Your 2014 Concerts

Just got tickets for Dream Theater at Sheffield City Hall, July 5th

I have secured the loan of a nice bass from a former pupil for the concert. Maybe I even attempt to buy this bass in time.

No upgrades to the gramophone for years if I do. Good playing instruments do not come cheap!

Also got the sheet music yesterday, and it looks very playable. No virtuosic stress in it at all. Faure was a master of obtaining the most from an orchestra with the least pain!

Getting excited about this now!

ATB from George

PS: All are welcome to attend. The concert is in aid of the fabric of the building, Hereford Cathedral, and another charity as far as I know. Two Forum members are already coming to it!

Martin Simpson - Norwich Arts Centre, 24th July.

Caro Emerald at the O2 stadium (London) on 17th October.

Concert postponed from 2013 due to pregnancy.

Looking forward to the concert.

George.

Collected the bass I an going to play in the Hereford Concert.

It is a nice French "chamber bass" from pre-1914, as shown by the fact that it has four tuning machines, of which three match, thus showing that the three were original fittings and the fourth added in a conversion to a conventional four string arrangement. 

It has a slightly short string length, which is good - much easier to use and play well in tune. and with about six inches of peg out as shown in the picture the top of the body is at the same height as a full-sized instrument without any extension of the peg. It plays very nicely, with that typically bright French tone that makes playing in tune easier when the tutti gets louder!

I hope that I may buy this instrument in time. A modest instrument in terms of looks, price, or fashionability, but useful and lighter to carry than its larger siblings!

ATB from George

PSS: I have cracked picture posting again!

Not exactly a concert but I saw the electric violinist Ed Alleyne-Johnson busking in York yesterday and he played for me as a request, the New Model Army song Vagabonds!

(Note to those who are not familiar with either NMA or the song, Ed played on the song when it was recorded.)

steve

This thursday. Sheffield City Hall.

Looking forward to  Rick's pre concert talk with interest. He has a dry sense of humour.

We saw this show at Bournemouth on Saturday. Rick is not only an extremely talented musician, but also a great storyteller. He always comes across as such a decent bloke too.

I have not previously experienced a full house standing ovation at a 'rock' concert. You're going to have a great time. I wish I was going to see it again! Let us know how you find it, Graham.

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds in July in Vancouver. Joe Bonamassa in Indiana later in the year.

I certainly will Clive.

I've pre-ordered the re-issue of Journey... and Return to...

Both double 180gm. lp's.

Missed buying it first time round, early 70's. Remember borrowing it from a friend. Don't know why I didn't. (no comments please!)

Have a CD version (1993).

I think he is or was honorary president of the Rotherham Classic Rock society. It was run by Martin Hudson, a security officer at the steel works I was working for at the time.

 Google:  classic rock society

The Nutcracker at Kremlin State Theater on April 20:

Good for you George, you get such pleasure out of playing it.

I just heard a Brahms program with Manny Axe at piano LA Phil, have 2 more concerts in May there.

Hollywood Bowl box seats, 4 in the jazz series, last year was incredible. Last concert was Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter's 80th birthday bash, VERY advanced jazz.

I've bought my season tickets for next years LA Phil and decided to buy their jazz series which is all under Herbie Hancock's guide.

Pat Metheny Unity Group at the Sardine In Bergen - in less than two hours and I'll be there! Really really looking forward to this.

Nick Cave is coming to my neck of the woods at the end of June.  Can't wait....

Robert Cray at the Sage in Gateshead. Looking forward to hearing the new LP live. Should be a good evening after a tough week at work !

Just reporting back on the Rick Wakeman concert as promised.

The concert started bang on time with Rick solo on stage.

Started off with a few reminiscences and anecdotes, notably working with Cat Stevens and Dave Bowie.

During this first session (35 Min.) he introduced the other members of the concert.

The second session was a run through of Journey To….  with additional material that couldn’t be accommodated on the original lp. They will be included on cd and double vinyl sets to be released on 23^rd June.

There was a standing ovation both at the end and after a following encore.

An entertaining and value for money concert. Recommended

If you Google Rick Wakeman Journey …..  concert there are several local paper reviews which give a better and fuller account than I.

Yesterday evening in Hereford Cathedral during the interval. Photo taken by Joff of the Parish on a small mobile phone!

Maybe my Swansong, or maybe a new beginning. I am not certain yet.

ATB from George

Nice one, George! I trust it went well.

Dear Winki,

It was a good show, and I met many old Hereford friends, who thought it was very enjoyable! Naturally one is never quite satisfied as a performer. Not with everyone else, but rather with one's own accuracy.

For once I have a photo that does not find me scowling at the camera!

ATB from George

Glad that you enjoyed it too, Graham. It was indeed a rather special experience.

Modest as ever George.

It was a very enjoyable mixed program, headed by Faure's Requiem and finished with Old Mother Hubbard as imagined by Handel....

The location made it even more special as Hereford Cathedral is one of the finest, and smallest, of all English cathedrels. 

Joff

Pearl Jam, Milton Keyes.

These have passed:

Birdy

Katie Melua

Glennis Grace

Still to come:

Lindsey Stirling

Night of the Proms

Actually - while I think about it - 

Arcade Fire - Earls Court London

Bruno Mars - TD Garden Boston MA