time. This is a sensational CD. With informative sleeve notes about Sekouba,
his craft and the man, the music does not disappoint. If you are looking for a
West African taster of modern classic West African music this could be a very
good start. Each of the songs as well as being rhythmically infectious is
beautifully and tightly arranged and Sekouba’s soaring voice is simply gorgeous
to listen to. Go buy, dance and be charmed!
More info at :
Louisa Lyne
& di Yiddische Kapelye: Debyut
Wow. From the moment I heard
Luisa Lyne’s voice I was utterly drawn in by its ability to soar and to create
an atmosphere of magic, mystery and wonder. Sung in Yiddish it claims to breathe
“life into songs and poetry that have lain forgotten for many years”.
“Tumbalakaka” invites the listener in at the start of the album and I could not
help but being drawn in! Sublime stabbing double base ushers in “Ovent Lid”,
with plenty of great Yiddish melody. Louisa’s voice provides a release from the
tension that she and her band di Yiddische Kapelye manage to generate.
“Lidl Fun Goldenem Land” has an
enchanting accordion backing that to my mind creates a sound not unlike that of
a church organ purring in the background. Whilst there is more starkness and
bleakness albeit utterly compelling later in the album there’s also lighter
moments including the snapping percussion involved in “Dos Keshenever Shtikele”.
Not only is this an album of the highest quality but Luisa’s voice remains
superbly compelling throughout ably supported by di Yiddishe Kapelye.
More info at :
Bridie Jackson and the Arbour/Scarecrow
More enchantment not from Sweden
but from Newcastle courtesy of Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, Newcastle Roots
Music Radio NE artists of the month
Their beautiful website describes them as follows: “Bridie Jackson
& The Arbour are a Newcastle based four-piece, who use sparse
instrumentation and intriguing vocal harmonies to create music that is
simultaneously beautiful, ethereal, dark and powerful.” Well that certainly is
true here. This utterly engaging piece drew me in instantly and once I had
heard it I was not sorry that I could not get the melodies and the overall feel
of “Scarecrow” out of my head! Written by Debt Records stable mate Louis
Barrabas, this talented wordsmith spins a tale of woman looking back from
beyond the grave at her wedding dress which rests upon a scarecrow. The lyrics
meld beautifully with gorgeous and varied arrangement making this an absolute
musical delight melodically, vocally and rhythmically.
Northeast England February
2013/early March 2013 Gig Guide
There’s a gig
planner below where hopefully all the venues in the Northeast will eventually
be included..
If you want your
gigs to be included please e mail me with all the relevant details including
any weblinks a few MP3 tracks of what you will be playing or a CD would also be
useful. So that I can give them some airplay on the Podcast/On my occasional NE1Fm show/DJ night hope
subject to what’s going on that month.
Venue/Promoter
|
Weblink
|
Newcastle
upon Tyne venues
|
|
Cluny, Cluny2
|
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Live Theatre, Newcastle
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Bridge Folk Club, Newcastle
|
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Cumberland Arms
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King’s Hall, Newcastle University
|
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Brewdog, Newcastle
|
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Gateshead
venues
|
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Sage
|
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CentralBar, Gateshead
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Newcastle/Gateshead
Promoter
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Jumping and Hot Club
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North
Tyneside Venues
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Whitley Bay Playhouse
|
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South
Tyneside Venues
|
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South Shields Folk Club
|
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Customs House, South Shields
|
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Sunderland
Venues
|
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Davy Lamp Folk Club, Washington Arts
Centre
|
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County
Durham Venues
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Darlington Folk Club
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Gala, Durham City
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Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
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Town Hall, Bishop Auckland
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Highlights Rural Touring Scheme
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Northumberland
Venues
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Maltings, Berwick
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Queen’s Hall, Hexham
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Alnwick Playhouse
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Hear No Evil, Alnwick
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Bellingham All Acoustic Club
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Cramlington Folk Club
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Rothbury Roots
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The Hearth, Horsley
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Highlights Rural Touring Scheme
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St Cuthbert’s House, Seahouses
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Cleveland
Venues
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The ARC, Stockton
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February 2013
|
|
1
|
Bede’s World, Jarrow: Bridie
Jackson and the Arbour
Wark Town Hall; Mambo Jambo (Highlights Rural Touring Scheme)
|
2
|
Jumping and Hot Club @Cluny2: John Murry and Stephen Brown
Davy Lamp: Pilgrim’s Way
The Watchtower, Berwick: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Whittingham Memorial Institute: Mambo Jambo (Highlights Rural Touring
Scheme)
|
3
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JHC @CL2: Otis Gibbs and Serious Sam Barratt
Sage: Frigg
|
4
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Sage: Transatlantic Sessions
|
5
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6
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Jumping and Hot Club @Cluny: Dale Watson and the Texas Two and Sour
Mash Trio
|
7
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Side Cinema, Newcastle: Ladies of
Midnight Blue
|
8
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Cluny 2: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Sage: Northern Harmony
Cumberland Arms, Byker: Mardi Gras night: New York Brass Band, Bob
Stork and the Heaton Playboys
|
Saturday 9
|
Jumping and Hot Club at Cluny
2: O’Hooley and Tidow
Jumping and Hot Club :World
Headquarters, Newcastle: Mad Professor And Special Guests on the
Pangea Sound System
Moot Hall, Hexham: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour
Whitley Bay Playhouse: The Lock In (The Demon Barbers)
|
10
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South Shields Folk Club: Brian Peters
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11
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12
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13
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14
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Darlington Folk Club: Kieran Halpin and Yogi Jockusch
Cumberland Arms, Byker: Tyde |
Friday 15
|
Sage; An Evening with the Wilson family
Hearth, Horsley: Young Traditions:The Teacups, Down in the Attic and
the Stocksfield Stompers
|
16
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Sage Rob Heron and the Tea Pad
Orchestra; Christi Andropolis; with Matt Price, Scott William Albert Hartley
|
17
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South Shields Folk Club: Benny Graham
Central Bar, Gateshead: Beccy Owen Tap and Spile, Hexham: Harry Bird and the Rubber Wellies |
18
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Bridge Folk Club:Dave Webber
and Anni Fentiman
|
19
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Maltings, Berwick: Fairport Convention
Cramlington
Folk Club: Christi Andropolis
|
20
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Bishop Auckland Town Hall: The Young ‘Uns
|
21
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Queen’s Hall: Dervish
Hear No Evil: Alnwick: Paul Liddell, The Elles, Hague
Cumberland Arms: Haddo
Rothbury Roots: Flossie Malavialle and NE3 Folk |
22
|
|
23
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Sage:Future Traditions
Caedmon Hall,
Gateshead: Mama Roisin and Buffalo Skinners
Ewan
McLennan, Old Cinema Launderette, Durham
|
24
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Sage: Tony Bengtsson, 1pm (Free!)
Sage: Phil Beer
Sage:Yiddish
Twist Orchestra
|
25
|
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26
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Sage:Fairport
Convention
Cumberland Arms: Star and Shadow Rapper Crew + The Teacups +Folk Degree Students-Fund Raising event £3, 8.00pm, Details:
“We're raising money for the entrance fee/transport to
attend the international annual rapper dancing competition, DERT, which is
being held in Derby this year, and we're putting on a show at The Cumberland
Arms at 8pm on Tuesday 26th Feb. It's only £3 to get in, and the evening's
entertainment is provided by the team members and a couple of our folky friends
from the folk degree and beyond. It should be a good showcase of local young
talent (including The Teacups of course!). There will be songs, tunes, and a
bit of dancing by the team too.”
|
27
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Arc, Stockton: The Hot 8 Brass Band
Gala, Durham:Sharon Shannon |
28
|
Jumping and Hot Club at Cluny 2:
Mark Eitzel
|
March 2013
|
|
1
|
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Saturday 2
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Queen’s
Hall: Landermason
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Sunday 3rd
|
Porter’s
Coffee House, Tynemouth: Landermason
|
5 Gigs to Go
To….amongst many!!!
The Yiddish Twist Orchestra,
Sage, Gateshead, Sunday 24th February
Making Tracks has been a fantastic series of World Music concerts
featuring amazing music from all over the world. This month sees the Yiddish
Twist Orchestra touch down on Tyneside direct from London.: The Guardian described them as follows: The Yiddish Twist Orchestra are a band with
a mission, and their own quirky mythology. Their aim, they say, is to revive
the forgotten music of 50s London, a time when klezmer and other Jewish styles
interacted with West Indian and Latin dance music, early rock'n'roll, and the Twist (or der shvitz, as they insist it was
known before it was taken up by the Americans).
Klezmer colliding with Cuban..can’t wait!
The Hot 8 Brass Band, The Arc,
Stockton, Wednesday 27th February
Funked
up New Orleans big band jazz hits Stockton and how!
Try
before you go:
Mama Roisin , Caedmon Hall,
Gateshead, Saturday, 23rd February
Direct
from the bayou of La Suisse, French Switzerland , charged up Cajun from this
powerhouse of a Cajun band. Recommended!
Try
before you go:
Sharon Shannon, The
Gala,Durham, Wednesday 27th February
Top
Irish melodeon/accordionist Sharon Shannon has played with best including been
featured in the “Transatlantic Sessions”. This will be a night in the company
of one of the finest with jigs, reels, airs and more!
Try
before you go:
The Young ‘Uns, Davy Lamp Folk
Club, February 16th and Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 20th
February
Great
vocal harmonies and lyrics drawn from the Northeast folk tradition from these
bonny Teesside lads!
Try
before you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_YoxdaoAe8
Gig Review: Frigg,
Hall 2, Sage Gateshead, 3/2/13
It was near on a full house who witnessed the 7 piece folk band, Frigg, from Finland/Norway. Their unique
take on Nordic folk was tinged with a bluegrass feel- What an evening of high class entertainment it
was!
Chris Pentney (Head of the Folkworks programme at the Sage, Gateshead)
was clearly thrilled to see the packed hall, and there was a real sense of
expectation about this gig. From the very beginning the dynamic sound of
fiddles, double bass , mandolin, deep folk grooves, lively melodies,
unexpected musical twists, superb musicianship and the sheer overall dynamism of Frigg’s
offering gripped the audience.
It wasn’t just the music that engaged the crowd but also
the witty banter and warmth from band members.
Frigg are an instrumental band and the concert got off to a rip roaring start with a tune which
in English roughly translates as “Let’s Party”: Lively,
joyous and with a thumping double bass accompaniment. Funky rhythms followed in
a tune called Bo!, one of many toe-tapping melodies. These included more complex tunes (I think it was called “Economy Claus”?) with changes of time signatures , discordant mandolin, and jazz influences intertwined with folk . It was not all high
octane, there were quieter more
lyrical moments including a gentle waltz but this was followed with the title
track of the recommended new CD “Polka V” , an energetic number interspersed with moments of greater tranquillity.
The energy, joy, contrasts and dynamism of
their music -called “Nordgrass” because of the Nordic/bluegrass after the break.
My favourite tune was “Norsken”,
which exemplifies the Nordgrass feel. If you missed the concert you can find a
YouTube video of this at the Shetland Folk Festival at : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Xm1a35mJt4
Hall 2 was not going to let Frigg go when they announced
that their night’s work was done and the enthusiasm of their playing was
mirrored by the footstomping that went
on demanding an encore which they were more than pleased to give! They then surprised the audience by inviting us to join
them at a late night session at the Newcastle city centre pub the Lady Greys. An early start
at work next day did not allow for this! If you get the chance to see Frigg,
GO!!!
Want to know and listen to more. Here’s some useful info:
You can hear their 2005 album “Oasis” on the Spotify
website.
Gig Review: Bridie Jackson and the Arbour, Cluny 2, Byker,
Newcastle, 8th February 2013
Bridie Jackson, the four member folk group from Newcastle, attracted a full house at this intimate venue which I think is perfect for their sparse
instrumentation and often ethereal feel.
The visual spectacle was added to by the addition of some
fairy lights which emphasised the
intimacy of the setting and gave the occasion a really special atmosphere. Clearly
a lot of thought had gone into the staging of this event.
Beccy Owen, a local singer provided a perfect start to the
evening with her soft sensitive powerful voice and skilfully crafted
self-authored songs. She was joined on stage,
by another local singer-songwriter, for some numbers by singer-songwriter Matt
Lucas. They combined well together and gave a performance that charmed the audience.
The scene had been well set for Bridie and her band which is
comprised of Bridie (guitar, piano, lead vocal, and belleplates), Jenny Nendick
(cello, belleplates), Carol Bowden (vocals, percussion, belleplates), and Rachel
Cross (vocals, violin, belleplates). Bridie and her band’s video to their new
single “Scarecrow” provided the introduction to their set. It is a beautifully
shot piece in black and white. A link is at the bottom of this review to check
it out for yourselves. The band are signed to Debt Records. Fellow Debt signee,
Louis Barrabas is the author of the stunning lyrics for the song. Louis has
been modest enough to say that Bridie will probably be known for them in the
future rather than him, so impressed has he been with the single, which was
launched at the gig. It’s out now and is available on limited CD release and
download. Full information on the band’s website (see link below).
The set which included the single and its B side “All You
Love is All You are”, and material from the album “Bitter Lullabies” emphasised
how talented the band are. Not only are the lyrics beautifully written but the
compositions and settings of the songs are incredibly varied. Bridie sings with great intimacy and
sensitivity but she can also deliver foot stomping hollering with a raw
powerful edge. The ensemble really captivated the audience in with their
exquisite delivery including with the use of the handbelles, a gorgeous sound.
Apart from their clear musical prowess, the band also came
across as really revelling in entertaining the crowd and it was nice to hear
Bridie and band thank those who had made a particular contribution, beaming
with smiles as they did it.
My only moan is that I just wished it had gone on longer. I
could have sat and listened for hours!
Further info:
Author
of the lyrics to “Scarecrow”: Louis Barrabas: http://louisbarabbas.com/ (January 9, 2013 blog entry)
Forthcoming
dates for theBridie Jackson and the Arbour: http://www.bridiejackson.com/gigs
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BridieJackson1
“Scarecrow”
video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4sqq7BV6pE
NE1 Fm
This is a community based radio station broadcasting on
102.5fm in Newcastle/Gateshead and to the world on the internet at: http://www.ne1fm.net/
Roots Music features on NE1 Fm!
Occasional “RootsoftheWorld” show from me. It tends to be
on Monday am (GMT) between 10am and 12. Look out on
Twitter for alerts.
Current programming (accurate as of November 23rd 2012)
includes (based on NE1 Fm’s descriptions):
Mondays 11PM-1AM
– Vintage Swing Show
“Two hours of swing,
blues and jazz from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s with Richard Owen.”
Sunday 11PM-1AM
– Jumping Hot Club
Alan Harrison presents an eclectic mix of ‘rootsy’ music, with both local and international acts, interviews and more.
Alan Harrison presents an eclectic mix of ‘rootsy’ music, with both local and international acts, interviews and more.
5-7PM – NE1
Irish
Jim Bennett, Fiona Clelland and Tommy McClements host a weekly magazine featuring chat, interviews and live music for the Irish community of Newcastle and Gateshead.NE1 Irish is a magazine-style programme catering for the Irish community of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, and is live every Wednesday from 5 til 7PM.
Jim Bennett, Fiona Clelland and Tommy McClements host a weekly magazine featuring chat, interviews and live music for the Irish community of Newcastle and Gateshead.NE1 Irish is a magazine-style programme catering for the Irish community of Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead, and is live every Wednesday from 5 til 7PM.
RootsoftheWorld/Newcastle Roots Music
Radio weblinks and contacts
OR go the I Tunes Store/Podcasts and search for Newcastle Roots Music Radio and subscribe
(free!)
How you can help Newcastle Roots
Music Radio/RootsoftheWorld-
Usual stuff: listen to podcast and recommend to others by e
mail /Twitter etc., follow me on Twitter and retweet my tweets particularly the
podcast/blog links, “like” on my Facebook page , recommend me to others, put a
poster up.
Local Artists: If you
feel you fit the brief of this blog and associated podcast please get in touch.
It would help if you could send some of your music for me to have a listen to,
ideally on CD, and dates of any upcoming gigs in the region, weblinks etc. Use
the contact details above. I look forward to hearing from you.
And finally: RootsoftheWorld wishes you a happy month musically and otherwise! Be
careful. And be nice. Bye for now! J Oh and Happy New Year once again!
Next edition of
Newcastle Roots Music Radio out March 2ndh 2013 featuring from the
Northeast “The Pitmen Poets”
I would prefer to get
podcasts out on the 1st of the month, except when real life barges
it into being a bit later as this is a one human operation, not a multinational
behemoth and I have a non-musical day job…so bear with me!
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