casapete

I did two gigs this weekend, and they couldn’t have been much more different. Saturday night I was playing at Burton Agnes Jazz and Blues Festival with blues trio The Alligators. It was actually my final gig with them, as I’ve started a local weekly residency at a rock n roll club and it was getting a bit much - I’m supposed to be semi retired for gawds sake! Anyway the gig was okay - some great bands on before us including sax player Tom Waters (son of pianist Ben Waters). A friend of mine was on directly before us doing some of his original stuff, and then I joined him for a few covers to get the crowd dancing. Then our band got started at 11pm, to play for around an hour. Onstage sound was really loud, so was glad I’d taken my old Barefaced Compact to use in addition to my Fender Rumble 500. Played my sunburst P Lyte and it sounded good, just about keeping up with the guitar. As is customary, we were joined by a couple of sax players towards the end, and it was in danger of getting out of control. Managed to steer it to a conclusion, and I was quite relieved it was all over. A really steamy gig, drove 50 miles home with the sunroof open. Sunday evening I was back in the familiar ‘Lookout on the Pier’ in Scarborough with our acoustic duo. Really busy along the beach, blisteringly hot weather so parking wasn’t easy due to the crowds but we got set up and ready to play by 6pm. Loads of requests, with some good ones including ‘Out of reach’, ‘Tears in heaven’ ‘Human’ (Rag and Boneman!) and ‘Iris’. Fender Kingman bass into Rumble 100 combo - nice and quiet after the previous night’s gig. Couple of days off now - next gig Wednesday so will give my fingers a rest.

A few times Mick. My old function band went through a few personnel changes over the many years I was in it, and it was always the singers changing that people commented on. When they complained, I’d ask them how many people came and went in their office for example. For some reason people always seemed to prefer the previous singer every time though! In the main though it didn’t seem to affect bookings at all - so long as the quality of the band wasn’t compromised then agents and clients were happy. My previous band now has a new singer and despite some initial concerns, is doing a great job fronting them, with some people saying he’s as good or even better than the original guy. With your band the change is more obvious, with some preferring the ‘blokey’ line up. I’d say embrace having a female vocalist - why does that have to be seen as a sell out / commercial decision? And if it means more gigs / success then what’s not to like?

Unfortunately it’s just been announced that due to Jeff’s failing health that The Hyde Park gig has been cancelled. So very sad.

It’s just been announced that Sunday’s Hyde Park gig has now been cancelled. So sad for Jeff, and all his fans coming to this last hurrah. ☹️

Unfortunately my B2A is long gone, sorry!

Saw this earlier today Mick. Apparently the audience were all in the venue ( 23,000 of them! ) when they made the announcement at 8.15pm that Jeff wouldn’t be doing the gig. I think that’s leaving it a bit late TBH, especially as he had been having problems at the previous gig, leaving the stage with assistance etc. People were coming from all over the UK, as well as Europe and the US for the gig - I just hope they can reclaim some of the costs involved ( hotels / flights / travel etc ) as well as get a refund on the tickets. Hyde Park this Sunday does indeed look doubtful too. May I just add that I hope Jeff makes a full recovery as soon as possible - he was quoted as being ’devastated’ for having to cancel the gig. With his broken wrist to cope with as well, this isn’t the swan song anybody wanted. Such a shame.

Sold Bernie an MXR Brick. He’d messaged me whilst away and asked me to save it for him, which I did with no problems whatsoever. He contacted me when about to return and we had an easy and pleasant transaction, with excellent communications. Wouldn’t hesitate in dealing with Bernie at all, one of the good guys! Many thanks. Pete.

I’m playing my final gig with blues band The Alligators at this festival this Saturday 12th July.

Did our monthly duo gig yesterday at The Sun Inn in Beverley, usual request format. Plenty of people in, including one table of folk from Ilkley and another from Sheffield. Probably the most requests we’ve ever had, with some nice stuff we haven’t played much, or ever! These included ‘Can’t take my eyes off you’, ‘Change the world’ ( which I love), ‘Let it be me’ , ‘ Dakota’ ( which I’m starting to dislike a lot now…) and then for an encore Albert Lee’s ‘Country Boy’. My guitarist partner was on fire in this, despite us losing the delay repeats at one point, and with no drummer to blame too! A very jolly gig in a great venue, with a lovely audience and some dancers as well. Used my Sire U5 into the Rumble 500, which has more authority than the 100 combo I’ve used before. Next one there is in late August, so looking forward to that already.

Just back after seeing the magnificent ‘King Pleasure and the Biscuit Boys’ at The East Riding Theatre in Beverley. A superb 6 piece band playing swinging R’n’B, they’ve been on the go for many years and it shows in their tightness with one of the best rhythm sections I’ve seen. Drummer Gary Barber is just so good, along with an excellent double bassist and a guitar player with a great authentic sound. Some ace tunes by Ray Charles, Fats Domino, Jackie Wilson and Louis Prima amongst others, and an original song or two as well. One of those gigs where it’s nigh on perfect really, and a fun evening had by all concerned. Can’t recommend them highly enough.

I’m never sure whether it’s a good thing to interfere with stuff retrospectively. There are arguments for leaving stuff as they were - of the time / how the artist wanted it / equipment it was mixed to be played back on etc etc, with the flip side being altering things to try and offset the original recordings being badly recorded & mixed to make them more ‘correct’ and suitable for modern times. Personally I believe unless the originals were really catastrophic then it’s best to let them remain as they were intended, warts and all.

I haven’t used my 63 Precision regularly for a while, although it does get an airing every now and then on gigs where I know I won’t have to worry about it. When I was doing gigs in the theatre band, I was worried that once we’d soundchecked and then gone out for a couple of hours in search of food / drink, there was a window of opportunity for someone to steal it. This was further reinforced by our laptop getting nicked from the mixing booth in one venue, and nobody saw anything! Ironically the bass I chose to use on those gigs has now become very special to me too- it’s a P-Lyte and I use it for most of my electric gig / deps etc. I did around 800 gigs with it in the previous band, so would be a tough one to lose. Just started a rock and roll gig in a local club so will be getting the old Precision out for that I think. Big stage, nice audience and I’m around all the gig so happy days.

Fortunately not me either. When I’ve bought basses or amps then Mrs CP knows I either need them to earn a living or ( just occasionally…) because I just like ‘em! Of course it helps that I don’t splurge dosh on daft cars / watches / cameras and all the other stuff old geezers like me seem to love. In turn, she’s pretty good at not blowing our hard earned on anything silly, with just the odd bit of vintage stuff for herself / the house or some green things from the local garden centre. Works for us.

My take on the Rod Stewart set. Agree lots of vocal stuff wasn’t in tune, and he’s certainly showing his age now. He’s been a bit embarrassing in his performances for a few years, and I have no idea why ( with such a wide back catalogue ) he decided to do stuff like ‘Love Train’. Re the girl singers doing a song mid-set, that was probably to facilitate him changing and having a blast of oxygen or whatever he takes to do a 90 min set! Also I certainly don’t agree with his recent political comments in the press, or many of his other views TBH. Plus all the Celtic / Scottish stuff gets a bit tiresome from someone born in London, albeit with a Scottish father. BUT! I’ve seen worse Glastonbury ‘Legend’ sets over the years by other artists who proved to be as disappointing, including one or two who mimed / used backing tracks. Rod’s band were pretty good ( despite all the bass and guitar changes etc ), and more importantly were all playing live. Too many girl singers maybe, to help cover his now limited range, but this is how he works these days - if it seemed a bit Vegas it’s because that’s what he’s been doing recently. Past years have seen others doing this - Dolly, Barry Gibb, Shania etc etc. It’s meant to be cheesy and nostalgic, a gentle piss take maybe but most of all FUN. On that basis, it was okay!

Legends? Maybe in some people’s eyes….

One of them still touring I think?

Whilst I take your point, has your drummer’s dad sold 120 million albums worldwide?

Celeste - blimey, couldn’t carry a tune in a bucket. I’ve seen her perform a few times, and her pitching ( or rather lack of it ) has always seemed to be an issue. She has an ’interesting’ voice but for me the random pitching thing is just too much for me to tolerate.

Am I the only one who wondered what was going on with John Fogerty? It was like watching someone with hearing difficulties / a severe speech impediment - & often out of tune especially in the early part of his set. Really disappointing. His band were great though.

Watching NY, I am just so pleased that Spooner Oldham ( at 82) is still alive and kicking on keyboards. A wonderful musician / writer who’s been playing in Neil’s band on and off for decades. Saw him at an intimate gig in Manchester in the late 90’s where he was performing with Dan Penn, absolutely brilliant.

Yeh, me too. Was last October though, so will see how they fare this year.

Like you I’ve been a GK guy for years. However I love the newer Rumble stuff - have a 500 combo which is superb, and a 100 combo for small gigs which is nearly as good. Handy for us ‘older gentlemen’ too….😁