S q u e e z y t u n e s

John Peel Day

Today is John Peel Day.

Hundreds of gigs are going in tribute to the great DJ.

The Cuban Boys however have outdone everyone with a free mashup MP3 featuring John and Status Quo.

Download it from www.cubanboys.co.uk

What's On in Ipswich

Peppery Productions have got three brilliant gigs coming up in Ipswich in the next few months.

On Friday 23rd Sept they have Bellowhead at the Manor Ballroom.

Bellowhead play English folk music, but with real energy and wit - not the horrible out of tune stuff that you get at some folk sessions.

On 21st October Los De Abajo visit. I wrote about them only a few days ago as they're also visiting Norwich.

On 25th November they have Eliza Carthy and the Ratcatchers.

I'll be going to all three of these gigs, if I remember to get tickets before they sell out.

What's On At Norwich Arts Centre

Thursday 15th Sept - Kroke

Kroke are a Polish klezmer trio comprising double bass, accordion and violin. They play proper serious klezmer and like to really get inside a tune. I'm looking forward to this one.

 

Saturday 17th Sept - Los Pistoleros

The UK's own western swing band led by the legendary Bobby Valentino. I spent a whole two minutes searching for a decent photo of them but couldn't find one. Obviously they're too busy having a good time to worry about websites.

Thursday 20th Oct - Los De Abajo

Another show to look forward too, Los De Abajo from Mexico, play a riotous mix of hip hop, ska, cumbia and salsa.

Wednesday 23rd Nov - Karine Polwart

The ex-lead singer of Malinky who in my opinion is a better folk singer than Kate Rusby - and that is saying something !

Free Festivals in London

Now that summer is well and truly here the outdoor festival season has begun. You can go the likes of Glastonbury, Womad and the Cambridge Folk Festival or you could go to some of the many free festivals that take place instead.

Saturday 9th July - Croydon World Party has three stages including TY the UK hip-hop artist and SKA CUBANO whose latest CD is one that I will be buying as soon as I see it. To see Ska Cubano in action click here.

Sunday 10th July - Croydon Mela - featuring RIZWAN -MUAZZAM QAWWALI SINGERS, BOLLYWOOD STRINGS and PANJABI HIT SQUAD amongst others.

Saturday 16th July - Rise Make a Stand Against Racism Festival - Burgess Park, London. Featuring JJC & 411 SQUAD, RAGHAV and many, many others.

Snape Proms 2005

The brochure of this year's Snape Proms arrived in my post earlier this week. Here are the edited highlights.

The Tord Gustavsen Trio are playing a late night concert on Saturday 30th July. I'll definitely being going to this as their last CD was one of my favourites last year.

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain are playing on Monday 1st August. This looks like being a laugh if nothing else.

Manuel 'Guajiro' Mirabal, the trumpet player from The Buena Vista Social Club, is playing on Saturday 13th August. Unfortunately this clashes with a Mike Summers and The Doons gig so I will be unable to go.

The Kathryn Tickell Band are playing on Thursday 18th August. Kathryn plays the Northumbrian Pipes in case you are wondering what she's doing in the photo.

Portugese songstress Misia is playing on Saturday 20th August. Click here to hear a sound clip (real audio).

The James Taylor Quartet are playing on Sunday 28th August. I wonder if the guys at Snape know that JTQ are not a string quartet but an Acid Jazz band !

And finally the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment are playing Bach's St John's Passion on Saturday 17th September.