HIGHLIGHTS OF 2007

A review of 2007 after seeing 115 gigs at 26 different venues

Best day of “Live” Music;

Sunday 25th November. Johnson House at the Harrogate Blues Bar, then Jed Thomas followed by the German band, Bad Penny at the Duck and Drake, three superb “live acts” in one day, it doesn’t get any better than that day.

Most unusual Gig;

Sunday 2nd September. Waterland playing the Cobbles and Clay café-bar at the Haworth Arts Festival accompanied by a backing group of coffee machines, and the writing of a review whilst drinking two cups of Earl Grey!

Best Festival Day;

The Sunday at the Colne Blues Festival, The Mustangs, The Eddie Martin Band, The Brew and The Stumble, quality unrelenting.

Gigs of the Year;

Get Cashed (The New Roscoe) Duke special (The Irish Centre) and Oli Brown (The Duck and Drake) live music at its absolute best.

Two destined for greatness;

Chantel Macgregor, who someone said “Girls don’t play guitar like that” well Chantel can, and with her own band is surely going to take 2008 by storm.

Oli Brown, all I will say about Oli, is it’s a privilege to attend any of his gigs, and this guy will dominate the British Blues Music scene for years to come.

Young gifted and talented;

Ceri Mai, Michael Mallinson, Krissy Matthews and Frankie Roe, remember those names!

New venues;

The Owl at Rodley, a genuine “Live Music” venue, Sunday evening music sessions at Prohibition and the Sela Bar in Leeds City centre.

Best new musical experience;

Being invited into the IVOLV recording studio at Bradford, to see the recording of KwameD’s CD.


Let’s hope the gigs are great in 2008!

THREE GREATS FOR 2008

ODI
Originally from Co Wexford in Ireland, singer-songwriter ODi has the aura, voice and poise, which provides a musical glow, to every member of the audience. A very special performer now receiving the plaudits she richly deserves.

www.myspace.com/odimusic

HURRICANE SUNDAY
Following the Kaiser Chiefs and The Pigeon Detectives, Hurricane Sunday should be the next band to put the Leeds music-scene on the musical map of the UK. Fronted by Ben Greaves, the band are getting a loyal following, with their catchy upbeat material which leaves the audience musically refreshed.

www.myspace.com/hurricanesunday


ALEX YOUNG
Hailing from Barnsley, Alex is quickly earning a reputation far beyond his South Yorkshire base. With his quality song-writing and a delivery which is never strained, 2008 will be a “Cruel Year” if Alex does not get the recognition he deserves.

www.myspace.com/alexyoung911

VIELEN DANK, BAD PENNY

Yorkshire’s favourite foreign band, Bad Penny, have now returned to Germany, after another successful UK tour. The band, took their audencies on a journey through the musical map of Europe, playing Folk-Rock in an East European style, through to the more Blues and Rock style of Western Europe. Their high-powered and energetic gigs, have given them a fan-base throughout Europe, as they confirm themselves as one of the most entertaining bands to tour. Consisting of Ola Van Sander (Vocals, Guitar and Dobro) Axel Hennig (Vocals and Bass) Peter Moller (Piano, Keyboards and Accordian) Hendrik Peters (Guitar) and Rene Borstal (Drums) the band will be back next year, much to the delight of the West Yorkshire music-lovers.

www.myspace.com/bpband96
www.badpenny.de

Vielen Dank = Many thanks