Every cloud has a silver lining....

So I've spent weeks hoping for rain and now I'm hoping it doesn't rain tomorrow (Sunday)...because I'm off to the small but perfectly-formed 'BromFest'.

At the beautiful church at Little Bromley, just east of Colchester, from midday onwards there will be music and dancing. Nothing too loud. Nothing too energetic. Just something fun in the English countryside. And tea and cake. Why not come along and join in? ….see you there!

Music....The Columbines....pick your track..Rain and Snow?... or Silver Gilt Strings?,,I believe they will be in Little Bromley tomorrow, so you can buy the whole cd!

A Time and a Place......

Another story from our Library. You see we all have favourite authors, and you can avidly seek new titles from them on the shelves of Colchester Library. But what happens when you stray to an adjacent book? I was looking for Rose Tremain, and lo and behold next to her was Colchester's own Liz Trenow. So I tried her 'The Silk Weaver' and found it excellent. It evoked a time and a place (Spitalfields, 1760s) without getting bogged down, told a good story but with enough well-researched historical detail. I shall be seeking-out more - and Liz has a new book out which she will be talking about at Waterstone's in Colchester at 7 pm. this Monday (29th Jan.). If, like me, you can't make that she is also appearing at the Essex Book Festival in March. See you there!

And Rose Tremain? - 'Sound and Silence' is magnificent.

Song - I Could Write a Book - O. V. Wright from my much-played 1983 compilation on Charly Records

Sadly no Liz Trenow last week - but grab 'Music and Silence'

At the Library...Again!

New Date 29th Jan.

So sorry if anyone booked for the play at the Library last Monday (15th). Sadly the touring theatre company's van broke down and the show was cancelled. The good news is that it has been re-arranged for Monday 29th January, 7pm at Colchester Library. So let's make their trip worthwhile by supporting them - tickets only £7 from Librarian Theatre website. Here's hoping they have a more reliable van.

Song...The Voyage - Christy Moore and Johnny Duhan. Let's hope they have a safe one!

Thank you for the Music...

Joe Stilgoe at a previous RRM gig

Eclectic is my middle name...just 'cause the devil has all the best tunes doesn't mean we can't enjoy divine music in so many ways. And here in Colchester we can enjoy the best Classical music anywhere thanks to the great team at Roman River Music. Orlando Jopling curates an increasingly confident programme of just the best music you'll hear anywhere, using our own Mercury theatre as a venue for truly World-class gigs - the next is on 6th February, when the Endellion Quartet play music by Beethoven, Mozart, Webern and Tchaikovsky. The Endellion have a residency at that bastion of London Classical music, Wigmore hall. Tickets there cost significantly more than at the Mercury, before you even think of the train fare. So book now via this link to avoid missing out!.... See you there, and also at the May gig featuring the great pianist Imogen Cooper.

Song - of course Abba - Thank you for the music! - a version from Swedish TV, with banter in Swedish before and after!

Public Library and other stories......

It's good to see our Libraries in Essex faring a little better than in some areas, but they still need our love and support, so whenever I'm in town I try to pop in and see what's on. And this time I found a interesting-sounding play by the aptly-named Librarian Theatre which will be performed---in the Library! So why not book tickets (just £7) or pop along on Monday 15th January to support two good things...Libraries and Live Theatre! See you there.....

Song..I give you two versions of  At the Library - Green Day
If you want to know what it was like in the days of 'Punk' then try this one, from 1992, amazing since it dates from before the ubiquitous mobile phone footage. Or try this cover, which combines some passion with audible lyrics. Left-handed too!

A fine modern British author, available free from Colchester Library (when I've returned it!)

Home on the Range.....

The splendidly-eclectic Colchester Chamber Choir play a rare 'Home' Gig at the Moot Hall, Colchester, this Sunday (26th). The concert features music from the USA. Maybe some Copland? - certainly, but as usual Musical Director Roderick Earle has unearthed some little-known gems to sit alongside more well-known works. Snap up the last few tickets here!

Sadly I won't see you there - It's my mum's 80th Birthday. Happy Birthday mum, Here's a song from the greatest of all American singers, Patsy Cline - Crazy!

Young 'Uns go for it....

One of the best bands in Britain play Colchester Arts Centre on Monday...so why isn't it sold out?

The Young 'Uns enjoy a joke - photo courtesy Young 'Uns website

Must be because the fabulous Young 'Uns are 'Folk' . You know, old blokes with beards banging on about lovers and battles lost long ago, Maddy Prior and Steeleye Span. But there has been a huge change in recent years, with bands such as Mumford and Sons and Bellowhead, and great writers and artists such as Seth Lakeman and Laura Marling. And much more stagecraft, an understanding that the audience wants a show. The Young 'Uns have all that is best in modern Folk - come along and find out - see you there!

Click here for a clip of the Young 'Uns live recently - Dark Water from the new 'Strangers' album

Song - Wham! - Young Guns go for it! - we were all Young 'Uns then (actually, the members of Young 'Uns weren't even born).