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Thursday, August 21, 2008
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My Life as a Songwriter outing at Towersey Festival
Category: Music
If you somehow managed to miss the performances at Lewes, Islington and
the Brighton Fringe Festival, the 'My Life as a Songwriter or How I
Failed to Become Rich and Famous' show has one more outing this year.
You can catch it at Towersey Village Hall on Sunday 24th August at 8pm
as part of the Towersey Festival. Nearly 50 years of songwriting
squeezed into 2 x 45 minute slots. Towersey is near Thame, just a
short drive up the M40 from London. See www.towerseyfestival.com for
all the details.
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From the review in the Brighton Argus, May 10 2008:
"For nearly 50 years and on 30-plus albums, Leon Rosselson's
beautifully crafted songs have challenged us to both think and feel
about politics.
While their characters are often victims of the crass stupidity of
governments or the greedy self-interest of capitalism, they are rarely
underdogs but, more often than not, rebels.
This solo show, a tour of this history interspersed with fascinating
anecdotes, is tantamount to a 'greatest hits' compilation, but still
leaves the audience missing favourites.
Rosselson's laconic voice and deceptively simple guitar technique are
a good as ever but the songs are the real focus of the evening and the
intimate setting of Komedia's Studio Bar showcases them perfectly.
This is a rare opportunity to see a living legend up close and
personal. Don't miss it."
Paul Brazier
3:29 AM
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Friday, April 04, 2008
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My Life As A Song Writer – a show of two halves!
Category: Music
Apologies if you already know this (or would rather not know this) but here is a rare outing for a show that packs nearly 5 decades of songwriting into 2x45 minute slots and, if you haven’t already seen it (or just really want to see it again), you surely wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity. If you live in London, you could, for instance, spend a happy 10th May playing ducks and drakes on Brighton beach, take in the 5.15 performance and be back home in time for a fish supper. If you wish to annoy your friends and enemies by circulating this leaflet, feel free to download the bigger version by clicking on the image below:  You can also find more info on how to book tickets etc at the Brighton Komedia website. P.S. Leon will be singing next Saturday 12 April at the Cellar Upstairs, Exmouth Arms, Starcross St. London NW1. There will be songs from the new CD.
Review of ’My Life as a Songwriter or How I Failed to Become Rich and Famous’
Royal Oak Folk Club, Lewes - 22 February 2007 This was a cracker of a gig! It isn’t a show, it isn’t an act; it’s brand-new, performed for the first time tonight and it’s mind-blowing. It is, I suppose, a sort of autobiography. Starting from his youth, and the earliest songs he wrote, we are taken through his personal life and the strongly-influencing political background, by way of song after song of his writing. There is far more talk than he normally indulges in (although there doesn’t seem to be much less song - he did two long sets in order to get through it all), and it was by turns light and comic and satirical and anger-making and outrageous, and loop around again. Audiences in palms of hands just aren’t in it. The whole thing grew and grew until everyone in the room seemed to be an integral part of it. If there’s a suitable venue near you, tell them about this new show-or-whatever-you-call-it and get them to book him! It will be an evening with no support act, and blessedly few floor spots. It really was the most wonderful evening. And if he was about to start it again right now and go through the whole lot again, I’d be sitting there, enraptured. It’s really that good! Molly Mockford
9:12 AM
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Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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Songs from the new album uploaded – and how to get your mittens on the CD
Category: Music
Three songs from the new album "A Proper State" are now uploaded to give you a sneak preview:
"Conversation on a Mobile" is a very aptly titled song about how people fail to communicate with the hindrance of modern technology making it more of a non-communication, "A Proper State" describes the many things people will do to achieve fame or obtain the trendiest item while trying to remain looking young in this consumer society and "The Third Intifada" is about the imbalance and injustice in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Songs from the album will be changed about every now and again. The new CD will be available in the shops from Monday 18th February and is distributed through Proper Music Distributions Ltd.. If your local record shop doesn't have a clue what you're talking about, give them the following details:
Record Label: Fuse Records
CD number: CFCD 024
Distributor: Proper Music Distribution
You can pre-order the CD online from: Four Dogs Music at www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk
HMV at www.hmv.co.uk and various other online shops. You can find the Proper Distribution partner stores by clicking here. You can also order the CD directly from Fuse Records at
28 Park Chase, Wembley Park, Middlesex HA9 8EH CD (including P&P) £12
Cheque made out to Fuse Records please. And don't forget to include your address with mail orders! This might seem obvious, but sometimes it slips one's mind...
12:05 AM
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Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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New album "A Proper State" to be released 25th February - and gig listing!
Category: Music
New album "A Proper State" to be released 25th Febuary!
Leon's new CD "A Proper State" will be released on 25th February 2008 with two special Album Launch Concerts - 17th February in St Albans & 6th March in Sheffield - to pre/re-view the album.
Track list:
* Conversation on a Mobile
* The Ghost of Georges Brassens
* Barney's Epic Homer
* Barney's Got a Job Now
* A Proper State
* When They Ask Me
* The Third Intifada
* See Life's Road Before You
* Like Love
* Faslane 365
* The Power of Song
..>Dates | Event and Venue | Further Details | | Fri 25th Jan | Southampton Folk Club
The Richmond Inn, 108 Portswood Rd.,
Portswood, Southampton SO17 2FW. | www.focsle.org.uk | | Sun 17th Feb | CD LAUNCH CONCERT
New CD - A Proper State
Abbey Theatre Studio, Westminster Lodge,
St Albans AL1 2DL. | £10/£6 concessions.
Phone 01727 857861.
www.abbeytheatre.org.uk
www.stalbansfolkmusic.org.uk | | Thu 6th Mar | CD LAUNCH CONCERT
New CD - A Proper State with Sheffield Socialist Choir
Library Theatre, Surrey St,
Sheffield S1 1XZ. | £8/£6 concessions.
Phone 0114 273 4427
e-mail: bill.paton@sheffield.gov.uk
or valregan@cooptel.net | | Sat 12th Apr | Cellar Upstairs
Exmouth Arms, Starcross St,
London NW1 2HR. | Phone 020 7281 7700 . | | Thu 17th Apr | Concert with Frankie Armstrong
Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Harbour Drive,
Cardiff Bay CF10 4PA. | www.norwegianchurchcardiff.com
Phone Dave Haslam 02920 453791 | | Wed 7th May | BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE - MY LIFE AS A SONGWRITER or HOW I FAILED TO BECOME RICH & FAMOUS (See review below)
Komedia Studio Bar, 44-47 Gardner St.,
Brighton BN1 1UN. | Start time 8.45pm.
Tickets £8/£6 from the Festival Fringe office or the Komedia
www.komedia.co.uk | | Sat 10th May | BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE - MY LIFE AS A SONGWRITER or HOW I FAILED TO BECOME RICH & FAMOUS (See review below)
Komedia Studio Bar, 44-47 Gardner St.,
Brighton BN1 1UN. | Start time 5.15pm.
Tickets £8/£6 from the Festival Fringe office or the Komedia
www.komedia.co.uk | | Thu 14th May | BRIGHTON FESTIVAL FRINGE - Concert with Robb Johnson
Komedia Studio Bar, 44-47 Gardner St,
Brighton BN1 1UN. | Start time 6.30pm.
Tickets £8/£6 from the Festival Fringe office or the Komedia
www.komedia.co.uk | | Thu 12th Jun | Islington Folk Club
The Horseshoe, 24 Clerkenwell Close,
London EC1R 0AG. | e mail: bernard.puckett@which.net | Fri 13th Jun | Concert with Robb Johnson
Bridport Arts Centre,South St,
West Dorset DT6 3NR. | www.bridport-arts.com
Phone 01308 424204. | | Fri 18th Jul | Ram Folk Club
Foley Arms, Claygate,
Esher, Surrey KT10 0LZ. | www.theramclub.co.uk | ..>
Review of 'My Life as a Songwriter or How I Failed to Become Rich and Famous'.
Royal Oak Folk Club, Lewes - 22 February 2007.
This was a cracker of a gig!
It isn't a show, it isn't an act; it's brand-new, performed for the first time tonight and it's mind-blowing. It is, I suppose, a sort of autobiography. Starting from his youth, and the earliest songs he wrote, we are taken through his personal life and the strongly-influencing political background, by way of song after song of his writing. There is far more talk than he normally indulges in (although there doesn't seem to be much less song - he did two long sets in order to get through it all), and it was by turns light and comic and satirical and anger-making and outrageous, and loop around again. Audiences in palms of hands just aren't in it. The whole thing grew and grew until everyone in the room seemed to be an integral part of it.
If there's a suitable venue near you, tell them about this new show-or-whatever-you-call-it and get them to book him! It will be an evening with no support act, and blessedly few floor spots.
It really was the most wonderful evening. And if he was about to start
it again right now and go through the whole lot again, I'd be sitting
there, enraptured. It's really that good!
Molly Mockford
5:53 PM
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Saturday, September 08, 2007
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Review of ’My Life as a Songwriter or How I Failed to Become Rich and Famous’
Category: Music
Review of 'My Life as a Songwriter or How I Failed to Become Rich and Famous'
Royal Oak Folk Club, Lewes - 22 February 2007
This was a cracker of a gig!
It isn't a show, it isn't an act; it's brand-new, performed for the first time tonight and it's mind-blowing. It is, I suppose, a sort of autobiography. Starting from his youth, and the earliest songs he wrote, we are taken through his personal life and the strongly-influencing political background, by way of song after song of his writing. There is far more talk than he normally indulges in (although there doesn't seem to be much less song - he did two long sets in order to get through it all), and it was by turns light and comic and satirical and anger-making and outrageous, and loop around again. Audiences in palms of hands just aren't in it. The whole thing grew and grew until everyone in the room seemed to be an integral part of it.
If there's a suitable venue near you, tell them about this new show-or-whatever-you-call-it and get them to book him! It will be an evening with no support act, and blessedly few floor spots.
It really was the most wonderful evening. And if he was about to start
it again right now and go through the whole lot again, I'd be sitting
there, enraptured. It's really that good!
Molly Mockford
PS: Leon Rosselson is looking for venues which will book him for this type of show! If interested, please get in touch! (MySpace admin)
1:07 PM
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Monday, March 12, 2007
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From CND: 48 HOURS TO STOP TRIDENT REPLACEMENT!
Category: News and Politics
This message was originally posted out by CND.
As you may know, Leon Rosselson has taken part in many demonstrations against Trident and he also wrote a song with Robb Johnson called "Bury Trident", which will be available for your listening pleasure on Robb Johnson's MySpace page.
Please take part in stopping Trident and any replacement nuclear weapons system by writing to your MP and if you can, go to a demonstration near you...
From:
CND
Date: 12 Mar 2007, 19:56
With 48 hours until your Member of Parliament votes on replacing the Trident nuclear weapons system, please help build the pressure on them to vote NO!
Email your MP and ask them to vote FOR an amendment to delay the decision and AGAINST the governments plans to retain a nuclear weapons system.
You can contact your MP just by putting your postcode into the website www.theyworkforyou.com
Then on Wednesday please try to:
a) lobby your MP in Parliament. Phone the Parliamentary switchboard to speak to your MP and book an appointment. You should try to see them between 1 and 6pm on Wednesday. If you can't attend in person make sure their office knows your view!
b) come to the rally in Parliament Square from 6 - 8pm. We will announce the result of the MPs vote at around 7pm.
More details are at www.tridentvoteday.org.uk
See you on Wednesday!
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Currently
listening
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Lack of Jolly Ploughboy
By
Robb Johnson
Release date: 03 May, 1996
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12:50 PM
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Thursday, February 22, 2007
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Two Upcoming London Gigs
Category: Music
Hello all!
I would just like to alert you good folks of the two London gigs Leon will be playing in the next couple of months:
- the first one will be at The Cellar Upstairs at the Exmouth Arms
1 Starcross Street
London
NW1 2HR
020 7387 5440
on 10th March
Leon will be singing a bunch of new songs that, hopefully, will be on a new CD later in the year
- the second London gig at the Islington Folk Club at The Horseshoe
24 Clerkenwell Close
London
EC1R 0AG
(020) 7253 6068
will be a scripted show entitled MY LIFE AS A SONGWRITER or HOW I FAILED TO BECOME RICH AND FAMOUS
Too good to miss, so please make sure these are in your diary.
I hope to see you all there!
Esther
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Currently
listening
:
Perspectives
By
Leon Rosselson
Release date: 23 June, 1998
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6:32 PM
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