Category: Category 1

In The Word

Very, very chuffed to have a track from the new Tennyson album included on the covermount CD of the September edition of The Word magazine. They have chosen Little Birdie which I’m not sure is the best choice as it doesn’t exactly scream Tennyson, indeed I put it as the first track on the CD…


Michael Kiwanuka

Last year I was asked by Paul Butler of the Bees to contribute some double bass to a session he was producing for an up and coming singer/songwriter called Michael Kiwanuka. He turned out to be a lovely bloke with a gorgeous voice and an obvious gift for writing gentle but soulful tunes. So much…


Olivia Keith Portrait

Whilst at this years Larmer Tree Festival I renewed my acquaintance with the delightful artist Olivia Keith. Not only did she produce an impressive painting of the Gramophone Party performance of which I was a part but she also did this sketch of me performing solo which I am really taken with. You can see…


Tennyson album finished

  I’ve just sent the recordings off to my label along with the freshly printed album cover (left). Oh happy relief! It’s been nearly two years since Dr Brian Hinton cornered me into putting Tennyson’s poems to music for the bicentenary of his birth (Alfred’s not Brian’s). I’d originally planned to record them immediately using…


May promotional dates

Now the Tennyson album is finally recorded I’ll be out and about doing my thing either solo or with my new trio which consists of my long-time partner in crime JC Grimshaw on all things strung, and fresh faced Guy Paige on drums, guitar and anything else lying around. First off there are these few…


A Hairfree New Year

In case there is anyone left who doesn’t know, I will be giving up my beard and hair in aid of the Bhopal Medical Appeal on the 2nd of January at the Bargeman’s Rest. There will be music from, amongst others, The Radiotones, Stickman, Rachel’s Reason, JC and Angelina. And for those who fancy making…


Bespoke Songs from the Larmer Tree

As the Literary Laureate at this year’s Larmer Tree Festival, I gave myself the task of writing two songs a day about people at the festival. Each day at noon I’d appear on stage in the Lost Woods, sing a few songs and ask for volunteers to come forward from the audience. I would distribute…


Radio Feature

If you haven’t already come across this great online  radio station I’m sure you’ll soon be a convert. A fine selection of music, full on unexpected treasures. One of the DJs Adrian, recently interviewed me for a show which has just been posted. Please go and give it a listen, I’m sure you’ll enjoy the…


Folk Against Fascism

In response to Nick Griffin’s attempts to champion folk music as the BNP’s music of choice, the folk community have set up the organisation Folk Against Fascism whose website you can get to by clicking on their logo on the right. This July sees the release of the first of several compilations of artists championing…


A Return to the Slaughtered Lamb

I’m very happy to announce that I’ve been invited back to my favourite London venue The Slaughtered Lamb www.electroacousticclub.com. I shall be supporting the much lauded Cory Chisel on Wednesday 30th June. CORY CHISEL Cory Chisel recently caused a real stir when he appeared in the capital in October supporting ‘Raconteur’, Brendan Benson, who has also arranged…