When I first came across a guy making and selling HX presets, I was initially annoyed by the fact that most people just explain how to do it, rather than profit from it. However, on reflection and after checking his presets out, they really do push the boundaries of what can be achieved and represent a serious time investment. For my part, they inspire me to (try and) figure out how he did it, a really useful learning process. Ultimately, with any device, you need to learn how it works or you’ll never find your perfect sound.
Second-hand blues
I thought Id share a tale of my attempt to buy a 2nd hand superego pedal, £85 on gumtree with postage 4.95 so I offered 90. The conversation went
Him: What about the cost of the box?
Me: You can get boxes free at any supermarket
Him: What about the cost of the bubblewrap?
Me: OK, I’ll send 92
Him: The total cost is £92.47 if I can find a free box
Me: You’ve just lost a sale. Good luck & try to be more flexible in future
The hunt for a freeze-type pedal continues!
EM1-2
Some photos from the inestimable Phil Booth, taken at last nights wonderful gig in Nottingham, featuring the talents of Plyci, Nik Owen Jones, Scyrynyx, Peter Challoner plus myself.
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String Theology : University Arms
A couple of shots from last night’s String Theology gig (thanks to Mark Fuller-Carp)
Hammond Blues
Coo-er, a Stephen Fellows solo album!
As an almost infinitesimally brief member of the massively under-rated Comsat Angels, I was delighted to see the release of Steve’s first solo album of songs. Quite why he’s been so reticent to release music I don’t know, but it’s wonderful to hear new work from him. I hope it’s sufficiently successful to encourage him to do it more often 😉
Merry Christmas!
I saw thread about favourite obscure Xmas tunes – I like to think this is pretty obscure, Reindeer Ride by Roger Lavern and The Microns. Roger was the keyboard player with the Tornados, but faded into obscurity and a life of womanising shortly after! Released on 1963 on the Decca label, I have a copy in my extensive RGM collection. The jaunty “Russ Conway” tune is played on the Meek “piano with drawing pins” and counterpointed by the glorious haunting female vocals, a vital part of many Meek productions. Lavern died in 2013.
On the same theme, I recently recorded a version of “Silent Night” for a “Friends of Sheffield Castle” Xmas video, here it is. I felt obliged to avoid my usual weirdness and dial back the mellotron 😉
silent nite
String Theology
From May 2018 – better late…
Das Rad 2 mixing
Working on mixes of some improv pieces for “Hallo Europa”, the next album by Das Rad, thought I’d share a snippet of live guitar looping (and why not?)
looped guitar
Julie Tippetts collaboration
My Das Rad band-mate Martin Archer has released several CDs with Julie Tippetts, aka Julie Driscoll of “Wheels On Fire” fame. Some years ago (these things take time!) I was asked to send over a couple of short, acoustic pieces for them to work with. Today I heard initial mixes of the tracks (“Sword Swallower” and “Big Cat Tamer”) and they are amazing!
It never ceases to amaze me where different musical minds can “take” a piece – what was a bare, stripped back guitar composition now has amazing vocals and a subtle “jazz” feel not dissimilar to Joni Mitchell. Martin plans to add a string quartet – I cannot wait to hear the results. The CD should be out some time next year, but it will be worth waiting for!
Any musician wants to play with respected artists and it’s taken me a while (cough), but I feel I may now have achieved my dream thanks to Martin’s faith & trust. Long may it continue.