the first supper

action for today

2012-02-05T19:54:00.002Z

deep and crisp and even

On my recent travels I was in Kings Lynn on the northern coast of Norfolk. It is a picturesque town with a long history as a port. The town center is typical of most town centers and so I could have been any where in the UK. The weather was bitterly cold and I was chilly even though well clothed and well fed. To be out in the open was challenging. In a side street a young man was shivering in the cold and mumbling to him self. He was a little younger than my own son Luke. he had a card board sign that stated he was homeless and sleeping rough. I gave him some money and he blessed me. I felt impotent. I was reminded of all the good things in my life and how any of us might lose it all due to the twists and turns and the vagaries of our lives.
A little further along the same street an old man was dancing and playing a truly battered acoustic guitar that had no strings. He strummed and swayed like a man lost in his own strange muse. He was filthy and his clothes were ragged. His eyes were dim and he seemed so isolated from the people who passed him by only feet away from where he stood. I have not seen a more desperate pair of men for a very long time.

peace

The Busker Man

See the busker man

ragged like a fading

shooting star

As dirty as the chimney sweep's

little boy

climbing through the dark

Dancing like St Vitus

he strums imaginary strings

on his guitar

So many reasons to walk on by

turn away - avert your eyes

See the younger man

trembling like a leaf

upon a storm

He said I'm freezing

in the sunshine

and I'm driven to the wall

She's reaching for some money

he looks at her

with eyes gone some where warm

So many reasons to walk on by

turn away - avert your eyes

It strikes me that we frequently make judgements aboutpeople begging which divide them into “the deserving” or “undeserving”poor. I pondered on the criteria Isometimes use, consciously or not, prior to putting my hands in my pocket. Is it about the possibility that they willspend my hard earned money on booze or drugs? Could they be conning me and they have a large house in an upmarket areaof town, receive a fortune in benefits, using begging as a sideline? Will they spend the donation I give in a waythat I might not approve?

Due to the extreme temperatures we have recently had I havebeen more aware of the people I see in the town where I live. There are some that are regularly seen in thesame place. 2 days ago I went into town and stood beside a man who I have occasionallyspoken to before and have given money to. After 5 minutes I really felt the need to move on as, despite being welldressed for the freezing temperature, it was almost unbearable to stay. If he,and others in his situation, were trying to take my money they were paying amassive price. He said he was stayingthere until he could go to the night shelter at 8pm. It was then 11am.

The local churches have set up a winter scheme where theyopen at night from 8pm to 8am and homeless people can go there for a hot meal,shower and change of clothes. When theyasked for volunteers to run this scheme on local radio they had more thandouble the numbers they needed. Iapplaud this and wish them well with their endeavour.
Act now - give what you can.

MWS

the new revolution

2012-01-24T21:07:00.002Z

Gene Sharp the man now credited with the strategy behind

the toppling of the Egyptian government

There is no doubting mans potential for betrayal and his capacity for turning on his fellows. I was shocked when I first read the evidence that showed the white men who bought the slaves for transport to the colonies and to the UK met the slavers on the shores of West Africa at the waters edge. They were black like their captives. They were Arab and African and they sold their neighbours. They brought them to the beaches where the white men transported them in small rowing boats to the nearby, large sailed ocean going ships. The white men had no need to enter into the hostile interior of Africa searching for slaves.
Examples of such atrocities have resounded down the years and we have seen the tragedy of neighbour against neighbour in all the wars and conflicts. It is a human trait and capacity that seems to be present in a percentage of people of all races and is never more prevalent than in times of civil war.
So after the fall of the Gaddafi, revelations of systematic subjugation and the use of terror by Gaddafi’s soldiers against their own people were not so surprising. Nor is it surprising that many of the people remaining after the over throw of Gaddafi had become inured to violence and traumatised by it. They might struggle to throw down their weapons and discard the martial way of life. There will be concerns over the way they will dispense justice as in the case of Saif Gaddafi and co. Democracy isn’t just a process it has to be part of culture. This will take time even if it is the route chosen by the majority.

In Egypt The Muslim Brotherhood may yet be a wolf in sheep’s clothing after protestations that they want a civil society with no religious discrimination. There seems to be a growing tendency that favours Sharia Law and all that goes with it. Still the people have the right to choose their way and that is what freedom means. I don’t suppose there will be massive liberalisation in any of the Arab Spring countries, any time soon, but at least the over throw of a tyrant affords the opportunity to begin anew with better values and rights for all. To be free is to be able to get it wrong and it will take a long time before we can properly evaluate the outcome of the sacrifices made by so many.

At the onset of The Arab Spring the people who simplistically asserted that, violence is bad and therefore, the freedom movement was doomed to fail dismayed me. Few want to fight and I will always admire those who will not. The rest of us would probably fight if our lives and liberty came under serious threat.
Despots and their cronies have no problem with putting our lives under serious threat and their delusion and sense of entitlement knows no bounds where torture and fear are their instruments of rule.
The extra ordinary book From Dictatorship to Democracy by Gene Sharpe has become the bible of many of the protesters who make up the Arab Spring and clearly advocates and demonstrates the power of peaceful protest. How ever while it is being widely reported that Assad’s death squads are targeting children it is clear that peaceful protest is still being met with massive force. Where the basic rules of law and justice are absent the freedom movement will feel forced to defend it self.
Assad and his like will only take comfort as the bodies of martyrs pile up in the Syrian morgues. He will not be repelled by his own actions and he has to be stopped. We cannot be far away from a UN resolution that requires this. Meanwhile the seeds of The European Spring are germinating across the great divides.

My favourite quote of the week :

“If Dave truly believed in 'moral capitalism', Fred Goodwin would be in jail sewing mailbags” - Daily mail.
The new boss of Royal Bank of Scotland has probably done a reasonable job for his new employer – us. He gets a million a year for it so does he need a bonus?

By Myself is currently sold out but we are still taking back orders at http://www.edgarbroughton.com/shop.html
Back orders will be dispatched as soon as we get new stock.
You can also down load the album at I-Tunes, Amazon etc.

Most subscribers to the monthly EB News Letter will have received the first edition by now. Please let me have your feed back and any writings you would like to submit for inclusion in the subsequent editions.

Don’t forget I am looking to hear from folk putting benefit gigs together in 2012 with a view to offering my services. Keep me posted.

Finally. If you want a Fair Days Pay Gig For A Fair Days Work gig, during the summer months book now while dates are available.
http://edgarbroughton.com/special%20offer.html

peace

hope

2011-12-31T18:36:00.003Z

2012

good

for

YOU

falling apart! like melting ice

unshaped! like an uncarved block of wood

open! like an empty cave

confused! like murky water

who can let murkiness, through quieting,

gradually come to clarity?

who can let stillness, through stirring,

gradually come to life?

when you let go of what you are

you become what you might be

if you realize that all things change

there is nothing you will try to hold on to

keeping to this path

you guard against being overfull

truly not full of yourself

you can lose yourself

and be newly made

if you are not afraid of dying,

there is nothing you cannot achieve

Lao Tse (570 - 490BC)

peace

retrospective

2011-12-22T13:57:00.001Z

As 2011 draws to a close I look back over the year with some satisfaction. I have had a fantastic time playing the fair days pay for a fair days work gigs and I have met some amazing people. I have enjoyed the public gigs too. I thought it might be a bit of an ask to expect that people would give me their time and lend their ears to yours truly in solo mode, especially after the epic EBB gigs we put on at the end, but that seems a long time ago. I have been very kindly received and made welcome every where I have been. I've done more or less every thing I set out to do including the release of the live solo album By Myself which I believe is a real and honest representation of my year in concert.

The Mickey Jones Memorial double DVD is available now. It is a labour of love and a valuable document of it's time, the music and people who care. It is a testament to what can be done with skill and dedication and few resources. My visit to Wales to play with George and Bob from MAN was such a buzz and it was an honour to be asked to sing one of Mickeys songs. George's choice, the song Shit on the world, seemed entirely appropriate. Lovely people - lovely country.

It was great to meet up with First Supperists on some of the demos of the past year and to find common ground. Right now, in these times of apathy and confusion it would be very easy to dismiss our little band of brothers and sisters but we will grow in number over the next year or so and we will be heard. Arm chair critics rise up and join us or at least be heard on 38 Degrees etc. We won't hold your past reluctance to participate against you.

One of the last gigs of the year was my Beefheartian contribution to Jerry Dammers Spatial AKA Orchestra show at the Barbican. I felt right at home there. Could have lived there or at least have been a well behaved house guest for a while. This was a high light in a year full of them. The lows and glitches of 2011 were tiny and few. The highs were massive and frequent. I loved playing a few gigs with Luke at the start of it all. It just always feels right. I expect there will be more of them next year.

I feel a lot healthier than when the year began and mostly stress free. I am in control and it works for me.
I've written a lot of songs and they keep on coming. The solo shows have taught me a lot and I intend to carry on playing them as well as FDPFAFDW shows. Book me now!
I think I might be knocking at the door of a new era for me personally. I haven't felt like this about performing, or life in general, for some time. I intend to put a new show together in the new year that really will rock you. It is time to up the stakes and pump up the volume. Time to jam with angels and reprobates to find the new core of a new project that is powerful, positive and NOW! Listen to me eh? The thing is I have written half of the show in my head and I have the scent of the first gig. Wanna COME to the FIRST SUPPER?

I don't know what 2012 will bring but I am completely unafraid and looking forward to it all. I wish you all well. I hope your dreams for yourself and your people all come true but - always be careful what you wish for and don't give up what is real for what is illusory.

Finally my thanks to all who helped and supported me through 2011. Special thanks to John and Val Bradshaw, Shirlok, Ramblin' Mad Dave Randell, and all the hosts of the FDPFAFDW gigs.

Peace

by myself competition

2011-12-07T17:07:00.001Z

15/12/11

The WINNING CAPTIONS are

(1) “No its not a talking spotlight its a camera and its taking pictures of this song I am writing, even through this special hat”.

(2) "And I thought you put the guitars in the car".

Email your postal address to ebbman@btinternet.com to receive your prize.

father and son glastonbury 2011

It is competition time. We haven't had one for a while so here we go. As you will know by now, the BY MYSELF album is completed and on sale. It is a collection of songs performed through out 2011 and includes songs from Fair Days Pay For A Fair Days Work gigs as well as some performances from public gigs.

It was my intention to capture the atmosphere of the shows as simply as possible and so the audio was all recorded on a small stereo digital recorder and is virtually unprocessed in it's final form. It is as real as it gets.

The above photo was taken by Dave Randell at Glastonbury 2011.

All you have to do is leave an alternative caption for the photo as a comment on here to enter the competition for a signed copy of the album. The usual rules apply so you can make as many entries as you like under different names.

The winning caption will be chosen on Thursday the 15th December.

There will be two albums on offer so the best two captions will get a prize.

If the winners will send mail address details to ebbman@btinternet.com , when the winning entries are announced on here, the albums will be posted to them.

click on photos to enlarge

BY MYSELF available at http://edgarbroughton.com/shop.html where you can hear My Salvation a track from the album recorded live at The Priory in The Wirral.

BY MYSELF is now available with PAY PAL in THE SHOP. http://edgarbroughton.com/shop.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------

LATEST -

FDPFAFDW hosts who collected cash for charity from their guests have raised £1600 and counting for charities of their choice including NSPCC, the bereaved families of the recent Welsh mining disaster, various hospices and Cancer Research. Fantastic!

Book a FDPFAFDW gig for 2012 now at http://edgarbroughton.com/special%20offer.html

peace

spatial

2011-11-21T22:23:00.001Z

some of our friends are silent

A little time ago I got an email from Mr Jerry Dammers of The Specials and now the Spatial AKA Orchestra. He said he had an idea and eventually it turned out to be yours truly singing Frown land, the Beefheart song, at his next gig. I went along to a rhythm section rehearsal where we tried out the idea with bass, drums, two guitars and Jerry on keyboards. I was warmly welcomed and the whole thing was very relaxed for me. I had listened to the song Frownland until my head hurt and I was prepared. The guys soon produced this slippery and slick groove that knocked along like a well oiled machine in no time at all.
I watched them playing some nice dubby ska for the Johnny Clarke songs after my bit. It was clear to see these guys are very good. Johnny had come over from Jamaica for the show and was getting settled in town. We all agreed the Beefheart song would work and I turned up for the full rehearsal the day before the show on Friday. As I walked into the room I was a bit surprised by the sight of the full orchestra and even more blown away when the brass and every one else kicked in to the riff. The hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end.
We ran through the song three times and that was it. I even got a warm round of applause from the whole orchestra. That was a first. Having the chance to stay around and see how this all worked was fascinating. These folk were all very committed to the project and the atmosphere was special and totally harmonious. I wanted to live there.

sound check

Friday came with a little nervousness. I rose as late as I could but got to the Barbican by 3pm. It is an amazing venue and public space. I had not been previously so it was quite a treat. Most of the orchestra were assembled and Ollie Bayley, electric bass, was directing operations and getting some music going while Jerry was still putting the dots together for new scores for all. Rather him than me. That is plain heroism to me but essential for this band. I sat in the front row drinking it in. Time passed and after my sound check the band continued to work. These guys refine their bits and pieces until it’s always better. Every thing in the set list was rehearsed at the sound check.

johnny clarke and anthony joseph still sound checking

As I got to know people I relaxed and the evening wore on. The doors opened and the show began. I was on fairly quickly after some tunes from the orchestra and the recitation of the words to Frown land by the resident poet Anthony Joseph. I marched out into the lights wearing Jerry’s sartorial idea of The Captain. This consisted of a dark suit with the arms to the elbow, a white dress shirt, a stove pipe hat, black leather shoes and some red beads which were a last minute addition from the very nice man who was in charge of wardrobe. I wore a black mask to hide my true identity ha ha! Every one in the band wore a costume and mask or shades.

We rocked through the song in what seemed like a flash and I walked off to the sound of applause. It was a sold out show and they were very receptive. I headed for my dressing room grabbed some goodies and headed for the roof via a lift. What I didn’t know was that Jerry was calling me back for a curtain call. Oh well! I would get my chance to unmask during the finale so it could still all turn out ok.

still sound checking

I wandered to the top of the balcony, still in my Beefheart clothes to check the band. It sounded fine and the mix was perfect. I got back to watch the rest of the set on a monitor back stage and made sure I was ready for the finale and my unmasking. It really was fun.

There were so many high lights for me, especially seeing my old mate Rick Rogers and his friend who re-counted tales of booking the EBB for Belfast Uni, at the height of “The troubles” when almost no other band would venture there. Great days!

I thoroughly enjoyed my time with these folk. See this band if you can. It’s a vibrant collective with a sound ethos and is a rare and fine thing. I felt proud to have been part of it.

Thanks for asking Jerry. Any time!

Next stop a little village called Russells Water, near Henley on Thames. Where I was to play for Lea at his 53 rd birthday bash. After a brief sojourn at the very smart Red Lion Hotel it was time to taxi out to the gig. Eventually I found the venue and was pleasantly surprised by the neat and well kept village hall with a professional acoustic treatment in what to me seemed the middle of no where. It is a good example of how Lottery funding can be of major benefit when used properly in a community.

Folk were in the middle of setting up a pa system and sound checking. A table was laden with all the good things to eat at a party and there was tea. Magic!

My host, Lea Andrews was in a band some years previously and they were going to play a few numbers with drum parts off a lap top. Their guitarist had a few feedback problems which persisted what ever he did, poor man. Eventually it was sorted and Lea and his daughter Alex (13) kicked of the evening with a couple of songs. It was sweet to hear her clear pure tones against the voice of her dad and it worked nicely. Then Lea’s band played a couple of songs and things were warming up.

It was in many ways a typical FDPFAFDW audience made up of old friends and the family of the host including Lea’s 92 year old dad. I had a long talk with him after the gig. We might have stayed chatting for ages but I think it was time for him to be in his bed.

I began my set with This England which is quickly becoming one of my current favourites. I had to have a polite word with folk and explained I couldn’t really concentrate on what I was doing if people were going talk loudly and soon things settled down. That is the only time this has happened on these gigs and I am surprised it didn’t happen more often. What I do is strong but it does require folks attention. Of course it is not every one’s cup of tea and a party is a party. I never was a party person but at the same time, I would never want to dictate to folk except when - it is about me (lol) which isn’t very often.

Any way, although the audience thinned out a little after my little chat those that remained were very attentive and warm. I ran through my songs and began to really enjoy myself. There were a few oohs! and ahs! at points in the songs where I have become used to hearing and better – feeling them, which makes it for me. I had some nice feedback from people later and got the chance to meet people face to face. The diversity was again typical of these gigs and as the time wore on it began to dawn on me that this was my last gig of the year. I shall enjoy the break. I will re-charge, write my next show for 2012 and get on with the job of making my new and some old songs and new ideas, part of a full blown electric manifesto.

Mean while my night in Russells Water was a reminder that a minstrel’s life is a good one if you are fortunate to have the kind and supportive patronage that I have received this year. Thanks Lea and all who made it work. It is a great privilege to be invited into folks lives and to be part their history.

peace

heart of the midlands

2011-11-13T21:12:00.001Z

the barton arms

Dring - ring – ring – dring – ring – dring. The phone rings at 38 Kipling Avenue, Warwick. It is a hot summer day. Joyce ( mum) gets to the phone first. Joyce answers in her slightly Mrs Bouquet / posh telephone answering voice. “Hello Warwick 43859”. It’s an agent in Birmingham who we have been pestering / harassing to get a gig for The Original Roadrunners ( our name at the time ). He has been let down by a pop group ( sneer!) and asks if we can play at a club in Birmingham called the Elbow Room. This is a coup. Not only that but we will be playing the background music for two strippers. The agent asks if we can play the gig that evening. We agree. We always did at this stage of proceedings. A gig was a gig and it didn’t really matter where or what it was. Later we drive in the dark to Birmingham and find the gig.

The Elbow Room was a narrow corridor and there was little elbow room hence the name. We set up and wait. It’s a late night job and these always suited me. We play some blues and then the strippers appear. Poor old Barry Compton, our bass player at the time, didn’t know where to look and his serious face reddened up as the girls divested them selves of their flimsies. I knew where to look though and enjoyed every minute. I remember telling Joyce it was playing the gig that was the best bit but I lied. The girls were lovely to me and I liked them. We actually got paid and returned home to Warwick as it was getting light.

Birmingham and it’s people were always part of our life in Warwick. Joyce was a Brummie so we often visited the relatives in Birmingham and our lovely Gran Edie, Joyce’s mother. I’m walking through Birmingham again. It is 40 plus years later. I am with Steve White and his mates and we are headed for the Barton Arms venue for his 55th birthday party and my FDPFAFDW appearance.

As we approached the Barton Arms I glanced across the street and noticed a sign over a small club. It proclaimed The Elbow Room. A small wave of pure nostalgia washed over me for a moment. I was back almost where the story of the EBB began. Full circle and what a journey! I have to say I was pleased not to be playing The Elbow Room though.
The venue was a surprise. We ate some Thai food and I checked out the upstairs room where I was to play. Victoriana and good acoustics. It was obviously a room that had seen some extraordinary scenes. In it’s heyday the Barton was host to the great luminaries of the stage who appeared at The Hippodrome nearby, now sadly gone. The whole building is still in fine condition even though it was set on fire during the recent riots. It must have been a very grand place to drink in and be be able to rub shoulders with the famous stars who stayed there.

the boys

Pete the Scouser ( roadie ) had collected an amp for me but it was more suitable for an electric guitar. He immediately suggested going back for another and re-appeared soon after with a nice little acoustic amp. What a super nice bloke! Thanks Pete.

pete the scouser and crew

Ensconced in a meeting room behind the bar I tuned up and chilled and tried unsuccessfully to finish writing a song I am still working on. Soon it was time to hit the stage and meet my audience who proved to be warm and receptive just like it is on all of these gigs.

I am always pleased and proud to find that so many of the folk, and their friends, who book me to play at their private function are “people workers”. They are social workers, youth workers, nurses, people who work with young offenders and so on. This event was no exception.

steve and yours truly

As it was Steve’s birthday I dedicated a song called This England that had it’s first airing at his gig. I had the printed lyric on the floor but I didn’t need it. Some songs do go in the memory more easily than others.

fari and kash

The evening was going nicely and soon I had come to the end of my show and it was time to mingle and try to get to know a few folk. It was time for the cake and Sue, Steve’s lovely missus, and his son Sean appeared with candles lit. Actually the cake was extremely delicious and I had to resist a second portion.

sean steve and sue

Time for the disco. This was DJ’d by the very able and professional Paul Swaby who hosts a show on local radio. He really knew how to spin some thing for every one. I enjoyed some of the silly, semi - senior dancing which included a very silly dance lead by Steve to the song Monster Mash. It was great to see this diverse gathering of friends having such a good time. It is a privilege for me to join with folk on these gigs and to be welcomed so warmly into their circle.

cheers folks !

It was a proper rocking night and a job well done by all who had worked to make it right. It was time to head off in a cab along with Steve’s mates John and Andy and Jeff who was to be my late night drinking companion at the Adam and Eve pub where we enjoyed some of the coolest dance music around. I wrote about this in a previous post - The young ones – positive images. http://thefirstsupper.blogspot.com/2011/09/young-ones.html
I enjoyed my stay in Birmingham. Proper, quality people in the heart of the midlands. Thanks folks! There is one more FDPFAFDW gig left on the date sheet for 2011 and they have all been fantastic for me. I have made many new friends. I am taking bookings for Fair Days Pay For A fair Days Work gigs for 2012 so I hope I will get to meet many more of you.

peace

by myself

2011-11-08T00:10:00.000Z

Wednesday came, as did my good friend John who drove down from the Wigan area to collect and take me to The ROBIN at Bilston. He arrived bang on time and we arrived bang on time at Bilston. This set the tone for the rest of the trip and indeed we were always on time. This was partly due to top driving, a top end and last of the great Rovers that purrs like a pussy cat and a wonderful new satnav system. This thing makes short cuts on the fly and anticipates all traffic conditions. Shame it doesn’t have a guitar tuner and a metronome but there you go. I do love travelling around with no nasty organisational surprises or anything else rearing it’s head that detracts from what should be a buzz. What a joy!

The sound check was a delight and over in a few minutes. The spare guitar was tuned and the drinks bottles filled. The time rolled on and it was time for the opening act and what a surprise. Young Sam Draisey is a man to watch out for. It wouldn't surprise me if we see this youngster climb to a fairly lofty height among his singer song writer peers . Check him out. I'll say no more.

Time to play. The audience was lovely. Many people came to see what had replaced the electric roar and to touch base with this minstrel. Some were new to my music so it was especially interesting to get their feedback. It was good to see some old friends including Story John Edgar and some FDPFAFDW hosts including Steve White and Sue and the Peter Greening family.
The songs went by quickly and I was left buzzing. If the audience response was any thing to go by then I did ok. People were very complimentary afterwards and Paul Broome wrote a very kind review for Midland Rocks. http://www.midlandsrocks.co.uk/reviews/live-rock-reviews/gig-reviews/edgarbroughtonsamdraiseytherobin2bilstonwolverhampton-wednesday2ndnovember2011

I love chatting with folk afterwards and it is amazing what people remember from over the years and this is true at all my gigs. They don’t often expect me to remember the same things but some times I do. The ROBIN is always a good place to play. You always get top end sound engineers and the staff are always helpful and friendly.

The set list below is more or less what I played each night with some adjustments at times.

This England
Arabesque
All fall down
Speak down wires
Almost dancing
Cool dark room
Christmas Song
Red star
Soldiers of the light
My salvation
Green lights
There’s a hole in it
Six white horses
Arabesque 2
Evening over rooftops

at the priory - photo by dawn ogden

We drove north after the gig and next day the satnav took us faultlessly through the evening rush hour to THE PRIORY at Birkenhead in The Wirral. If you are ever in the area this is a special place to visit. The oldest part of the medieval priory was first begun in the 11th Century. It survived until the reformation when the monks were forced to leave. Over time it was pillaged and stone was removed for new buildings. Today it houses a small but delightful new space at the top of the chapel. It is a wonderfully elegant geometric structure of wood and glass that sits on top of the medieval walls. The acoustics are superb and again the audience was very warm and very enthusiastic.

The ROBIN at Bilston was the first gig and I was a little tense and wondering how it would be before we arrived there. By the time we got to The Priory I was well chilled and looking forward to every minute. I am playing four or five old songs and the rest are all new so it is pleasantly surprising to get such a good reaction from the new songs. The evening was kicked off by Garron Frith, another fellow acoustic guitarist and singer who ran through a set of songs that sounded like he lived in them. I especially liked his solo harmonica and voice blues rendition.

Last but not least a trip to the THE VERGE a small club that runs in a room on the top floor of The Cheshire Ring a pub in Hyde, Manchester. There is some thing instant and very appealing about the motley co-operative that runs this venue. With the full support of the landlord they have established a very intimate and attractive venue for local talent and artistes from all over. They present an amazingly diverse range of acts and do it with a lot of love and not much cash. They are obviously multi skilled but I can imagine they can and do call on many others who they think might help. It’s clear that they care deeply about their venue and it’s place in the local community. This is the way forward. These are the gigs that we should all support. With out them and their perseverance there would be nowhere to see the kind of acts they promote.

We had time to chat before the gig and I became even more impressed by the whole ethos of the place. Soon it was time to begin proceedings and Garron Frith opened up the show. I got to see more of him than I had on the previous gig. This was his local venue and so I imagine he would be glad to get on with it and into it. There is always a little pressure when you are playing to your home crowd. After the first song he had settled nicely into the mood and began to visibly relax into his songs. He has a good rapport with his audience and mine too. He went down very well. Nice one Garron! Looking forward to next time.

It was my turn now for the slight nervous fluttering in the belly. It is always a good sign before the show. The packed audience gave me a rousing welcome and stayed with me on the whole journey until the last song. What a lovely place and such lovely people!

I will gladly go back to do that all again. John and I had a ball. We were two big boys out to play. We were mostly professional and grown up but the rest of the time we were exchanging tall but true tales or falling about laughing.

Thank you to all who came to see my gigs and to those who pre-ordered my live album BY MYSELF. Thank you to Henry for booking the shows and special thanks to John Bradshaw who drove and looked after me so well on the road. The job’s yours mate. Special thanks to Val Bradshaw for the late suppers and late breakfasts and for all the fun filled hospitality. Here’s to the next time.

By Myself is a compilation of the best of the 2011 live shows plus bonus tracks. To pre-order the live album email edgar.broughton1@btinternet.com The album will be delivered to you before the end of november 2011 if you pre-order now.

For more info

peace

2011-10-31T19:39:00.000Z

So it's off on my travels again. I hope to see some of you on my mini tour of the north. As some of you will know I have been recording most of my solo gigs this year and it seemed logical to make an album out of the best of the collected material. If you are coming to the gig then for a tenner you can pre-order the album. You will get the Live album BY MYSELF delivered to your address as soon as it is completed. Pre- order forms will be available after the shows and a personally signed receipt will be given for every pre-order.

If you can't attend one of the gigs but want to buy the album it will cost £11.99 inc postage. For details email ebbman@btinternet.com You will be sent a pre- order form and payment details.

peace

few will shed a tear

2011-10-22T19:43:00.002+01:00

So Gaddafi is gone and few will shed a tear. I do have one concern around his last moments though. It is probably very naïve of me to think it might be otherwise but if the transitional Governments statement that he died in a cross fire is untrue, this is what we are used to from our leaders including Gaddafi himself. It is the spin that covers the unpalatable truth and the lies that are meant to placate us when we have such concerns. Not the best way to start afresh.
I think many people will believe that they caught and killed him and he was never going to stand trial for war crimes. Having said that, if he was executed we have take into account the reality that existed for his killers at the time.

Given the circumstances it was unlikely that after capture Gaddafi could expect any mercy. This is a man who was known for his cruelty and not known for his compassion or sense of justice. Opponents disappeared in the thousands. Still he asked his captors “What have I done to you”? I will be happier when they catch Smirking Boy, Saif. He must be apprehended and brought to book for his service to daddy.There are few models for fair and just arbitration between peoples of differing opinions in Libya and most disagreements have been addressed with violence. So the future will be difficult. Bringing different fractions together in the country will be a new and challenging experience but with the right support they can make it happen. I wish them well. Power to the people.

I have watched the unfolding drama outside St Paul’s Cathedral with great interest. If they move to a site that can accomodate more people I intend to join them. We can’t simply deconstruct the capitalist machine but it is busted and not fit for purpose and the free market is becoming an albatross around all our necks. It isn’t working any more. The relationship between Government and big business, especially multi national corporations, is crippling. It ensures an ever widening gap between the rich and the poor and the vulnerable.

Today the CEO of Wal-Mart (ASDA) earns 900 times the wage of his average employee. The wealth of the Wal- Mart family estimated to be 90 billion dollars is the same as the bottom 40% of the American population, 120 million people. In his book ILL FARES THE LAND Tony Judt says “ We have reverted to the attitudes of our early Victorian forbears. Once again, we believe exclusively in incentives, “effort” and reward- together with penalties for inadequacy. We have reverted to the hard, cold world of Enlightened economic rationality, first and best expressed in The fable of the bees, Bernard Mandeville’s 1732 essay on political economy. Workers in Mandeville’s view, “have nothing to stir them up to be serviceable but their wants, which it is prudent to relieve but folly to cure” Tony Blair couldn’t have said it better”.

At least some of England is working well on some levels. I have been in Leicester for the past couple of days visiting Luke. If you are ever in Leicester go for a walk down the Narborough Road. You will see that the multi ethnic society is working nicely – thank you? Of course there are issues to be addressed but there is a thriving mini society in the area that is lively and as healthy as could be expected and it is a vital as any I have experienced. The benefits of many diverse groups coming together here are real and obvious.

Next up for me is a couple of days intensive fishing on the Thames with Sonny, Steve’s lad. This will be special. We haven’t done it for ages. I hope he catches a big ‘un. After that it’s my nose to the grind stone and some serious rehearsing for the changes to the show, for my November gigs at Bilston, Manchester and The Wirral.
I have made a few changes to the web site including the addition of a couple of songs from FDPFAFDW shows on the Works in Progress page. You can book 2012 FDPFAFDW shows any time from now on. It’s a bit early I know but if you want a specific date, especially in the summer, now is the time.

peace

the flickering light

2011-10-10T20:08:00.024+01:00

Frank Bungay - peoples bard

The Mad Pride Fundraiser was a great night out for me and we raised some cash for a very worthy cause. I like to be involved with people who are clearly concerned with the welfare of others and who are prepared to do some thing about that. There is so much apathy abroad in the nation right now and the reasons why are fairly obvious. People feel disconnected from government process and some have slowly absorbed the Thatcherite values that divide and weaken. She said there is no such thing as society only individuals and now we have a puppy in her mould who claims to have invented the Big Society. All of it is erroneous and ruinous and leaves people with the idea that nothing can be done. Wrong! As long as we breathe and care there is plenty to be done. Mad Pride is a hugely warm and powerful community that proves my point.

The Montague Arms is a sight for sore eyes for any musician playing UK pub gigs. I was the first to arrive as I like to have as much time as I can to absorb aspects of the gig and to settle in to a measured build up to the performance. The landlord opened up and let me in. The pub is definitely a cut above your average London pub gig. The décor is eclectic. You could spend a lost half hour just taking it all in. The stage and PA system is well appointed and reminds me of some of the better small German or Norwegian gigs.

Soon Steve the engineer arrived and I banged out a quick sound check. All good. Soon other musicians arrived and began sound checking. At one point it seemed as though there just wouldn’t be enough time to fit every one on the bill into a time slot. Mad Pride have a secret weapon in the shape of Jason Why who soon took over the role of organising this and we all slotted in very well. The evening started with a rousing intro from Jason and the first act went on. Against a back drop of projected images by VJ the Flickering Light, two young women gave us a couple of songs to begin the proceedings. One lass played a lovely white Fender strat and the other played African percussion. Cool and very different. Another young lass on acoustic guitar and a guy on bass delivered a couple of unusual and amusing songs and the evening warmed up.

Later we had poetry from luminaries in the poetry world, including the very wonderful Frank Bungay, a veteran campaigner and peoples bard. It was like a lovely time warp where the spirit of Kerouac and the beat poets was reverently invoked. I looked around to see the young listening intently to the old chap delivering his prose and verse. It filled me up with hopeful satisfaction. The best things last and last.

My new Australian friend David Studdert and his percussionist delivered some quirky, darkly humorous ditties and one lovely folk song. The event rolled on.
Later we had some great music from the band The Strange Agency who had driven from Wales to perform at the event. Slashing guitar driven psychedelic political punk. Oh yes!

the strange agency

Yours truly took to the stage soon after and began with a new song called I’d do anything - with love. It seemed appropriate. I’d written a set list for the available 35 minutes that allowed me to choose specific songs for the occasion. I was genuinely and very pleasantly surprised by the audience response. People became quiet and I saw a few tears after The Christmas Song which always turns on my full emotion button.
http://edgarbroughton.com/a%20winters%20tale.html

In my happy bubble I floated through the rest of the set and it passed in what seemed like a few moments. At the end of my set the warmth expressed by the audience merited an encore but time was tight and I was over. Later I realised I had only played one old EBB song and no one seemed to mind or care. In fact most folk in the audience probably wouldn’t know this was the case. This is very satisfying because I have worked hard on the writing this year and it seems my new songs are doing the job intended.

In a few minutes time the lush, hard edged, political psychedelia of Brighton based Paradise 9 hit the stage to end the evening. More great sounds from another classy band and the job was done.
I had the opportunity to meet and chat with quite a lot of people and I made some new friends. Every one appeared to have had a great night and we made a nice profit for Mad Pride. I said my farewells and set off to catch the night buses home.

Congratulations to Mark and Dave and to all who worked so hard to make it happen. It was so nice to meet up with and work with musicians and crew who regularly make time to contribute to the communities that need support and the causes that matter. I felt right at home.

peace

World Mental Health Week

2011-10-04T20:30:00.007+01:00

World Mental Health Week, 10-14th October 2011.

Mental Health is still a taboo subject in our culture as it is across much of Europe. It is a problem that couId be addressed partly through education but the schools curriculum in the UK is no where near visionary enough to be able to take that on at this time. In recent times Governments have done little or nothing to address the increasing numbers of people made ill by this wonderful life we live in the First World.

I find it increasingly disturbing that so many genuinely unwell folk will be facing cuts to their income and vital support services. These are austere times but as the ConDem cuts are rolled out I find no reason to stop despising their policies that descriminate against sections of our community that already have their backs firmly pushed up against the wall. I know I bang on about this a bit but I don’t feel this is a time to stop doing so.

I recently spoke with a rural copper who patrolled a fairly large village. He had been on night duty for some time and had noticed the increasing number of calls to the police along the lines of “ there is an elderly lady running around the school playing field in her night dress”. He told me this was on the increase and he blamed the cuts in social services and demise of other local agencies through cuts to budgets and staffing levels.

Here in London I see a steady increase of people on the streets who need support. Else where I hear some real horror stories about the jeopardy that some people are in through a decline in or a complete lack of services. In Essex, for example, there is no specialist sensory social work team at all. So if you are deaf and mentally unwell what do you do? If you are arrested by the Police, who will be able to understand you? How will you be able to be supported and who will protect your basic rights? The postcode lottery is evident here.

Scenario : Two people have severe mental health issues, learning disability and sensory loss.
Both young men slowly begin to get into trouble with neighbours and some times family and other members of the public.
The police are called out frequently to them and the incidents they are involved with. Social workers do what little they are allowed to do, under ever changing Kafka-esque guidelines, which always amount to less on offer for clients.

The first young man eventually ends up in court for the umpteenth time and goes to prison. In prison he is a problem because he can’t hear anything and they can’t use sign language. He kicks off and the authorities feel they have no option but to section him and send him to Rampton – cost £3000 plus per week. Rampton is a hell hole. I have had communication with inmates for some years who have been systematically bullied and brutalised by staff.
People don’t get well there.

The second young man is headed in the same direction. Basically the system can’t deal with him either so he is sectioned like our first young man. He is sent to a secure hospital that offers proper clinical support including counselling and mentoring. The structure is based on a three tier system where patients graduate from the bottom to the next tier around living in a small community of other patients at the same level of progress as he is. The top tier is around independent living towards living outside the hospital. Here patients live in their own self contained accomodation. All of this takes place on site. Cost £3000 plus per week. The difference between the two approaches and the possible outcomes is easily seen. Unfortunately the second option is not available to many as you might expect and yet the benefits are obvious and for the same cost.

A couple of years ago I suffered with depression for a time. It was disabling at first but with support and a fantastic G.P. I was able to recover slowly. I was lucky in so far as I knew my illness was fairly minor, I could communicate my issues and be understood and I had a strong support network. It was still a shock and it is only now that I am beginning to understand what happened and why. That’s life and I am better for the experience but this is not the case for others who have to continually battle with their illness, often with out much support at all.

One day that lonely and vulnerable looking person muttering to the rubbish bin in the street might be you. I hope not but at some point it is likely that mental illness will affect some one you know if not you, a loved one or a valued colleague. We can all aspire to being more understanding and accomodating. We can all work to get rid of the ignorance and fear embodied in remarks such as "we didn't have all this in my day you just have to pull your socks up and get on with it", or "if you are mad, you are mad you just have to get over it". We can also strive to change the language that demeans and oppresses people who are mentally unwell. I feel sure most of you know what I mean by this. I'm all for political correctness that actually enhances peoples quality of life.

Mean while we must fight government cuts to vital services or reap the bitter harvest. This nation is in distress and we must intervene.
The people involved with Mad Pride are doing what they can and so should you and so should I. I hope I will see you at The Montague Arms on Friday next.

peace

the young ones - positive images

2011-09-25T18:23:00.021+01:00

mark cavendish, pictured wearing his
Tour De France sprinters green jersey,
is world road race champion 2011

This has been an interesting and exciting weekend so far. It began with my trip to Birmingham for a FDPFAFDW show, more of which I will post here when I have photos.

Mean while I have to tell you about my night after the gig. Steve, my host, had booked myself and some of his mates into a little pub called The Adam and Eve on Bradford St about a mile from The Bullring and city centre. Though rebuilt early in the 20th century and extensively repaired following bomb damage during the Second World War, there has been an Adam and Eve public house on the corner of Bradford Street and Warner Street for more than 200 years. The original Adam and Eve public house was built in Over Meadow, a pocket of land on the Ravenhurst Estate owned by John Lowe. The future site of the pub is marked on an estate map drawn by Samuel Bradford in 1748.

The Birmingham I knew as a kid has changed beyond recognition. There is a Blade Runner style mix of modern and decay. Much of the old and traditional manufacturing that made Birmingham famous through out the world has gone leaving old buildings empty. This is a typical sight through out the midlands and the north but there is an energy and diversity everywhere that is extremely encouraging. This big old dirty town has seen adversity and depression and yet it seems undaunted.

When Steve’s mates and myself saw our rooms we were not overly impressed. Not that there was anything wrong with the rooms but I don’t think any one would argue that they were not basic to say the least. It’s always nice to find a towel or two in the bath room and a TV that is actually connected to some device that will produce a picture, such as an aerial. You get my drift.

Any way after the gig that ended at 1am Steve put us in a cab back to the Adam and Eve, our accommodation for the night. It was by now around 2am and the place was jumping to very cool dub style mash ups, old dance faves that covered the best part of 20 years and some very cool techno. The sound system was very good and the music great but it was the young people that made it so special. I wish some of the folk who have such a down on young could have been there that night.

Young men dancing together, young women dancing together and young men and women dancing together but … it was the dramatic range that impressed me. These young ‘uns were beautiful, expressive and joyous.
There was no pushing or shoving. No one was loud, rude or disrespectful. I had a word with the big, calm man on the door who told me it was always cool with almost no trouble.

I went outside for a little while and just watched people arriving. I was fascinated by the sense of community as people greeted each other and many of them spoke to me. Back inside no one stared at the old guys as we supped our beers and watched. Soon two of the guys retired up to bed and I stayed with their mate and we loved it. Turned out he was a big dance fan and the tunes had a special nostalgic significance. It reminded me of my Fundamental FM Youth radio days from Jungle onwards. I did wonder how the others would sleep. The sound system was LOUD and had endless pokey sub bass pumping non stop. Oh heaven! Just watching this joyous gathering dancing and miming all the words to the tunes and the huge repertoire of dramatic dance expressions was amazing. The young women serving behind the bar were delightful with a smile for every one right through the night. All of the staff seemed very friendly and in control.

At around 4.30 am the night was winding down and the lovely and bright young things were heading home so I went to bed. My friend stayed on for the end. I hope we meet again. It was special to share that with some one I hardly knew who liked this music as much as I did. We both enjoyed watching the young dancers as much as we enjoyed the music. I say it again – The kids are all right!

However basic the accommodation at the Adam and Eve I had a lie in until 1.30 pm on Saturday in fact I could have stayed longer. Totally civilised. I finally made it down to the pub to find it packed with folk having a drink before the Home game at nearby St Andrews where they were to draw 1-1 against Barnsley. The Adam and Eve is the last remaining pub on Bradford St. They host live music 6 nights a week and promote local musicians. If you are in the area on a friday night, late and you like your dubby/ techno tunes loud and in a space where people make the atmosphere then the Adam and Eve is spot on.

Sunday brings more excitement. Mark Cavendish has just won the gold medal in the Men's World Championship Road Race. It’s been 47 years since a Brit won it. The last winner was Tommy Simpson who later collapsed and died during a stage of the Tour De France on Mount Ventou, probably the cruelest of the French climbs. I remember my dad in floods of tears on hearing the news. If Dennis was still around he would have been so proud of Cav. Mark Cavendish is the fastest sprinter in the world and today was a truly historic day for all of us UK cycling fans so thanks pal and thanks to all of the UK team. You are the best.

peace

the way of the bow

2011-09-20T18:03:00.009+01:00

Kyudo, which literally means The Way of the Bow, is considered by many to be the purest of all the martial ways. A true shot in kyudo is not just one that hits the center of the target, but one where the arrow can be said to exist in the target before its release.

http://www.kyudo.com/kyudo.html

I had a bow as a kid and frequently got into bother with my dad over the home made hunting points, for my arrow making, forged in the metal work room at Leamington College for Boys. This was the first time I had touched a bow since then. The rain poured down in sheets as I fired my arrows but there was some thing very calming and focusing about the process. This is some thing I will definitely do again. My aim improved with each arrow and my breathing found a place in it. I have been practising various forms of breath control towards mastering circular breathing for chanting.

little hoveton broad

The first week of my trip out and about was spent near water but the weather prevented any serious fishing adventures. The second week was on the waters of the Norfolk Broads and one of my favourite places.

I spent some days off the water after a week on it and on consecutive days I wrote two songs. This is something of a record for me. My current rate lately has been more along the lines of one every two months. Here are the lyrics to one of them.

castles come

towers fall

and kings who

lose their heads

our will be done

the time has come

no laying safe

in beds

this england now

is in decline

as bad has she has seen

save our souls

the cry goes out

now we must intervene

i'd do any thing - any thing with love

hear me now

i shout it out

some one has fallen through

and gone down to that darkest place

no dignity nor truth

it breaks my heart

to see the poorest

get poorer by the day

the time has come

for justice now

and we must have our say

i'd do any thing - any thing - with love

i'd do any thing - anything - with love

home for a week

headed north up the river ant

On the last evening of my away days I caught a little pike on the Stour to a small silvery artificial lure. The fish was very small compared to most of my pike but it was the only lure caught fish of my trip. I put him back with thanks and I hope he grows to a big ‘un if his momma doesn’t eat him.

my kind of driving

This afternboon I have been playing through some of the recordings of my performances this year and I can tell you there is an album in the can. I plan to start work on mastering the material in November for a 2012 release along with post cards and a new T-Shirt or two.

So I’m off to Birmingham for another Fair days pay gig on Friday. I have to change my guitar strings and do a little rehearsing. I hope too include the new songs if I can memorise them in time. My head is still on the water out in the wilds but I can hear the sound of the city in the a back ground as I write this. There really is some thing to be said for dipping in and out of the urban and rural extremes of this country. I love the contrast.

As you will know I am playing a fund raiser for Mad Pride in London on the 7th of October. This is exactly the kind of contribution to community I want to make as an artist. If any of you are involved in any fund raising, for a worthy cause, and you would like to me to appear at your event, please let me know. I require no payment only minimum expenses if any at all. I hope some of you will come to my London gig. If the rest of the bill is any thing to go by it shows all the promise of a great night out and it is all for a very worth while cause.

peace

2011-09-08T23:37:00.001+01:00

I first came across Mad pride through their website some years ago. I like what they stand for and the way they go about their missions. Some time ago I said here that I was prepared to play for a worthy cause so here we go. Hopefully this is the first of many. I hope I might see some of you supporting this on the night. It will be my only London gig and another way to fight back and .....have fun. Power to you all!

peace

@ the floggers

2011-08-29T21:31:00.038+01:00

"A leather lash with steel tips as used on juveniles, c.1870"."

England is being dragged through the gutter by these vermin. Call in the Army and deport them all".

"Id deport them to Serbia or Bosnia where they would fit in with the other thugs and punishers".

"Watch the footage,there are whites,blacks Asians all at it. Flog them all".
"Yes flog them all. They are disgusting. For those who feel sorry for them,why dont you charter a plane so they can follow Englands games abroad".
"The comfortable middle class socialists won't open their eyes they don't want real socialism they just want to talk about it".
"These pussies wouldnt dare venture outside,let alone riot if they were facing US Officers.fLOG THEM AND HUMILIATE THEM. They are bottom feeders and scum".
"sanctimonious old out of touch extream lelf wing socialists in there cosy little worlds always the first to voice there well troden ideologies whilst on a path to nowhere, they blame the police for everything and retire to smugnessville to sing there poignant little songs grow up and look at real life".

Above are some of the most ignorant and loathsome comments made in response to any piece I have written on here. For all I know they could have come from the English Defense League, or some other draconian tribe or ..... one person. If the latter then this is for YOU. Isn't the cry “ fLOG THEM AND HUMILIATE THEM” the snarl of just a different kind of hooligan from a different kind of mob?
We heard politicians pandering to the mob mentality and near vigilantism that stunk out this nation for quite some time. The surprise for me is that some of the "flog 'em" commentators might be EBB fans. Is it possible that they were and still are EBB fans but, are not mine? I hope so. I hope that none of the “flog ‘em" brigade, come to my gigs or buy my records. I definitely don't want to be associated with them nor do I want their patronage.

Is it true then that Kamp Kapo’s are always among us and would be the torturers if outraged enough or ordered to it by men in white coats? Who among the “floggers” could administer their own warped version of justice? Could it be that this hunger for the proverbial pound of flesh is born of the frustration of usually reasonable and decent people who are seeking retribution for the damage done to them?

This country recently came next to last in a UNICEF survey around the quality of life for children and young adults. The USA was last. The Scandinavian countries were top and Holland followed close behind them. This survey did not focus on the poor especially nor on any ethnic grouping and says a lot about the values of my generation as parents and citizens. It also says a lot about successive governments and their lack of foresight.

I have worked with young people for many years, here in South London, and have seen how some of them can become gradually disconnected from the rest of us. Some of you may feel they have squandered their opportunities and simply chosen criminality over belonging to this wonderful society we have created for them. I would suggest the issues are more complex and require deeper consideration by any one able to think outside the box. Why are these people so out of step with the rest of us? Is it simply a deviant choice and entirely down to them? I think not. Are they people who have rejected all of the good opportunities in their lives? I think not.

Some time ago I worked on a radio project with young people on licence from prison. They had to comply with very strict but reasoned rules to stay out of prison. Any infringement of the rules meant they could be returned to a cell immediately. Their task was that they had to make radio programmes for young people around crimes they had carried out. They had to interview the people they had robbed and convey the hurt and trouble they had caused by their own actions. I could write reams about that work but on one occasion some of us workers were trying to establish where we were at with these young people and how to proceed in the early stages. We were asking a young male what he liked. His response was “ Hurting people”. It was shocking and disgusting and began to evoke some of the emotions that have probably lead some of “the floggers” to where they are today. It was his way of challenging us and though I didn't know or understand what had lead him to where he was on that day, we still had a job to do. We took on the challenge but it wasn't easy.

Weeks later the same young man was a model participant on the radio station. His programme was one of the best broadcasts that year and I know why. To some extent he was re-connected to us. He had some ownership and purpose and he had talent. He had a stake in what happened to him and to others. He wasn’t so bad after all but, he was chronically deprived, starved of meaningful input, being appreciated and had been clearly neglected in all the areas that help to make us whole. I hope he is doing well now. Unfortunately this work has had it’s budget cut as has most similar work in my borough and this is a borough with resources.

A young boy helps a young student from the floor. The student is bleeding but the boy steals his things from the students bag in spite of the student’s situation. Why? The young boy inhabits a world where his life has lead him to not care at all. If you beat him he will kill you. If you kill him then his street family will try to kill you. If he offends his “brothers” they will hurt him badly and if he dies they won’t care. It is shocking but I believe the solution is about reconstruction and re-connection so that at least these damaged individual’s children might be saved from such a sad and empty life. When most of us say “ F+++ it, I don’t care any more”, we rarely mean it. It is an expression of extreme frustration and anger but some of the young people rioting and not so young rioters have come to that terrifying place where, when they say they don’t care, it is real. They have no empathy. This lack of empathy is the worst possible outcome where there is no fear or respect and no reason to change and see any outsiders point of view. How did they get like this and what is the way forward?

At least the voices of reason are coming through now, even in the media and elsewhere. Most decent and intelligent people do not want to bring back the birch. They realise the issues are complex, that we need to explore the underlying causes behind the ailing state of this nation. I neither condone the violence and vandalism of the recent riots nor support any of the rioters actions. We have a justice system to deal with criminality but simply filling our jails with our young people until they burst will not solve this problem nor heal our communities. We already have more young people in prison than any other european country. Where did WE go wrong?

peace

the great northern adventure

2011-08-24T17:21:00.002+01:00

photo by ian aitchison

Castaway was always going to be a small challenge for me even though most of the material I chose for the programme was well rehearsed and played in at FDPFAFDW gigs. It was the first and only gig I can remember where the programme was set and could not be changed. I often switch songs around during the show and did so frequently with the EBB. Every one at The Duchess in York was given a copy of the programme so I had to keep to it. I had also chosen to include three pieces that were quite a departure from my usual repertoire so there was enough to keep me on my toes before I began.
When I arrived at the Duchess Callum the sound engineer was already running some sounds and the acting manager brought me a proper northern cup of tea within minutes of my arrival. The club is really very nice. It is clean and very well equipped and the dressing room is a model for all dressing rooms. UK clubs take note. So, a great start to the evening then. My sound check was leisurely but thorough and I was totally satisfied with every thing by the time the doors opened and the night began.
Most of you will have seen the programme on here or on my web site. I ad-libbed a monologue about waiting, in the night, for a female to return home. The clock ticks and the time goes by. I included strategies told to me by women friends to keep them safe at night as well as dos and don’ts for men. Never walk behind a female in the dark. Cross to the other side of the road etc, etc.
Next I sang a small lament or psalm to a drone on my phone. The phone produced the only technical glitches of the evening but none were too distracting. The other piece was a short reading called The God Light Pop. It seems some folk struggled with this but most people were on the trip with me. I could feel it. It is a piece of prose from the perspective of both myself, and people I have known and worked with who have extra needs. The language is gleaned from them. It is set against a back drop of war and destruction but I believe it also speaks of an indomitable optimism that I often find when ever I am in the company of people with learning difficulties and or physical disability. We have much to learn from their truth.
Unusually, I took a fifteen-minute break in the middle of the show. I believe the whole performance lasted two hours and it whizzed by. In the second half I performed some thing I called We Chant.

we chant - video by shirlok - copyright one songs 2011

What a lovely audience! I really enjoyed myself.It was great to see some old friends again and to hook up with some of my Scottish and Welsh comrades. Thank you to all who came for making it special for me.

The following day was a day off which was spent in Barrow in Furness on the peninsular that extends into the Irish Sea. In the evening I had supper with Alexandra and Nigel my hosts for the following days FDPFAFDW gig in their garden on the outskirts of Ulverston.

alexandra and nigel

A couple of gazebos were erected and we surveyed the scene and decided on the best place for the PA to be installed and where the audience would be if it rained. The sky was leaden and we all hoped for a break in the cloud and a fine day for the show.
This is an excellent area for sea fishing but the tides were against us and even if the tides had been suitable the weather was not. I was glad that we had ruled out any fishing at early stage. After some excellent barbecue we chatted for a while and then it was back to the hotel to rest up. I spent most of the early part of the following day in bed catching up on the news and answering emails so by the time I had to set off for the show I was well rested and raring to go. I don’t remember a series of shows where I was as relaxed and confident about pretty well every thing. There is always a little nervousness as the “onstage time” draws near but with out that I believe the show suffers and doesn’t have any edge to it.
By the time I reached the garden venue the rain was falling and apart from a very short, occasional let up it increased steadily as time passed. Nigel and Alex had put a lot of time and effort into this event, as do all the FDPFAFDW hosts and I think as every one began to arrive the main concern was that Alex and Nigel should have a good night no matter what the weather chucked at us. That is what happened.

john bailey

After some delicious and warming curry John Bailey, who supplied the PA system, kicked off the evening with a lovely set of acoustic songs. The rain came down but we were not going to be swayed from our determination to enjoy and his set was very well received.
There was a little break and the rain fell in sheets but I tuned up,stood under the little gazebo and let it flow. In the growing darkness and soaking rain we joined and I managed to get through all of my songs except one. I owe you one A and N.

local people

I got lost in the songs at times, which is always a good thing. It allows me to experiment slightly, improvise and play with new things. At the moment my favourite toy is my voice. The new Tanglewood guitar is playing in nicely but the voice is giving me the buzz. I can do things vocally today that I could never do in the past and I don’t know why. Some one suggested that the EBB used to drown me out quite often. It is difficult to be subtle at times with a roar such as the one the EBB produced but hey! Swings and roundabouts, I loved that too. There is another difference too. After an EBB gig it was mostly the guys who gathered post gig to chat. Not so nowadays the mix is healthier I think. It seems my new songs appeal to women and they have lots to say about them. I’ll drink a little cognac to that and toast them all.

by the estuary before the deluge - photo by shirlok

My audience would not be beaten and together we stood and I sang while the rain tattooed on canvas above me. Eventually health and safety became a small issue. We powered down as droplets of water ran under the gazebo roof and down onto my guitar and myself. Washed out? Not in the least. Job done and we all retired to dry areas to chat and share stories. Seventy people braved the elements to make it a very special and memorable night.
The invited audience was typical of these shows. They were diverse, interesting and interested. I could have stayed for hours chatting but for the necessary long journey south next day. We said our farewells and I departed into a rain soaked night and back to the Travel Lodge in Barrow. I shall remember this gig for the weather and the lovely people, the great conversation, John Bailey playing the spoons and the superb hospitality of my hosts Alex and Nigel. I loved it all.

peace

the god light pop

2011-08-14T22:17:00.015+01:00

The God light pops and some do feel so much better. It is like a
sound called Good God Mother Father that wraps you in love light
and soothes your worries clean away. The enveloping goodness
do make you slowly well again. It's not just light. They tell that the
light do enhance the sound and the sound do enhance life.
Dee says that every thing began with sound and every thing is made of
sound. Something about we all vibrate
together and it's called OM. There's a man called OM in the palette
station. He does great foot massage. He says the God light
pop can re arrange your vibrations and make you feel really fit.
…………………………………
Hardly a mark on you. A few childhood scars, the rings on the tree
and a skin thickened by experience. Lived a blessed life with out
great tragedy.

You’ve had more than your share of good things with little or nothing to complain about. Then BANG! a pain that truly threatens.
Less afraid of dying than the possibility of exquisite and
permanent pain. Not afraid to die, not afraid to live. How ever, it is
worse to fail to live than to be afraid of dying. It's getting hard to
breathe the air.
………………………………
Sitting , standing, leaning forward ....hands against a wall. Trying
to find the angle that will ease the clawing ache. Not possible.
going through all the positions for the second time. Lying on the
floor. Rolling shoulder blades across the floor. Open them. Close
them all to no avail. We always want just a little more time as
though nothing is ever finished. Call 999.

They stick that spike in the arm so that you will know some
thing is being done. You - trying to keep the engine running. Filling
up with wonderfully clean and legal drugs. I appreciate the purity.
slow me down and keep it all running a little longer.

That was a close encounter of the kind that changes
things significantly for always. Could have been catastrophe and
yet it feel so safe here Connected to the monitors by a loom of
wires and wearing an oxygen mask. An evenly modulated voice
speaks of myocardial infarction – heart attack. You know this but still, the confirmation is shocking. The doctor looks about fourteen years old. Later in the hospital bed I meet my new neighbours.
One is from the Lebanon.
………………………………
M and T looking at the screens. I watch too and listen.
Bugger! waz a kid like that un …only six or seven on er bloody
own?…..wheres a momma ?…Too fckn late now…
wha’s at boom ?
Girl is gonteven…boom boom gen only nearer....it’s in a south a
Lebanon. Is a dog shit country with gret Syria un Tyre on a one
side am da Isralites on da utta. Used to be far away now it aint.
Anywaze these nice mans on runaway 6 is kind to me un me
mates …loik mee morun most and they do mek sense to me
more…..Its new. Feel loik ‘stand n know..learn ngrow , loik bestest
feel get some where und ave porpoise…I know ow money beans
mek 5.

Did I tell ee bout meemam..shegorraboyledbeef med n then med
WelchMarvin on toast …singing ( s'orrible )…forgot shemed
boyledbeef a carrotts..I loiks sweed wi it.
…………………………………
Buggeragen ! Wyz a man cry loik that fuh? Wyzee showt abowta
Allah ? Cuz for loves why he cry …loik me fuh moyn uns und fuh
yose. Loss every bod. All on a floor bloods evwhere un died uns
..lickel or biggun gone in a flyin basads cross hair sight or summat.
Family seeking, house rockin missile.

Phew! Was just gonna say nice mans let me mek lickle word
stuffs in samples und megagigas with microphone und specker on
runaway 6…Meeez ( one more e ) I thunk…jussa gonna say I
LOVE OO! in deepling sayings und flower stuff und tries to woo oo
proper..Lets me talk on the new lines and speak down new wires
ta every lovely bod.
………………………………
Blood 'ell! Whysa girl tied ta lectrics. This no good..me no wanna
watch .. please don't ...please won’t somebod wipe her runny nose
..fuh dignity und av PITY? Owdya torcha somebody? Look at it
…don't look at it.. oooh! Good godmotherfather. We az a choice.
We knows summat or don’t knows. We cares or don’t cares. We
thinks we can be doing summat aboot it or don’t thinks it. But we
az choice – don’t be thinkin ’aint your business – people get hurt if
you do.

R says might be your doors kicked down in the middle of
the night and you and yours disappeared if we aint vigilant.
Any way M was sayin is always summat on TV mek mee scared.
Mee scared a rockets blowd fckn ‘ouse up but I juss cant think
straight fuh war on screens.
…………………………………
Listened to lovely story on a wav fone. Old man finds lost love. He
never forgot her nor her him. Lass wa juss fifteen , aaaaaah!
Thru a speak down a wire, in a new way, they is met agen. Nice
ennit? Speak wire say - I wanna run away with ee und goo as far
as we can see...is song R med....God light pop. Neely blot out by
war thunda.

I scared agen. So is Jen. Cuggle us up so weebee safe. Us feel a
big bang then. See it on screen 6 behind nava teks transmission.
No poor bods gonna win this juss kill n die kill n die kill n die …

Buggeragen ! So many intrupshuns!
Ruwanda boy is felled upina sky wiv a big xsploze on him. Is loik a
Sticky fire. The tame fire of the Movro. They call it Stickyfire,
Torture toffee, Bowwowburn und Nu-palm. Loik aving burning
honey on a kinda lead. Loik a viciousdogcreacha. Bloody shit!
Bloody shit! Bloody shit, it az a master wot can call it . Mek it jump
on a bod, any bod. Oh good godfathermother is scarey. See a
whole fambly etupinit cos they never told on freedoms chillun
group whats hide in a hills outside Tanium ring. Raus demonen
raus or summat. Enwaze we all shouted it out loud for fear of doing
nothing. Raus demonen raus.

Seems loik all is terrible in ‘ere, on the screens. If you never
knowed no better youd think was juss pain und suffer but no it ent.
Mee see a bravery evwhere. Mee see flowers growing among the
weeds of war. See weekuns rise up gainst stronguns who own all
a pharmasoots un splozeivs, oil, food und weapons…Yet see
powerful men threated by a few stand up fuh ya rights und if you
thinks poztiv oo knows what might be bestest… Diggers und
Activines und Revos should be live glad. Should be glad to tek a
breff. Glad to feel a chess move in a oot und air goo in und heart
beat. Lovey heart beat, thumping like a goodgodfathermother
stong und regla. Goo oot und breff da sea breeze or in desert
storm tucked up in a love tent sahara style with the one who
means the most to ee or with a beloved in a BnB. Be here und now
beloveds. Be alive und conshus und alla good stuffs cumin thru.
Love your life so hard no one can tek it.
Here it comes again – THE GOD LIGHT POP

peace
…………………………………

http://edgarbroughton.com/castaway%20programme.pdf

far from the madding crowd

2011-08-10T22:13:00.015+01:00

The last station at the end of the District line on the London Tube is Upminster in Essex. Unlike some other end of line destinations on the edges of London, Upminster feels like the beginning of somewhere else to go. The character of the area is mixed and quite different from other areas around London. I think Essex is under rated as a county. There are some marvellous secluded spots a long the coast and even in the summer you can be alone on some beaches and in other areas near the coast.

I had just sat down on the train feeling quite pleased with my self as I was a bit earlier than planned which is always a good thing. Out of the corner of my eye I saw some one hand me a piece of paper and a voice said some thing along the lines of “ Excuse me. Does this mean any thing to you. I assumed some one was about to ask me for directions but it was a set list of my songs. I had just met one of the guests on his way to Robert and Nikki’s party. We chatted for the rest of the journey until we arrived and were met by Robert who I had not met before. It’s always different to play for folk who know me but I don’t know them and there is always lots to talk about. By the time we arrived at Robert’s House we had covered a fair bit of ground and I had an idea of where I was.

Nikki and Rachel

Nikki had prepared a lavish buffet and I was torn between nicking a cocktail sausage or two and tuning up like a good pro. The latter won. For those interested I plugged a microphone and my guitar into a lovely little Line 6 amplifier which served well as both vocal PA and guitar amplifier. I even had the benefit of a tiny amount of reverb from the Line 6. Sound check was over in about ten minutes and I began to relax and chat with the assembling guests. As usual the people arriving were an interesting and diverse group and easy to be with.
I was quite surprised when at around 5.30 Robert suggested it might be time for some music. I was a bit taken aback because I am used to playing between 8pm / 9pm. People were still arriving and I confess I span things out a little but was mindful to keep an eye out until it seemed every one had arrived. I was just about to suggest I started the show as Robert beat me to it. Excellent! Great minds etc. I retired for what I call my dressing room moment in an upstairs bedroom where I re-tuned my guitar, had a swift cognac and carried out a couple of other secret rituals that precede these gigs.
Minutes later I was sitting in the lounge singing and playing. I played a similar set to the one played at Tony and Monika’s gig in Lincolnshire. It works. My audience were very attentive until the third song when a group of ladies got up to leave. I think they had to get the tea on or they decided to get out while the going was good. Any way off they toddled and I carried on. Young people were well represented in my audience and there were times when I projected my energies almost entirely towards them. I do like them. I like their energy and earnest enthusiasm for life. I like their good manners and most of all I like listening to what they have to say. Also I have to admit I need some of them to like what the old guy is doing.

During the show I found that my fingers didn’t seem quite so flexible as they usually are. I struggled a bit with some parts and I don’t know why. In a band it is possible to hide a little bit during a performance while the other guys are knocking out the decibels. It’s even possible to wander off in one’s head during a gig for a while but when I am alone there is no where to hide. I like it but there are days when it’s a little more like hard work. Even though I am not quite as tied to a fixed arrangement and order in which I have to play particular parts of a song, I have to concentrate to remember any thing at all for split seconds.

Any way it all went well. I hope the recording is ok and the microphones were not too breeze blown. I haven’t had time to check it yet but I trust all will be well. I am very pleased with the high quality recordings from some of these shows.

People are very kind and told me how they had enjoyed it all and it was time for some sustenance and another cognac or two. As always the discussions that follow the show are fascinating for me. A woman expressed some surprise that instead of talking drugs and rock n roll there we all were putting the world to rights. People’s stories and potted descriptions of their history and roots all helped to make for a great evening. Once again I felt I was with good people in a good place.

The time flew by and soon it was time for me to leave to get back on the train into London. It all seemed to fly by but I find it amazing how quickly it is possible to get a good idea of who and where people are and what they believe in. Good people and it was a good night out in Essex.

Thanks folks. I loved it.

I’m off to the Beeb to do a radio interview for BBC York on Friday which will be aired mid morning on Saturday 13th. Then a few days off and rehearsals then I'm off to York for my show CASTAWAY at THE DUCHESS on Thursday 18th next week. On Saturday I'm off to the Lake District where I will be playing a FDPFAFDW gig for Alexandra and Nigel. I am looking forward to it all.

http://edgarbroughton.com/castaway%20programme.pdf

peace

the reckoning

2011-08-08T21:25:00.011+01:00

london burning

So it has begun. The actions of the few just described by Teresa May as “ Sheer criminality”. These are the kids who don’t count. These are often the children of parents who don’t count, who never did and have no expectation that there needs will ever be addressed. Years ago I spoke about an underclass that would one day bite back. The song Night Hogs, on the EBB album Super Chip, refers to an underclass outside the norms of a civil society and from a future that has arrived. Where do they come from?
They come from deprivation and they are disenfranchised and disenchanted. They are the kids who cannot read or write well nor negotiate in their own language. They failed at school because the system failed them although they were required to attend by law. They live in the streets and they are regularly abused by clumsy application of the Police stop and search process that demeans and alienates young people, especially if they are black. This summer the effect of government cuts on the provision of services for young people has had a disastrous effect.

These are kids who live in a society that is often deeply divided with regard to its opinion of the legitimacy of government policy. If they look to those who lead what do they find? They find hypocrisy at the highest level and corruption in abundance.
NATO trashes a village in the desert, by accident but they argue that collateral damage and friendly fire will always be an inevitable product of war. Government licences dodgy arms deals to dodgy regimes and are party to the torture of innocent people, detained as suspected terrorists. Government closes youth services and services to the poorest and most vulnerable of us all and those responsible are not accountable to any one yet, but they will be. While most people will condemn the actions of the few in London and else where we will look back at these events as the beginning of the back lash that will defeat this government and it's devisive aims. The term " not fit for purpose " was never more applicable than it is to the ConDem coven.

Don’t misunderstand me I cannot justify or approve of this destruction nor the violence but I understand it and the well spring from where it flows. I have worked with some of these young people and I know that their actions today are the inevitable response to years of feeling unequal and hopeless. It is not enough for politicians and others to simply condemn the rioters. It is essential that we all recognise that the government dismantling of the structures that cement a society together and policies that alienate a generation must be reversed.
While playing at a FDPFAFDW on Saturday evening I sang Red Star which is a song about the Brixton Riots. I said, as I have done recently when announcing the song, that I thought we might be close to a similar outpouring of frustration and resentment that lead to the riots in Brixton. By the time I got back to London later that evening, parts of Tottenham were burning.

It is frightening to see how inept the Metropolitan Police are and in the final analysis they must be reformed still further and better trained. Government plans to get rid of more than 1,900 police in London alone. Saving money? I doubt it and I will be amazed if this and other government cuts don’t lead to huge enforced expenditure to address the issues caused by the current cuts. This government is making the poorest pay the most. How can this be fair or strategically viable?

We will hear the condemnation of the rioters every where in the media and every other sound bite will tell us that the there is nothing wrong with peaceful protest and that this is the democratic way. Where did this ever get any one in recent times? Only recently the ConDems were working on a law change to further limit the power of democratic Trade Union action. I was at the Student Fees protest demo in Westminster. Nothing changed. A million people marched against the worst excesses of the cuts. Nothing has changed but Teresa May is on the telly again. She is telling us that every thing will be done to bring the rioters to justice. I don’t think the rioters care any more. That is why they are here right now. A quarter of a mile from here at Clapham Junction the rioting has just begun.
It is so sad to see my adopted city in flames. It signals that the time to identify and address the real underlying causes is now.

peace

castaway the programme

2011-07-31T19:11:00.003+01:00

The caption contest on the previous post will run until tuesday night so get your entries in soon.

Below is a link to a PDF of the programme for my show Castaway at the Duchess in York on Thursday the 18th of August.

CLICK HERE http://edgarbroughton.com/castaway%20programme.pdf

+ The Programme will be available at the venue, on the night +

peace

in Lincoln's green and pleasant land

2011-07-25T22:07:00.008+01:00

I woke up at home this morning and I had absolutely no idea where I was. Images of several different rooms passed through my mind as I slowly regained my senses. Although slightly disorientating the experience is pleasant once I get my bearings. As you might guess it is not the first time this has happened. I will gladly undergo such minor altered states to have more of the same good experiences I’ve had playing the FDPFAFDW gigs.The most recent version was no exception. I stayed with Tony and Monika Smith for four days and I enjoyed every minute. The weather was strange as it has been. I don’t remember a summer where the wind changed direction so many times in a day.
On the day of the gig a mad man went on the rampage in Oslo, Norway. The wind blew cold and cooled the sun but life goes on.

sound check with nick

Nick showed up as promised with one of the tiniest pa systems ever. We discussed how micro technology has released us from the burden of carrying largely inefficient and heavy equipment around, especially for a show like the one to take place in the garden that evening. I cannot tell you how marvellous it is when a sound check only takes fifteen minutes. Thanks Nick for top service.
I‘ve known Tony and Nick for some time now. We last met up at the benefit concert I played in Wales last September for Mickey Jones who was the lead guitar and founder member of MAN. Tony and Nick are both involved with the post production of the video of the benefit shows and I got to see some rushes. It brought back happy memories of a great night in South Wales. I had a good feeling watching this video and reflecting on what I had heard about the cottage industry around merchandising and promotion, that these guys have put together as fans. So much can be achieved by honest and committed folk who do what they do out of a genuine respect for musicians and their music. The music industry is changing. The old style record companies and other middle men are destined for total redundancy.

james with son jake - the future

I’d watched the preparations for the show throughout the day. Watching the guys fix a waterproof sheet over my little “paved stage” was fascinating. Though the wind tried to rob them of their plastic sheet these guys were not to be trifled with and the wind lost out. I think as time wore on any trepidations people might have had in the early planning days had receded. It was now fun. Monika who told me she had expected to be nervous and stressed but was very relaxed. Soon the barbecue was underway and Monika’s fabulous German potato salad and other sundry goodies were laid out. I’d been a house guest for a couple of days by now and was totally chilled. I didn’t feel a trace of nervousness that usually signposts an imminent performance and for the next couple of hours I enjoyed meeting and chatting with new people and with some I have known for years.

my hosts tony and monika

The gig went well and as usual it was interesting for me to chat with people who have not seen me before and don’t know my music. The conversations went on long into the night and a small gathering stayed up chatting until very late. This is one of my favourite parts of the evening. It was especially interesting for me to get some perspectives on a variety of topics, including some feed back re my set, from James, son of Tony and Monika and his young friends. When I finally emerged from my bed on Sunday morning every one had left after camping in the garden and utilising all available space. Tony made me a pack up lunch along the lines of the German style breakfasts I had enjoyed in the mornings.

Tony had made T-Shirts for the occasion and I have one. I have collected some cool souvenirs on my recent travels. The shirt is a very nice souvenir of a very happy stay in Lincolnshire. Time was running and so I said my goodbyes, which is always a little sad and Tony drove me to the station. We thought we were short of time but the train was late and so all was well. Thanks to all for happy memories and special thanks to Tony, Monika and James for looking after me and making my visit so enjoyable. I had a ball.

Tony has a couple of shirts left over and has very kindly donated one for a caption contest. So the person who comes up with the best caption for the photo of Nick below gets the shirt. Usual rules – as many entries as you like as comments on this post and when Tony chooses the best caption I’ll send you this unique collectors item.

your caption to win the shirt

peace

a zen moment......or two

2011-07-22T20:44:00.005+01:00

koi pool

Today was a very relaxing day. Tony, my host for tomorrow's FDPFAFDW show, took me to visit Pureland a nearby Japanese garden in North Clifton near Newark. It did not have an example of the beautiful gravel and stone zen garden I found in Cornwall last year. That was a special place and time though this garden in Lincolnshire had the quality that indicated the presence of the master in parts. It was clear that aspects of this garden were built by a clever and knowing hand. In addition to the garden the place has a meditation centre and tea room. The garden has a calming and rejuvenating ambience and was just what I needed. Tony and I walked around the garden and he took photos. I shot the butterfly and the koi video on my phone. We sat for some time in the sun and chatted for ages until the ever near, chilling, summer wind got up again and it was time to make a move.

what a beauty

This was a good time. If we can we should take time to relax in a quiet space. If we don't have time we should do all we can to make time so that we can be re-energised.

bridge in the green

its the butterfly

stone pagoda

The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

If you understand, things are just as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are.

Lao Tzu

peace

fdpfafdw norway

2011-07-19T18:18:00.005+01:00

The flight to Norway was smooth and uneventful and so much less hassle than recent ventures over there due to not having to take tons of musical equipment, necessary for band shows. Torgeir, one of my hosts, arranged for his son to lend me his very nice Martin guitar and Roland Street cube amplifier for the gig.
After a good night’s sleep Jarle and Kirsten took us to a nearby beach. I had the use of spinning rod and lures and for a few hours the sun shone and the sky was blue. I caught a little fish at the end of a stone pier but catching wasn’t important it was just nice to chuck a few lures after weeks of not having the chance.
I have so many photos from this event that it has been very difficult to pick the best and the ones that best tell the story. I have left names off most of the photos but you know who you are. To those not pictured here I apologise. I have decided to put up a new gallery on my website with photos from all of the FDPFAFDW shows. I hope to complete this in a week or so.

hope Kirsten has got lots of space in her

freezer for all the fish i'm gonna catch

Later that evening Torgeir and family arrived and we all had dinner together with Jarle and Kirsten. Talvard, Torgeirs son, played some nice finger picking guitar and sang a song for us after dinner. He is seen above playing his Martin.

So nice to be by the Norwegian coast. As you might expect the fishing is actually very much better than in the UK and I received many offers from folk willing to take me fishing on my next trip. Next year guys. Lets do it.

shoes by Tesco

The venue for the gig was a beautiful weather boarded old barn in picturesque surroundings. It was cool and dark and had great acoustics. The audience of thirty seven was amazing and I am always impressed by the level of understanding of English language in Norway. Even when, perhaps especially when, I was telling my stories to explain some of the songs it was clear they were with me all the way. There were a few tears in the audience when I sang the Christmas song, My Salvation and others. After the show I was able to chat for a while with almost every one and it was quite a moving experience to hear how my songs had made such an impression. Some of the feedback was overwhelming and I felt the job was a good 'un. Some of these good people have taken songs such as Evening Over Rooftops as a kind of anthem and have sung them at social events down the years. Some folk showed great interest in my Yoiking and complimented me on my ethnic style. It gives me such a warm feeling to know I have connected with these people and have been part of their lives and culture. If I had needed a confidence boost this event would have ticked all of the boxes. As it is I have never felt more confident and relaxed about my work in my life.

Before the show Torgeir made an announcement to the effect that if people had come to see me perform my usual thing then they were mistaken and that tonight was a Norwegian Line dancing event with some proper country music. Every one laughed at that and I got to my place in front of the microphone before any country singers present got a chance.

yours truly with my hosts Torgeir and Jarle

As is often the case, post gig, the discussions that follow are fascinating for me. People stood around in the barn and on the ramp leading to it discussing all kinds of topics including the show. People stepped in and out of small groups and the conversations were very revealing. It was very easy to get an idea of where people were at in a very short time. I love that about being on the road. It always seeemed easier to get to know people and I guess it is firstly because we do have things in common but also because time is short and the next gig is often calling me to the next port of call.

my new band?

This lovely lass was little when her dad Jarle began brain washing her with the sounds of The Edgar Broughton Band. See how it worked ha ha!

sing brothers sing

The apres gig party was an hilarious riot. Jarle is one of the sanest men I know but... he is a party animal and quite mad about the music. He knows every lyric to every EBB song and he played every song and ...yes.. he sang every song in what might be described as in the style of Louis Armstrong fronting Rammstein, the German Metal band and the favourite of my mate Ramblin. It was a great night and we didn't hit bed until around 6.30 am. My kind of night out.

Jarle and Kirsten

i'll be back

This was a marvellous time for Loz and me. The hospitality we received and the kindness of strangers was almost overwhelming. I feel I have new friends and that my old friends are even closer. There were tears shed as it was time to leave. Jarle and Kirsten took us to the airport and there were more tears. I am so happy that I decided to play the FDPFAFDW shows. It has to be one of the best ideas I ever had. I am not bragging just trying to express how good it is to play for such lovely people in their home environment, where ever that is. So thank you all for a wonderful trip. You all made it a totally unforgettable joy and I hope you might find an excuse ( ha ha! ) to do it again.

peace

up date

2011-07-13T18:43:00.021+01:00

Summer, or the weather that passes for a UK summer at this time is racing by but I am seeing and enjoying some lovely parts of the country on the FDPFAFDW gigs. Glastonbury seems a long time ago and the miles have flown by. I am really enjoying train travel at the moment though the detour by car to Glasto and Mollington with Dave and Luke was a treat. Dave is great driver and has a proper attitude in all things important on the road. He is also a little bit nuts, in the nicest possible way, which makes for the perfect travel companion in my book of the road.

I feel I should explain some thing about the fair Days Pay For A Fair Days Work shows. I want folk to understand that it is really what it says it is. I will play for any one for ONE day of THEIR WAGES plus a bed for the night, travel expenses (I have a senior citizens railcard to cut travel costs lol!) and some supper. It does not matter how much you earn. People shouldn’t consider what they think an acceptable sum should be. That is the whole point. At the same time I realise that not every one can afford to give up a day of their wages for me to play for them or would want to. I can see how it wouldn’t be a priority for many, especially in these times. That said, I am prepared to play a benefit show for any worthy cause excluding animals lol. As long as its aim is to raise money for people I’m in. For this I would require only accommodation, if necessary, travel expenses and my supper. There would be no fee involved. But it has to raise money.

photo by bev edwards

Some years ago some guys from the Wolverhampton area asked the EBB if we would play a benefit for Amnesty International, a cause close to my heart. In the distant past we had played many benefits where a bunch of folk did no advertising nor made any real effort to raise cash because they didn’t have to guarantee a sum of money at the end of the night. So I emailed the benefit boys and told them the gig had to raise a minimum amount and this must be guaranteed as a payment to be received by the band on behalf of Amnesty International. The amount was sensible but I never heard from them again.
So I’m up for playing for free but it has to be useful. It has to raise cash for people who need it. People have raised cash for charitable organisations at the FDPFAFDW shows and at a recent gig the audience raised £600-00 for SHELTER. Magnificent. Of course I feel great about it because this was an outcome from the original idea I hadn’t considered. Win, win, win.

The FDPFAFDW gigs will continue to be available and in September I will be offering more summer time FDPFAFDW dates for 2012. Mean while there are still a few winter dates available if any one would like to book one.

I’m getting on quite well with my new Tanglewood folk guitar. Its a gem though I think I need the action lowered so it is just a little easier to play but it sounds very good. So far I have chickened out of using the nylon strung classical guitar for my solo performances but that will be addressed at the CASTAWAY gig at the Duchess in York on the 18th of August. I want to include some one off performances of bits and pieces that I have been playing around with for a long time. I will be including a few performance items that will be very different with the theme survival and victory with a stripped down tool box. There will be some new material and of course, some old songs including some golden oldies.
I will publish the programme for the evening here on The First Supper a few weeks before the event and it will be available at the gig. This will be a one time only concert performance so some of the material will never be performed again. I have arranged for this to be a seated concert so book early to be sure of a seat. http://www.theduchessyork.co.uk/

I have been diligently recording all of my recent shows and I feel sure there is a nice little album scattered across the eight hours of music including Glasto. I have also been recording some low down dirty music demos as a contrast to the solo stuff and towards the new project for 2012.

A week or so ago, on my way back from a gig, I finally met up with Steve Krakow from Chicago at St Pancras International Station. We’ve been trying to do an interview for a few weeks now and this was the last chance. Strange to be sitting in a café talking about the old days and the new days, Wavy Gravy, Pearls Before Swine, Radio Head and the EBB. With some luck we’ll be hooking up in Chicago for a project and a gig or two. Back home now he wrote “the streets seem so much wider--and no beans with breakfast??? what???”
Next Stop Stavanger in Norway for a few days with Jarle, Torgeir and family. The International Division of The First Supper and AFDPFAFDW? This should be special. I’ll tell you all about it when I return.

Well the fishing has definitely taken a back seat for this summer. No time for it though I have been near some very fishy waters on my travels. I have explained to some of my hosts that it would be a little churlish to go off fishing while I am their guest lol. Ah well! I have some time in September when I will be hunting bass and fishing from a boat on The Norfolk Broads for a big pike.

LATEST FROM 38 Degrees
Yes! Together we've done it - Rupert Murdoch just abandoned his bid to takeover BSkyB. [1]
This is a huge turnaround. Only a few days ago David Cameron claimed it was impossible to stop the BSkyB deal. [2]
Then, nearly 100,000 of us emailed our MPs demanding the government act. Suddenly, late yesterday, MPs of all parties united to tell Murdoch to call the deal off. [3] And this afternoon, Rupert Murdoch finally caved in. People power worked!
This is a huge breakthrough, and a huge moment for people power in the UK. We're powerful because we work together - so let's decide together what we do next. Should we do more work to clean up politics and the media? Should we work together to protect the NHS or the environment? Or something else?
Have your say - take two minutes to set the future direction of 38 Degrees here:

https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/murdoch-poll

People power has finally pushed politicians to stop bowing and scraping to media barons. But Murdoch is a crafty and determined operator. He'll probably be planning his next move – we need to plan ours as well!Is there more we could do to make sure the collapse of the BSkyB bid is a real turning point? What else could we do to secure higher media standards? How can we make sure that politicians never again put media barons before us, their voters? Or is it time to move our focus back to other issues?

..............................................

Now there can be no doubt that democratic protest is viable via the Internet. No excuse not to express our dissatisfaction with government and the bankers who continue to thrive while the poor and vulnerable pay for their mistakes. They have spent your pensions and they have squandered your taxes for years and years.
A couple of years ago people receiving disability/incapacity benefit were able to enjoy a scant few of the good things in life. Not as much as the typical “Walkie Talkie” (Ian Drury's label for the non disabled), though before the cuts people legitimately receiving benefits could exercise some limited choice in their lives.

Cuts to their benefits and a general decline in resources and services since then has significantly reduced the quality of their lives. Many of the elements that made life bearable, and in some cases even possible, have been removed. What kind of logic dictates that, in real terms, they should be the ones who pay the highest price in the battle to reduce the national deficit? I believe the eventual backlash will prove to be more costly than any savings made by penalising the very poor and vulnerable.

CUT BACKS = BACK LASH - FIGHT BACK

love is the thing - heartfelt - angels singing I'd put a ring on any ones finger
take me dancing let's take a chance on you being my hope - my salvation
I can't walk or do anything much - I know - theres no illusions
take me dancing let's take a chance on you being my hope - my salvation
I don't want to be exluded - I need to be included
I know you can't be me - but I hope you can see me
take me dancing let's take a chance on you being my hope - my salvation

peace

a minstrel at the minster

2011-07-10T18:51:00.005+01:00

It’s been a while since I have been to Nottingham which was my first stop on the way to Southwell, a delightful small town in Nottinghamshire. The Town has a long history and was a favourite of King John who liked to hunt in nearby Sherwood Forest. Charles the First spent his last night as a free man at The Saracens Head and this was the hostelry arranged for my overnight stay by my host. It was in the cobbled courtyard of the Saracens Head that I met up with Simon, Elaine his wife and some of their friends on a glorious summers day.

rock n roll - elaine yours truly and birthday boy ian

The main street of the town reminded me of shops when I was kid. I remember Alf Hoffman who had his cobbler business in Smith St Warwick and host of other family businesses who’s names were signed over their shops. It was nice to be in a town where the family business is still a main feature of local commerce. In Southwell the shoe emporium is called Broughton’s.

After I had dumped my gear and had a cup of tea we all went over the road for an Italian dinner. After meeting up with most of the people who would be attending the show later on and having dined judiciously, so as to avoid being too full to sing, Simon and I made our way down the street to the venue for the rest of the evening.

greg sarah helen bob and joanne

There was a pa available but I opted for the simple set up of my Tanglewood guitar and my precious little Roland Mobile Cube amplifier. I don’t need a vocal microphone when in this mode and it makes recording the shows very easy.
This event was a birthday present from Simon to his long time friend and fellow adventurer Ian who is a Mental health Nurse. I have never been a birthday present before so that was a nice first. As with all of these gigs, everyone was so welcoming and friendly. It was obvious their own connections with each other were mostly long term and very strong. As usual my audience was a mixture of people who knew my music and folk who were to hear it for the first time.

The show went well and my audience were very enthusiastic along the journey through the songs. I think it was the only time so far that I have kept to the set list of songs I wrote. I am very pleased by people’s responses to the new songs and encouraged to continue to write in this vein. I sang Poppy for Ian towards the end and he joined in with what Simon later described as a slightly dubious harmony. It was great fun and I enjoyed every minute.

The show was fun but the après gig get together back at Ian’s was just as enjoyable. There I met with some very interesting folk and we stayed talking until the early hours. I do enjoy these discussions and sharing of experiences and ideas. I had an interesting chat with Andy who was one of the experts called in by the Panorama team to comment on film in their programme about abuse in the Winterbourne care home.

andy

bob yours truly and kate

What a motley crew we were. It was one of those times when it would have been interesting to make a skills list of all attending. There were definitely a few folk here who I would have liked to have in the life boat I wrote about in an earlier post.

elaine yours truly and ian

It was quite a night and some folk were just a little worse for wear as they began to make their way home. I walked back with Simon to the Saracen’s Head where we said goodnight and crashed. After a long night what better than a carton of V8 followed by excellent bangers and mash at a local hostelry? That was breakfast and soon after Simon, Elaine and Jade took me to Nottingham on their way back to Leamington Spa. We had big hugs at the station and said our farewells. I feel sure some of us will meet up again in the not too distant future. So that is another FDPFAFDW under the belt. I loved it. Thanks to all especially Simon and Elaine who looked after me so well.

Next stop Norway.

all photos simon wallace

peace

village life

2011-07-01T20:51:00.007+01:00

men at work

After Glasto Saturday was a day off and it was much needed. It was the first Saturday off for about six weeks so I really enjoyed it. I was still smarting about the the lack of consideration shown to the Spirit of 71 performers. The more I think about it the angrier I become. Anyway I won’t bore you with the entire catalogue of management errors.
Sunday was a huge contrast. The weather was beautiful as we set off in The Ramblin mobile for Mollington. This is an idyllic village just north of Banbury and where my old friend Peter Jones and his wife Pam live.

yours truly getting vocal advice from an octagenarian
- peter in white shorts

Peter is an old friend from early days when the EBB still lived in Warwick. He says the place is quite lively now which is great and was much needed. It used to be such a dead place that virtually shut down at around 9.30pm. Peter and the EBB and friends were involved in all sorts of escapades and it was so nice to sit in the sun and reminisce about the old days. Peter took all of the early EBB black and white photos. He is still a keen snapper and as a photographer he is developing a growing clientele locally. He has a good memory and we could have sat chatting about the old days for hours and hours. It brought back very happy memories.

The village had hosted its Summer Fete during the day and it had all gone very well. We eventually set off for the village hall where we found a keyboard amp that had been lent to us and the village hall pa system which was more than adequate. I plugged it all up using the keyboard amp as a monitor. We did a little sound check and we were ready. Then it was back to Peter’s gaff where we sat in their garden in glorious sunshine. Pam had made a lovely meal for us and she makes a proper cup of tea English style. Expeditions abroad have always been slightly marred for me by the lack of proper tea in a cup and saucer and on hot sunny day it is a delight.

After dinner we went back to the hall and Luke and I ensconced ourselves in the kitchen where we tuned up and went through our pre gig rituals. Unlike Glasto my little rider was duly delivered and soon Peter made an announcement and we were onstage.

luke has an inbuilt camera detector that works up
to 100 yards

The show was much longer than the Glasto show and we played almost every thing we had. Luke sang his songs and the whole thing went very well. After we chatted with our audience. I had a lovely chat with a lady in her eighties who was a choral singer. She gave me some good tips about light and shade in a vocal performance which was very sweet.

We signed a few autographs and that was it. We all went back for coffee at the home of a neighbour of Peter and Pam. John is a drummer with Roger Chapman and we had a lot to talk about. His wife Tess is a designer and she had Luke dressed in some cool pieces in no time at all including a very cool kilt. He says he wants more so we’ll see what develops there. What a poser! I wasn’t like that at his age ha ha! That is a lie.

new and old friends

I preferred the Mollington gig to the Glasto episode by a country mile. It was a kind of FDPFAFDW hybrid. Great people, we were properly looked after and a good time was had by all, including us. It was very late by the time we hit the road and another dawn was creeping away as we arrived back in London.

Thank you Peter, Pam and all we met in Mollington. It was lovely.

all photos by dave randell

peace

the spirit of 71?

2011-06-26T01:48:00.048+01:00

Ramblin drove Luke and myself down to Bristol on Thursday night where we stayed over. The drive down to Glastonbury on Friday morning was a breeze. No delays and the route to our stage was well planned and stewarded.

Glastonbury Festival in the mud and incessant rain is a nightmare unless you are young, care free and determined to enjoy and triumph no matter what. Luke has vestiges of the young festival attendee but he is very clear about the likelihood of his not camping at Glasto in the near future. I think the part about triumph no matter what applies to both of us, most of the time, so that’s what we set out to do.

photo dave randell ( ramblin)

I am sure Bono didn’t get any mud on his shoes and nor should he but the disparity between the provision for the bands at the top of their game and the likes of us Spirit of 71 performers was shocking and something akin to the difference between the Victorian ruling classes and the very poor. Two or three porta-cabins were parked along side the Spirit of 71 stage. Eventually we were allocated one. Inside was a table with crisps, water, a carton or two of juice and about five beers. Take away the extravagant hospitality items and I was back working for Tarmac on Warwick bypass on a rainy day in one of their huts. It was better than the Glasto version though. We had a kettle and an electric fire that we upturned to toast sliced bread on.

Glasto did ask for a rider and I gave them mine. It is very modest but it was ignored. Even the metal walk way from the unloading point to the stage ramp was an after thought and insisted on by the stage crew. Had it not been put in at the last minute there would have not beeen any Sprit of 71 shows in the rain.

Ok so what else? The stage management was very good. The sound guys were top end practioners and all of the staff were very pleasant and helpful. The BBC 2 crew who filmed us for a piece about the 71 stage were also very pleasant and very professional.

So what did I enjoy about it all? It was great to meet up with Andrew Kerr 71 Original Glastonbury Fayre organiser who told me Michael Eavis wasn’t too keen on the 2011 / 71 Stage idea until Andrew showed him a list of artistes who could appear. He says Michael looked down the list and came to yours truly. Michael said that if they had Edgar Broughton they could also have … and soon a list of performers was selected. Makes you feel all warm doesn’t it?

At around 6pm all my usual pre gig anxiety faded and I began to feel strong and clear. I remember saying to Luke that I was ready for action as we tuned our guitars. The thought that I was feeling those good Reiki vibes was very present.

photo dave randell ( ramblin)

It was nice to meet up with Arthur Brown and have a chat. I met his son for the first time. I had a little chat with Nick Turner and many others.

Getting all our bits and pieces together and onto the stage in the driving rain was a total hassle but with the help of Ramblin it came together and at half past seven in the evening we walked out on to the stage. The sound took a minute or two to fix and I launched into Arabesque and we were away. I felt my power and found my voice easily and got lost in the music except for when I had a brief chat with audience. The audio spill from three nearby stages meant that we had to concentrate very hard during our set and try to filter out the noise.

photo by phil moody

Luke sang two songs which gave me a little break to take a photo or two and to take in the atmosphere. The audience was lovely and very appreciative. Mr Brown, the God of Hellfire, commented that the set allowed my voice to really shine which was very nice.

photo by phil moody

Richard Brunton and The Spirit of 71 House Band were a thoroughly nice bunch of guys and top players. We had a smacking little rock out together and the end of our set. The 71 strat felt like some one elses axe in my hands at first . I’d restrung it, having removed the rusty strings from it’s last outing and I prefer it when the strings are not brand new. It had been a while since I played it in anger but I soon got it to sing and indulged myself with a little over the top wah-wahed, fuzzy grunge at the end of proceedings.

The whole show passed by in a flash as the rain beat down on the hardcore audience who refused to be bowed by the UK summer. We came off stage and began to come down from the experience. I have to say that I was as much relieved as any thing else that it had all worked out ok.

photo by phil moody

Now came the logistical nightmare of trying to get our equipment and our selves back to our car. We were ready to go by 8.30 but a Health and safety directive insisted that no onsite traffic could move due to weather conditions. Eventually, at around 11.30 the lovely Becky arranged for transport from the stage area to our car. That was a relief as we still had to drive back to London. We piled our gear and luggage into the back of a Land Rover and with the help of two stewards we slowly drove through the crowds who parted like the Red Sea as we slithered along the top of the old railway line that bisects the farm. It has to be said that we neither heard nor saw any bad behaviour from any one and the Glastonbury crowd is definitely special. The whole place is full of good vibes.

It felt good as we loaded our stuff off the Land Rover and into the Ramblin mobile. After a careful exit from the drenched field where we had been parked, we were on our way home. Job done! Would I do it all again? The answer is probably not.

It is Saturday and as I write this the sun is shining at Glastonbury and on the festival goers. I am so very pleased for them. They deserve it. I hope they are blissed out in the sun shine and long may it last. Next stop Mollington for the next FDPFAFDW show. It’s a village fete and we are the minstrels for the show in the village hall in the evening.

peace

glastonbury here we come

2011-06-19T20:19:00.014+01:00

Luke and guitar

Luke and I had a very nice time at The Donkey in Leicester. A big shout goes out to Gaz Birtles and Warren and all of the staff at The Donkey. Thanks guys. What a very nice little venue! Thanks also to Mike and Liz for their warm hospitality and to all who turned out for the show including old and new friends. You made it work.

It was a different gig compared to the FDPFAFDW shows. It was great to have Luke by my side. We sang some songs together and some on our own. Luke sang two of his own songs which were very well received. Lovely!
As I write this I am heading back to London and feeling good. Mission accomplished. So are we ready for Glasto? Oh yes! Are they ready for the new us. We'll see. I am not a 70 s museum so let's hope folk get that.

One thing I have noticed is that familiar adrenalin buzz from performing has increased since the beginning of 2011. The only down side is that I end up wide awake for hours and some times find it difficult to get to sleep. When I can't sleep I often do a little stretching exercise and or play my singing bowl. The concentration required to rotate the stick around the outside edge of the bowl is somehow calming and I am learning to breathe anew. I breathe deep and slow as the stick travels in an arc and the sweet continuous tone of the bowl rings in the room. I have achieved some very positive states of relaxation just by experimentation but there is more to this than meets the eye or the ears in a first encounter.

The ancients knew that every thing vibrates. Not surprising then that music would become one of the first cultural elements/arts to be developed. Early writings demonstrate that the scientists and philosophers believed that vibrations occurred along a great spectrum. They believed that the note we call middle c on a piano was coloured red and that the same note much higher up the scale would be pink and constitute love. Ah! At the very low end the note would become iron and rusty red. Could there be some thing to this? It merits deeper consideration as a system of relating audible vibration and perceivable colour. Processes that attempt to utilise the relationship between sounds, colours, physical healing and mental states have been applied since long ago. In a more modern world we are beginning to re-discover the art of healing with sound and colour.

We have also developed weapons that employ the use of sound. One example of this is the sound weapon used by the Japanese whalers against the anti whaling Sea Sheperd crews. http://www.seashepherd.org/

The Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) is a crowd control and distance hailing device developed by LRAD Corporation to send messages, warnings and deterrent tones over longer distances than normal loudspeakers. It can disable, disorientate and can potentially damage the hearing of "an enemy". While intrigued and dismayed by the use of technology in this way, I am excited by the opposite end technology and techniques that aim to heal and help. I'd like to hear others ideas and thoughts on the subject, especially any personal experiences.

Recently one of FDPFAFDW hosts gave me a Reiki session. It was only the second time for me but that is two occasions when I felt so much clearer and stronger and the benefit continued for days after the sessions ended. My Reiki friend has promised she will send me some good energy for the Glasto gig.
So if you can or know any one who would be kind enough to send some good Reiki vibrations to Luke and myself at approximately 4.30pm on Friday this week We will be very grateful. We will just be about ready to go on stage for our Glastonbury show.

Peace

in an english country garden

2011-06-15T16:13:00.006+01:00

Saturday last I set out for Oxford where my host Peter and his mate John met me. After a short drive we arrived at the garden venue at Peter’s house. A large marquee and a tent for the sound mixer and a sheltered drinks bar were already set up. Peter told me that the stage area was originally to be the venue but he decided the dimensions of the tent would have meant me performing in a canvas corridor and any way we wouldn’t have got the 60 people, who attended, inside it. So like all of these gigs the host decided to expand the whole idea. I gather this happened over a long time and obviously took a great deal of planning and then lots of hard work to make it all happen. As the people began to arrive I soon re-discovered the common thread that runs through all of these events. The people at all of these events are very cool.

A local folk duo played first. Nice to hear British folk music delivered, as it should be, simple and sweet. The rain beat down on the tenting but had stopped before the next act. It was cold at around two degrees. Not what you would expect in June.

Next up we had a blues guitarist with one of the finest collection of vintage blues guitars I have ever seen. At the beginning of his set I took the liberty of changing the sound of his vocal microphone to improve the clarity. I tagged the mic so I made sure that would be my vocal mic. There was no need to hide away from my audience as I had been chatting with most of them and so I adjusted my microphone height and the microphone on my little 2 watt Roland Micro Cube. I can’t say enough good things about this little amp that kicks out a huge sound for it’s size. I am very happy with this little gem even though it is quite heavy and carrying it around in a rucksack is no fun.

Ali Pool, Peter’s daughter had painted a kind of urban art backdrop for the show and it looked great. It was a nice touch. I walked out and began my set with The Arabesque intro. I ran through the songs and this was the first time one of these events felt a bit more like a conventional gig. I had the best time as I ran through the songs. I was playing a Tanglewood acoustic guitar for the first time and it sings brightly and sustains forever. It was a bit strange at first but I had been playing it on and off all afternoon so it wasn’t as though I had to play it straight out of the box. My audience was lovely and very attentive. There were times when you could have heard a pin drop in the quiet sections. I told the story of the Christmas song and chatted a little about The Parliament Sq demo and the TUC march before Red Star. I didn’t say much more and let the songs do the talking. I am enjoying the fact that the new songs are doing their job and that the young people attending are just as enthusiastic as the people of my generation.

Don, John, me, Peter Pool & Geoff

I finally came to the Arabesque outro and the journey had taken us back to where it had begun. I do love that moment when people realise that we have come full circle. After I had finished I was called back for a couple of encores. After this I felt folk deserved another so I glanced down at my set list and couldn’t see any thing suitable. I could have kicked myself later when I realised I had missed out Six White Horses. I do things like this on a regular basis. Must be my age. Ah well, that’s ok then.

The more I perform like this the more I see that these events have become my laboratory. I see how some of this material can be made huge with the right augmentation and I am working on that. Meanwhile I’m having a ball.

As per usual I spent half the night chatting with those that stayed after the show. The young people had a small rave in the stage tent mixing some very cool techno on a laptop. I had to check this out and I am glad I did. I love my techno and always have. At around 3am a couple of the guys and Ali came in from the cold night to make the obligatory Rave Survivors Breakfast. They made toasted halloumi cheese sandwiches made with fresh rocket from the greenhouse. Peter had a few concerns about the future viability of his posh grill, post the sandwich creation, but all was well in the end and it tasted so good.

I must thank Lucy Pool who gave up her room for the evening where yours truly finally laid down at about 4a.m. Special thanks to Peter and Claire for their warm and generous hospitality, the assembled helpers and of course the audience for making it so special.

So it’s off to Leicester for some rehearsal with Luke and then on Saturday night we’ll be playing at the Donkey. See you there.

peace

this england

2011-06-07T00:21:00.002+01:00

It has been a long time since I played as many gigs during the summer months as I am doing this summer. Although every gig is quite different there is a common thread that runs throughout and it is quality people. I am beginning to think that my hosts and their assembled guests would all get on well together if they were all in the same place and I am wondering how I might get that together in the future. One thing is certain. I have learned a lot about this England and the people who live in it. It is so easy to lose touch with what is going on in the land and I am enjoying the opportunity to meet with folk and to find out how it is for them. What their dreams, interests and priorities are, for a good life.

So, I was off again on the Virgin train to Burton on Trent via Birmingham. There I was met by Peter, my host, and Karen who drove us to Burton on Trent. I’ve played there a few times before but it had been a while. I once rode out there, pretending to be a Tour De France rider, when I was about fifteen and I remember suffering very badly on the way home.

The gig was in Noel and Natalie’s garden. When I arrived a small pa system was all fired up to go and my sound check took about fifteen minutes. The rest of the afternoon was pleasantly taken up chatting and exchanging stories with the crew ( Peter’s family and friends). As time went on the makings of a barbecue, and curry and chilli arrived and the stage was set.

Before I played Peter gave me a beautiful gift of a locally made crystal goblet engraved with my name, the date and Burton on Trent. I shall treasure this as a memento of a great night in the midlands. Darkness fell with a little breeze that threatened to lift the gazebo covering the decking stage. A few table lights were strategically placed on the stage. The garden filled up with around forty guests and we were off. Peter introduced me with a touching reference to former times and I began. A dog barked immediately and we all had a little smile as we heard the owner next door ushering it inside. Peter had texted me the night before to ask if I was planning to play Poppy. I replied – No. But I am now. I did and worked my way through the set for the evening. My audience was very warm and attentive. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and I think they did.

The après gig party was a hoot with people playing Twister and drinking quite a lot. The conversation and atmosphere was great. Later some of us stayed up chatting until quite late or early, depending on your internal clock. There was the odd inebriated and very surreal, impromptu performance on the piano and guitar by one or two folk that had us all falling about.

Next day a spot on bacon and egg breakfast in the garden and a little sunburn for yours truly. Lots of tea and it was time to leave for the station. Pete arrived with partner Karen. Pete is a dead ringer for Spadge the EBB roadie. Peter and I got in the car with them. Peter crashed out and Pete drove us to New St Station in Birmingham. It had been a long time since I had been in the Bull Ring area. Like all inner city areas the changes are enormous and not all good. The individual retailer or service provider has been pushed out by the well known names that occupy every town centre and high streets. I remember when Birmingham was grimy and warm. Now it seems worn and bleak. Not much wrong with Brummies though nor their near neighbours.

There was the familiar little sad thing inside as I said goodbye to lovely people. Every one had been so nice to me. Big thanks to Peter Greening for the invite and all the goodies. I must say special thanks to Noel and Natalie for putting me up and taking care of me. So, another happy and memorable outing into this England is completed. Next stop Oxfordshire at the week end. I am spoiled you know!

peace

the road is a ribbon...the ribbon is my way back home

2011-06-03T15:45:00.001+01:00

Luke and I will be playing in Leicester on the 18th of this month so if you can be there we promise some thing very different and special. We have spent the last couple of days rehearsing and will be hooking up in Leicester for more rehearsals. For me playing and singing with Luke is a joy. I am so proud of him. It's like one brain and two sets of hands and mouths. He will be performing a couple of his own songs during our shows togther. I can't wait to show you what we are up to. I must thank Gaz Birtles at THE DONKEY for his willingness to put this together at short notice.

Last Sunday was a special time for me. I went to play at the post wedding bash of Neil and Sacha. It was a small affair for friends and family in a Moroccan / Spanish Cafe called the Cafe Mauresque in the picturesque, cobbled streets of old Canterbury.

neil and sacha

I am learning a lot from playing the FDPFADFDW shows. Some songs have a wider appeal than others and although I write a set list every evening I rarely keep to it once I have gauged my audience to some extent. There are some songs which always work and I get the chance to ask a few folk why they like them. There is always lots else to chat about and my Canterbury audience was no exception. They also asked some incisive and interesting questions about my life and work.

Neil and Sacha's guests were lovely people and a very warm audience. It was a summery and busy evening outside and the streets were very noisy with the sound of young students celebrating their holiday. I would have gone down to ask for a bit of quiet but it was the sound of enjoyment so fair play. We closed the windows and I ploughed on and had a great time. The meal we had afterwards was very nice but it was the company that made it for me. After a short time I felt I knew the people I had only just met and we chatted like old friends. I had met Neil and Sacha at previous gigs and Neil and I had emailed each other over time.

Thanks folks for a great evening. Another gig done and lot's of very happy memories for me. Congratulations to Neil and Sacha on their recent marriage and my very best wishes for their future life together.

PS The bottles were not all part of my rider for refreshments....though one very nice cognac was.

peace

sympathy for the devil?

2011-05-31T03:05:00.006+01:00

Life has been quite busy lately. I Just got back from a FDPFAFDW gig in Canterbury. It was a quick dash down to Kent from Suffolk and back to where I was holed up on one of my fishing safari’s and finishing some new songs. Meanwhile big thanks to Neil and Sacha for a great evening. I loved it. More about this on my next post.

Life is not only busy but a little strange at times, to say the least. Last week I walked into my local Branch of HSBC. You know the World’s local bank ha ha! It seems that the Gaddafis stashed a few million with HSBC and the bank made no attempt to declare the fact during the early stages of fiscal sanctions against the regime. On a general note I feel this as good a time as any to move one’s banking to the Co-op. Anyway, I went upstairs to pay in some cash. It was quiet with only one person ahead of me in the queue. As I waited the in house radio played in the back ground. I could have done without the noise but I actually laughed out loud when the next tune began. It was the Rolling Stones anthem, Sympathy for The Devil.

Sympathy for the Devil? There is little sympathy for, or faith in the banks that caused the chaos resulting in massive debt and the bail outs we paid for. At the same time it seems strange that the once infants terrible are now playing on Big bank radio.

I remember how F.W.Woolworth printed paisley pattern psychedelic carrier bags for their customers at the height of the flower power era. The writing on the wall? More recently the much maligned “graffers “or graffiti artists spray paint style has been extensively absorbed into mainstream advertising. The assimilation and exploitation of subcultural elements by corporate business is unending.

On the subject of corporate business I remember how Jagger took the entire royalties from The Verve for their Bitter Sweet Symphony song. They mishandled the process for clearing samples and used a sampled part from a Rolling Stones tune. Knowing that the Verve album was complete Jagger opted to take the entire royalties including all of the earnings from a Ford car advert which used the Verve song. Some might say he was making a point against being ripped off but he could afford to have been a little more equitable over this affair.

I remember chatting with Mick Jagger at Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells concert at The Queen Elizabeth Hall on The South Bank in London. Steve was playing drums and Stones guitarist Mick Taylor was one of the guitar players. Jagger was saying that he would like to do something really different like Tubular Bells but he hasn’t done it yet. I mentioned the Brian Jones recordings of the North African pipe players. That album used to send shivers down my spine. Jagger shrugged and I could tell that he didn’t think this was one Brian’s high points.

The last time I saw the Stones was a few years back at Wembley. I thought it was dull except for the section where Keith sang some songs on his own. For a while the show had life and passion. I remember the stage was a great silver thing provided by Mercedes Benz.

It seemed odd to see the Mercedes logo emblazoned on The Rolling Stones stage set up. By contrast it seems right that Barcelona F.C. have UNICEF emblazoned across their shirts.

Some one asked me what I thought of the Stones Wembley show. I just said that I thought Jagger was quite a good runner for his age. It’s what I remember most about the gig. A slightly out of breath Jagger running up and down the ramps of his Mercedes Benz climbing frame. Sympathy for the Devil? HSBC? At least it wasn’t Stabbed by Glasvegas playing on the in house muzak.

Next stop Burton on Trent for yours truly where I will be performing at the next FDPFAFDW gig.

peace

mommas reward

2011-05-24T19:04:00.006+01:00

On occasion I have been fortunate to stay in a beautiful building, in beautiful surroundings and or with great people. Very occasionally I have been known to utter the words “ I could get used to this”. I have felt the same about recent FDPFAFDW events mostly because of the kindness and warmth shown to me by my hosts and their invited audiences.

Last Saturday I played for Tony and Helen in Sheffield and what a great night that turned out to be. I remarked to some of the assembling audience that normally I would arrive at a venue in the afternoon do a sound check with the band that could take hours depending on the sound guy and or his equipment. Some times delay would be down to us but only rarely. After sound checking the band and crew would then disassemble until the evening when we would re-appear at the venue and disappear back stage until show time. After the show we would meet the folk who came back stage to say hello. This is different. I meet every one before the show and it colours what I play and how I play. We know each other to some extent before I begin. I’m loving it.
Another difference is related to how hosts and guests want to structure things. At the first of these shows my audience was under manners ( oh yes! ) to be quiet and still until I was done. At the last show the guests took breaks to re-fill their glasses and have a mini chat during the show. It worked fine. It all works and I am delighted.

I have been recording these shows and the results are quite surprising. I am using a small digital stereo recorder that provides my PC with raw material that can be processed and mastered so that a memento of the event can be obtained by those attending.

My night in Sheffield has left me still buzzing and if I had to pick a high light it would be very difficult. There was little Sophie a vision with her face paint butterfly, glittery shoes and enough energy to power a Marshall amplifier stack. Gorgeous! A family bonded and united. Later Sophie's Mom sang The Moth for me. It was a childhood favourite of hers. There was a little lad who was wearing his own Edgar Broughton T-Shirt. His dad had it made for him and he looked great in it. Cool image eh? I am going to use one of the photos of him for a competition soon. While still counting high lights I mustn't omit the spot on bacon and egg sandwich I had for my breakfast nor any of the hospitality I received from my hosts.

After the show and when most folk had retired or gone home, I stayed up chatting with a couple of the very nice young people who, like me, were very happy to see the dawn creep up over the hills of Sheffield. I do like to chat with the young ones. Some times I get very tired of the undue criticism, aimed at our young people, by people who don't listen or expect that these bright young things could ever have much to offer. How wrong they are!

Every one was so friendly and although I was only there over night I felt a little sad to be heading south next day.
So thank you folks for a great night and I hope some of us meet up in the not too distant future.

.................................................................................................

Thirty Eight Degrees ( the petition people ) have a huge Save the NHS campaign going on right now. Check out their web site for details of how you can support this important fight to save services locally. Thirty Eight Degrees is the angle required to start an avalance and they were the group mostly responsible for the avalanche of protest that saved our forests from being sold off by the ConDems

http://www.38degrees.org.uk/

peace

a minstrel's tale

2011-05-18T17:40:00.011+01:00

Yours truly in full cry - pic by Bev Edwards

I set off from London Euston on a fair morning aboard the Virgin version of the poor mans Japanese bullet train. It has some of the style of Concorde but only at the front end.
I was filled with thoughts about the coming days and a little buzz going on inside about the upcoming bijoux performance. The journey passed as I wrote emails and even a little poetry. The skies darkened a little before Warrington and magnificent forked lightning jumped from the green and grey sky down to the earth below. Spectacular forces playing across the heavens. The rain fell in sheets.
My hosts were waiting on the platform as the train pulled into Wigan. As we greeted each other I felt relaxed and it all felt right. At their home John and Val presented me with shirts and body warmers embroidered with the new EB livery and some clothing with the EBB 40 years logo. Karl, who I hadn't even met at this time, had mde me a beautiful silver EB logo brooch.
Later a special meal with friends of my hosts and then I was kept up half the night talking with John and Val (ha ha). Any one who knows me will know that is not true. Actually I think I contributed some what to the late hour. In fact they'll probably blame me for the nocturnal discussions that continued until dawn.
Next day I have a new friend in Inca a German Shepard and one of twins. He has a sister Aztec. I am usually not all that fond of dogs but I become strangely attached to this one and he to me. He follows me very where. When John and Val returned from taking me to the station to get my train home they found Inca had dragged an old luggage bag I had dumped, onto my bed, covered it with the duvet and he was lying next to it. Even John was baffled and if he doesn't know dogs who does? And..you know what? I miss that beast.

Later John takes me to see Clusky and Bev ( above). Clusky is a police dog handler. Clusky is a proper joker. He must collect jokes at every opportunity and they all reflect that dry northern perspective that we know so well. Clusky and Bev had promised to show me what the dog work was all about.
John and I walked through a field of foot high grasses. John dropped items along the path we walked which formed a box. The dog followed the scent we left and found all of the items. I knew he would but it was still amazing. Later John and I hid in a wood. The dog found us very quickly. Later the dog charged at John who was playing the escaping suspect. He was wearing a protective sleeve on the arm the dog went for. The dogs teeth must have gone through holes in the sleeve and John had a few bite marks which he just seemed to accept as part of the gig. I would have freaked had it have been my arm.

Later he also demonstatrated how the dog would just bark at him if he gave up "the chase". The combo of this surreal demo and tales of dogs on the job was absolutely fascinating. Over the days we would exchange many tales about life on the road and life as a dog handler in the police. I can tell you now that if I ever thought my life has been dramatic this was a reminder of the important dramas and the men and women who put all on the line, to save us from our selves.

Later that evening John and his friend Barry took me to Liverpool to see The Drive By Truckers. Less said about that the better. Val got it right she stayed at home. For me to watch the house sound guy still struggling to get a decent mix during the last number was agonising and I wanted to get on the desk and give it a go. He disappeared to the front of the hall a couple of times and I was sorely tempted to get a mix up while he was gone. Probably quite sensible of me that I resisted the urge eh? I will say one thing though. The people of Liverpool are really very friendly. It's no myth. It was noticeable immediatley.

The set list pic by Bev Edwards

Me loafing around and playing and singing in the garden and then the living room. I decide the living room is the venue for it's acoustics. people arriving and chatting and meeting and greeting feeling warm and valued. Wanting to be good to do some thing special for this very nice group of folk. A seven year old lad says hello to me. It's his first live gig. Just before curtain up I am sitting on the floor, in the room where I sleep with my back up against the bed. I had a brandy, my guitar, a digital tuner and well... a few other totems of the pre performance. This was my dressing room moment. Soon my host introduced me and I walked out of my dressing room and began.

I was actually shocked by the wave of energy that came with the hearty applause at the end of my first offering. I ran through songs off the list with out much attention to running order. I changed tempos and stuck things together as I felt to do so. It worked for me and I am very glad to say it worked for my audience. I needed to get some thing very specific from this first show and it will colour what follows on the rest of the FDPFAFDW tour. This has to have been one of the warmest and generous audiences I have ever met. I am happy to say that I recorded this event and after a little processing, I like the resulting recording warts and all.

Playing Carlo's Italian Restaraunt in Llandudno

pics by Bev Edwards

Next day we drove west to Wales. We paused to drive up to the Great Orme which is a beautiful headland looking out towards Anglsey. It got it's name from the Viking term for Great worm, a serpent like sea monster. The Viking Sagas are filled with such references. The wind howled as we took in the beautiful vista and the golden evening sunlight flooded out across the bay. Out of the biting wind we descended back to sea level down a winding road that made me long to be on the Bianchi and trying not to touch the brakes much. Ah well! You can't have every thing. Another time perhaps.

Later we met up with some folk at Carlo's Restatraunt in Llandudno. The place had a lovely atmosphere and very high standard cuisine. After dinner a small group of us went upstairs to a private room where after a brandy or two I gave a mini performance based on the previous show.

So many good vibes from all. Great humour and warmth. I felt right at home for my entire visit. It is always good to go home but I knew I would miss these kind folk. Still, we will hook up again for more adventures. Of this I am sure. It were magic.

My hosts on The Great Orme

peace

edgar the police dog

2011-05-14T23:34:00.008+01:00

John and Val

People often speak of the North and South divide that dictates whether a person is warm and friendly or cold and distant. Traditionally it has always been the south that gets the stick and the north that gets the plaudits. I really have no idea to what extent this is fair to either group but I have just had a lovely time with some very warm and friendly northerners.

I have recently returned from the Wigan area in the North West where I played the first of the Fair Days Pay For A Fair Days Work gigs at the home of John and Val Bradshaw to an invited audience of twenty-seven.

This proved to be a very happy and satisfying experiment but I could have had no idea of just how magical the whole experience would prove to be as I left London to head north on Monday of last week.
I say a huge thank you to John and Val and the special little community, and my new friends, who made my stay one I will never forget. I just have to tell the story of this adventure so I will post it here with photos in a while.

Meanwhile here is John’s tale of Edgar the Police Dog as a preface.

Are you sitting comfortably? Then I will begin.
Once upon a time up in the cold wastes of the north of England there lived a Police Dog handler called John. Believe it or not John was also a huge fan of the Edgar Broughton Band. He had always wanted to meet the band and his
dream came true one night in Morcambe at a venue called the
Gardens. John found that Edgar was very kind and signed all John’s old
LPs. Edgar in turn could not believe that a policeman liked his music.
As the two parted, Edgar said to John, “Since you like us so much and I
have made your dream come true will you grant me a wish”? He made a
wish.

Fast forward to Sheffield in 2006. John and Edgar meet again at
the Boardwalk where the EBB had just played. John said to Edgar, “You
will not remember this but I made your wish come true. There was a
police dog called Edgar”. The boss of the police dogs did not want this to happen. He said it was a daft name. John explained to him that Edgar was to be named after J Edgar Hoover the founder of the F.B.I. and he reluctantly agreed. John eventually confessed to the real reason but by then the dog was responding to his name and it could not be changed, and Edgar caught many bad men.

John with Edgar (in training) and Luger (retiring)

John has now retired and is living happily near Wigan. Fast forward to May 2011 Edgar has just played his first FDPFAFDW gig for John, his wife Val and their friends and what a fantastic night was had by all. Edgar and John are now good mates. So you see Dreams can come true and fairy stories have a happy
ending. Make of this what you will but it is true and I just love it.

John Bradshaw

Please note: John and Val have given permission for me to publish the story and photos on this blog. Others might decline for reasons of privacy etc. I will only post material on this blog related to FDPFAFDW events that is agreed to by FDPFAFDW hosts.

Peace

on the road

2011-05-05T16:13:00.012+01:00

"The air was soft, the stars so fine, the promise of every cobbled alley so great, that I thought I was in a dream."
- Jack Kerouac, On the Road.

It’s almost time for me to be on the road again. I will be heading North West next week to begin the first of the Fair Days Pay For A Fair Days Work gigs. I am looking forward to playing for my patrons and meeting their people. I know they have gone to considerable lengths to make my stay a special occasion.
I have been rehearsing what I hope will be an interesting and entertaining collection of material which includes some parts of old songs and the usual suspects such as Hotel Room, Evening over rooftops, Poppy, Green lights, Side by side, Speak down wires and a medley of bits and pieces. I will also be performing new material some of which I will be performing for the first time. I will be improvising around the themes of the songs and joining sections together to make each FDPFAFDW show unique. I will be recording each show.

I have been rehearsing on a nylon strung classical guitar, a steel strung acoustic and my lovely Squire Stratocaster. Which one will I be using? The answer is that I am still not sure. I’ve been thinking I should probably use an electric guitar for my show with Luke at Glastonbury and we might be jamming with the house band. Having said that, different things happen on the acoustics. The nylon strung classical job seems to respond more dramatically to different rooms than my other instruments and well, I’ll have to make a decision soon.

Many years a go, during a warm summer Vic Unitt and myself headed west to Devon with not much more than a sleeping bag, some basic cooking utensils, clothing and a harmonica. We probably had about twenty or thirty pounds between us. We hitch hiked everywhere in those days before the fear came to kill off a great way to meet folk and get around. We didn’t mind the long waits too much though some times it was a very long wait for a driver who wasn’t put off by our garb and long hair. During these hold ups we would improvise on a blues theme. Vic would play his harmonica and I sang. I usually made up it all up as we went along though occasionally we would do a Sonny Boy Williamson plus one impersonation.

On a lovely summer evening we strolled into the Golden Fleece in Barnstaple after hours on the road. We were moving around the Barnstaple , Bideford, Westward Ho area and had discovered the Golden Fleece had a folk club. I borrowed a guitar and Vic and I performed a few improvised blues songs to a very warm and enthusiastic folk crowd. At the end of the evening a local headmaster invited us to stay with his family for the night. They looked after us very well and I think we stayed another night. Later that week we made friends with Noel Murphy the folk singer at the Lobster Pot in Appledore. He was performing there and we did a floor spot. It was great fun. Back then we would play any where and although we didn’t know it yet, the rock n roll days were just ahead.

Those were heady days and memories of our Kerouac-esque adventures are very special to me. This was the first experience I had of singing for my supper and a bed for the night. It was an exciting and valuable stage of our performing apprenticeship. I remember that we resolved to re-double our efforts to get out on the road on a full time basis.

Since those days I have pondered how I might get to re-capture some of the feelings of those early performances and I think my trip to the North West next week will be a step in the right direction. A minstrel I would be…….

peace

lifeboat

2011-04-24T20:10:00.028+01:00

The ship is sinking. You have to decide who will be in your lifeboat. It is your lifeboat because you had the power to take it and that is exactly what you did, for better or worse. You saw the panic and anarchy among the crew and passengers. You decided to make your move and now you have 20 seats available for people whose future is in your hands. Who will you allow in and why? I am sure you will agree this is a situation you hope you will never face in reality. No pressure then. It’s only a game.

Make a list of ten friends and family that you would share your lifeboat with. Then add ten people who you don’t know personally but who fit your criteria for having a place in your lifeboat. You might favour the young or the old depending on your own bias or you might base your judgement mainly on people’s abilities to make a useful contribution for the good of the group. You might decide that a mix of people’s values and skills would be the deciding factors in your decision-making.

I have used this little exercise on many occasions, within the setting of small group work with young people. It is a useful tool for exploring why we value some folk and not others and how our behaviour, as perceived by others, can have a huge impact on what is on offer to us. It is one way for a group or a couple to find out some fairly important things about each other in a relatively short time.

So, there we are, your good self, your twenty chosen ones and me. Oh yes! I forgot to mention I was here first. It was my island until you lot came along. But don’t worry I will go with the flow, for now. After all, I'm looking forward to all of it. Still, I don't suppose any one is going to let me get by just singing for my supper. I think I will have to pull my weight in other ways and get my hands dirty along with every one else. If I catch lots of fish and do lots of night watches please may I sleep in late?

No big Marshall stacks or even 80 watt Peaveys to reinforce my music. No big sound behind me to make it right and to obliterate any nagging self doubt. Just me and my voice and ….please let my guitar have survived the landing.

Last night I was playing with my new phone which has an application for helping a person get to sleep. It is basically a set of sampled sounds including the gentle lapping of waves on a tropical shore, rain fall, air conditioning fan, a stream and a ticking clock. Aaaaargh! A clock ticking is guaranteed to keep me awake. I hear a rhythm and then a bass line and it just gets worse and worse but, the ticking clock sends most babies to sleep.

The ticking clock evoked thoughts about a very crazy in your face song from the EBB album Superchip. The song is called Not so funny farm. It bashes along at quite a pace so that the words spew out as though there was only just about enough time to fit them in and that is how I remember it.

I began singing and speaking those words to the ticking phone in my hand. The phone clock ticks away at 60 ticks/beats per minute ( you knew that). This is at least half the speed of the Superchip track so that was a big change. Though slow and radically different from the original I could see how it might work. I realised that if I ever performed the song like this it would probably be the first time any one heard all of the words. It got me thinking about other new ways of doing things differently as part of my new show. I think I might be onto some thing.

Pass me a piece of roasted yam. Put some wood on the fire while I clean the fish. By the way, has any one got a charger for my blackberry?

Ah! ………………….That won’t work, will it?

peace

p.s. I recently bought some fishing tackle from a Japanese supplier. He sent me an email with information regarding the shipping status of my purchase and added the quite poignant URL below at the end of his email to me. He is based in PLAT and is very anxious to assure me that my purchase will not be radio-active and that his part of the island is safe.

http://www.plat.co.jp/PLAT/FUKUSHIMA.html

some thing close to my mind

2011-04-19T16:26:00.001+01:00

Hi Folks,

If you are in London on Saturday coming and looking for some thing different then check out the Madpride gig below .............

peace

Come and support our vital cause and help marginalised people have a voice against the media prejudice that brands all welfare benefit claimants as ‘scroungers’ and have a great night in the bargain. People concerned about the changes in the work capacity test are encouraged to contact the MENTAL HEALTH RESISTANCE NETWORK to get advice about how to deal with the tests and how people will be affected or to join the campaign and support our cause.

For more info on the event call 077 577 15035

CREATIVE ROUTES

Facebook - http;//tinyurl.com/6155qzb

www.myspace.com/themusescafe

For more info re the MENTAL HEALTH RESISTANCE NETWORK

Contact mentalhealthresistancenetwork@gmail.com

MAD PRIDE – 07542459321

www.madpride.org.uk

castaway

2011-04-06T16:32:00.003+01:00

I have just been catching up with the dialogue in the comments on the previous post. I am very pleased to see the debate is ongoing. In some ways, I think it is part of my “job description” to provoke and evoke as well as inform and entertain. It is true I wrote the “job description” and made it up as I went along but still, I see no good reason to change it.

Since I put my own website up and began my solo endeavours I have had lots of requests to do interviews, especially around the fair days pay for a fair days work gigs. That seems to have struck a chord with lots of people. I picked my way through the interview requests and decided I would only do three. As usual I have talked at length about the band, politics and where I am now.
One of the interviews was shot on video and a guitar was produced to enable me to sing a few songs. This was unexpected so it gave things a little buzzy feeling. I like that. One was based on supplied questions to which I wrote my answers another was an audio interview that took place outside the British Museum. Catch the Tea ceremony there if you can. I will place links to these interviews at http://www.edgarbroughton.com/ very soon.

Time was when interviews were the province of radio, tv and the music press and unless you were in vogue or flavour of the week the exposure for an artiste through these channels was very limited. Now there are dozens of online music magazines and fan sites which provide a platform for the likes of yours truly.

You might have noticed that the gigs page on my website has opened up with a few dates. The first public date will be at Glastonbury Festival on the 24th of June this year. Luke will be playing that one with me and then next day I will be playing a FDPFAFDW gig so that will be a contrast. We have had a rehearsal and we are both very excited about performing a new show together.

On August the I8th I will be playing a date at The Duchess in York. I will be performing a show called CASTAWAY. This will be a one off performance that won’t be repeated. I can assure you it will be very different from what you might normally expect from me though it will include a lot of vintage material. At some point I will be posting the programme here.

People are still booking the FDPFAFDW gigs that begin in May. Remember, it doesn’t matter what you earn or what your income is, if you will pay me the equivalent of one day of your pay, pay my travel expenses, feed and accommodate me then I will come and play for you at your private event. I have been asked if there is bottom limit that would make the thing uneconomical. The short answer is no. In the new reality everything is negotiable.

I will be recording all of the acoustic FDPFAFDW gigs and a compilation will be available at the end of 2011. I plan to take advance orders for a cd copy of individual shows, from any one attending who wants one.

I am recording new songs including the one that nearly got away. I wrote about it in my earlier post -The anatomy of a song. Over the next weeks I will be putting bits and pieces on the Works in progress page of my website.
So, the sun is shining and its high time I got out on my bike. In a day or so I will be setting out on a small adventure, a voyage of discovery when I hope I might be lucky enough to catch my first sea bass of the year.

peace

clinging to the simple idea that fair is righteous.

2011-03-27T22:55:00.026+01:00

march for the alternative March 26th 2011

On the tube in the dark with the bustling travellers who are mostly oblivious to the events unfolding up above in the City of London. Feeling excited as we ascend the escalator to Temple Station and the outside world by the river Thames. The day is mild though cloudy and quite favourable for marching. Already the people are thronging together in a huge body. They pour down the streets in torrents of smiling humankind. All ages and ethnic groups joined together by common aims. The little ones with their happy faces steal the show before it has begun.

We have all come to tell the ConDems that the cuts are unfair, unfounded and will remove services vital to the most needy in the land. Of course they know that and most of us know it will take more than a few thousand people marching to deter them from enacting some of the most detrimental fiscal policies for many years.

People have come from everywhere across the nation and I feel at home with the firemen from North Wales, the nurses from Bradford, off duty police men from Liverpool, youth workers from East Devon, doctors from Scotland, social workers from Somerset and the pensioners, students and the other groups from all over the UK. It is always good to be one of many, united in a common cause.

Over time our little group came together and we set off down to the river to join the main body of the march. The walk along the north bank of the river Thames was slow but no one minded. Some of us were very glad of the gentle pace. We halted for several minutes at a time, at frequent intervals, due to the massive crowds that grew rapidly as we marched. We were among the last to set out because we waited until our group had assembled. One of our group had travelled from the midlands to be with us and was delayed. Still the people poured on to the back of the march and when I looked back it seemed the column of marchers stretched another mile into the distance.

One group had music pumping out of a bicycle powered sound system. Others played bagpipes and a host of other instruments. We meandered along Victoria Embankment towards Parliament Sq, scene of the Student demo in December. The atmosphere was amazing. People chatted with people from opposite ends of the country and I am certain many friendships were forged here and many networks expanded.

We marched on and after the best part of a couple of hours we had made it from temple tube station to the houses of parliament.

I have never been in a happier crowd. Every one was good natured. The police were chatty and relaxed. Even the police guarding the Territorial Police Headquarters on the embankment were relaxed. No one abused them nor they us though the chants against the government were derisory and tough, as you might expect. I heard no bad language nor did I see any conflict of any kind.

Two little girls played among us in the space people made for them instinctively. People took turns to push people in wheel chairs and it seemed every one was looking out for every one else. It really was a magical place to be. The sense of solidarity was very effecting and powerfully uplifting. I wanted to live there, where there is hope and a tenacious clinging to the simple idea that fair is righteous.

Things really slowed up and so by the time our little group reached Trafalgar Square we had been on the road for three hours and we knew we wouldn’t get to the rally before it finished. We voted to get a cup of tea around the corner at Charing Cross station. After having rested for a little while we decided we had represented, flown our flag and stood up to be counted and our tired old bones ached. So now we would all head off in our different directions. I know none of us will forget this day and I feel sure we will come back and soon.

I spoke with some police who were sitting in parked vans by Trafalgar Square. I tentatively suggested that they’d had an easy day. They told me they had been on duty since seven am and would be until the early hours. This proved to be the case as the few hundred rampaged in the West End long after the March for the Alternative ended.

The policing of the march was a relatively easy task for The Metropolitan Police and The Territorial Police were not needed at all until the violence broke out in the evening. This is where the police appear to have badly failed in bringing these events to a timely end. They didn’t cope at all well.

What ever the press say about it all it was a massive triumph for peaceful protest. This was just the beginning. The fight to prevent some of the most damaging cuts is a long way from over. For an example see the link below.

http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2011/02/protect-dla-for-people-with-autism/

.....and please watch the video about the NHS , made by Dr John Lister at the link below

http://www.coalitionofresistance.org.uk/2011/03/nhs-video-wake-up-call-episode-1-no-decision-about-me-without-me/

If you have photos of the march and would like to use them against the ConDems use the link below for details.

http://www.thisiswhatdemocracylookslike.org.uk/

If you were there you will know how vitally important it was that we put feet on the streets and that you played your part. It has been estimated that around 4,00,000 of us stood together for what we believe in. I will remember it forever.

If you were there please share your story in the comments section.

photos by Ivan Millest

p.s. An interesting take on the power of your pound see link below. Please note the link will first open at the Guardian website and then re-direct to the post.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/discussion/comment-permalink/9894383

peace

your country needs you

2011-03-23T17:56:00.010Z

make it a million strong

If you are going on the march and would like some company you are very welcome to meet with me outside TEMPLE TUBE STATION, Victoria Embankment. I will be waiting there between 11 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. See map link below

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=207180369435059079338.00049a5d0f5992fc77f59&ll=51.509277,-0.129948&spn=0.037394,0.081539&z=13&source=embed

See link below for latest updates

http://marchforthealternative.org.uk/

Some people have expressed concerns to me about the possibility of being kettled. The Metropolitan Police have said there will be no kettling unless people divert from the route or cause a breach of the peace and in that case only the "offenders" will be targeted.

I hope to meet up with some of you. Say hello if you see me. I hope you have a good day.

My next post on here will be a report of the march with photos and video.

peace

At home with the Gaddafi family

2011-03-21T00:14:00.023Z

Please note all aspersions cast in this post are based on widely known facts and are inspired by the unreal lives of the Gaddafi family.

Supplied by Trotter's Independent Traders

The Gaddafi family are ensconsed in Muammars compound. They have just finished listening to The Archers.

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi : Hey daddy! I know what we can do with all that green cloth I bought when I was in London at the LSE.

Saif Al Islam Gaddafi : That wasn’t you that was me you idiot.

Muammar Gaddafi: You mean that junk you bought from that little b**tard in Peckham?

Saif Al Islam Gaddafi: Well, yes daddy. We could give it to the people who love you daddy. They could wear it and wave it on TV.

Muammar Gaddafi: Ok. Good boy!

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi: Waaaa! I was going to suggest that.

Al-Saadi al- Gaddafi : Hey guys any one seen my football?

Muammar Gaddafi : Little sh*t. You never could find the ball. Even when I paid all that money to U.C.Sampdoria you still couldn’t get in the first team.

Al-Saadi al- Gaddafi : But daddy I was carrying an injury.

Muammar Gaddafi : You fu**in’ will be if you don’t f**k off out of my sight.

Al-Saadi al- Gaddafi hangs his head in shame and leaves the room.

Muammar Gaddafi : Where is Khamis? I need him now!

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi: Khamis is at the front daddy though it is becoming the rear my great daddy and I won’t stand for it. I am prepared to die for my daddy, daddy. We are all prepared to die for our daddy,daddy who is the father of the revolution, daddy.

Muammar Gaddafi : Yeah- yeah! Do you remember what your name means my beloved idiot?

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi: Erm…erm…erm…

Ayesha al- Gaddafi : You sound like Stevie Gerrard!

Al-Saadi Al Gaddafi : ( from the room next door ) I wish I did.

Muammar Gaddafi : Saif, your name means “The sword of the arabs”.

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi : Does that mean I have to fight?

Can’t I just stay here with you daddy and tell every one on the TV that all the people love you daddy and that we will die together ……….but not for a long time …daddy??

Hannibal Muammar al-Gaddafi : I’ll show you sword of the arabs daddy. It was me who beat up the cops in Paris. It was me who broke my wifes nose.

It was my wife and me who beat up the servants in Switzerland, you pu*sy Saif.

Muammar Gaddafi : Is there any more cold Coca-cola left Ayesha?

Ayesha al- Gaddafi : Nah! All gone (sob).

Muammar Gaddafi : Bas**rds!

(Continues) Ayesha would you defend me at the war crimes tribunal if it came to it?

Like you did for Saddam Husein?

Ayesha al- Gaddafi : Of course darling daddy, King of Kings.

Muammar Gaddafi : You’d like to see me swing, wouldn’t you b**ch? Just like your mother.

Ayesha flounces out of the room in a huff.

Muammar Gaddafi: ( shouting after her ) And you married that loser Idi Amin.

Al-Mu’tasim-Billah al-Gaddafi : Don’t worry daddy , daddy I am in charge of the national security and I’m only just getting warmed up. The UN doesn’t scare me daddy.

Muammar Gaddafi: No, nor me son but you scare me and I never told any one else before but, I scare me.

Saif Al Arab Gaddafi : Where shall we go for our holidays when this is all over daddy?

Muhammad al-Gaddafi: Well I am still Head of Libyan Olympic Committee so shall I try to get tickets for London 2012 daddy?

Ayesha al- Gaddafi : ( Flounces back in room ) Here is some coke daddy. Do you need a straw?

Muammar Gaddafi : No I got a rolled up note.

Muhammad al-Gaddafi : Daddy may I please kill some one today?

Muammar Gaddafi: Just shut it… for gods sake. I need to think.

Saif Al Islam Gaddafi : I’m going on TV again now daddy. Watch me daddy. Daddy watch me daddy. Watch me ..watch me …watch me!

Please FEEL FREE to write what ever you like by way of comments. It's a FREE COUNTRY....continue the plot if you like. I found it strangely LIBERATING.

Peace ( fat chance)

anatomy of a song

2011-03-14T01:06:00.031Z

There is a room with a dining table and chairs, some books, a chest of drawers and little else. It has lively, bright reverberant acoustics like a very tiny church and very unlike the room I sit in now. This room has heavy curtains, a settee, a table, chest of drawers, two benches and a bed.
Now if I was recording vocals I would usually choose the room I am in now over the first room I described. The recording would be drier with out any natural reverberation and more suitable for adding effects such as echoes and reverberation. How ever the first room is where I would choose to write songs with an acoustic guitar. I won’t expand on this further except to say the acoustics and ambience of a room can have a very significant impact on the process of song writing.

About two months ago I was sitting in the lively room in my usual position. I was playing one of my electro nylon strung acoustic guitars. It’s a favourite instrument for doodling around towards writing a song. On this occasion I was playing around with three or four chords I have used before but in a different order. A melody occurred to me and I began to sing non-words. This is the form that happens when I am looking for a theme or feeling for an emotion that will lead to a lyrical idea.

After a while I began to sing my non-words with a new conviction and I began to feel my way into a new place. I think the new place is a room inside the mansion that is some times called the muse.

I found myself singing the new song as though I knew it. Some real words began to form and suddenly I had a chorus. I was delighted. I knew this would be some thing special for me. It has happened before but rarely. I can only say it feels as though the song is being given to me rather than being written by me. I jokingly said to a friend that as far as I was concerned I had done my work for the week and that on another occasion I could work on songs for days and get nothing as good. It felt great. I had a portable digital recorder in my bag but I was sure the outline of the song was burned in my memory.

The next day I picked up my guitar as soon as I was awake and began to play the previous days discovery. Nothing! It had gone. I was distraught. I made half-hearted noises to the effect that I didn’t mind and that it might pop up in my brain leading to some thing just as good. I didn’t believe a word. This was a bad day and I felt so stupid because I hadn’t bothered to record the idea.

A couple of weeks ago I got the same guitar out, sat in the same chair, in the lively room where I have written several songs and there it was. The rudimental song was back and I began to sing as tears rolled down my cheeks. I can hardly describe the feeling. My heart soared. Not only was my lost song coming back together, my laziness in not recording the first version was redeemed. I reached for the recorder and recorded one take of the idea. When I played it later on my computer I could see and hear the development and consolidation of the song over 3.5 minutes. By the end of the recording the non-words have become real words and a theme is established.

Currently the last two lines of the chorus are :
this is my hope
my salvation

It seems to me, that over time this process that is song writing, has been cathartic and therapeutic for me. I believe it has kept me safe and still does. It has also helped to drive some of the happiest times in my life including my interaction with many of you and my fellow travellers.

Peace

http://www.redcross.org.uk/japantsunami/?approachcode=68816_googlePAD4JpTs&gclid=CJ3vjNjXzqcCFUEb4QodUw4TEQ

I might be gone for some time........

2011-03-04T01:15:00.006Z

When I started this blog, five years ago, I began by out lining some hopes and aims I had for the 1st Supper which included the possibility of like minded people coming together in a common cause. Only 6 people have participated in my TUC 26th March poll which I find surprising and very disappointing.

Now that the EBB is sadly and finally over I have been freed up to express my stuff with out restraint ha ha! Soon I will be posting a pod cast on my web site in the form of an interview in which I will discuss the EBB and my thoughts for the future. But there will be no re-formation.

I am making a lot of music and recording new songs almost every day but I have also become very involved in the political goings on all around us. I understand peoples nostalgia for the old days and the part the EBB has played in all of that but the times are changed and so am I. I don't want to stand still. There is so much to be done.

I understand the pressures and stress brought on by living in this modern world but I am concerned at what I perceive to be the apathy that seems prevalent now and the lack of participation by people who I would have expected to have a voice in these times.

In a recent post I offered to organise a meeting place before the march on the 26th to try make sure people would not have to march alone, safety in numbers etc. The response has been poor. It appears that, yet again, the majority will be represented by a small minority and I find this disheartening and disturbing. That being said, I shall be looking forward to meeting and welcoming who ever decides thay would like to be part of our group.

So Dear reader have I over estimated the galvanising effect this government would have on people and underestimated their apathy? Am I flogging a dead horse or will there be a last minute upsurge of committment to participate in the events that I believe will determine the future of this country for years to come?

The march route : http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=207180369435059079338.00049a5d0f5992fc77f59&ll=51.509277,-0.129948&spn=0.037394,0.081539&z=13&source=embed

Peace

prisoner number 746

2011-02-26T20:28:00.011Z

the UN threaten ICC war crimes trial for Gaddafi

I make no apology for continuing in the same vein in my posts here. The current situation in the Middle east and the knowledge that my government has been and is partly responsible for the obstruction of progress to democratic reform in the region haunts me.

While it is clear there is a huge swathe of people in the country who appear to have little or no interest in any of this, I believe there is a larger group who care passionately about the rights and legitimate struggle of repressed people. I believe this group can look beyond the garden fence and see that it is time to change the political structures of our own nation so that, at least we do not benefit from the subjugation of people who's aspirations for a decent quality of life are the same as ours. Isn't time for a thorough Spring cleaning?

Last night I watched one of the saddest television news items I have ever seen. Orla Guerin, of BBC News, interviewed Saad Iqbal Madni, an Islamic scholar and famous reciter of the Koran, about his being tortured and falsely imprisoned in Guantanamo Bay.
Every other night Saad Iqbal Madni wakes up screaming. For more than five years the Pakistani Islamic scholar was Prisoner Number 746, one among many of the disappeared in Guantanamo Bay.

This story is pertinent to the ongoing concerns of the British people with regard to UK Government sanctioning and involvement of torture of suspected terrorists. This story made me cry. It is a story of modern barbarism administered at the highest level and it is wholly unjustifiable.
The interview speaks for itself and it is clear that the UK government of the time was involved in the so-called extra ordinary rendition, interrogation and subsequent torture of this man.

Click on link below for the full story :

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-12566027

It has become clearer than ever that UK Government licensing and promotion of the UK arms trade is having a hugely detrimental effect on the peoples we see trying to begin the process of change towards civil, democratic government in their countries.

The UK is culpable for it's self serving support of tyrants like Gaddafi. The UK has been exporting teargas, rubber bullets, water cannon and small arms to Libya and other countries in the region for years. The licences stipulate that the materials are only to be used in defence and not to suppress the people. The items exported cannot be described as for defence. They are regularly used to quell civil unrest in all of the Middle Eastern countries where the people are fighting for their freedom at this time.

The UN has discussed the possibility of Gaddafi and family members standing trial at the International Criminal Court. This might not be so easy as China will oppose this and the USA has not signed up to the ICC treaty for fear that it might be used against their soldiers.

Cameron is currently currying favour with potential arms buyers. They do this in your name and I wonder how much this matters to you. If you care I beseech you to act against the practice of UK sanctioned torture and the arms trade to dictators. There are many of ways in which we can let the UK government know this must stop NOW!

http://www.caat.org.uk/

freedom and peace

in the movement of the new reality

2011-02-18T22:30:00.055Z

Rosa Parks
February 4, 1913 – October 24, 2005

American Civil Rights Campaigner

"The only thing I am tired of-

is tired of giving in".

Across Italy this week 1 million women marched against Berlusconi the Italian Prime Minister. It seems the idea that a mass of connected people can bring about real and significant change in their own lives is being tested around the world. Information technology is facilitaing an unstoppable sharing of political ideas, awareness and hope.

For those of you who are not familiar with the 38 degree petitions site the 38 degrees represents the angle necessary for a landslide. Very appropriate for the text below. This text was sent to me, as I am sure it was to all who signed, THE SAVE OUR FORESTS petition at http://38degrees.org.uk/

From 38 degrees
WE'VE WON! The government has just confirmed they're totally scrapping the forest sell-off. The phoney consultation has been cancelled. The sinister legal changes to pave the way for privatisation have been dropped.
We did this together. Next time someone tries to tell any of us that signing petitions or emailing our MPs doesn’t work, we’ll know exactly what to say: “People power does work. Just look at the Save Our Forests campaign”.
Over half a million of us can feel very proud of what we've achieved together today.

Other uplifting news is that the Arabian revolution is spreading fast with Bahrain being the latest nation to rise up. Of course it will be a hard road. Of course people will be hurt. Of course this is always tragic but, how can we not admire their courage and support them? The people are being hurt systematically by state systems that torture any one who dissents and that crush all opposition even when protest is peaceful.
The people have chosen to risk the hurt that might come to them in their struggle to improve things for them selves and their children. The Independent headline for Saturday the 19th of Feb states “They didn’t run away. They faced the bullets Head-on”. It seems that the majority of protesters are willing to sacrifice a great deal, even their lives, for a chance to have what we have by right. The police fired on young children in Bahrain and Libya today.

ln all of the civil unrest across the Middle east the violence has not been initiated by the pro democracy protesters but came from the government thugs. Just as it was that the kettling in Parliament sq and the thuggish elements of the Met police officers precipitated the violence at the Demo over Student fee increases. Of course there is no like for like comparison possible with the struggle in the Middle East but there are similarities. There were no bullets fired in Westminster though a disabled man was dragged from his wheel chair by police, a young man who was behaving peacefully had his skull cracked by police and I witnessed far more assaults on peaceful demonstrators by the police than the other way around.

It is no longer surprising that the tyrants and despots get the tools and the resources for their vicious work supplied by nice little democracies like ours. This is evidenced by the current out cry about the supply of arms and riot gear which is being used by the ruling regime in Bahrain right now.
It’s time for change. The signs are all around. People have had enough of this hypocrisy and want real change. Here in the UK the fight must be primarily for preserving the services vital to those most vulnerable and the basic rights of all in the UK but we also have to stop the ConDem from allowing the arms trading with despots to continue. That old chestnut that some one will sell them the tools of repression if we don’t is no justification for the UK’s trade in arms and riot gear to the dictatorships of the world. One nice Norfolk farmer makes and sells gallows to Iran. How does he get the export licence?

In my opinion the only way to be sure we can rid ourselves of this stinking trade is to get rid of the ConDem and to send a message to the next government that we want them to be better, decent, fair, just, egalitarian, open, transparent and compassionate. I don't want the right to run riot in the streets. I want the poor and the vulnerable to be cared for not attacked as is and will continue to be the case as a result of the vicious Con Dem cuts.

They need to know we will be watching and waiting to see if they do what is needed and that we will not allow their dysfunctional governance to continue . Idealistic, naïve? If two million people march in London on the 26th of March then that could be the beginning of real change. Any little mob bent on violence would not have much impact among such numbers and the Police cannot kettle 2 million of us.

Regarding other people’s reluctance to participate and the arm chair commentators, I say this. Every one must decide what is right for them selves according to their conscience. I respect that this is your right. I respect the views of the pacifist and conscientious objector. I would defend their right to free choice and acknowledge they are often prepared to work just as hard as the next man or woman for the common cause, as long as it does not involve them in committing violence. I think they deserve our full respect.
By contrast it is galling to me that there are millions of anti trade unionists who never joined a union but still benefit from agreements negotiated by a union, with out their involvement. Often they do nothing until it is their neck on the line. Then when they belatedly adopt a self interested militancy they expect the benefits of our Lefty support and usually get it.

I must have heard most of the reasons for none participation. I know a man who has physically abused most of the women in his life, at some point, yet he professes a non-violent philosophy as his reason for not marching. There are those who claim to have done their bit already and there are those who just can’t be bothered.

When I was at school and a bunch of us were in trouble it was often with justification though not always. I got used to looking around to find my erstwhile comrades had disappeared when the time came to make our defence.
When I first worked in a factory, as a comparative youngster, I complained that the safety guards for the machinery only came out of their boxes when the Factory Inspector visited. Many of the men I worked with backed off from the issue as soon as our boss, the Fat Controller flexed his muscles. I remember the women machinists did not back off so easily. They suggested I wore a hair net to avoid being sacked for having long hair, as a result of my protest, and I did.

So, I am used to the vagaries of the support one can expect in this life and I take it where I can. I have had plenty in my life and for this I am very grateful.

These are the days of change whether we are ready or not and whether it is comfortable or not. This is our chance to shape the future of this nation and how it is regarded by the rest of the world. You can be sure I will play my part for as long as I am able. My dad marched with a placard in protest outside the school my brother was unfairly expelled from. He would have had some things to say about the state of the nation. My mom would revel in the opportunity to join and participate in the movement of the new reality.

peace