SnC 143 – Wed 12 Nov 2008

Podcast: Play in new window

A week of heavy travelling with two trips to London and one to Ireland four hours after completing the show tonight as well as a most enjoyable visit to the North Norfolk coast (right) to meet up with a friend from a long way in the past.There really is some great music around and I’m trying to squeeze at least some of it into the show. You’re gonna lose – The Aces (CA, USA)The Aces have attitude and a different idea of how to play blues. They reduce the blues to pounding riffs and a distorted wall of sound topped by wailing harp. They were among the first to absorb and recast the drone riff-based Hill Country Blues style, and The Aces do that their own way.www.acesfan.com/Alone – Tryad (various locations)Since we last spoke I’ve done two all night work sessions followed by full days, yesterday a particularly frantic day in London. Gets to feel a bit unreal here in the barn in the very early morning just before dawn. I"ve been playing my current fave album on repeat for days Tryad’s Listen. Amazing variety, some possible influences come to light after a few listens. The album is available on Jamendohttp://tryad.org/www.myspace.com/tryadwww.jamendo.com/en/artist/tryadI’m delighted to report that the player seems to be working just fine a gain now (actually, I think it is a new player). How is it for you? So well done Jamendo for solving the technical problem.Water – Deep 6 Holiday (Los Angeles, CA, USA)From their Awake at the funeral albumSlightly shambolic sound from Deep 6 Holiday – but not in a bad way. It almost makes you listen harder.Deep 6 Holiday’s music resonates with listeners because it allows them a space in which they can comfortably experience feelings that are difficult and taboo. The band’s lyrical honesty, coupled with passionate performances, are meant to relate the idea that we are all going through the same types of struggles, and, in that way, we are all constantly connected. From its dark and discordant harmonies to its messages of hope, Deep 6 Holiday’s Awake at the Funeral takes you on a musical journey—one in which you realize that sometimes the only way you can feel at peace is by sitting alone in the darkness long enough.www.deep6holidaymusic.com/www.myspace.com/deep6holidayNote from Steve Marshall in the UK.Listening and storing? Just because of the sheer volume of material, for me it’s mostly MP3s (of which I listen to around 400 per week), but if I really like something I"ll get hold of the CD and import into iTunes at one of the higher qualities which does make a difference. Of course, there is always the anxiety about hard drive failure but I’m pretty rigorous about backups. So, It"s amazing that I’m whinging about having to store all those CDs – they take a little less room than the equivalent in vinyl.How about you – any good ideas that we can share? Why not pop a comment into the shownotes, drop me a line to peter@suffolkandcool.comOr leave a message on the MyChingo message machine right nest to this week’s show on the shownotes page at suffolkandcool.libsyn.com It really is dead easy and you can re-record the message until you get it how you want it to sound. You never know, there might even be a chance to play it in the show (no guarantees though).I’ve never really made a strong connection between the blues and the mandolin – just not obviously good bedfellows, or so I thought until Bert Deivert kindly dropped a track of his in the Suffolk ‘n" Cool drop box. This is something of a revelation and I thank Bert for it.Seems like a Dream – Bert DeivertThis song is on the cd TAKIN’ SAM’S ADVICE, released by Bert Deivert, blues mandolinist and American living in Sweden. The song is included on the Yank Rachell Tribute cd at yankrachell.comYank Rachell was the most famous blues mandolinist in the world. Right now thee a re a handful of active recording and touring blues mandolinists in the world.Came in via the Drop.io page at suffolkandool.comwww.deivert.com/blues.htmlGraham Holland at the Liverpool-based It’s a frog’s life acoustic podcast generally plays acoustic music only from the UK (frankly I don’t understand all this nationalism in music but that"s another matter) Anyway, Our Graham who is a lovely guy has invited a bunch of AMP member music podcasters to submit an acoustic track from anywhere which he’ll feature in future IAFL shows in a "Hopping around the world" feature. I’ve a few ideas for a track that I’d like to send but what do you think – any favourites from previous Suffolk and Cool shows that you think should reach a wider audience.Use the same means of contact to let me know and I’ll slip a couple of tracks to Graham – he’ll never notice.Harper Valley pta – Samantha Dann (Queensland, Australia)I’m not usually a great enthusiast for cover versions but two factors conspired to make an exception this week. Grumbler put together an entire show (Music and Mumblings 037) of covers but I think that was just as an excuse to cram in more cheesy links than seems quite decent. I just don’t know how he keeps a straight face as he does shows like that. Good on yer Grumber.A cover of the old classic Harper Valley pta cropped up from Music Submit – I don"t know if it is just that it is newer or because it is by an Australian artist but for me it just cuts it as a really fresh take. There was a great video on Samantha’s site too but it has been removed. You"ll find it at http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OgMh5fdTerY www.myspace.com/samanthamdannOK now this is getting really interesting … salsa, reggae an unusual blend.La Jurumba – Carlos de Nicaragua y Familia (Le Havre, Normandie, France)Carlos Wiltshire, alias Carlos de Nicaragua, was born in Bluefields, on the nicaraguayan atlantic coast. His name is not only in reference to his country of birth but mostly in reference to the legendary indian chief Nicaraocai, philosopher, ferocious warrior and fighter. Carlos de Nicaragua was one of the precursors of the sound system concept in Paris.In Paris, latinos, french and africans dance during the concerts under the blazing fire of a nicaraguayan named Carlos and his band "Familia", pioneers of the salsa reggae style. His admiration for the reggae prophets Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Burning Spear […] pushed him to dedicate himself to this music, reinventing it and mixing it with the tumbao of dancing rhythms from the Bronx and other great salsa capitals.There is a video that you just have to see at: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=MHqYGt6ejqEwww.myspace.com/carlosdenicaraguayfamiliahttp://cdbaby.com/cd/carlosdenicaraguaThanks to Ross Patzelt from Norwich, here in the UK for posting a really nice review of Suffolk ‘n’ Cool on the iTunes store. If you have iTunes check it out.Ross has a couple of shows of his own at www.rosspatzelt.co.uk If you’d like to post a review of Suffolk ‘n’ Cool, that would be really appreciated. I mentioned that I was meeting up with Nicky on Saturday after a gap of almost exactly "a lot of years” which went really well, walked on a wonderfully wild North Norfolk beach and a heartening meal at a rather fine restaurant at Holkham called The Victoria. More travels, I’m off to Belfast in a few hours, very early tomorrow morning (and regrettably back in the afternoon) so it seems only appropriate to play something from across the Irish sea, although in fact this is from across the Irish sea … and the Atlantic Ocean. Rising Gael contacted me during the week and my thanks are due to Erin for turning round my request for a track in record time to get it into this week’s show.Fierce – Rising Gael (Wisconsin, USA)Rising Gael is a young Irish band that is setting the standard for modern Celtic music. The driving rhythms played on guitar and drum race with the fast fingers and electrifying bowing of the fiddle. This mix is paired with pure, powerful vocals, resulting in a rich and innovative sound.This four-piece band is comprised of young and talented musicians who share a passion for music. The versatile guitar playing of Peter Tissot delivers sweet finger-picking and driving rhythm. Added to the rhythm section are the energetic and racing beats of the bodhran, played by Jeff Olson. The flying fingers and electrifying bowing of Katie Dionne add beautiful and commanding fiddle to the band’s mix. Layered in the vibrant sound of the group is Erin Ellison’s powerful and nuanced vocals. In addition to singing in the band, Erin contributes graceful and technically impressive flute playing.You can order the CDs and get some great looking gear direct from their website.http://risinggael.com/www.myspace.com/risinggael