Evening strumpets,
Last night we arranged to have a practice in Topcliffe, a small village just south of Thirsk in North Yorkshire. Apparently King Charles the First was ransomed there. Anyhow we hired an absolutely ancient building for the evening for the princely sum of five pound for the night, (actually I don`t think i paid my share to anyone, oops)!
We only had a couple of hours, and it takes a while to get some cohesion, but we got a couple of tunes which were better than others out, and I forgot to record pretty good versions of John Henry, and Irish washerwoman.
Having viewed the footage of Cripple Creek and Wildwood Flower, we still have quite a way to go (I`ll post them if I get more than two comments from different people), But that`s the fun of it! Hopefully you can tell by the vid just how cracking it is to be playing along with others.
Till the next one, Learn something new,
Mark.
Friday 30 April 2010
Monday 26 April 2010
Scottish complications.
Afternoon Strumpets,
I`m currently in a room in Edinburgh, at a swanky (I said swanky) Hotel awaiting a night in the Scottish Capital before attending a NHS Conference tomorrow. Oh yes, it`s like "Hart to Hart" in my head.
Except,
I arrived at Darlington train Station with a good ten minutes to spare, only to be told that the long term parking was no longer in the Station, but around the back, down the road, right at the roundabout, left at the Service station, you get the idea. I put me foot down to get there (legally of course, ahem), and arrived at the Platform with a good two minutes to spare!.
The train was fifteen minutes late.
One of my work colleagues had acquired a ticket from another colleague who was unable to make it. Unfortunately the ticket was from Newcastle (The home of the original person) and this meant my colleague had to pay for a ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh. Why she couldn`t just buy a ticket from Darlington, was explained to her in best British Railese, which I still cannot understand.
We got here and booked into the Hotel, except the rooms had not been paid for by our Company. So I got a bill for two rooms (another colleague did not have a credit card on him). Upon arriving in my room, the socket for the television was coming away from the wall, so I complained. Moved to another room, this is where I`m typing this from.
We`re off out for a walk, and a drink and some food. Till we get back, here`s a couple of original songs. One previously posted as Messy Tune, but with lyrics, and the other just some words over a chord sequence I wrote when i was fifteen, which make no sense, but have given me a melody to go over the chords, which i have not been able to sort out previously.
Till the next one,
Learn something new,
Mark.
I`m currently in a room in Edinburgh, at a swanky (I said swanky) Hotel awaiting a night in the Scottish Capital before attending a NHS Conference tomorrow. Oh yes, it`s like "Hart to Hart" in my head.
Except,
I arrived at Darlington train Station with a good ten minutes to spare, only to be told that the long term parking was no longer in the Station, but around the back, down the road, right at the roundabout, left at the Service station, you get the idea. I put me foot down to get there (legally of course, ahem), and arrived at the Platform with a good two minutes to spare!.
The train was fifteen minutes late.
One of my work colleagues had acquired a ticket from another colleague who was unable to make it. Unfortunately the ticket was from Newcastle (The home of the original person) and this meant my colleague had to pay for a ticket from Darlington to Edinburgh. Why she couldn`t just buy a ticket from Darlington, was explained to her in best British Railese, which I still cannot understand.
We got here and booked into the Hotel, except the rooms had not been paid for by our Company. So I got a bill for two rooms (another colleague did not have a credit card on him). Upon arriving in my room, the socket for the television was coming away from the wall, so I complained. Moved to another room, this is where I`m typing this from.
We`re off out for a walk, and a drink and some food. Till we get back, here`s a couple of original songs. One previously posted as Messy Tune, but with lyrics, and the other just some words over a chord sequence I wrote when i was fifteen, which make no sense, but have given me a melody to go over the chords, which i have not been able to sort out previously.
Till the next one,
Learn something new,
Mark.
Thursday 15 April 2010
GNS Lve Part 4.
Afternoon Strumpets,
A personal tune about the kids, Pet Shop Boys Medley, and Foggy mountain Breakdown live at the Mandale on Easter Sunday.
Cheers,
Mark.
A personal tune about the kids, Pet Shop Boys Medley, and Foggy mountain Breakdown live at the Mandale on Easter Sunday.
Cheers,
Mark.
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Sunday 11 April 2010
Old Durham Town.
Afternoon Strumpets,
We had the most brilliant day out in Durham yesterday. Originally we were going to go to Hardwick Hall, but in the spur of the moment we thought, as it was such a lovely day, a drive through to Durham and a picnic along the river by the Cathedral would be fun.
As we were looking around the Cathedral, the Chaplain of the Cathedral came over and began chatting to us, about where we were from, which school the kids went to etc. It turns out his wife taught at my school. He told us that there was going to be a wedding taking place at 2pm in the Cathedral, and Gracie may get a chance to see the Bride walking down the Aisle, but when we came back there was a massive crowd and, understandably, the part of the Cathedral was cordoned off where the wedding was taking place. Grace could just about make out the Groom (Harry was outside with his mother chasing pigeons, and lookingly longingly at other tourists uneaten picnics).
A Curate approached Grace and after asking me if it would be alright, said "Come with me Poppet". She took Grace down to where the wedding was taking place, and Grace got to see the wedding march perfectly. She was buzzing. I must admit from my angle it was pretty magical.
Then we went for a walk around the Market, and as we did so The Mayor Of Durham, Dennis Southwell, picked us out of the crowd, and asked if we would like to have a tour of his offices, and have a cup of tea in the Mayoral Lounge (If that`s the name)? As we were leaving, he came came up to Grace and said "I think I recognise you, are you called Gracie, and were you in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette the other week doing a run with a pink guitar" Harry laughed like a loon, and Grace was absolutely amazed. She said that she was, so the Mayor said "Well if we`ve got a celebrity in the hall, I`ll have to open the Balcony so you can wave to the crowds". And that`s what he did. You really couldn`t make this up! He walked us through the
Chambers where people were being given guided tours, Telling people "Let us Through, this is Grace from the Gazette" and we spent five minutes on the balcony, waving at the people below. It was fantastic.
I don`t suppose Mr Southwell will have much call for reading a blog about a lad doing strange things with his banjo, but if anyone knows him, will you give him a massive pat on the back from me. It truly was the most amazing day. We`ve already got Grace and Hal writing thank you letters to send to him.
Till the next one, learn something new,
Mark.
We had the most brilliant day out in Durham yesterday. Originally we were going to go to Hardwick Hall, but in the spur of the moment we thought, as it was such a lovely day, a drive through to Durham and a picnic along the river by the Cathedral would be fun.
As we were looking around the Cathedral, the Chaplain of the Cathedral came over and began chatting to us, about where we were from, which school the kids went to etc. It turns out his wife taught at my school. He told us that there was going to be a wedding taking place at 2pm in the Cathedral, and Gracie may get a chance to see the Bride walking down the Aisle, but when we came back there was a massive crowd and, understandably, the part of the Cathedral was cordoned off where the wedding was taking place. Grace could just about make out the Groom (Harry was outside with his mother chasing pigeons, and lookingly longingly at other tourists uneaten picnics).
A Curate approached Grace and after asking me if it would be alright, said "Come with me Poppet". She took Grace down to where the wedding was taking place, and Grace got to see the wedding march perfectly. She was buzzing. I must admit from my angle it was pretty magical.
Then we went for a walk around the Market, and as we did so The Mayor Of Durham, Dennis Southwell, picked us out of the crowd, and asked if we would like to have a tour of his offices, and have a cup of tea in the Mayoral Lounge (If that`s the name)? As we were leaving, he came came up to Grace and said "I think I recognise you, are you called Gracie, and were you in the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette the other week doing a run with a pink guitar" Harry laughed like a loon, and Grace was absolutely amazed. She said that she was, so the Mayor said "Well if we`ve got a celebrity in the hall, I`ll have to open the Balcony so you can wave to the crowds". And that`s what he did. You really couldn`t make this up! He walked us through the
Chambers where people were being given guided tours, Telling people "Let us Through, this is Grace from the Gazette" and we spent five minutes on the balcony, waving at the people below. It was fantastic.
I don`t suppose Mr Southwell will have much call for reading a blog about a lad doing strange things with his banjo, but if anyone knows him, will you give him a massive pat on the back from me. It truly was the most amazing day. We`ve already got Grace and Hal writing thank you letters to send to him.
Till the next one, learn something new,
Mark.
Friday 9 April 2010
GNS Live Part 1
Evening Strumpets,
Here`s some footage of last weeks gig, apologies for poor quality, but it`s filmed from a computer, as the disc will not burn at all.
Cheers,
Mark.
Here`s some footage of last weeks gig, apologies for poor quality, but it`s filmed from a computer, as the disc will not burn at all.
Cheers,
Mark.
Mandale Madness!
Morning Strumpets,
Apologies for lack of blog`s lately, but I`ve been nursing my poorly sweetheart (Tonsilitis). Last Sunday (Easter Sunday) I played a half hour set at the Mandale Park Pub in Thornaby, Middlesbrough. I was asked by Alex if I could fill a half hour slot between half two and three. If you don`t know this, Bank Holiday weekends in England are an excuse for one and all to drink the Pubs dry, so half Two seemed like a good time.
Then I got a message, could I go on before the Headliners at half Six. Gulp, but hey ho, if you`re going to play banjo classics such as S club 7, it doesn`t really matter what time you get up. I`d heard the Pub was a bit rough, but when I got there it looked rougher than a Badgers Arse. The Teesside Hip Hop Act Leddie and Smoggy were on as we walked in, so you get an idea about the eclectic nature of the day.
I got up and played a couple of songs on guitar, before getting out the banjo on a stick. Then a funny thing happened. People stopped singing karaoke next door, and came through to watch. The Bosses (Two huge hardcases) came through and started pointing. I thought My time was up! I finished with Duelling Banjo`s (Pet Shop Boys and Steps had already stormed the place), and got off the stage. People were really nice and said how much they had enjoyed the set, then the boss man 1 called me over.
He wants me to play a Friday Night, in The lounge.
A great night!
Here`s a couple of vids
Hope you like.
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
Apologies for lack of blog`s lately, but I`ve been nursing my poorly sweetheart (Tonsilitis). Last Sunday (Easter Sunday) I played a half hour set at the Mandale Park Pub in Thornaby, Middlesbrough. I was asked by Alex if I could fill a half hour slot between half two and three. If you don`t know this, Bank Holiday weekends in England are an excuse for one and all to drink the Pubs dry, so half Two seemed like a good time.
Then I got a message, could I go on before the Headliners at half Six. Gulp, but hey ho, if you`re going to play banjo classics such as S club 7, it doesn`t really matter what time you get up. I`d heard the Pub was a bit rough, but when I got there it looked rougher than a Badgers Arse. The Teesside Hip Hop Act Leddie and Smoggy were on as we walked in, so you get an idea about the eclectic nature of the day.
I got up and played a couple of songs on guitar, before getting out the banjo on a stick. Then a funny thing happened. People stopped singing karaoke next door, and came through to watch. The Bosses (Two huge hardcases) came through and started pointing. I thought My time was up! I finished with Duelling Banjo`s (Pet Shop Boys and Steps had already stormed the place), and got off the stage. People were really nice and said how much they had enjoyed the set, then the boss man 1 called me over.
He wants me to play a Friday Night, in The lounge.
A great night!
Here`s a couple of vids
Hope you like.
Till the next one learn something new,
Mark.
Saturday 3 April 2010
Origami antics!
Afternoon Strumpets,
A friend from work has recently given my kids an origami kit. Grace and Hal both love playing with it, and Harry occasionally even makes something that might be described as "folded".
However Grace is quite good, and came up with a story for the figures we`d made this morning.
Hope you enjoy this,
Mark.
A friend from work has recently given my kids an origami kit. Grace and Hal both love playing with it, and Harry occasionally even makes something that might be described as "folded".
However Grace is quite good, and came up with a story for the figures we`d made this morning.
Hope you enjoy this,
Mark.
Thursday 1 April 2010
Credit where it`s due.
Evening strumpets,
I have a friend called Mark Dent, whom is a far more talented guitarist than he gets credit for. A few years back he arranged this song, and despite his most valiant efforts, it was never practiced, However, upon getting the accoustic, I thought why not give his version a bash. last night at the Alice it slayed them!
Learn something new,I did last night.
Mark.
I have a friend called Mark Dent, whom is a far more talented guitarist than he gets credit for. A few years back he arranged this song, and despite his most valiant efforts, it was never practiced, However, upon getting the accoustic, I thought why not give his version a bash. last night at the Alice it slayed them!
Learn something new,I did last night.
Mark.
My first love
Evening Strumpets,
Last night I arranged to play at an open mic spot at the Princess Alice, but this time just playing Guitar as I`d managed to cut me pointy finger on me right hand, and playing banjo would just hurt. It was lovely. I was not nervous, I had a drink, it was great. However, I did find meself missing the Rumchucka rumchucka of the old drum on a stick, so normal service will be resumed asap. However, whilst messing about, I found this in the frets. It`s a new version of a banjo tune posted many months ago, but it suits, I think. I`ll be interested to hear what Benjamin in Utah thinks, as he really liked the original version.
As it was really busy last night, i could only play three songs, I chose, Brick in the wall,I will survive, and S Club,
Mark.
Last night I arranged to play at an open mic spot at the Princess Alice, but this time just playing Guitar as I`d managed to cut me pointy finger on me right hand, and playing banjo would just hurt. It was lovely. I was not nervous, I had a drink, it was great. However, I did find meself missing the Rumchucka rumchucka of the old drum on a stick, so normal service will be resumed asap. However, whilst messing about, I found this in the frets. It`s a new version of a banjo tune posted many months ago, but it suits, I think. I`ll be interested to hear what Benjamin in Utah thinks, as he really liked the original version.
As it was really busy last night, i could only play three songs, I chose, Brick in the wall,I will survive, and S Club,
Mark.
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