On Friday afternoon I listened to Lily Allen being interviewed by Jonathon Agnew during the tea interval of The Lords Test Match, a talented song writer and performer clearly at one with herself, with a hint of conservatism, especially where cricket is concerned. Knitting, embroidery, baking and sandwich making for the local Cricket Club’s teas all featured heavily during the interview, as well as the work she is doing writing a musical.
Contrast with the appalling news on Saturday of the death of Amy Winehouse. Another great singing and writing talent who never really balanced the rock and roll life style with her personality, if she ever discovered it. Here was a person clearly in crisis yet her Management Company decided to virtually throw her to the Wolves by sending her off on a World Tour that predictably failed at the first hurdle.
All one can really say of Amy is that it is so sad that the World has been robbed of her vibrant creativity and performance so prematurely. I disagree with those who say that she lived life to the full and reaped the reward, as a life dominated by drugs and alcohol suggests more negativity than positivity, but her talent cannot be questioned. What’s more, at her best, she was one the best on stage performers of her generation.
As if further contrast were needed Jonathon Agnew interviewed a seventy year old Roy Harper during Saturday’s lunch interval, someone who somehow survived the rock and roll life style of the sixties, where he played his full part. Dear old Roy, fine musician and song writer he is, but certainly no cricket commentator.
Rock on Test Match Special.
One cannot move on without mentioning the madness that took place in Norway. Yet more lives wasted on the altar of extreme Political Ideology an Ideology I fear that might well be attractive to Right Wing Organisations across Europe. I refrain from using the word “Extreme” for it’s an unfortunate fact of life that there will be many who will sympathise with the anti-Muslim sentiments expressed in his Rants.
It shows how those of us who hold Liberal Multi Cultural views need to be on our guard, and pray that not more of these nutters decide to let rip on their own to make their Nationalist points.
And meanwhile the News International scandal begins to take on only sideshow significance. It was interesting watching Cameron in action on Wednesday as he sought to explain his appointment of Coulston, all the time he was allowed to make his prepared statement he came across as being in charge, yet the moment he came under pressure from questioning his replies took on a near recklessness. Indeed, I did not find his personalised attacks on Ed very edifying at all. It demonstrates just how nasty the next election might become.
Of course Mr Murdock’s appearance at Parliament was great fun, featuring even custard pie throwing. Very little was achieved from the event other than a chance for certain MPs to give the Murdocks a good verbal kicking, one sensed a bit of revenge taking. Even Rebecca Brookes found herself tied by the threat of a Criminal Trial, so her answers were just a little threadbare as well.
Meanwhile the Met appears to be losing it’s Commanders hand over fist, while Boris, demonstrating a grasp of the seriousness of the situation still views it as a not important matter.
But with Parliament now stood down for the Summer, bring on the silly season for real.
Yet more thanks to those of you who have bought music books from the Web Site, it’s certainly helping me through this barren period until the mountain of forms have been completed and on their way to the various Government Departments. There are still one or two real gems left and a few bargains to. So if you’ve not taken a look please do so, before they head off to Ebay in a few days’ time. HERE
This mid term sick business is taking some getting use to, but I’m sure I’ll eventually adapt, and of course it’s going to be strange not having a car for a bit.
We appear to be getting more and more hits onto the Web Site, so the revamp completed earlier this year appears to have done the job. It’s also good to report that switching off the instant music has not seriously affected the number of plays for either the Acoustic Rotherham player or the Masher Player.
It’s also good to see that there appears to be a growth in the number of people returning to the Site on a regular basis.
We would really love to see people exploring the site more. There’s a wealth of information in terms of Links to other sites or instant downloads available if you look around as well as some great packaged music. Check out the full index in the drop down menu for each section. HERE
Busy week coming up. It’s Nellie Folk on Monday at The Bridge, or for those in other parts you’ll be able to find Tina McKevitt and Matt Hegarty over at the Stockport Arts Gallery, but you’ll have to be quick for that as even though it’s a FREE event, you still need to have a ticket.
Wednesday we have Myke’s Birthday Bash, all proceeds to the Myke Barritt Music Trust. For those who don’t know, when Myke was amongst us he would celebrate his birthday each year by having a big Party, often all day, when musicians and singers from all over would gather together for a massive session. After his death, the Trust set up in his name to propagate and support the local music scene decided to keep the Birthday Bash going if for no other reason than having a huge music session.
Once again there will be appearances from Myke Bands, The Rawmarsh Mashers, Tyburn and Earthtales, with support from David Kidman, Sue Barrie and Jane, Sylvia, David Kidman, Welsh Geoff and Paul Pearson. That all starts around six, while the event kicks off at 2:00pm with a Singaround session directed by David Kidman.
Here's a picture of Happy Trust members at work on the Rotherham Market this week
We also intend to announce the first project to benefit from the Trust Fund.
Details HERE
The weekends with Acoustic Rotherham 12. Another great line up with ItsAcoustica, Julie and Tim Cole, David Kidman, Tina McKevitt, local legend Scottish John Nicholson, Stompin On Spiders or Gaz, VanrayUK (Pete Long), and Gary Parker + or -. It all starts around 1:30pm, with the Rawmarsh Masher testing the equipment.
A good mix of genre and styles so a brilliant afternoon is well in store. Details HERE
Further afield, Wednesday sees the start of the Staithes Singaround Five Day Festival, based at The Captain Cooke. Camping still available. The two biggie Festivals at Cambridge (you can get a live video stream of the main stage for free if you go to their Web Site HERE) and Sidmouth get underway at the weekend, I see that Cambridge is Sold Out. All details and links to the Festival Web Sites or details HERE
And of course there is the usual local programme of Clubs and Sessions.
I’m hoping that I’ll get a couple of reviews from the Tramline Festival and the Hull Shanty Festival currently going on by the middle of the week, in which case I’ll publish in a separate Blog.
And that’s it for this week Folks. Sorry there’s not a lot about what is going on in the big wide World of South Yorkshire this week, but until I’m out and about again I’m reliant upon good folks taking the trouble to send stuff into me, so please feel free to send me your reviews, comments or whatever. Send to acousticrotherham@jmucreate.com
Whatever you’re doing this week please have fun and keep it live – best of all I’d love to see you all at the Birthday Bash on Wednesday.
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