a sad day

Far right winger Marie Le Pen celebrating Brexit.

I sat up all last night, as I always do during elections, to watch the vote. I will never forget it. Politically it was the saddest thing I have ever experienced. Brexit supporters have had their way and created the worst night in UK politics for many years, as far as I am concerned. I feel crushed.

I am afraid that the divisions caused by this will be long lasting. As the disastrous consequences roll out I will find it harder to respect those who voted out. After a general election we can all carry on the fight according to our political colours. We can even work with political opponents and debate the issues. National politics is ongoing and presents positive possibility in the future. This is final and very different. There is no way to overturn this at a next election. I can't help thinking that the seeds of division sown last night will result in the poorest harvest. As I write this there are people on the radio phoning in to say if they had known last nights vote would have resulted in todays mess they would have voted remain.

Did the Brexiters want Scotland to leave the UK? I doubt it was even a consideration for most of them but now it is highly likely. Perhaps the SNP have no option but to hold another referendum. Most of Scotland voted to remain in the EU so now more of them might be in favour of exiting the UK. Many of us believed the Welsh would vote to remain in the EU partly because Wales has received more financial input from the EU than almost any where else and more than any one in the UK. For example they have the best roads in the UK. Wales stands to lose most financially from leaving the EU so who will make up the shortfall?

A day or so before the vote I had a very interesting and heartening discussion with Steve, my brother. He was fired up about the attitude of some of his friends who were voting to leave. I haven't heard him so passionate about any issue for a long time. He was talking about the divisions caused by the vote and the Little Britain position of some of his friends.
This act of ignorant stupidity will take years to recover from and the young will pay the biggest cost along with the disabled and vulnerable who will be further fleeced in order to balance the books. My young nephew Sonny who is in Vietnam with his girlfriend tweeted that he was gutted to no longer be a European.

Today the Treasury provided 1billion GBP to prop up the pound and this is just the beginning. Today the French are talking about changing the Le Touqet agreement but I suspect none of this means much or matters to most of the Brexiters.

The man who began this process and who railed against the unelected leaders of the EU was the unelected man celebrating Brexit victory all over the media in the early hours. His name is Farage and if you voted leave you have opened the door to the narrow, xenophobic game he wants to play.

If any one thinks I sound bitter after this debacle then they are correct. I do feel bitter, especially towards the people of my generation who have opened the door to the far right. The bitterness will subside but the repercussions of the 23rd June referendum will last forever. To those who pleaded charity begins at home, I say let us see what benefit the needy will get from this. It won't be long before we know. To those who wanted more autonomy and democracy I say let us see how we meet global / european challenges on our own.

Cameron's legacy will be coloured by the fact that he put his party before the UK. He wanted to satisfy the euro sceptics in his own party and promised this referendum to appease them. Corbyn has soft pedalled his remain message all through this process and I suspect he will have to go.
Boris will play his part in the New Britain and we shall all see his true colours very quickly. Remember this is the man who tried to fudge air pollution stats in London that were way below EU standards.

Farage will want his place in our history acknowledged. After all with out him none of this would have been possible. Don't be surprised if there is a large increase in UKIP membership.
Little British xenophobia and petty self interest was the big winner in this referendum no matter how much Brexiters deny it. This has tarnished this country and will give heart to far right figures such as Marie Le Pen all across the EU. The UK far right could never achieve what Brexiters have achieved with one little cross.



peace

remain

When I can I like to spend time fishing on beaches and rocks by the sea in the UK. I am always amazed by the amount and type of rubbish left in some places. I wonder how folk cannot see the implications of trashing the country side, for them.

I remember the fury expressed by many seaside towns at the idea that a European council could enforce a new standard of beach and sea water cleanliness with sanctions for those authorities who did not comply. Now the beaches are clean.

I remember when I couldn't buy a cycling crash helmet, any where in the UK, for my young son who was to ride in a kids seat on the back of my bike. I found one in Germany on my first attempt. It is clear the Germans had a better view of childs safety in that context than could be said of the culture here. A small example of how we might benefit from membership of a diverse community with different values.

I remember this Tory government wanting to deconstruct the human rights acts formed in Europe. Yes, we have always maintained a bill of human rights of sorts but, when former government ministers repeatedly lie about UK complicity in the torture of alleged terrorists, alarm bells ring. I suggest it becomes necessary to look at the stops and checks that limit the worst excesses of our beloved leaders, of any political colour. Our current membership of the European community ensures that our government is monitored, as are all it's members. With out this authority who would we appeal to when our own justice system fails us?

There have been countless occasions when the European Parliament has decreed that new and some older UK law is flawed, undemocratic and impacts negatively on UK citizens rights. It is said, by leave campaigners, that leaving the European community will bring more democracy and justice. Why don't I believe Boris Johnson?

There are arguments for and against EU rules that affect life in the UK. There is need for reform and for taking out the Kafkaesque nonsense that all government produces but if I listen too long to the out campaigners leaders I sense new darkness and the coming of a right wing, claustrophobic, Little Britain, narrow, isolated and mean.

Recent rainfall and flooding in France tells us that global warming is here to stay unless we work together. Not one European leader has the answer nor the will to do much about it. I expect like all serious potential threats government faces it will be almost too late to solve the problem when the penny drops that the only solution is collective. The only forward is by combining resources and working from the same plan. The threat to our ecology has reached a critical stage and is probably the most challenging problem we all face. I say this knowing that apparently millions of Brits think that immigration is the big issue. They are wrong. Controls have to be made. Reforms have to be made but make no mistake, the problem does not lie with the immigrants and refugees, but with those who want to conserve the ethically bankrupt sytem that governs who gets what. I suggest that ethos will not be overturned by coming out of our European partnership. It is more likely that the ethos will be come more entrenched.

We hear the expression charity begins at home. It seems to me that it is usually said by people who think that as a nation we give too much to outsiders and or foreigners. They have no concept of the value of diversity and it seems they are mainly concerned that they don't own enough stuff. They will never achieve satisfaction via the ownership of yet more stuff. Their stuff will never make up for a hole in their lives or bring them the happiness they seek. They don't seem to have the ability to understand just how bizzarre it is, that while one man wants new windows for his home and a new car, another wants some where he and his family can be safe and drink clean water.

This is a reality that will only be changed by a collective and not by separation. At this time I do not believe that a UK government of any colour can be trusted to run this country with out some stops and checks. I do believe the fears expressed regarding the financial cost of leaving the European community have some validity but I am more concerned about the possibility of a Boris lead society, politically estranged from its near neighbours.

I REMAIN yours truly.

peace

mothers

the robin 2

I am playing a gig at one of my favourite UK venues, the Robin 2 in Bilston on Saturday. I expect some of you will have seen the listing on the gig page of my site. Any way I thought you might like to know some thing of the story of the MOTHERS venue in Erdington so, I have taken the text below from the Robin 2 site.
If you are among my younger friends then this might be interesting from a historical perspective.

http://www.therobin.co.uk/

Live at Robin 2
Doors 6.00pm – show starts 6.45pm

All seated

Del Bromham 6.45pm - 7.30pm
Edgar Broughton 7.45pm - 8.30pm
Terry Reid 8.45pm - 9.45pm
Steve Gibbons Band 10.00pm - 11.30pm

EVENING CONCERT @ ROBIN 2 (DOORS 6.00pm)
Don’t miss this unique event featuring some of the musicians that performed at this iconic venue. Meet old friends of Mothers, a quality night of great live music and nostalgia guaranteed!

DAYTIME EVENT – MEMORABILIA DISPLAY (10.00am – 4.30pm) @ St Barnabas Church, Erdington
A Mothers memorabilia exhibition will take place at St Barnabas Church, High Street, Erdington, Birmingham B23 6SY, 10.00am – 4.30pm, free admission, which is situated just over the road from the original site of Mothers.
A chance to see how Mothers was voted No1 Rock Venue in the world by Billboard Magazine & John Peel.
Come and see old friends, talk to people who were there, meet and greet with musicians who performed at the venue.
Over 300 items of memorabilia on display with background music from the times, stalls selling posters, t-shirts, records, Mothers 1968 – 71 History Book, psychedelic light show. There will be guided tours taking place throughout the day of the room where the mothers venue was and live broadcast of the daytime reunion by SWITCH RADIO 107.5 FM who will be interviewing not only people who played there but people who were regular members of the club and music from the era played throughout the day

(NB!! Exhibition not at Robin 2)

MOTHERS MUSIC VENUE – A BRIEF HISTORY
Mothers (formerly the Carlton Ballroom) opened above an old furniture store in Erdington High Street on 9 August 1968. The club, run by John 'Spud' Taylor and promoter Phil Myatt, closed its doors on 3 January 1971. Between these times, more than 400 acts performed there, many of whom went on to greater success.

Well known live recordings that took place in Mothers were the recordings that Pink Floyd released on Ummagumma, recorded on 27 April 1969, and parts of "Facelift" by Soft Machine, released on Third, recorded 11 January 1970.

The Who performed Tommy and Traffic's world debut took place at Mothers along with fledgling heavy metal bands like Black Sabbath playing some of their earliest gigs there.

Some of the other well known rock bands and artists to play Mothers include: Family, Fleetwood Mac, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, Eclection, Edgar Broughton Band, Free, Roy Harper, Blodwyn Pig, Strawbs, Quintessence, Steppenwolf, Deep Purple, The Deviants, Jethro Tull, Jon Hiseman's Colosseum, Skid Row (with Gary Moore), The Nice, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Elton John, King Crimson, Led Zeppelin, Soft Machine, The Chicago Transit Authority, Moby Grape, Canned Heat…

Mothers was voted number one rock venue in the world by America's Billboard magazine and John Peel, a regular DJ at the club, was quoted as saying: "People are amazed to hear that for a few years the best club in Britain was in Erdington.




peace

by the fire

The darkness descended as the creatures of the night began their constant calling and crying. It all happened over a short time. The people gathered around the new fire. The tall one had carried the torch with great ceremony, dancing his way to the fire pile where he ignited the kindling around the base of the wooden construction. A woman danced towards the tall one who joined with her in a whirling display. The two moved towards and away from each other in circles. It was hypnotic and evocative as the people began to gather around the living fire. The sound of one drum beating a simple rhythm was soon joined by other drummers and the sound of sticks adorned with shells beating on the ground. the fire crackled in the dark night spreading a warming light through the assembled people. Twenty or so men, women and children were gathered for the evening after a plentiful meal shared by every one. Times were good. The river was full of fish and a great variety of fruit and nuts grew every where near the caves where the people lived. Now, some stood close to the fire while others danced in groups, in circles. 

After some time the crowd became more subdued and few still danced. It had been a long day and tiredness was slowly coming over the people. They began to be seated, still close to the fire and secure in its light, beside it's warmth. They faced a young woman who stood with her arms folded waiting. The crowd became quiet and the woman began to sing. It was a low growling sound that rose and fell like a wave on a storm beach then it rolled in until it seemed to be inside you. Then the sound changed into a long droning note. Some times other notes were produced simultaneously as she visibly changed the rhythm of her breathing. It was of the earth and stars above and it was enchanting. Next a small boy stood up and sang a small song that imitated the animals the men hunted. He was clever and had a special skill  for this mimicry that delighted the audience. Several people stood up and performed a vocalisation of one kind or another. All of them with out score or script yet all drew on refined skills and an understanding of remembered musical components that would resonate with their audience. They all were the audience and they all were the performers when ever they felt the moment was right. An intuitive thing that allowed every one to participate, create and consume.

This went on for many years. The people had little by way of language. certain sounds became significant and recognised by all. It was easy to demonstrate satisfaction or dissatisfaction or love or hate. The grey areas in between the extremes were more difficult to construct and so basic sounds and emotive gestures were the tools of communication. One of the very first dialogues eventual took place between two drummers who seemed to answer each other with various beat patterns. This had become a regular event with several drummers "talking to each other" at the same time.

This lead to choruses of voices all joining together with the drummers at times. every one could be part of the peoples choir. One day, after a spectacular electrical storm that had the people sheltering in the caves, some thing happened beside the fire that would change things forever.

The usual communal meal of fish and fruit ended with building and lighting of the fire and the usual performances of the people began. The songs had changed. There were recognisable sounds featured in the songs that had meaning for the audience. Some time a sound would be met with laughter or shocked ahs and oohs. Sounds now resembled words as we know them and had universal meaning with the community.

A young man who had never sung before this night stood up as one singer finished and sat down. The young man strode across the clearing  and jumped up onto one of the many rocks that stood proud of the lush grass. Once the people had believed the rocks had powers that would protect them. Years before a young boy lost his sight in one eye when he smashed a piece of flint against one of the rocks. The people decided he lost his eye because he had attacked the rock.

The young man stood very still on the rock and did nothing. he stood with folded arms as was the custom of all singers while they waited for the audience to become quiet. They were already quiet but still he waited and made no sound. He seemed to be waiting for the right moment to begin. Like when a small flying insect waits on the bough of a tree for the right moment to take off on a favourable, breeze assisted, flight path.

The young man closed his eyes and sang beautifully. It was different and the people gasped in wonder as the new noise fell upon them. Some wiped a tear away as his sound filled the clearing. It was very moving. No one understood it but they felt it. It was clever but no one thought so, they just revelled in it. The man sang more songs with out words yet his sounds were full of message and meaning. He didn't understand how it worked any more than the people listening did but it was of no importance. Previously the people had not seen the performers as very good or very bad or any of the in betweens. They just accepted what was and joined in when they felt to. The night wore on and the singer kept on singing. People sat transfixed by his every note. The young man finished his performance with a quiet song that faded as the darkness slowly turned into bright morning. Every one decided this performance had been special. It was suggested by many that it might have been the best performance ever.

From that time on all performers stood on the rock to sing. More rocks were placed along side that original stage so that more performers could stand together. This elevated them above the audience. To some extent this invention lead to bigger stages and less audience participation. The people became divided now and they became either creator or consumer. Virtuosity became an aspiration for the performers and some thing shared was lost. 

There are few times when the audience can be the performers today but do take every opportunity. Give voice to that music inside you when ever you can.

peace

all good

My writing here has been a little sporadic over the past weeks. It has been an eventful time one way or another. I got hung up in the maze of digital mastering while working on the re released Superchip. This is now available on major down load sites and has a new song, The Desert Wind which updates the saga, albeit to an increasingly familiar and uncomfortable place. 
I had to remaster some songs twice and I had to seperate songs that were joined together on the original masters. I learned a lot and got lost for days on planet digital, in the process. So that is another job done. The album is widely available as a down load but if you want to down load The Desert Wind as a single track go to CD Baby http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/edgarbroughtonband3 

A small competition. I will send an mp3 of The Desert Wind for the best 10 suggested titles for the graphic above. If you click on the graphic you should see an enlarged version. Leave your title suggestion in the comments area below. Make as many suggestions as you like. One mp3 per person. If you win you can email me so I have your email address and the song is yours. Ends on 7th April.

It seems a while ago that I played the delightful Sarah Thorne Theatre in Broadstairs, in Kent. A lovely family and community labour of love. I remember the audience was as warm as could be though the weather outside was bitterly cold. Over the weeks it stirred a small idea some where in my thoughts and so I have been thinking how nice it might be to do a busking tour of English seas side towns in the height of summer. Perhaps a rolling road show out in the streets. This and other random thoughts has lead to preliminary work on a plan for - the electric Fair Days Pay For A Fair Days Work (part 2). It could be fun.

I played a post Disability conference gig for the lovely folk at Mad pride in Bermondsey a few weeks ago and that was a joy to do as it always is. I love the heart of these people and I respect their work for the greater good which is often achieved at considerable personal cost in terms of stress. Mental ill health is still the underfunded service as was illustrated in in a recent report citing the increased mental ill health of young people and the the lack of resourcing for this area of need. Osborne's recent attempt to further penalise the disabled would have been atrocious had he succeeded but still the vulnerable are made to pay. I recently heard of a young man who has multiple seizures every day. He is a teenager so it doesn't take much to see that in order for him to have any quality of life, what can be done , should be done. However, he cannot get essential funding to support his needs because his condition is uncategorised.

I have been working on material for the new album. For the first time ever I have managed to carry out a fair amount of pre production work to reduce time spent in the studio. Making The Desert Wind for Superchip accelerated the work on other new material which was a bonus. I have some weeks free now where I can concentrate on this.

Last weekend was special. I played the HRH Prog Festival in North wales. I must admit I wasn't quite sure how solo me would be received at a prog fest. I needn't have worried it was so nice. The audience was very lovely. I kept to singing songs for the first third of my hour set but decided to include a tale or two as I progressed. They really got it then and I had a ball. Job done. More of that please!

See reviews http://www.festivalsforall.com/article/hrh-prog--sci-fi-weekender-2016-review

So it is back to the Mac and Logic for another song making session. I just spoke with Luke who is also slaving over a hot Mac and we plan some shows together later in the year. 
Congratulations  to my nephew Sonny, Steve's son who has just got himself on a three year music production course in Manchester. Bet Steve will be enlisting Sonny's computer music skills big time at some point.

Life is good at this time. Spring is sprung and I hope we get some good weather and tides soon so I can go fishing for sea bass with some hope of catching. I think I'll give the south coast a go soon down Brighton way.

Meanwhile, support the Junior Doctor's strike and lets put a stop to Tory attacks on the disabled and other vulnerable groups. The seasonal marches are planned and listed online– you only have to be there to make the difference. All good.

peace

PLEASE NOTE MY SHOW AT HRH PROG 

will be on Friday the 18th 

at around 6.40 pm

not on Saturday.