Anthem for 2015

When I was a teenager back in the early '70s me and Awa Nick (m'bro) would, every Sunday night, visit our place of worship The Magic Garden - a music venue in a converted warehouse opposite the Hull City Morgue. If you go in search of the place now you'll be disappointed as it was demolished years ago and a brand spankmenew shopping centre stands in its place (Like Hull needs another shopping centre).

The Magic Garden was part of The Hull Arts Centre which became The Spring Street Theatre which, in turn, evolved into The Hull Truck Theatre under the directorship of John Godber. The Hull Truck thunders on in a swanky new venue which is part of the St. Stephen's shopping experience.

Er, I may die before you get to the point Awa Rich.

We saw many bands some good, some amazing and some utter shite (the entire audience walked out, preferring  the jam session in the bar - the main act went on to become a world renowned heavy metal band who are still on the go, I fear, and still shite).

One of the amazing bands, which we saw several times, was Esperanto - so called because of the mix of nationalities in their lineup - whose subtitle was Rock Orchestra. There were 10 or 12 in the band and could barely fit on the small stage (I don't know the technical term but it wasn't quite theatre in the round more like theatre in the 275 degrees) They made such a huge sound that people had to be peeled off the walls after the gig. They had two lead cellists and two drummers before it was fashionable. Their version of Eleanor Rigby was so far ahead of The Beatles (I was never a fan).

http://youtu.be/T2V1MTGWJgA

Cut to the chase Awa Rich!

A couple of years ago I heard a band on Mike Harding's folk programme on Radio 4 (I gave Mark Radcliffe a sporting chance but his voice - a cross between Keith Chegwin and Bruce Forsyth - and his Blue Peter presenter forced enthusiasm drove me nuts, so now I have to look elsewhere for musical inspiration.) They were called The Moulettes and they reminded me so much of Esperanto (apart from their vocals which are very sweet, Esperanto's singer was more gritty and suited to smokey jazz clubs).

Nearly there! You can do it Awa Rich!

Apple has added an evil new device to iTunes. When you're listening to an album there's a linky thing in the upper right of the title that says "More in the store" you click it and you see more music by the artist you're listening to.

I was listening to 'Revenge of the Bear' last night and I clicked and I bought The Moulette's latest album 'Constellation" and I've been playing it like I ate all that Devon fudge on our holidays this year.

And finally Awa Rich!

The opening track is called 'Glorious Year' and it's so infectiously happy and positive. I defy you to  :-( or sit still.

Clamp your best German Kopfhörer (No, not those Dr. Dre Beats fashion accessories!) over your lugholes, crank up the volume and click play

All together now...

"This will be a glorious year, I can feel it in my fingers!"




more at http://www.moulettes.co.uk/

Go buy the albums The Revenge of the Bear and Constellations. Help pay their bills.

Come on Awa Rich, we all want to know who the World Famous Heavy Metal Band was that everyone walked out on!

OK, It was Judas Priest. Kingston Upon Hull - City of Culture 2017. We have taste 'Kay!?

I'll say more about this soon as I dare say you have no idea where Hull is.

Someone I occasionally help with puter problems asked me "Hull, City of Culture? Que?" Knowing his vulnerable underbelly, I suggested "Andrew Marvell"

I was quite surprised when he replied "The greatest poet of all time!"

Go Hull!