Here
are my favourite Scottish female singer songwriters - Eddi Reader, Emeli
Sande, Karine Polwart, Karen Matheson, Julie Fowlis - all very different and very
special in their own unique ways. I have been to several concerts by all of
them. They are also successful in different areas of music. I have also
seen some young new female singer songwriters here - Kate Tough, Genesee,
Rachel Sermanni, Katie Sutherland.
Venue – University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
Paisley Campus, Paisley,
PA1 2BE
Time – 10am – 4pm
Casting call for brand new amateur
dramatics musical for breast cancer awareness project for charity.
Main characters auditions Saturday 14th
June
Minor characters, chorus and dancers
Sunday 15th June
All profit to 3 cancer
charities. Takes place at Mitchell Theatre Glasgow.
5 performances - 24th – 26th
October 2014 to coincide with breast cancer awareness month.
Rehearsals
Mondays and Thursdays 7pm-9pm.Commencing week of 21st July
Choreography intensive workshops 4th
– 10th August daily 5pm-9pm with Tim Noble [Kylie Minogue’s
choreographer] All at University of the
West of Scotland Paisley Campus
If anyone finds they can’t make the
day their part is being auditioned but can make the other day, please let us
know at ydnymusical@gmail.com
I was
googling for info online and found Bo Bruce, a finalist on The Voice UK
She said the
BBC spent no money on promo by The Voice, by comparison to the money spent by ITV on its shows – such as X factor. That
acts appearing on The Voice UK are likely to fail once the show
comes to an end.
The finalist stated that the BBC has too many restrictions when it
comes to promoting acts in comparison to other channels. Leanne Mitchell’s
debut album only reached no 134 UK
album chart, and
her single 'Run To You' peaked at 45.
"They just put out a single and didn't really advertise the fact that it
was out there and available to buy..Normally you would have a huge marketing
campaign before a big release. But you can't do that when you have won The
Voice."
"Being part of the BBC, they can't be seen to do that. They have far more
restrictions. If you look at The X Factor, they are allowed to heavily
promote an artist or a singer. Because of that, they almost always have at
least one number one single."
"BBC producers are not able to take control of the winner's career in the same way Simon Cowell does for his shows. I'm really glad I didn't win because it meant I could take my time. Personally, it is better to be runner-up as there's less pressure to have an instant hit." Danny O'Donoghue said: "That's not the fault of the BBC. you can take an artist like that and question their work ethic."
The reality of course is that the BBC can't be seen to spend money on things like the media hype for a contestant ( the BBC has no revenues from advertising).
Entrants to these Tv show should view them as a platform or showcase. for some exposure. Reality shows are
intense short-term spotlights and anyone
searching for a longer term career in music should look for other opportunities
to showcase – such as the slow burner approach online and those at the small
venues.
These shows create a false bubble for young people's expectations and therefore it can often be hard to deal with let downs, and with some entrants being as young as sixteen. It is necessary to be aware of these
limitations and have your eyes open to the artificial nature of these
reality tv spotlights.
The slow down in sales of CDs has affected these
shows with money now in the live shows and song royalties
Singer songwriter legend John Martyn, famous for 'May You Never'
'The highlight of my
career? That's easy, Elvis recording one of my songs.' Bob Dylan.
Our most loved singer
song writers become like our best friends.
In ages past there
were Troubadours who toured their songs. It used to
be (not so long ago too) that young artists would get out and perform on the circuit of live folk
clubs, uni refectories and local bars in the UK
and Europe and elsewhere. It used to be not so
long ago that creativity was alive and well in the world of music. Back then it
was all more organic rather than a production line. Musicians then
played 'residencies' where they might hone their song craftsmanship through the varied experience of playing to a live audience. In the 50s singers toured with the Big
bands and money was made through the Publishers Sheet music.
Since the advent of recorded music the
Studio (and therefore Radio too) has taken precedence in music. Recorded music has led to a break down of boundaries of place and time and has also brought about vast changes to
our tastes. The drums of Africa have mixed with the European folk tunes, the
sitar with pop, the jazz clarinet with the violin solo, the rock of The Who
with modern electronica.The advent of
the iPod broadened our taste yet again with thousands of instant tracks. Of
course 'quantity is the opposite of 'quality.'
There are problems
now over who should define or select the great from the average. Who are the
'experts' in music anymore? There are the taste
makers the Labels, the music reviewers and music websites. It used to be that
the Royal Court
would decide which artists to commission - who decides today?
I
read about writers and producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.
They
wrote - HoundDog, Stand By Me and many other great rock and roll hits. Yet how
many have heard of these incredibly gifted artists? I don't understand the
system at all and I am not an Elvis fan for a start - give me the singer
songwriter any time. Apparently Elvis added the line to HoundDog 'Aint' nothing
but a rabbit and he ain't no friend of mine.'
For
me the voice of the writer of the song simply has more to say to me.
Quote from Mike
Stoller, 'Beyond the brilliance of his mind and the mastery of his story telling, Jerry had in abundance two beautiful
qualities that guaranteed his immortality. Jerry had spirit and Jerry had soul.
'
'He could sing - and
man, he sang as midnight. By the way he interpreted lyrics, we were sure he'd
grown up in the same ghetto as us,' Quote vocalist Carl Gardener.
It
is only through knowing the 'knowledge' of the 'old' that the young can build
something great. There are still some great Troubadours here in Scotland, who have great individual strength of character and something that matters to say in their voice, music and songs - Dick Gaughan, Michael Marra, Rab Noakes.... I'm just not sure where the young Troubadours are though?
Where are the great singer songwriters of today? They are still here (I hope), they are simply hard to find these days and seem to be buried in a sea of 'commercialism' with over-hype, instant sound-bites, over-production and glossy videos. A telling moment on a recent BBC show was simply Simon and guitar on the Parkinson show. The creative genius behind great music, bands and orchestras is simply this and to find the heart of great art requires it is 'stripped back' to basics.
What are the best songs of the past 2 decades that compare to the great songs of the 60s? I was making myself a playlist of favourite songs and I was struggling to think of songs from the 90s and noughties that will last the tests of time...? Names that came into my mind were Radiohead, Arcade Fire and Coldplay - all bands. Many great singer songwriters started off in bands - Richard Thompson ( Fairport Convention), Rafferty (Humbelbums), McCartney (the Beatles), Simon (Simon and Garfunkle)...more. Perhaps it is easier to find your artistic voice through collaborating. I know it can take years for classics to emerge.
Culture has changed, the internet has given us access to instant media-music. In the 60s music was more of an investment of our time and money and involved a trip to the Record Shop! I feel certain there are advantages to online streaming but drawbacks too. It was a big deal for 50s artists when they were able to hear the blues legends on the radio. So the advancement of the new technologies means that all the arts can now develop at a much faster pace than ever before. Yet the young people seem to crave nostalgia...
Does the proliferation of Talent Shows these days (both local and on tv) have a lot to answer for when they are mainly about producing musical performers and are not about the craft of the songwriter. I guess there is still the folk scene for singer songwriters. Many say that their music is rooted in traditional folk music - for example Dylan drew on Woody Guthrie, and Elton on Leon Russell.
I worry though that the arts are loosing the 'heart' of what makes art or music truly great and unforgettable in their rush to pursue the business side of it all. Reflecting on music and songs of recent times I began to wonder is there not much 'substance' or heart behind much of it, that tells me something new emotionally I've not heard a million times before? To quote Rab Noakes - ' a future with no past has no idea'.
Singer-songwriting is about finding your own unique voice.
Last week the BBC4 ran a show BBC Singer Songwriters. On my list were many on this show - Joni, Rab Noakes, Rafferty, Paul Simon, Cohen.. all there. Those were simpler times back then. Great acoustic music is still here, it is just hard to find it these days : )
Last week the BBC4 ran a show BBC Singer Songwriters. On my list were many on this show - Joni, Rab Noakes, Rafferty, Paul Simon, John Martyn, Cohen.. all there. Those were simpler times back then. Great acoustic music is still here, it is just hard to find it these days : )
PS - Are older singer-songwriters doing enough to encourage and offer platforms for the younger artists?
I include a clip of Joni Mitchell on the BBC. Joni is probably my biggest inspiration for singer songwriters.
Cast of singers: Thea Gilmore, Josh Rouse, Gemma Hayes, James Grant, Justin Townes Earle, Kris Drever, Rab Noakes, Laura Cantrell, Hart and his band the Lonesome Fire. One aspect that draws me to Celtic each year is the interesting collaborations - and this night was certainly one of them.A concert packed with not only talent but the genius that is Mr Bob Dylan.
The Show was introduced by mellow-toned Bob Harris. First up was organiser of this concert Roddy Hart and his band the Lonesome Fire with 'Homesick Blues.' With thirteen songs each set the concert was certainly pushing the boat out. (Full set list below, which I hope I got right) The artists performed songs from several of Dylan's' albums - 'Blood on the Tracks.' 'Nashville Skyline' 'Time Out Of Mind' 'Blonde On Blonde' - with Roddy's band provided a tight backing unit.
*There were several stand out performances - Scot James Grant's vibrant finale of the first half with a rousing Hendrix version of 'All Along The Watchtower; Scot's veteran Rab Noake's with his character depth and challenging selections of songs - 'Absolutely Sweet Marie' and 'Mississippi;' American singer Nell Bryden performed a song from Dylan's romantic side, 'Just Like A Woman'; while Thea Gilmore's sang his darker side with 'Masters' Of War' and 'Lay Down your Weary Bones' - songs that are still as relevant today.
Bryden spoke of how she admired that Dylan's writing often followed this fine line between innocent, fresh, naive and sweet with lilting arpeggios and lyrics that can be so vulnerable - yet at the same time lyrics that were often ironic, strong and dark.
'I was so much older then I'm younger than that now.'
O'Brien spoke of Alison Krauss asking Dylan to sign his large book of Lyrics - he said that it came in handy for him! Gilmore spoke of how Dylan often took old folk tunes, and Scottish ones too, and wrote new songs around them (amateurs imitate, professionals steal!) Some few get the 'heart' of a song and it is not something that can be taught.
Dylan is 'deep' - an often over-used word! It is not easy to explain in mere words, and only truly though the emotions of art. I guess what it is NOT is about being thin, superficial or fake, and Dylan sees through all that! That is not what Dylan is about - more than any other artist Dylan is about 'individual voices' and how those voices might work together to create beauty and sometimes miracles. I only discovered Dylan in recent years after watching Scorcese's illuminating Dylan documentary 'No Direction Home' - and also reading Dylan's brilliant autobiography 'Chronicles'. I saw Dylan perform with his Highwaymen band at the Glasgow SECC in 2006 - he takes no time to introduce himslef, but simply plays his songs with the band - and I guess he doesn't need to! His audience was all ages, and all walks of life, and he may be turning 70 this year but he is still on that artistic road.... Words to describe Dylan - substance, elusive, questioning - a true troubadour is one who lives through music and art. Some of his albums (of which there are many and not all are great) are now like old friends of mine. If I need sustenance - he provides; if I need answers - his lyrics inspire and take me home.
Noakes said that 'Dylan's creative longevity was one of the wonders of the 20th century.' A concert packed with not only talent but the genius that is Mr Bob Dylan.
'Time is an Ocean it isn't the Show'
Order of Performance - Set List
Roddy Hart - Subterranean homesick Blues
Rab Noakes - 'Absolutely Sweet Marie'
Tim O'Brien (and band) - 'I Ain't Gonna Work on Maggie's Farm no More'
Eddi Reader - 'Buckets of Rain'
Thea Gilmore - 'Lay Down Your Weary Tune'
Thea Gilmore - 'Masters of War'
Gemma Hayes - 'Times They are a Changing'
Gemma Hayes - 'Most of the Time'
Kris Drever - 'Hard Rain Gonna Fall'
Nell Bryden - 'Just Like a Woman'
James Grant - All Along The Watchtower'
II Roddy Hart - 'It's Not Dark Yet but It's Getting There'
Josh Rouse - 'The Man in Me'
Josh Rouse - 'Lay Lady Lay '
James Grant - 'Simple Twist of Fate'
Laura Cantrell - 'I Threw it All Away'
Laura Cantrell - 'Mr Tambourine Man'
Tommy Reilly - 'It Ain't Me Babe'
Gemma Hayes and Roddy Hart - 'Oh Sister'
Rab Noakes - 'Mississippi'
Rab noakes and Thea Gilmore - 'Blowin In the Wind'
Rosanne Cash - 'Licence To Kill'
Rosanne Cash - 'Girl From The North Country'
Rab Noakes, Tommy Reilly, Gemma Hayes - 'My Back Pages'
Assembled Cast on stage Finale - 'Forever Young'
ENCORE:
Roddy Hart- 'Baby Blue'
Assembled Cast on stage - 'I Shall Be Released'
'Like A Rolling Stone'
(This is as accurate a list as I could make without asking for the set list!)
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