Friday, October 14, 2016
Hope Not Hate Album 28th October
Please support this campaign by buying this album for £5.00 when it comes out later this month.
We have all donated tracks to support the campaign. I donated The Sea, which is about refugees and holidays in the sun, and how they don't quite fit together.
There are some brilliant artists on the album (including Feral 5).
https://soundcloud.com/mccookerybook/the-sea
Wednesday, October 12, 2016
Dustballs
If we admired grubbiness rather than cleanliness, I would win a prize at the county show. I've been shifting furniture (big time) and I've unearthed the biggest dustballs you ever did see.
Every so often I have to move everything to let someone in to do some work on the house.
This has been a three-day marathon, with two bin-bags off to the charity shops and three in the car waiting to go to the dump.
Now, I'm Just Sitting.
There is no energy left in the tank, no power left in the limbs. My knees are wet from kneeling on the floor and washing it; my hands are gritty and my hair is full of dust and cobwebs.
This is such a cathartic thing to do- or it will seem so, when I've recovered in a few day's time.
Every so often I have to move everything to let someone in to do some work on the house.
This has been a three-day marathon, with two bin-bags off to the charity shops and three in the car waiting to go to the dump.
Now, I'm Just Sitting.
There is no energy left in the tank, no power left in the limbs. My knees are wet from kneeling on the floor and washing it; my hands are gritty and my hair is full of dust and cobwebs.
This is such a cathartic thing to do- or it will seem so, when I've recovered in a few day's time.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Sunday, October 09, 2016
Photos From Cultural Traffic, Friday
Saturday, October 08, 2016
Stageit Online Show Streamed From My Kitchen
This is an online-only show streamed from my kitchen, where I will be performing on Wednesday 19th October at 7.30 p.m.
You register on the site and pay what you want. The show will last for 30 minutes (although they do allow encores).
I will be playing songs for my new album (as yet untitled) as well as some requests.
Here is the link to click to register:
https://www.stageit.com/helenmccookerybook/keepin_in_the_kitchen/57836
Photo: Steven Tagg-Randall
You register on the site and pay what you want. The show will last for 30 minutes (although they do allow encores).
I will be playing songs for my new album (as yet untitled) as well as some requests.
Here is the link to click to register:
https://www.stageit.com/helenmccookerybook/keepin_in_the_kitchen/57836
Contempt
Today, I feel that I saw a contemporary definition of contempt. Someone had thrown a discarded coffee cup (with some coffee still inside) into the container for food donations in the supermarket.
Wednesday, October 05, 2016
Thank You Colin
Colin Spencer played some tracks from my new album this week.
For Tuesday's click the link below; more this evening from 9 p.m.
https://www.mixcloud.com/ColinSpencer/tmtty-radioweycouk-9-10pm-tue-4oct16/
For Tuesday's click the link below; more this evening from 9 p.m.
https://www.mixcloud.com/ColinSpencer/tmtty-radioweycouk-9-10pm-tue-4oct16/
Round My House
This is Kim's photo of Pete from Fan Club and me round my house, probably in about 1980. Kim and Charlotte moved to Deptford from Brighton, and Fan Club wrote a song about them called Deptford Bike Dollies. We used to hang out together, all under-employed musicians and artists drinking tea and eating toast at each other's places, and chips in the evening. We talked about everything in the world and we were cheap (clad in plastic and second-hand leopardskin prints) and cheerful (and sometimes not). We fell into and out of love, and had painful crushes and damning spats.
Out of the picture is my plastic goldfish bowl with my two fish, Curioser and Curioser (inspiration for some of the lyrics to Boasting by The Chefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJKaK8AoZIY) and Toby, my second-hand budgie with the loud whistle and the robotic voice (inspiration for the song Toby by The Chefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTHZkrUMVdU&list=PL9m3538MRyj-S1iUTfNAvfoFpwW8HukcT&index=11).
The Chefs was all about four walls and the small things inside them. That included feelings, relationships and the music we listened to (which is why we did a cover of the Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale), claustrophobia and singing our way out of being stuck.
I think that's what all art is about really: an attempt to fly, even though gravity stops you from doing so. We need to see people flying to make our stuck lives bearable, even when we can't do it ourselves.
We all look for a person to fly together with and land together with, but synchronising that is the most difficult thing in the world.
Out of the picture is my plastic goldfish bowl with my two fish, Curioser and Curioser (inspiration for some of the lyrics to Boasting by The Chefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJKaK8AoZIY) and Toby, my second-hand budgie with the loud whistle and the robotic voice (inspiration for the song Toby by The Chefs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTHZkrUMVdU&list=PL9m3538MRyj-S1iUTfNAvfoFpwW8HukcT&index=11).
The Chefs was all about four walls and the small things inside them. That included feelings, relationships and the music we listened to (which is why we did a cover of the Velvet Underground's Femme Fatale), claustrophobia and singing our way out of being stuck.
I think that's what all art is about really: an attempt to fly, even though gravity stops you from doing so. We need to see people flying to make our stuck lives bearable, even when we can't do it ourselves.
We all look for a person to fly together with and land together with, but synchronising that is the most difficult thing in the world.
Tuesday, October 04, 2016
Monday, October 03, 2016
The Country Soul Sessions at The Spice of Life Last Night
It was a cathartic evening.
I unwrapped my best cowboy shirt from its dry-cleaning polythene. Sometimes, when you get something dry cleaned and it looks all nice, you feel like you shouldn't wear it again, so that was quite a hurdle too. My best cowboy shirt came from The Rat's Nest, a shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specialises in vintage western wear and has a garden out the back full of saggy sofas and a makeshift stage where rambling bands play Johnny Cash songs in the dark. That's partly why it's my best shirt, but it also has diamond-shaped black buttons and a black'n'white gingham trim round the pockets, and that helps too.
Sorry for the digression, but I've had a long day at work and my brain's a little rambly as a result.
I had been looking forward to this gig; Gem Andrews, who is an Americana artist that I first met in the north east at a gig at The Cluny where we were both supporting Martin, asked me over a year ago to support her and her band, so it had been in the diary for a long time, like all the best gigs ever.
She has been touring with the band and this was the last date of the tour; they were tired but in excellent spirits, tucking into mega plates of food when I got there. Drew Morrison, who runs the gig, was warm and welcoming, and there was a really nice vibe in the basement bar where the gigs happen.
First to take to the stage was Caroline Mary, who has been on tour with them. Caroline has a gorgeous voice; I can't think of a better way to describe it than like the best ice cream you have ever tasted. I have her CD to listen to, and I really think she should play Indietracks next year, if anyone out there's listening. Drew's band The Darkwood, played next, a set of wood-smoked country songs with a stylish twist that got all our toes tapping in their assorted footwear. The room filled up with regulars and Drew's genial stage persona increased the general sense of bonhomie.
My turn; these were hard acts to follow but when there's such a positive atmosphere in the room, nobody's scared, and I really enjoyed playing with all my heart and soul (even if the country bit only peeped in from time to time). They laughed at my jokes. Bless!
Gem passed her little dog to a friend and the band assembled around her. After a 30 date tour, they were as tight as anything, swaying in unison and playing as one. They started with the Ladybird Waltz, Gem's crystal clear voice augmented by Nicky Ruston's beautiful harmonies. I was struck by the fact that the band sing along, even though they have no microphones; they are so connected to their lead performer and her material that they live it as they play it. They love their gig.
One song in particular brought me to tears; I think the name of the song was Caroline, about a friend of all of the band who set up a choir of synchronised crisp eaters. It was a lovely song, one of many. 'We're wearing your smile'.
Watching band with such great musicians, the gender of the band is irrelevant, but because I write about these things in my other life as an academic, I do have to say what a pleasure it is to see such great musicianship from a keyboard/accordion player, drummer and double bass player who are not blokes. The one man in the group is the violin player, clearly chosen for his merits above his gender, and an absolute sweetheart.
Apparently the little doggie sometimes watches, but tour fatigue must have set in because she/he snoozed throughout the show.
I can't tell you how much I appreciated the warmth and good humour of the night. Thank you to my friends who came along, the new friends I've made, the sound guy who was absolutely great, and the chap who hadn't been to see me play since the Count of Three Titus Andronicus pantomime at The Hoxton Hall aeons ago (oh, another life, another life). Unbelievable for a London gig, I sold four CDs to boot, and I vow to spend the money on chocolate, and chocolate alone. I know the last paragraph sounds a little like a grandiose acceptance speech, but it's no less heartfelt for that. I need happiness- don't we all?- and last night it arrived in spades with bunch of great people and a bunch of great music.
(I nicked your photo Gem, I hope you don't mind)
I unwrapped my best cowboy shirt from its dry-cleaning polythene. Sometimes, when you get something dry cleaned and it looks all nice, you feel like you shouldn't wear it again, so that was quite a hurdle too. My best cowboy shirt came from The Rat's Nest, a shop in Charlotte, North Carolina, that specialises in vintage western wear and has a garden out the back full of saggy sofas and a makeshift stage where rambling bands play Johnny Cash songs in the dark. That's partly why it's my best shirt, but it also has diamond-shaped black buttons and a black'n'white gingham trim round the pockets, and that helps too.
Sorry for the digression, but I've had a long day at work and my brain's a little rambly as a result.
I had been looking forward to this gig; Gem Andrews, who is an Americana artist that I first met in the north east at a gig at The Cluny where we were both supporting Martin, asked me over a year ago to support her and her band, so it had been in the diary for a long time, like all the best gigs ever.
She has been touring with the band and this was the last date of the tour; they were tired but in excellent spirits, tucking into mega plates of food when I got there. Drew Morrison, who runs the gig, was warm and welcoming, and there was a really nice vibe in the basement bar where the gigs happen.
First to take to the stage was Caroline Mary, who has been on tour with them. Caroline has a gorgeous voice; I can't think of a better way to describe it than like the best ice cream you have ever tasted. I have her CD to listen to, and I really think she should play Indietracks next year, if anyone out there's listening. Drew's band The Darkwood, played next, a set of wood-smoked country songs with a stylish twist that got all our toes tapping in their assorted footwear. The room filled up with regulars and Drew's genial stage persona increased the general sense of bonhomie.
My turn; these were hard acts to follow but when there's such a positive atmosphere in the room, nobody's scared, and I really enjoyed playing with all my heart and soul (even if the country bit only peeped in from time to time). They laughed at my jokes. Bless!
Gem passed her little dog to a friend and the band assembled around her. After a 30 date tour, they were as tight as anything, swaying in unison and playing as one. They started with the Ladybird Waltz, Gem's crystal clear voice augmented by Nicky Ruston's beautiful harmonies. I was struck by the fact that the band sing along, even though they have no microphones; they are so connected to their lead performer and her material that they live it as they play it. They love their gig.
One song in particular brought me to tears; I think the name of the song was Caroline, about a friend of all of the band who set up a choir of synchronised crisp eaters. It was a lovely song, one of many. 'We're wearing your smile'.
Watching band with such great musicians, the gender of the band is irrelevant, but because I write about these things in my other life as an academic, I do have to say what a pleasure it is to see such great musicianship from a keyboard/accordion player, drummer and double bass player who are not blokes. The one man in the group is the violin player, clearly chosen for his merits above his gender, and an absolute sweetheart.
Apparently the little doggie sometimes watches, but tour fatigue must have set in because she/he snoozed throughout the show.
I can't tell you how much I appreciated the warmth and good humour of the night. Thank you to my friends who came along, the new friends I've made, the sound guy who was absolutely great, and the chap who hadn't been to see me play since the Count of Three Titus Andronicus pantomime at The Hoxton Hall aeons ago (oh, another life, another life). Unbelievable for a London gig, I sold four CDs to boot, and I vow to spend the money on chocolate, and chocolate alone. I know the last paragraph sounds a little like a grandiose acceptance speech, but it's no less heartfelt for that. I need happiness- don't we all?- and last night it arrived in spades with bunch of great people and a bunch of great music.
(I nicked your photo Gem, I hope you don't mind)
Friday This Week
I will be doing a stall on Friday from 10 a.m. at this event:
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/32954/1/londons-first-annual-punk-publishing-fair-is-coming-toby-mott
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/32954/1/londons-first-annual-punk-publishing-fair-is-coming-toby-mott
Saturday, October 01, 2016
Thursday About Town
I discovered that I could do two things on Thursday evening, after doing nothing else all week. The first event that I went to was the launch of Mykaell Riley's Bass Culture research project, which he has succeeded in getting funding for at the third attempt, and not before time. He has had to be really determined, and at last funders have seen sense and understood the importance of what he's doing.
Mykaell is researching British Black Music, which he has been archiving for a long time; the launch was held at the newly-revamped Regent Street Cinema, which is part of the University of the West, and which is a thoroughly glamorous venue.
Dennis Bovell was standing at the bar and I asked after his son, Adrian, who I used to teach many moons ago and who is now a Seventh-Day Adventist pastor in Copenhagen. Another ex-student, Johnny T, plays fiddle for him sometimes. I also chatted to author Daniel Rachel, who has just published a book charting the history of Rock Against Racism, which I'm very much looking forward to reading.
The launch, after the corporate bits were over (they must have downloaded the corporate speech from the internet) was supported by some significant players in the London arts scene. Linton Kwesi Johnson (also with a pastor son, I believe) read his 1970s poem, Bass Culture, which was really moving, as well as being a first claim to the phrase; Dennis talked about his label, Lover's Rock, and putting female singers to the forefront in soft reggae, most especially Janet Kay.
I discovered that the Lovers Rock contingent were playing at the O2 on Saturday with Dennis in the band, but it was a little too expensive for me this time around- Tippa Irie was on the bill, as well as Carroll Thompson, so I hope to find them at another venue soon.
Time was marching on, so I decided to leap on the tube to Chancery Lane to join Zoe Howe at the launch of her book Shine On Marquee Moon in Blackwells, High Holborn. Alas, Oxford Circus tube station looked like a blocked kitchen sink plughole with hordes of commuters jammed around the entrance and unable to get in.
I legged it and got there just in time for a chat with Wilko Johnson, who was waxing lyrical about how he felt about Thin Lizzie (don't ask). I found it incredibly touching that he had made the effort to come out and support Zoe, who wrote a book about him. I think he's a nice geezer!
Alas, I missed the live music, but did have time to catch up with Kat 5, whose band Feral Five also contributed a track to the Hope Not Hate compilation (more of that next week) which features myriad of artists' music, including one of my new tracks.
I started reading Zoe's book on the tube on the way home- addictive!
Pics: Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Wilko Johnson and Zoe.
Mykaell is researching British Black Music, which he has been archiving for a long time; the launch was held at the newly-revamped Regent Street Cinema, which is part of the University of the West, and which is a thoroughly glamorous venue.
Dennis Bovell was standing at the bar and I asked after his son, Adrian, who I used to teach many moons ago and who is now a Seventh-Day Adventist pastor in Copenhagen. Another ex-student, Johnny T, plays fiddle for him sometimes. I also chatted to author Daniel Rachel, who has just published a book charting the history of Rock Against Racism, which I'm very much looking forward to reading.
The launch, after the corporate bits were over (they must have downloaded the corporate speech from the internet) was supported by some significant players in the London arts scene. Linton Kwesi Johnson (also with a pastor son, I believe) read his 1970s poem, Bass Culture, which was really moving, as well as being a first claim to the phrase; Dennis talked about his label, Lover's Rock, and putting female singers to the forefront in soft reggae, most especially Janet Kay.
I discovered that the Lovers Rock contingent were playing at the O2 on Saturday with Dennis in the band, but it was a little too expensive for me this time around- Tippa Irie was on the bill, as well as Carroll Thompson, so I hope to find them at another venue soon.
Time was marching on, so I decided to leap on the tube to Chancery Lane to join Zoe Howe at the launch of her book Shine On Marquee Moon in Blackwells, High Holborn. Alas, Oxford Circus tube station looked like a blocked kitchen sink plughole with hordes of commuters jammed around the entrance and unable to get in.
I legged it and got there just in time for a chat with Wilko Johnson, who was waxing lyrical about how he felt about Thin Lizzie (don't ask). I found it incredibly touching that he had made the effort to come out and support Zoe, who wrote a book about him. I think he's a nice geezer!
Alas, I missed the live music, but did have time to catch up with Kat 5, whose band Feral Five also contributed a track to the Hope Not Hate compilation (more of that next week) which features myriad of artists' music, including one of my new tracks.
I started reading Zoe's book on the tube on the way home- addictive!
Pics: Linton Kwesi Johnson, and Wilko Johnson and Zoe.
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