All Things Considered

Devon Sproule
Posted by Kate Sullivan

Enchanting, talented and cool - Devon Sproule's compelling personality is captured throughout her songs, instantly grabbing the audience's attention at The Norwich Arts Centre last weekend. Joined on stage by her singer songwriter husband Paul Curreri (before he embarks on his own UK tour in November) they amused us by singing, dancing and laughing in perfect unison.

Her latest folksy-bluesy-country compilation "Don't Hurry To Heaven" wasn't written in her native Virginia as with her previous albums but instead written here in the UK with her touring band. Sproule's songs are whimsical, witty and charming - perhaps a result of of her upbringing on a rural hippy commune in Virginia.

"...growing up with 80+ adults (many of whom I was very close to and spent lots of one-on-one time with) creates a need for versatile communication. That's what I see in people who have lived at Twin Oaks - a desire to communicate and a willingness to do it not only on their own terms, or in their own personal language, but in whatever manner will get the job done . . growing up in an income-free environment, the lack of money never bothers me much... So yes, on the whole, I'm proud of my alternative upbringing."

Devon Sproule's UK tour dates.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on October 20th, 2009

Jelly Festival 2009
Posted by Kate Sullivan

The second annual Jelly Festival 2009 takes place tomorrow at Compton Hall, South Creake, Norfolk. This year there will be more stalls, bigger acts, an acoustic stage and camping.

Headlining the festival are The Bays, a group of four musicians who improvise live dance music.

“What drives this band is a need to communicate with their audience in a way not possible with traditional live bands. There are no ‘songs’ as such to perform, there’s no album to promote, and there are no commercial imperatives at play. The Bays only perform live, they never rehearse, they don’t have a set-list and they couldn’t ever do the same performance twice. It’s all about the moment – an experience or an event that exists between the band and the audience for one time only.”

Also playing are 6ix Toys, Yimino, The Sleeping Years, Boy-Com, Peas and Swede Lil Rice and The Three Beards who I recently saw at Norwich Arts Centre – an Eastern European foot stomping Cossack sound.

Tickets are available on the gate from midday at £17.50 (£27.50 camping). Children under 12 accompanied by an adult go free. Contributions are made to the Spinal Injuries Association. Photo of The Bays by Tom Oldham.

Posted by Kate Sullivan on July 31st, 2009

Cover versions
Posted by Simon Lewin

Thanks (again) to Paul Hammond for putting us onto this...

Graphic designer Littlepixel has 'reimagined' a series of classic record sleeves as if they were vintage Pelican books.

Posted by Simon Lewin on July 5th, 2009

Caught By The River – Live
Posted by Simon Lewin

News in from Caught By The River about a live event they have put together for Saturday 11th July 2009 at The Purcell Room, Southbank Centre, London...

"Featuring Laura Barton and Gavin Pretor-Pinney reading their pieces from 'Words On Water' with live sound accompaniment from the great Chris Watson -  a really exciting prospect. We are also showing a short film of the late Roger Deakin in his house and garden. This was made by Mike Dibb as a pitch for a BBC documentary slot. With real short sightedness that slot was never commissioned and this wonderful fifteen minutes of history have sat on Mike’s shelf until their existence came to our attention and we tracked Mike down. We are also honoured to be joined by the authors of two of our current favourite books: Michael McCarthy reads from ‘Say Goodbye to the Cuckoo’  and Andrew Brown reads from ‘Fishing in Utopia’ which has just come out in paperback.  We’ve also got Will Hodgkinson reading from his forthcoming book ‘The Ballad of Britain’ and live music, in the foyer of the QEH, from The Memory Band and friends, who will be performing the soundtrack to The Wicker Man."

For full details and to purchase tickets visit the Southbank Centre website.

Posted by Simon Lewin on July 2nd, 2009

Firecracker Recordings
Posted by Simon Lewin

Thanks to Paul Hammond for passing on the link to this great film that features Edinburgh-based house label Firecracker Recordings screen-printing sleeves for their limited edition vinyl releases.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 17th, 2009

Acid Brass
Posted by Simon Lewin

I have fond memories of playing trumpet & tuba (not at the same time) in our school brass band. Not long ago I mentioned this to a local barber who - I hadn't realised - was a local band leader. I had visions of being thrust on stage with the Aylsham Town Band but have managed to postpone taking on this committment for now.

Robin Turner's piece on Caught By The River on the work of Jeremy Deller reminded me of his Acid Brass collaboration with the Williams Fairey Brass Band, covering a number of acid house anthems including A Guy Called Gerald's "Voodoo Ray" and 808 State's "Pacific 202".

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 14th, 2009

The Neil Cowley Trio – Revolution EP
Posted by Simon Lewin

The Neil Cowley Trio head to the North America today for a handful of live dates.

And just released is their 'Revolution EP' featuring a fairly radical Beatles cover version and (a current ATC favourite) 'Kalabis'.

The four-track digital-only EP is available now on iTunes. To hear other material by the Trio, visit their Myspace page.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 12th, 2009

The Gwilym Simcock Trio
Posted by Simon Lewin

 2009 sees the launch of the first Holt Festival, just down the road from the gallery, and we're very pleased to be sponsoring one of the events, a gig by The Gwilym Simcock Trio.

Fresh from a recent appearance at the recent Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the Trio will appear at The Auden Theatre, Gresham's School on Wednesday 5th August. Tickets are on sale now.

Posted by Simon Lewin on June 5th, 2009

Morrissey
Posted by Simon Lewin

Happy 50th Birthday! Thanks to Robin at Caught By The River for introducing me to German cover act Perrecy...

Posted by Simon Lewin on May 22nd, 2009

Roger Eagle
Posted by Simon Lewin

Passion-fuelled blogging at its best... Caught By The River have been running a series of blogs dedicated to the memory of club promoter Roger Eagle who ran a nightclub in Liverpool called Eric's. Opened in 1976, I probably became aware of Eric's first when they were hosting gigs by Teardrop Explodes, Echo & The Bunnymen etc. If you want to find out more - and for the chance of downloading a couple of commemorative goodies (for a couple of days only) head to Caught By The River.

Posted by Simon Lewin on May 6th, 2009