Finally, another new song recorded...
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Music

Hello,

Al C here. Just thought I should post a self congratulary post as we recorded a new song this afternoon, now titled "Talk All Day." From start to  finish it took less and an hour and a half There's something to be said about not worrying about mistakes and that illusionary concept known as "perfection." Just plug in and go baby...

Anyway, so that's good ;) One of my favourite songs in the set. Although now that the "new song" has been recorded, it's now the "old new song" and there's a new "new song." Not a "new new song" mind. That would be something different. Anyway, this new song is really good. Going to have my work cut out trying to get my bass playing up to the level needed to do the song justice. As Al K said earlier, "It's got different parts, like an opera."

In other news, the band are having a jam this afternoon. Lucy suggested the band should be called "Tot-Al," but that's far too clever for us. Looking forward to it. Hopefully introducing some American country to the set, in the form of a James McMurty tune. And Ali's taking his electric guitar down! Woo

So long...

9:13 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Forest cafe - Blue Wednesday
Current mood: awake
Category: Music

Another packed house for another musical extravaganza (organised and made to happen, as always by The Bluesfather – thankyou!). After the usual, and somewhat quirky mixing desk issues (it wouldn't be the wonderful forest if there weren't any) the stage came to life. Alison and the Mings- heard for the first time were excellent, fusing banjo, cello, flute, guitar, percussion and vocals. Jym Ponter always gets my foot tapping, had the unlucky experience of playing on my guitar (thanks for tuning it Jym). We had a blast on stage, playing a couple of newer tracks, along with the staple Al and Al diet. Finally Roger "The Bluesfather" played a really super set to end, I do not hear this guy play enough!

Another cracking night which comes around to sparse (or once a month to be exact), so put the 19th Dec into your diaries...

Thanks

Al  

Currently listening : Solid Air By John Martyn Release date: 16 June, 1998

9:45 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Uluru
Current mood: amused
Category: Music

What a night in Uluru. During a blistering 45min set we had everything from forgetting how to start a song, forgetting how to end a song and super quick loops, along with the welcome usual laughs and fun and games. We were kindly joined by Lucy on fiddle for She cries, Emily, The Grounds (whoosh how fast did we play that?), and Who needs who. Brilliant fun!

Thanks to Norvel for sorting us out...

My stage chat remained the same as ever....dodgy!

Till next time

take care

Ali

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Gigs
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Music

Hello. Is anybody out there?

We have three upcoming gigs :)

First up, next tuesday we have a suprise warm up gig. A suprise as I didn't know we were playing it at the start of the week. :) Anyway, it's at a pub/bar (?) Uluru on Morrison Street. Never been before myself so it'll be nice to play (and go to) somewhere different. It's run by Dave who runs/used to run the monthly Exposed night at the Jazz Bar. Come along if you're free. It'll be the first gig with the new "guest third member" - my old flatmate. Although she's not so old. Old as in, I no longer share a flat with her.

Then next up we have a gig at The Ark, another new venue to me. It's jsut off Princes Street, Waterloo Place. Matt James and Jym Ponter are also player and it should be a really good night so place come along. Hopefully we'll have made any big mistakes at the little Uluru gig so in theory we should be playing well by then. That's on the 21st.

Then the following Sunday we're at Roger's Oxjam gig at Henry's. Less AlKandAlC gig and more lots of people playing sets to save the world. Which can only be a good thing. The line up is looking pretty good, see The Bluesfather's blog for details.

What else? Playing with a fiddler has been great fun, Al K has gone looptastic and Al C is trying to play mulitple instruments at once. With limited success. Oh, and some new songs!!!! And some old songs done differently!!!

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A long time
Current mood: artistic
Category: Music

Its been ages since i finally got around to writing on our myspace, theres no excuse. In an effort to make up for this, i've uploaded a little song written a few days back. I've been writing a small handful of silly songs over here in california, and finally thought i'd upload one, be it in its early stages...

Looking forward to being back in edinburgh with familiar friends and faces. Can't wait to noodle with Al again and see what happens....

See you soon

All the best

Ali

Currently listening : Bella Donna By Stevie Nicks Release date: 25 October, 1990

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Bongo club
Current mood: curious
Category: Music

Hey Al, Roger and Nick,

Just wishing you a wicked gig, would love to be there....

Missing the Edinburgh music alot!

All the best

Ali

10:09 PM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

(other) Al signing off...
Current mood: sad

Hello, bass playing Al here.

Just thought I'd leave a last message before handing this site over to Al K for the next 6 months. He's off West don'tchaknow. Anybody wanting to get in touch with me (why i hear you ask) can do so at the riadsala homepage. And fingers crossed AlKandAlC will be back in August.

It's been a great 10 months, played lots of songs, a fair few gigs and made a fair few friends. Ben, Matt, Roger, Nick, Alan, Alan, the people at the Forest, Dave at Henry's (although we never actually met you, you gave us some gigs) and Dave at SS_Exposed at the Jazz Bar. Not forgetting Al's lovely flatmates for letting us practise in his living room, and Louisa for all the support. Hopefully you'll be able to play some songs with us in the future. Keep playing!



For those that are interested, I'l lbe playing with Nick and Roger (www.thebluesfather.com) for the time being, along with an "Afro-Scot beat band" (whatever that is). And Al K will no doubt be having a great time in the US of A. Hopefully he'll keep in touch with us all...


Thank you everybody, and good luck Ali,

Alasdair Clarke

5:01 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Finishing Off the Year - Lots of gigs

Well, I guess 2006 will be finishing on a good musical note, as Al and I have about 5 gigs between now and christmas:

This Wednesday at Trubadour Sessions at hte Mercat, as part of the new Edinburgh Acoustic Music Collective.

Then 28th (week Tuesday) at the Forest Cafe, a joint with Jenny and Naeem.

Followed up by a possible gig at the Left Bank, which is apparently repoening (TBC) on 1st December.

Then the week after that, we're both pretty excited to be playing at the Jazz Bar on Chambers Street on the 6th.

No Blue Wednesday you may ask? Never fear, Blue Wednesday is (luckily for us!) on the following Wednesday, and we look forward to playing with Roger (who's now teaming up with Nick Trepka) and friends.

Finally, what will probably be our last gig of 2006, (and sadly, maybe our last gig til July 07!) we're returning to Henry's Cellar Bar on the 22nd, the Winter Solstice!!! So come wrap up warm and join us for some mulled wine (mulled wine not confimred, but I really hope they have some!)


Phew. busy eh.

How's everybody else?

1:29 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Jubilee Scotland
Current mood: awake
Category: Music

Whoah what a night!

Huge thanks to Ben and Jubilee scotland for inviting us to play and support the night, had such a fantastic time, both informative and thoroughly enjoyable. Al and i played a few songs, thanks to Louise who ended up with sound duties....(if your ever reading this then i hope i spelt your name right? friendliest sound tech i've ever come across !) 

please check out www.jubileescotland.org.uk/ for more info, well worth it!

and to round off the night i got lucky in the raffle and won a shoulder/neck massage....

All the best

Ali

3:06 PM - 1 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Henry's Bar

A big thanks to the folk that made it down last night. Had a great time on stage and off.

Much appreciated!!

Ali

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