South London Folk Blog

Here’s a song for you -  ‘If but and maybe’ - taken from my 2007 collection Carpenter for the Legion. A free download - catch it while you can.

I met Sean Taylor about 3 years ago - Sean opened a day of acoustic performances at the Nelson Arms as part of the Re-Play Music festival. I was compere and Sean’s sound man. Sean was and remains mighty talented. He has a new CD and its called ‘Walk with me’ - you can hear the title track and others on his myspace - the title track is great - if you know Sean you might expect layers of guitars, delays and echoes as well and intelligent and adult lyrics - and while you get all of this ‘Walk with me’ will really surprise you - it has a hard edge and is quite funky - just listen to I feel alright. The title track is a piano ballad - all dark club and smokey tables - can you remember that - your clothes stank but our venues had atmosphere. If you don’t know or can’t imagine what you’re gonna get think Robbie Robertson (the band) crossed with Ed Harcourt and laced with North London cool.  Sean’s on tour all over the place - try and catch him - he’s really good!

 The one and only and fantastic Dijajo (pronounced Did ya Jo?) made an unannounced appearance, much to he delight of the crowd, at The legendary Nelson Open Mic last week and also much to everyones added delight so did the wonderful  Pixiephone and thanks to Marc the head bar steward you can enjoy both Dijajo and the pixiephone just click on the above link!

Time fly’s …….. its already August and I’ve done nowt for July but what a month it was harmonica for BillyFranks @ the world famous Troubadour and an album launch party with Twisted Harmony. Wonderful photos at the troubadour taken by the very talented Darren Clarke (look him up on facebook - one of my friends).

And just check out the Twisted Boys. The video below is one of three I put together the day after the night before so to speak…….

I had the good fortune to play for a second time at the Gorringe Park Tavern this week (Tuesday). My first visit was with John and Justine as my backing to perform a few ‘Dick Philpot’ songs. This weeks visit was a more spontaneous affair with my rather cheekily asking Tim Buckley at very short if I could play harmonica on his set. The gent that he is Tim said yes which led to another extremely enjoyable evening. This night at the Gorringe happens once a month and features singers and comedians and I believe spoken word and its all hosted by Pete Kermally a grand comic and Andy Gibbons and grand singer! The event is a joy and at present I’m looking forward to listening to the live recording of the evening that Andy does for free and then posts on the web. I am also enjoying receiving photos via facebook again taken and generously shared by Andy. I’ll be updating this post as the live recording ‘hits the web’ and I recommend you looking these guys up on facebook and saying hello.

I just couldn’t resist……. free download

The gentleman on the right in the stripey jacket is Edward C Byles of the Harmonica Scamps. The Scamps were a Harmonica Orchestra who trod the boards in Norfolk / Great Yarmouth back in, I believe, the 1950s. Sadly Mr Byles passed away last year but his harmonicas remain! and lucky fella that I am a I acquired them for a few pieces of eight from his niece. I’m currently reworking a few new recordings in order to, in particular, incorporate the the deep and dark sounds of the Hohner G Bass. Oh the joy - I know there’s an answer!

Superb and at my Open Mic at the Nelson Arms last week.

In December 2008 I released an album (I still like to call them albums) called the South London Stroll. Its a bad idea to issue an album in December because the very next month to all casual browsers of albums its a year old! Oh well you live and learn. So here I a, two years I suppose down the road and still up to my ears in new songs for the ‘follow up’. The follow up shall be called or might be called ‘The little book of South London Folk’. The very last song to be added to the ’stroll’ was ‘What I need is your love’. That song signalled a change in direction for me - a more popularly orientated slant - less intraspective but still ‘quality’ said with a capital Q. The track list currently looks someting like this:

You gotta downsize (not sure which version - the video one or one of the other two).

Treat that girl sweet (subject of the video challenge - thanks Moth - but where is everyone else!!!!)

Che Guevara (recorded several times but am unsure of the Springsteen vibe)

The Demon Inside (written with John Black - a version currenty available on myspace will be engineered and more vox added by Jus)

The Awakening of a heart

It’ll be alright ( written with John Black- is well under way but needs keys)

My baby did what  mybaby do (recorded twice - needs a new vibe - perhaps tomorrow)

The boy with dust for brains (recorded but needs reviewing - art work underway).

Drowning in a stormy sea  (recorded but possibly suffering with an attack of triteness)

The 7:15 train ( again recorded and again feels not finished  - lyrically - I play violin on this one!)

So there you have it 10 songs almost down and another half dozen in the half written stage. Exciting times.

 Been lucky enough to have been working on the beautiful game project being run by Billy Franks. The proceeds of this venture will be going to the charity formed by Prince Harry and Lesotho’s Prince Seeiso, Sentebale, which cares for orphaned children in Lesotho, Africa. So far I’ve been in the studio and on location and am currently knee deep in edits and footage. These are really exciting times! Check out the link above and while your there the 10 second tease for the project film/ music video - you’ll find ‘the tease’ on the video page.