Jazz Summer School Tutors at Woodwick
5 Comments Published by Gemma McGregor July 19th, 2006 in Reviews.
On concluding the three day jazz summer school, the five tutors took centre stage themselves on Tuesday for a goodbye gig at Woodwick House. Following an impressive opening number led by singer Maureen Cursiter, the quartet went on to play some upbeat Jazz standards. It was a treat to hear drummer Bernie Wilde, with his endless variety of strokes and styles. Continue reading ‘Jazz Summer School Tutors at Woodwick’
After an exhilarating weekend festival on the tiny island of North Ronaldsay, Kris Drever stopped off to play a gig for his old friends in Kirkwall. Joined by Eamon Coyne on banjo and mandola, Gavin Firth on guitar and Erik Laughton on bodhran and snare drum, Kris played some rollicking good sets with everything from Swedish polkas to Western swing barndances to Irish reels. Continue reading ‘Kris Drever in Kirkwall’
Saturday night saw the first in a string of events intended to display the increasingly creative and widespread band movement in Orkney. Although there was a low turn out (a disappointing trend in such events) the atmosphere was relaxed and everyone enjoyed the wealth of talent on offer. Continue reading ‘Stave Natives / Roll Machine / Dazed’
Local band BlindSpot are nearing the completion of their debut: ‘The White Spark EP’. The cd, which will be available to purchase around Orkney, but also online, will feature 5 original songs, composed by singer/guitarist Josh McGregor and guitarist/backing vocalist Darren Tait. The band have been together for over two years and are best known for their songs ‘White Spark’ and ‘Hold On’ which will feature on the EP. Continue reading ‘BlindSpot record debut EP’
The triumphant return of Freddie Mercury! Alright so the Darkness were a fun distraction for all of six days, but this Mika lad ain’t no parody, he is the real thing. This guy sounds like Rufus Wainwright would if he was less pansy, more Scissor Sister, and multiplied by Beck. Continue reading ‘Next Big Thing: Mika!’
London band The Crimea played Fusion on Thursday night as a warm up to T in the Park. Promoting their excellent album Tragedy Rocks the band have much to be proud of, having been favourites of the late John Peel.
Before the show, singer Davey McManus was fresh from a swim alongside the harbour. “It was pure bravado, with five people watching me there was no turning backâ€?. Meanwhile, drummer Owen Hopkins from Wales had been down the chippie, and was bemused by the American tourists: “we don’t get them in Wales, they’ve never heard of it, so they can’t claim it as their ownâ€?. Continue reading ‘The Crimea’
