Runnin On Empty

                                           Scrolling through Twitter when up popped an interesting black & white photo that caught my eye with the text Spiritual Records No.2 compilation album  So  I contacted the guys to find out what they were about and what they were up to?  Turns out Spiritual Records based in Camden London was set up in 2015 so that they could release some of the artists that regularly perform live at their Spiritual Bar. Hundreds of artists and bands have passed through these doors from general singer/songwriters to blues and folk. The credible 2017 X-factor finalist & Frenchman Kevin Davey White is also a regular and appeared on Spirituals first album.  After a couple of individual artist releases, this month saw the release of Spirituals Second 10 track compilation album, it was time for the audio fest test?  As the voca...

                            Just like good food can excite your taste buds & leave you wanting more, the similar can be said for Music & my ears have just experienced a gastronomic gourmet in the shape of Album "The Rise And Fall Of Babylon"   First track up, Freedom, & anti Trumpsters are going to love this, with lyrics:  "Oppress us no more We've waited for this day Our rights have been taken Your rule is coming to an end The faster that we rise above And we scream from our lungs FREEDOM! GIVE US FREEDOM BACK  WE CRAVE FREEDOM WE STAND STRONG"  Cue Kickass guitar and my automatic response was to whack the volume up to max & watch as my morning cup of coffee rocked into life on top of the speaker, who the hell are these guys?   Disciples of Babylon from California Hollywood, that's who. Founded in 2012, Eric Knight -Lead vocals & Rhythm Guitar, Ramon Blanco on L...

                                     You'd think offering up a review would be simple wouldn't you?  You come across some awesome music, contact artist or band behind awesome music and offer them a review, they respond by saying  Great, thanks, what do you need " or even "Thanks but no thanks"  Only it rarely works out like that much to my frustration.   Music Reviews haven't changed much since I first started out, there's just more people doing it due to social media and many people charge for that service now.  But I'm not one of those people, I do it for Free because I believe in supporting artists/bands & good music. It all started out as part of my Column at the Watford Observer, where individuals & record companies would get in touch and send in their latest music offerings for review consideration, I also peruse social media looking for something special...

Where to start with the talent that is Minnie Birch? Plentiful as a Blackberry bush, she's a first-class female that puts the fact & fable into Folk.  About to self-release an AA-side single John BarleyCorn/ Emeralds on the 13th July to draw attention to her second full-length album Tethered released at the end of 2017 ....... Is there no stopping this Hertfordshire lass?  Minnie has a  distinct sound, so even before her vocals enter the track "Emeralds" at 17 seconds you know whose music you're listening to. She said it was written post Brexit referendum & coupled with a personal situation left her feeling at a loss with the world  & thinking "We're not in Kansas anymore" a line from the Wizard Of Oz where Dorothy realises nothing is what it seems. In fact, there is many a lyrical nod to the Film, amongst them: " With a Lions Mane & a Scarecrow Pride".  Minnie also created part of the percussion with her tap shows that are Rub...

Word Up!  it's only taken them 9 yrs, but holy moly some things are worth waiting for.  While Tom Craven has recorded & put out music as a solo artist over the past decade, The E.P  "Take Courage" out on 30th July is the first offering from Tom Craven & The Chapter under the band banner, but I believe it's been to their advantage because the growth, the maturity, lyrically, vocally & musically has been well & truly nailed, Chapter and verse some might say? With a perfect blend of Folk Rock, acoustic, "Take Courage" is like listening to the soundtrack of a West End Rock/Tragedy yet to be written.  Kicking off the E.P & also debut Single "Parisian (Trial by Fire)" dramatic yet melodic, the leading man takes to the mic.  "The kiss of  life, the kiss of death, they'll save this kiss for you, A pinch of salt, the word regret & it echoes through & through"                       ...

I've recently been contacted by a number of rather upset patients that come under West Herts Hospitals NHS trust, who while waiting for their Op date for medical conditions have suddenly received a letter to basically inform them they are too fat and can't have the Op after all.  The Trust have seemingly rolled out a new policy with a total lack of communication between departments, meaning even those at the hospital that should know about it......didn't. As a regular reader & follower of the Column I used to write at the Watford Obs, I know one of the patients involved and was shocked to say the least when she contacted me on this matter, because while like most of us she could do with losing a few pounds, which she readily admits herself,  she is not what you would describe as fat or obese.   When I started getting contacted by other patients with exactly the same issue I felt it needed bringing to public attention so that others can ...

As some of you will know, I've had Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (M.E) for 28yrs, M.E is a chronic complex physical debilitating illness. I also have other stuff like Fibromyalgia, Osteoporosis, Scoliosis,  hunchback, yada yada...apart from that, as most would say " I'm fine ".  On Sunday 22nd April  2018 I began having breathing problems, it's common with my conditions and impossible to pinpoint what causes what exactly. The muscular weakness seems to lead to inflammation and spasms where the back and chest feel like concrete and there's an inability to take a full breath and then due to the exhaustion it all becomes rather distressing.  I'm usually able to ride this out  but it became worse as the day went on and by the evening, with raging pins and needles shooting up my spine like fire and spreading throughout my body I asked my mother to call an ambulance. I was also at a bad level of M.E at this point, trouble with processing thoug...

A Film I haven't seen yet is the simplest way to describe the new album "I Want Blood" by Suburban Dirts, but it's anything but simple. Some of you may recall that back in December I reviewed the bands single Eli and spoke about my surprise at them coming from right here in Hertfordshire? Performing on the Americana/roots scene are John Wheatley- Lead vocal, acoustic guitar, harmonica, Chris Varley-Bass, David Austin-Drums, Vocals, David Moyes-Guitar, Jay Seymour-Keyboards & Joolz Addison-Violin.  As I opened up the thoughtfully wrapped rustic packaging that dropped through the letterbox, I smiled, realising it was just some of the words I'd use to sum up the band.  There has without doubt been a shed load of thought gone into the making of this album, and there's a lot to say about it.........The wrapped CD slipped out of a folded card, a story in itself, but as an eager beaver I placed it to one side to read later, I wanted to hear their musical offeri...

As someone who hears, analyses and can appreciate every element of a track in minute detail from lyrics, cowbells, brightening effects to an accidently recorded studio trump, I've always considered myself the queen geek/nerd of music..........But cue Folk-Inspired Singer/Songwriter   Zoë Wren who Is on another level, we're talking the chocolate hobnob of nerdiness here but it's fascinating for one so young, as is her new Six track E.P  Gold & Smoke out for official release on 3rd March.              First to the music, as someone who is a bit wary when it comes to that medieval folk vibe, I breathed a sigh of relief, not a Nonny-Nonny-No in earshot.  In fact, ther e's a significant continuity throughout the E.P that flows like a gentle stream in the form of Zoës vocals, beautiful is a thought that surfaces rather a lot, along with pure.  here were also some lovely lyrics, so simple and poetic it took me back to courting d...