Water & Light: Fatea Showcase Sessions
Category: Music

There's already a couple of full preview tracks from the new album up on MySpace here. But......if you'd like to hear one more then head over to The Fatea Showcase Sessions - a new downloadable sampler of up and coming singer-songwriters which features "Borderland" the opening track from the album. Enjoy !

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Samples Galore !
Current mood: breezy
Category: Music

A bit later than anticipated - BUT.....there are now sample clips of all of the songs from the new album up at my 'other' website. Go visit Heading West Music Samples for a preview feast. And did I mention that I'll have advance copies of Water & Light exclusively available at gigs throughout the rest of April & May up to the launch date of 16th May ? So get along if you can make it. Hope you're all enjoying the spring showers and sunshine so far .......with of course the emphasis on the sunshine.

And finally........a great quote that Sojourners sent me this morning:-

Forgiveness is giving up the right to retaliate. Forgiveness is the willingness to have something happen the way it happened. It's not true that you can't forgive something; it's a matter of the will, and you always have the choice. Forgiveness is never dependent on what the other person does or does not do; it is always under our control. Forgiveness is giving up the insistence on being understood.... Jesus forgave those who crucified him. This is a radically new way of thinking. For those who accept and practice this discipline, there is a release of energy and a sense of freedom.

- Pixie Koestline Hammond
For Everything There Is a Season

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New Album Tracks !!!
Current mood: exhausted
Category: Music

OK - exciting moment (for me anyway !). I’ve just updated the music player with a couple of preview tracks from the new album "Water & Light". Hope you enjoy. Launched officially on May 16th 2008 the album is available to pre-order at the Heading West Music Shop and there’ll be some more samples from all the other tracks on the album in the next few days.

Cheers for now

G.

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Cotton and Catch Up
Current mood: Determined
Category: Determined Life

Hi All,

I think I'm creating a personal blog record here with the most number of entries in the shortest period. No harm in a good blether eh ! So I'm back in windy Tynedale for a few days after a very pleasing stint of dates down in the South of England. One of the highlights was a lovely evening at Farncombe Music Club where we had the privilege of joining with a cotton producer from Mali for a night of awareness raising about Fair Trade. The producer spoke about how Fair Trade has made a real difference to his community. Before they belonged to the co-operative that now sells their crop to a Fair Trade buyer, his village had no school and the nearest was 15 miles away. In Mali only 4 in 10 children get to be educated to high school age. Now with the help of the Fair Trade social premium they've built a school, secured a brighter future for their children and built a storage facility for their cotton which means they can keep the crop safe and sell when the market price is most favourable to them. He was so full of gratitude for the basic things of life - things that so many of us take for granted in the West. It was humbling to hear him speak and a real encouragement to keep bring the message about Fair Trade to as wide an audience as possible. The more people in the West buy fairly traded goods then the more people will benefit in developing nations and be put in a position where they have the dignity of being able to work their way out of poverty. Drop into the Fair Trade Foundation website and have a look at more of these stories for yourself including a great wee video showing Sir Steve Redgrave's visit to the Mali Cotton producers. I must also mention special thanks to Julian Lewry and his family who made us so welcome at Farncombe. It's a great thing they've got going on at the Music Club, please do support it if you're in the area.  

On Sunday night I supported the multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer at Twickenham Folk Club. What a player. He was playing with the Cellist and vocalist Miranda Sykes also a very talented player. It was great to meet them both and share a terrific evening of entertainment. This was my second visit to the club and as before I was well-looked after by Gerry and the team - a fine place to hear fine music, If you get the chance I'd recommend a visit.

So it's back to the studio on Monday for the mixing of "Water & Light" via a gig up in Aberdeenshire on Saturday. I'm looking forward to having the master in my hands by Maundy Thursday. After that all we have to do is get it duplicated and distributed, marketed and playlisted........and then for folks to buy it in their thousands. Piece of cake........!

If only......G.

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In The Base Groove
Current mood: Wrecked
Category: Wrecked Music

Just back from Motherwell last night after another few days in the studio. I've a day at home before heading off for some gigs with the long haired Halligan from Coventry ! It's been going really well in the Foundry with some of the tracks really springing to life as various musicians come in to do their stuff. I just love it when that happens - all those sounds, feels, melodies and grooves that you heard in your head start to appear in front of you. It was all such a beautiful thing until Graeme arrived into the sound room yesterday with one of those squeezey bottles of honey and proceeded to demonstrate the remarkable similarity between the sound of the air escaping from it and that of a sphincter. To add to the base comedy moment I was hearing the whole thing through massive reverb on the cans in the live room trying to do some delicate backing vocals. Guess we'd been in there for too long.

More general condiment comedy another time........G.

Currently listening : Cuilidh By Julie Fowlis Release date: 12 March, 2007

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New Album Time
Current mood: warm
Category: Music

It's half-term week and I'm trying to work in amongst the kids scrabbling about and tearing bits off each other. They're not bad at all - just loud and acting like....well....children. The time gets split between preparing for the new album - recording starts on 25th Feb, planning for the Autumn tour schedule, digging in the allotment (keeps the children occupied and there's a theoretical healthy by-product), visiting National Trust properties where they charge exhorbitant amounts of money for a miniature flapjack, switching on the DVD player so the young minds in my care can re-visit the A-Team (why did I ever think it was good when I was young.....) and travelling to a gig in Bradford on Thursday. It's great to be busy before actually being busy ! The next few weeks are going to be a bit brisk with the album sessions merging with gigs up and down the country and not many days at home til Easter. It'll be good though. I've got some great players coming to help with the new project. Calum Stewart - a terrific flautist from the North of Scotland, Shona Mooney - a very talented fiddler based in the Borders, David and Yvonne Lyon whose musical mastery I have mentioned more than a few times in previous blogs and Jez Lowe one of my songwriting heroes from the North East who'll be adding his voice to one of the tracks about the coastline hereabouts. To cap it all I'm back at The Foundry Music Lab in Motherwell where Graeme and Sandy know their stuff inside out. I'm excited about what it's going to sound like. It'll have a different feel to what has gone before but at the same time I think the new songs have a sense of continuity from previous material. I've certainly enjoyed sharing some of the new stuff at recent gigs and it's been well recieved by audiences. It's only when you play a song live that you find out whether it's got what it takes to hold people, to bring them into the story or engage them in the debate. The finished product should be available in mid-April in time for a few joint dates with Megson. I'm planning a proper launch gig sometime in May most likely in Newcastle. Watch this space for details.

Fair Trade Fortnight is nearly here again as well. A really good opportunity to try out some alternatives, to purchase products with a conscience that use trade to fight poverty. I know there's been a lot written/talked about the merits or otherwise of ethical trading. But that's just it.....until we all get out there and start buying and supporting it properly it will only ever be talk. So go on - have a try and see what you think of it. For more information visit the Fair Trade Foundation or have a look at the Traidcraft Online Shop for some great FT Fortnight produce. Enjoy.

All the best for now.....G.

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Celtic Connections
Current mood: tired
Category: Music

I'm just back from a wet weekend in Glasgow......and Yorkshire ! The rain fell generously for my first appearance at the Celtic Connections festival, but it was good craic nonetheless. The Danny Kyle Stage at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall is a really friendly emerging artists showcase and I had the pleasure of opening up the proceedings in front of a good few hundred folks on Friday night. After starting with "Butterfly" I handed a debut live performance to "Princess Victoria" - one of the tracks destined for the new album. It's a ballad about the Larne-Stranraer ferry of the same name that went down in a terrible storm in January 1953 off the coast of County Down. It's a sad tale but one that should be preserved I feel and hence the work to draw together the story in song. On the album I'm hoping that we'll be able to add some Irish pipes to the mix as well. The song seemed to be fairly well recieved and I'd love to hear from anyone who was at the gig and heard me play. After my slot I hung around and heard the singer/guitarist Robin James Hurt give a stirling performance, he recovered well after breaking a string, and also a young girl with a fine voice from the Isles whose name I can't remember unfortunately. All good stuff and very worthwhile making the trek up North. After a bit of dinner with friends in the west end of the city I headed out past the airport to spend the next day with my good mates Yvonne Lyon and DL rehearsing some of the new material for the album. A very useful session with plenty of ideas on arrangements and such. It's a privilege to be able to work with talented folks like these and get a different perspective on your own songs. I guess it's possible to get too close to things at times and another viewpoint can often help to affirm your own instincts or sometimes kick start the creative process in a new direction. The proof will be in the product though - we hope to have it completed sometime in late March. Watch this space. .................And so the rain continued for the final stretch of the weekend - down to Yorkshire for my wee nephew's christening. I had my eldest son playing bass with me at the service and rocking a wee country COE chapel not far from Hull. A great day despite the weather but a lot of driving. Back to the desk today for a rest and then to fine tune those songs a little more before starting in the studio next month.

Oh.....and Keegan's back with the Toon. It'll be fun while it lasts. We don't do things easily at St James's. But then according to our largest fan club we've ceased to call ourselves supporters and now label ourselves the largest self-help group in English football. Fitting I think.

G.

Currently listening : Cover Girl By Shawn Colvin Release date: 23 August, 1994

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When The Lights Go Out......
Current mood: awake
Category: Life

Last night I took part in a candlelit vigil for the work of Casa Alianza . We heard about the plight of up to 50 million children in Central and South America for whom a life on the streets filled with extreme poverty, persecution and exploitation is the norm. If they were all in one place they'd be a powerful nation and have their own seat at the UN. They are largely forgotten. We heard about a woman called Alicia and her daughter Sara who had a bitter and miserable start in life - forced into prostitution and drug abuse. We heard about the routine of many street children, abusing solvents to take away the fear of the life they lead and to numb the pain. They flee from the authorities who often mistreat and physically harm them. They scratch out a living from menial jobs and often steal to try and abate their hunger. It's not an uplifting picture - in fact it's a grim and woeful reality that this happens and is largely accepted.

But (and I'm reminded of my own words in a recent song I wrote about domestic abuse in the UK) in the midst of all of this suffering there is hope and light. We were there to remember and pray for these kids, to let them know they're not forgotten and that we can do plenty to change things - not least to support the work that Casa carry out. Alicia was rescued by one of Casa's initiatives and is now building a new life for herself and her daughter. Another 12,000 children a year benefit from Casa's rehabilitation and development programmes. At the macro level their advocacy work for the human rights of children in Central America tries to improve the siutation for all street kids. They do this work often in the face of corruption and persecution from those who would rather things didn't change.

I was reminded last night of the 'human-ness' of the children, they are no different to my own kids needing and responding to love and kindness. I was reminded of the courage and dedication of Casa's workers and I was reminded that after we blew out the candles and made our way home - they were still there on the streets and need us to remember them and do what we can to help.

I'll leave you with a poem  and a prayer from last night's vigil. If you want to know more visit Casa's Website and see what you can do.

Poem: The Joy of One and the Tragedy of Another!

As I am awakened by the soft touch of my mother's hand on my shoulder,

He is awakened by a blow to the face by an angry, intimidating shop owner…

As I rise from the comfort of my bed and into the warmth of my room,

He is dragged out of a bin and chucked on to the damp street.

As I wrap up in warm clothing,

He has found a newspaper to cover himself in…

As I sat down at the table for a hot drink and some breakfast,

He is risking his life by stealing an apple.

As I get on the bus for a journey of a mile,

He runs the same distance on an empty stomach with the police on his back.

As I am met by my friends at the school gate, he is caught by police,

Beaten and taken to a prison cell.

As I sit in my class talking to all the peaceful people around me,

He is cramped in a dingy cell surrounded by murderers, paedophiles and rapists.

As I arrive home from school to get a snack and something to eat,

He has been released and is looking for a solvent to help him forget the fears for the night.

As I rest peacefully in my bed and drift off to sleep, he has once again

Been caught by the police, this time sniffing glue…

By Ben Harvey

(Aged 14, Bristol)

Source: Consortium for Street Children (CSC)

Franciscan blessing

May God bless us with discomfort at easy answers, half truths and superficial relationships, so we may live deep within our heart.

May God bless us with anger at injustice and oppression and exploitation of people so we may work for justice, mercy and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer war, homelessness, pain and poverty,  so we may reach out and comfort them, turning their pain to joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe we can make a difference, so we can do what others claim cannot be done.

Amen.

(ICH)

Currently reading : Russia’s Empires By Philip Longworth Release date: 06 June, 2005

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The Latest
Current mood: tired
Category: Life

Ah ! Sorry - got a bit way laid and didn't get round to as much tour blogging as I'd hoped to. Perhaps it was the trauma of a dodgy vehicle ! Suffice it to say that both the rest of The 3 Tour and the whole of The Autumn FT Tour were great fun and rewarding to do. Getting out on the road with great friends who happen to be superb musicians is a welcome diversion from the solo slog that this job can be at times. We had sold out shows, we had some interesting experiences in rather more drafty venues (which were hastily turned into exclusive living room gigs !) but all in all most were well attended with a great atmosphere. We also had some wonderfully generous hospitality from some brilliant and dedicated people who believe in what we're doing -  a priceless thing. The highlight for me was probably playing in front of Pat and Norman Kember in Harrow. It was humbling to meet them and an inspiration to see their dedication and gentleness of spirit shine through. There'll be more collaborative tours next year and no doubt more stories to share.

Right now......... I'm sitting watching the rain hit the loft window and wondering how you light a sodden bonfire and set off damp fireworks to amuse and entertain expectant children. In between times I'm down to some serious creativity with 50% of a new album left to write along with some heavy weight admin to fill up the first half of 2008 with gigs and performances to launch the new songs and celebrate the older ones. Oh.... and earn a crust to feed and clothe the aforementioned young ones. Life goes on.

Enjoy the rest of the Autumn.

Currently reading : Fish, Fishing and the Meaning of Life By Jeremy Paxman Release date: 02 November, 1995

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Low Level Butterflies
Current mood: working
Category: Music

To save space and money we cram everything we think we need and a few things we won't - because musicians are like that - into one car, namely the Swedish manufactured mobile, at Stranraer. But y'know - we forgot about the ramps. And so every few yards we scrape delicately over, skillfully melding millimetres of exhaust system and concrete. "It's the mudflaps" - I smile reassuringly ahead not thinking about the size of the hole but rather of what is to come:- a weekend in Northern Ireland. The North Channel crossing is fine - we're all barely awake owing to the early start (5am) and after disembarking we grind our way out of Belfast. We gig in Bangor on the Friday night. Janet (our host) makes a lovely venue, the atmosphere is chilled and it's a good night all round......apart from the lights going out at the end of the first song. But we're professional and carry on as if nothing has happened while Neil acts as lighting engineer for a few moments. In fact he does it so well that one member of the audience who shall remain nameless, believes that he's not part of the the tour at all but is in fact a helper who is then allowed to sing some songs as a treat for sorting out the technical hitch...hmmm. Afterwards back to the DJ family home for a tea and toast overdose and we crash out late and long.

On the Saturday we're booked at Richhill. The venue is indeed perched on the side of a hill 'up the country' not far from Lurgan and is rich enough for the likes of us. We arrive in plenty of time to set up and soundcheck. Takes a while to get everything sounding right but in the end it soars and we play to a very receptive audience. It's Mr Alton's home patch, it's the second time for Yvonne and DL and the third time for me so it's nice to see some familiar faces. The thought strikes me that I can't say much between the songs as they've heard all my anecdotes and stories before, but then so have I, so I chat anyway. And then....my DADGAD guitar misbehaves and sounds like an elastic band stretched across a bean can but I plough on anyway and finish "Reflections" wishing I could drown the thing in the Tyne with immediate effect. I usually change strings once every 3 gigs but for some reason this is the 5th in succession without a change and I pay for it. But.....as is usually the case....I'm probably the only one that notices and the night goes on without incident. I sit and listen to Yvonne, DL and Neil deliver their songs and feel privileged to share the stage with such talented folk. Collaboration - it's a beautiful thing when it works and on the 3 Tour it certainly does.

We travel back on the Sunday lunchtime and do the inverse of the limbo over some more ramps before reaquainting the Swedish mobile with what it feels like to be normally loaded. I bid adieu to Y&DL and in another 3 hours I'm home in Northumberland for an early night.

Next installment .......Scotland.

Currently listening : Horses By Patti Smith Release date: 18 June, 1996

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