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Tickle All The Senses At Travelling Jazz Supper Club

Articles, Featured, Information No Responses »

Jun 102014

With thanks to Cindy Douglas.

This season people get the opportunity to treat taste buds, ears and eyes at a
unique cultural event organised by one of the UK’s brightest emerging jazz singing talents.

Following its successful launch at the end of 2013, Scottish jazz singer Cindy Douglas’ venture Eat to the Beat has now hit the road, with dates being planned for all around Scotland, kicking off on the 14th of June in the village of Banchory, Aberdeenshire.

Cindy says about the event:

“Jazz is normally an event either performed in a traditional setting like a concert hall or relegated as background music in a bar. I came up with the idea to create ‘pop up jazz supper clubs’ after enjoying the experience of larger city jazz clubs where people can enjoy dinner and jazz at the same time, in intimate surroundings with great atmosphere.”

The first stop on her new Eat to the Beat tour is The Guide Hut in Banchory, on Saturday the 14th of June. Then Birnam Arts Centre in Dunkeld

on the 21st of June. Both of which will be transformed into a sophisticated jazz club and restaurant for that night only. To add to the entertainment mix, both venues also include art exhibitions, which will be open for viewing to supper club attendants on the night; Beatrix Botanist at Birnam Arts Centre and Mel Shand’s ‘A Portrait of the River’ at Banchory.

Cindy took her inspiration for the event from more cosmopolitan venues where similar events take place.

“I think of Ronnie Scott’s in London and The Blue Note and The Village Vanguard in New York. These are places where food is part of the experience that turns going out for dinner into a full night out. The village halls and café’s my event takes place at in Scotland, may be miles away from these venues in every sense but I think we can give people in these communities a great opportunity to socialise and make their night out one to remember for all the right reasons.”

Cindy Douglas, who is based in Aberdeenshire, gigs regularly in Scotland and has developed a broad repertoire that ranges from swing to post-bop and encompasses everything in between. She has studied with some of the world’s leading jazz vocal educators, including Mark Murphy, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton, Anita Wardell, and Liane Carroll and her singing style has been described as exuberant, mesmerising and versatile.

In 2012, Cindy released her first album, My New Jive, which was recorded in London with pianist Tim Richard’s trio to critical acclaim.

She will also be playing at this year’s Edinburgh Jazz Festival. Debuting her new show ‘Lady Day and The Prez’, paying tribute to the enduring musical legacy of Billie Holiday and Lester Young.

“Singer led jazz with a smile on it’s face.” – The Musician

“The extremely talented vocalist sings with all her heart and soul and her glamorous voice reflects that.” – Jazz Beat, Voice of America

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The Sheep Are On Song – New AFC Anthem Launched

Aberdeen City, Featured, Sport 1 Response »

Apr 112014

With thanks to Sid Ozalid.

A new anthem for Aberdeen Football Club has been launched ahead of the Dons’ Scottish cup semi final with St Johnstone.

Topically titled The Sheep Are On Fire it has been described as:

“a comedic but very groovy tune that celebrates everything that is great about Aberdeen FC”.

To celebrate the birth of his son, Matthew, on the 21st March, just five days after the Dons lifted the League Cup, their first cup triumph in 19 years, best selling author and award winning poet, Sid Ozalid wrote a 18 verse poem about all the Dons players he has watched since the first match he attended in 1969. (AFC v Morton – Reserves)

He shared it with his friend Jim Shepherd of Jasmine Minks (Creation Records / Poptones Records / Alan McGee Signings) and the rest they say is history. Sid did have to cut it back to 3 verses, but thankfully, such lyrical gems as ‘Heid like a spud, Willo Flood’ and ‘Big Eck, Powder keg, face like a scrambled egg’ survived the edit.

When the Dons last won the League Cup in 1995, Sid was broadcasting weekly on Northsound Radio and had lots of ‘fitba’ chat with a young sports reporter called Richard Gordon. Sid had no choice but to invite him to take part in the recording.

Richard, now BBC Scotland Football Commentator, was happy to oblige and duly provided a spoof commentary which name-checks many Dons greats of the past as well as a few more recent red shirted heroes.

Sid also invited friends from other Aberdeen bands he had worked with from the 70’s, 80’s through to the present day. He likes to call them ‘The Sheep Shaggers Male Voice Choir’ and they – Fred Wilkinson (Toxik Ephex), Alan Davidson (The Kitchen Cynics), Wattie Duncan (Jasmine Minks) and Jeremy Thoms (Cathode Ray) to name a few – don’t appear to have any objections.

Sid’s only regret is that he feels he would have mustered a much larger flock had he not sent the invites out in the early hours of April 1st, but conversely, has come to the conclusion that this ploy was essential in rallying the ‘right’ kind of people for the task.

Play it loud and proud!

The Sheep are on Fire by Sid Ozalid, Jimmy Jazz, Richard ‘Fitba’ Gordon and the The Sheep Shaggers Male Voice Choir.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhF3r4QVLo0&list=UUyPKRrSSwnYVYKIyxyQyn2A

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Withered Hand, Charles Latham, Dear Lara – Tunnels 28.11.13

Aberdeen City, Information No Responses »

Nov 252013

Interesting Music Promotions present Withered Hand, Charles Latham and Dear Lara at The Tunnels this Thursday.

Over the past few years Withered Hand – aka DIY folk-rock troubadour Dan Willson – has released an outstanding debut album, Good News, become a much-loved member of King Creosote’s Fence Collective, seen his songs picked up on MTV and cult series ‘Skins’, and gained an unlikely legion of fans including Jarvis Cocker and Rolling Stone Magazine USA (who decreed him “Artist to Watch”).

He also struck up a friendship with indie statesman Darren Hayman (of Hefner), which led to a recording session in Hayman’s London studio late 2011.

Some of the fruits of their labour were released in the UK by Fence Records on the raucous Heart Heart EP and the remainder unveiled on the more reflective Inbetweens EP, available outside the UK on European label Kimi Records from the end of 2012.

More recent Withered Hand shows have included collaborations with Pam Berry of seminal 90’s US noisepop band Black Tambourine and a rotating cast of musical friends embellishing Dan’s exuberant and original songwriting alongside fragile and uplifting solo performances.

A long-awaited second full album is scheduled to be released in UK and USA in early 2014 and was recorded this summer featuring guest appearances from Pam Berry, King Creosote, Eugene Kelly of The Vaselines and members of Belle & Sebastian and Frightened Rabbit.

Dan is delighted to be returning to the road in October / November 2013 for a number of intimate shows playing new songs alongside material from the back catalogue.

“As life-affirming as music gets” – The Herald
“He records like Billy Childish and mixes like the Blue Nile” – Darren Hayman (Hefner)
“The UK’s best lyricist” – King Creosote
“Killer melodies … wobbly folk grooves … tunes full of warm, woozy sing-song charm” – Artist to Watch – Rolling Stone
“Beautifully constructed lyrical frameworks … on this banjo-tinged brand of Caledonian gospel” – MOJO

http://www.witheredhand.com/
https://www.facebook.com/witheredhand
https://twitter.com/witheredhand

Charles Latham wields an acid tongue and a poison pen, crafting social criticism, tragicomic narratives, and brutal self-analysis into three and a half minute ramshackle folk-pop songs.

His songs are often exercises in duality: he finds humor in horror and horror in humor, the profane in beauty and beauty in the profane.

In a live performance, his audience often laughs and smiles, but he rarely does.

His lo-fi home recordings compliment the harsh honesty of his lyrics; his guitar buzzes and rings, and his snarling voice leaps, cracks and cries.

His music is as equally influenced by folk and country as it is by punk, British Invasion-era rock, and Brill Building-style pop.

Originally from Virginia, Charles Latham began playing music professionally while living in Brighton, England as a student. The UK’s folk-punk or “antifolk” scene adopted him as one of their own. In the tradition of the wandering troubadour, Charles Latham moves frequently, and in the last ten years has lived in six different cities both in the U.S. and abroad.

He has performed throughout the United States and United Kingdom, including major music festivals such as the Hopscotch Music Festival. Latham, currently residing in Tennessee, continues to write, record, and perform.

“Latham’s music is passionate with biting wit.” – NPR
“One of the sharpest songwriters to emerge of late on the antifolk sphere…Charles Latham could be your new hero.” – The Independent Weekly
“3.5 stars out of 5” – Pitchfork

http://www.charleslatham.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charles-Latham
https://twitter.com/charleslatham

Fresh from recording his beautifully intimate debut e.p in a secluded log cabin, Dear Lara a.k.a David Lan makes music best described as understated, reverb-laden, lo-fi folk songs with dreamy lyrics about heartache and travel in Glasgow and beyond.

https://www.facebook.com/DearLara

Withered Hand + Charles Latham + Dear Lara

Thursday 28 November 2013
The Tunnels (Room 1),
Carnegies Brae,
Aberdeen
AB10 1BF.
Phone (01224) 211121
Doors 8.00pm
Advance Tickets £7.50+bf / £9 on door
Available from http://www.wegottickets.com/event/246785

http://www.facebook.com/interestingmusicpromotions
http://www.twitter.com/IMP_aberdeen

121 Davids Help Aberdeen To Create World Record

Aberdeen City, Articles No Responses »

Nov 252013

This week, 121 men and boys named David went Christmas crackers in a bid to create a world record for a choir performing Once in Royal David’s City … consisting entirely of singers called David. With thanks to Beverly Tricker.

Scores of dulcet toned Davids, Daves and Davies lined up at the Castlegate in Aberdeen at 3pm on Sunday to help to create the record.

The event was aimed at publicising the city’s Winter Festival and to coincide with both the annual switching-on of the Christmas lights and the reindeer parade.

The record attempt will also be submitted to the Guinness World Records for consideration as marking a world record.

Steve Harris, chief executive of VisitAberdeen, said,

“We’re staggered at the support we’ve had from local Davids and their families for this record attempt. Getting to 100 Davids was our dream number, but to get to over 120 is fantastic.

“Visitors are always impressed by how friendly the city is, so what better way to show that community spirit by organising a record breaking choir singing one of our best loved carols? It was a Christmas sing a long with a difference!

“The name David is always in the top fifty most popular names in Scotland so we were confident of a good response although it might have been a different matter if we had chosen Good King Wenceslas – there’s probably not too many sharing that name in our part of the world.

“After today’s success however, we may be looking for Hollys to help us to ‘Deck the Halls’ next year!”

The carol Once in Royal David’s City which was originally written by Miss Cecil Humphreys, who also wrote another much loved hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful, was published in 1848 as a poem and set to music a year later.

The Festival of Nine lessons and carols at Kings College, Cambridge, which is broadcast annually, traditionally begins with a boy chorister singing the first verse of Once in Royal David’s City solo.

Steve continued:

“Aberdeen is full of festive celebration throughout November and December and with our excellent Christmas shopping offering, our first-rate restaurants and pubs and a full programme of events in the Winter Festival. We’re encouraging more people to consider the city for a festive break.”

The Winter Festival lights up the North east city of Aberdeen until January with a jam-packed schedule of festive events. There’s something to suit everyone – from spectacular fireworks and exclusive concerts and from candle lit choirs to interactive pantomimes. And if you’re really feeling brave, get involved in the ‘Nippy Dippy’ Boxing Day dip at Aberdeen beach.

The Are You David 2013 world record attempt is just one of the community events putting Aberdeen on the map.

visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/areyoudavid2013
follow the event on Twitter www.twitter.com/areyoudavid2013 or
log onto www.visitaberdeen.com for information about the city’s festive Winter programme of events.
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City World Record Attempt Needs Dozens Of Dulcet Davids

Aberdeen City, Articles, Featured 1 Response »

Nov 212013

With thanks to Cristina Clemente.

A plea is being issued to all people over the age of 7 who are called David and live in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, to help create a new world record and to help put Aberdeen on the map for festive visitors.

Destination marketing organisation VisitAberdeen aims to create a new world record for the most people called David singing the Christmas Carol, Once in Royal David’s City.

The World Record bid will take place at 3pm on Sunday 24th November at the Castlegate in Aberdeen.

Davids, along with variations like Dave and Davie, are invited to lend their voices for their city, in what promises to be a Christmas sing-along with a difference. The stunt is part of a bid by VisitAberdeen, to shine the spotlight on Aberdeen and encourage more people to take a short festive break in Aberdeen during the annual Winter Festival.

In order to help organisers with planning, Davids are encouraged to tweet or Facebook if they plan to attend at the world record attempt.

Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen (who, sadly, is not called David) Steve Harris said:

“We’re hoping that Davids of the area will help us to set this world record on Sunday 24th on the same day as the Christmas lights are switched on in Union Street. Santa hats are optional!”

The carol Once in Royal David’s City was originally written by Miss Cecil Humphreys, who also wrote another much loved hymn All Things Bright and Beautiful, was published in 1848 as a poem and set to music a year later.

Keep up to date with Aberdeen’s world record attempt by visiting the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/areyoudavid2013 or follow the event on Twitter at www.twitter.com/areyoudavid2013

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The Man Downstairs Flies High

Aberdeen City, Gigs and Concerts No Responses »

Sep 302013

The welcome return of Patrick Duff to the Silver City is upon us. On the 8th of October, The Blue Lamp once again plays host to one of the remarkable singer/songwriters of our times. Furthermore, Craig John Davidson has proven a perfect support to Patrick’s set on more than one occasion in 2013, notably in Bristol last month. Esther Green writes.

Last April in Aberdeen, the setting proved ideal for this solo show: candle-lit, cavernous, calm. Patrick delighted the Blue Lamp audience members with tales from his varied and fascinating life and travels, as well as stunning them into silence as they absorbed his beautifully-crafted, deeply personal songs.

It’s a scene familiar to his ever-growing band of followers and friends: the poet singing boldly into the barely-lit gloom, into what Patrick himself has described as the “pin-drop atmosphere.”

Nevertheless, each gig is a unique event. Patrick is an accomplished craftsman on the stage, gauging crowd reaction and always managing to find something new to excite, to make the night one to remember.

Patrick’s links with Aberdeen have been consolidated through his friendship with local singer/songwriter Craig John Davidson, of Fat Hippy Records. The two met at The Blue Lamp at the April gig and each instantly found a kindred spirit in the other. This friendship and their complementary musical virtuosity guarantee another incredible night on the 8^th of October.

In July, his Visions of the Underworld LP was released via pledgemusic.com. Patrick is currently personalising the orders for this vinyl and download release.

A short Scottish tour featuring both Patrick and Craig, based around the Aberdeen gig, is being confirmed at the time of writing.

Patrick has been touring the UK for most of 2013 and continues successfully to tour Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. He is currently the subject of a documentary, charting his musical voyage.

Further reading/information.

Link to previous Aberdeen Voice article: https://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/04/dandy-of-the-underworld/

For recent video clips:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsQVg6AHfXA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BM2KpZUsr4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKdj8kEATLI

Order Visions of the Underworld:

http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/patrickduff66

Recent Bristol 24-7 interview:

http://www.bristol247.com/2013/05/27/musician-patrick-duff-on-growing-up-in-bristol-and-his-creative-journey-so-far-84037/

St Paul’s Lifestyle interview clip and tour diary extracts:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLg2qcGZJ5w&feature=player_embedded
http://www.stpaulslifestyle.com/articles/2013/08/19/patrick-duff-tour-diary-oldenburg/
http://www.stpaulslifestyle.com/articles/2013/08/11/patrick-duff-tour-diary-osnabruk/
http://www.stpaulslifestyle.com/articles/2013/08/09/patrick-duff/

For information and news, go to:

http://www.facebook.com/PatrickDuffArtist
https://twitter.com/patrick_duff

Craig John Davidson music and 57 North interview:

https://soundcloud.com/craig-john-davidson
http://57north.org/news/craig-john-davidson-interview

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International Peace Celebration At The Blue Lamp

Aberdeen City, Environment No Responses »

Sep 192013

With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

NE Regional MSP Christian Allard will attend an evening of music and poetry to commemorate UN International Peace Day on Sunday 22 September.

The Blue Lamp event’s organisers are Aberdeen and District CND.

Mr Allard said:

“I have been a member of Aberdeen and District CND for years, so I am delighted to attend the celebrations on Sunday.

“With uplifting music and poetry from a number of performers I am looking forward to joining others in promoting the ideas of peace, constructive aid and conflict resolution.

“Donations are welcome and people will be urged to join the movement for peace and for nuclear disarmament.

“We in Scotland can be a strong voice for peace in the world.

“While International Peace Day is on Saturday, the event takes place on Sunday to allow members to join Scottish CND in the Rally and March for Independence.”

The MSP has submitted a Parliamentary motion of congratulation to the group.

Sunday’s events begin at 10am at Camphill, Murtle Estate at Bieldside, with yoga teacher, Karina Stewart leading a moving meditation of 108 sun salutations. This will be followed by a light lunch and meditation, music and dance with the Kirtan Scotland band.

In the evening Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will be holding a concert of uplifting music and poetry at the Blue Lamp.

Evening of song and poetry
Sunday, September 22
Blue Lamp,
7.30pm
Contact: Jonathan Russell
07582456233

108 Sun Salutations, and Kirtan
Sunday, Septemer 22
Camphill,
From 10am
Contact: Karina Stewart
07974010465

More details:
https://aberdeenvoice.com/2013/09/international-day-peace-celebration-aberdeen/
https://www.facebook.com/events/163207347218933/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular

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International Day Of Peace Celebration In Aberdeen

Aberdeen City, Environment, Events, Information No Responses »

Sep 122013

A day of special events will be taking place in Aberdeen to celebrate International Day of Peace on Sunday 22^nd September. With thanks to Jonathan Russell.

Special activities will be taking place across the world. To inaugurate the day the Peace Bell is rung at the United Nations. The 21^st September is the opening day of regular sessions of the United Nations.

The events in Aberdeen are being run to promote the ideas of peace, constructive aid and conflict resolution in opposition to war, poverty, the arms trade and nuclear weapons.

The day will start with an event organised by Karina Stewart yoga teacher who for the seventh year running along with yoga communities across the world will lead a moving meditation of 108 sun salutations.

This will take place at 10am in the morning at Camphill, Murtle estate at Bieldside and will be followed by a light lunch and meditation ,music and dance with the Kirtan Scotland band. Funds raised will go to the Aruncahlum school in Southern India

In the evening Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament will be holding a concert of uplifting music and poetry at the Blue Lamp.

Musicians appearing include The Sylver Bridal, Lauren Hart/ Simon Gall / EuanAllerdyce, Kirsty Potts, Dave Davies and Friends and Yoleah Li on violin

Poets will include Richie Brown and Catriona Yule. Fiona Napier will be reading poems by local peace activist Hilda Meers. Karina Stewart will be leading a peace mantra.

Funds raised will go to Aberdeen and District Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

For further information contact Jonathan Russell Chair Aberdeen Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament mobile 07582456233 and for the Yoga and Kirtan events Karina Stewart on 07974010465

Michael Marra 1952 – 2012: An Appreciation

Community, Featured, News 3 Responses »

Oct 262012

All Things Must Pass, wrote George Harrison, and they do.

Sometimes, though, the death of someone who you don’t really know, but who has affected you in some way, can hurt. That’s the case with Michael Marra, songwriter, performer, actor and artist who was defiantly and proudly Dundonian who died on Tuesday. Voice’s David Innes writes.

His refusal to drop the overt Caledonian influences and references in his writing when employed as a professional songwriter in London in the early 1980s saw him return home to Dundee and hone his talent to razor-sharpness without ever losing his desire to tell life stories, very often set in Dundee and seen through his own off-centre prism.

That was London’s loss.

His songs were supremely-crafted vignettes whatever the subject matter. Whether a view on the state of humanity like Here Come The Weak, an observation of women at the berries dissing each other’s housing schemes in Baps and Paste, or a message to his great uncle who was disowned by his family as contained in The Lonesome Death of Francis Clarke.

Equally as entertaining were his introductions to the songs where his clever, self-effacing humour would have audience members in convulsions of laughter.

When he playfully insulted Aberdeen in If Dundee Was Africa and got a laugh for it (even in the Lampie and the Lemon Tree) he would insist that he paid the city a tribute by having the Dons held up as heroes for redeeming the human race in the eyes of the fox in Reynard in Paradise.

His live shows were wondrous to behold. Always nervous offstage, once he sat behind a piano he became a changed man. Often, the instrument was his own electronic keyboard, or as he described it once when rippling arpeggios on the Jazz Club grand piano in the Blue Lamp:

“a piece of plastic on an ironing board”.

He was an inveterate collaborator too.

There have been, and are, musical geniuses in his home city and Michael worked with them all – The Woollen Mill, Skeets Boliver, the Clarks, his own brother the supremely-talented Christopher etc. These people inspired and were inspired by him and throughout his repertoire there were references to Gus Foy (Hamish the Goalie), Peter McGlone (Peter), Dougie MacLean (Niel Gow’s Apprentice) and Dougie Martin (Julius).

Michael was also an actor.

He appeared in Hamish Macbeth and The Big Man and delivered a well-received performance as Jim, the pyromaniac, in Chris Rattray’s acclaimed The Mill Lavvies for which he also wrote the songs.

He was characteristically self-effacing about his painting and drawing skills but he had talent in this area too.

For a man who cliché demanded had to be termed ‘Scotland’s best kept secret’, he was held in high respect and great affection by significant figures in Scottish artistic circles, yet he was a man who would rather discuss Dundee’s League-winning team of 1962, or The Beach Boys, than talk about his own talent and finely-crafted songs.

Michael was a private man, happy to chat with fans, but never keen on the limelight. Often keen to play piano at the side of a stage helping out others.

The many touching tributes which have been paid by household names in the arts world are proof that this little grey-haired Dundonian with an easy grin, twinkling eye and black beret was regarded as an outstanding talent and, more importantly, one of life’s genuine and generous good guys.

Michael Marra 1952-2012. Sleep easy, Michael.

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Fame: A Big Song And Dance In Laurencekirk

Aberdeenshire, Events No Responses »

Sep 072012

Laurencekirk Amateur Musical Society will perform “FAME” the musical in the St Laurence Hall, Laurencekirk from Tuesday 11th – Saturday 15th September. With thanks to Susan Hughes.

After the huge success of “Bad Girls” the musical last year, they are returning this year with their most ambitious show to date. “FAME” is an even bigger production with more dancing, a larger cast and an even bigger live band.

The company transformed the St Laurence Hall last year for “Bad Girls” to the amazement of the audience. They thrilled and delighted the local community, leaving them stunned by the high standard of production and the wealth of talent within the cast. This year will not disappoint, with the stage being extended and a platform being built 7 feet high for the cast to perform on.

This vibrant company have been rehearsing for the past 5 months and the effort and sweat has definitely paid off with a slick professional show that is usually only ever seen in the larger cities.

This promises to be an excellent night out for young and old with memorable songs and dances that you will undoubtedly go away singing. It is not very often that a small community like Laurencekirk has the opportunity to enjoy such shows right on their door step, so come along and support LAMS and enjoy a fantastic night out.

Tickets are priced £10 and £8.50 concession and are available from Charles Michie Chemists, Laurencekirk High Street, or through email to laurencekirkdrama@hotmail.co.uk or by calling 07512 309235. The show starts at 7.30pm and the doors will open from 7pm with a bar available before and during the interval.

We look forward to seeing you all there and hope you enjoy the show.

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