Added on Thursday 8 Oct 2009

While in France last week (me and Pat on holiday in Nimes France, whay hay!) I played a couple of gigs; first in the 'Ever In' and then in the Irish themed pub, O'Flahertys.

The 'Ever In' - was a lovely place - it had an up-market wine-bar feel to it - but the gig was notable for the unusual sound system; those in the beer garden could hear my guitar but no vocals, while those inside the could hear my vocal but no guitar. Despite several attempts by the staff to fix the sound problems, unfortunately, they persisted to the end.

I played two full sets nonetheless, though failed to make much personal contact with my immediate audience, i.e., the people who could only hear my guitar. It didn't seem to effect their enjoyment though - so perhaps I should cut out the singing and just stick to the guitar playing?

The sound problems were a pain - as we had some guests who came along to the gig; Phillipe and Florence, whom we rented our accommodation from, Pat's friend Maureen, who lives in Nimes (and organised the gig) and of course Pat.

There was also a large group, members of L'Association anglophone de la region gardoise (or BritNimes), whose purpose in meeting is to learn the English language. I had a chat with their organiser, Robin, who was very enthusiastic about my music (always nice to get positive feedback) and had lots of ideas about future gigs in Nimes.

O'Flahertys gig

The following evening I played at O'Flahertys, one of the best known music pubs in Nimes. This was a more successful both sound wise and in terms of the show.

Naime, a friend of Maureen's who stayed with us a few years back, picked us up to take us to the gig along with Leila and Karine. Maureen's friend Hilary, who hails from Crieff also came along with her daughter Jessie and later Maureen arrived with an entourage of her colleagues from school so quite an international flavour to the audience French, Scottish, English (and one American).

Our Brazilian friend Angela - who we had met the previous day while waiting for the bus during one of of day trips out of Nimes - unfortunately didn't make the gig - as she was off on her travels again that day. She had previously informed me that she thought my music was 'delicious' - not a description I've heard before - but one I was happy to accept.

It was a great night with enthusiastic bar staff and some locals expressing their appreciation - and I even sold some of my (admittedly excellent) cd's.

Playing at the Leith Folk Club

While on holiday I checked my email (couldn't resist) to find an invitation to play at the Leith Folk Club - as the support for the American bluegrass band, Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa. The gig was on Tuesday evening - and it turned out to be a great night. The club was completely full - so it was nice to have a big crowd to play to. I felt I played a good gig - I sold some CDs - and warmed the audience nicely for the main act. Thanks in particular to Dave for his generous words. Hope to see you at a future gig Dave.

And what a great Bluegrass band Wayne Taylor and his band are; the very best. Virtuoso playing, great songs and the chat between songs was highly entertaining. I recommend you catch one of their shows before they head back to the USA. The place was jumpin' by the end. Thanks to my sister Ann and her friend for coming along to add some friendly support.

New songs

I'm still writing new songs for my next album; I've posted a rough version of my latest on my myspace page at http://www.myspace.com/dexterslim The song is called 'When you bit into that apple' - sounds a bit different from my previous style - maybe? Hope you like it.

* Making movies

If you want a laugh check out the movie I've made and posted to latest myspace blog: http://www.myspace.com/dexterslim

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Photos from Linlithgow Festival

There are some photos of me on the outside stage at the Linlithgow Festival - I played there last weekend:

http://linlithgowfolkfest2009photos.shutterfly.com/237

http://linlithgowfolkfest2009photos.shutterfly.com/243

Check out all the Festival photos at http://linlithgowfolkfest2009photos.shutterfly.com/

All the best,
Jim

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Playing at the Star Club, Chuck the storyteller and now on Twitter

Been a while since I posted an update - but it's not due to a lack of things to write about; as I've been playing lots of gigs, writing songs and listening to lots of new bands and artist.

Before mentioning what I've been up to lately - I'd like to tell you about one of the gigs I'll be playing later this month that I'm looking forward to.

I'll be opening for singer songwriter Bill Adair at the Star Club on the the 17th of this month. The Star club is based in St. Andrews in the Square (1 St. Andrews Square off Saltmarket) - which is a very grand and beautiful building. Come along and say hello - should be a good gig. Bill Adair is from Glasgow - and has a talent for songwriting and finger-style guitar. I recently saw him perform at the Partick Folk Club and would highly recommend him.

A few things of note:

* I recently guested on the Mary Kathleen Burke show on Celtic Music Radio; the show was a birthday celebration for the professional storyteller Chuck Warren (stories and legends from the Ottawa tradition). I was there as part of the entertainment along with John Malcolm and Strangetouch (both sounding great). I played a John Prine song, 'The speed of the sound of loneliness' and a song I wrote with Pat called, 'You can't catch the butterfly' (I've posted a rough version of this on to http://www.myspace.com/dexterslim) - which was written for a fundraising concert to construct a memorial garden for the people who have jumped from the Erskine Bridge.

It was great to meet Chuck - a real character - with a gift for telling American Indian tales and legends.

Thanks to Pamela Zimmerman and Ciaran Dorris for emailing in during the show to mention that they enjoyed my version of John Prine's song. Much appreciated.

* The previous Sunday I was the guest of Stewart on the country music show on Celtic music radio ; introducing the song I recorded with local Bluegrass band The Moonshiners.

* I played at the Moniaive Guitar Festival a few weeks ago with The Doghouse Roses, Whizz Jones and the virtuoso guitarist Steve Hicks. I also attended Steve Hicks guitar workshop where I was reminded that I'm never going to be up there with great guitar players; the guy is out of this world as as a player; well out of my league.

Other adventures of note include playing in the Ettrick in Old Kilpatrick - always a positive experience as the people are so welcoming; playing at the Innerliethan Folk Festival; meeting up with my good friend Graham Mackintosh for a bit of guitar playing (if I can persuade him, Graham may well be playing a song with me a the Star Club); buying a lap steel guitar which I'll now have to learn how to play; writing a song with Mary Kathleen Burke; and being featured on the Independent Music Awards website (http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/).

And I'm now on Twitter - if you want to follow me - I'm called Jimbyrnemusic. See you there.

All the best,
Jim

Friday, September 04, 2009

O Look, it's me on the IMAs website!

Hey, I've justMe on the home page of the Independent Music Awards website. Why did they pick that photo? been featured on the Independent Music Awards website!

I don't expect I'll be on the home page for long - so here's the url to my profile page: Jim Byrne, Independent Music Awards.

What I found exciting about this award was the fact that Tom Waits is one of the judges; I can just imagine Tom scratching his chin while listening to, 'The handle's broken on my cup'. "Hmm, it's not an award this guy needs, it's some super glue to fix those crockery problems", is perhaps what he might say - in his deep gravely voice. Or maybe not.

I'm sure why they picked that photo of me - as I look completely mad in that one.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Gigs in London town

We've (i.e., me and Pat) just finished a wee mini-tour of London; playing Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of last week in different venues. The highlight was the gig in 'What's Cookin' (http://www.whatscookin.co.uk/) - upstairs at the Sheepwalk in Leytonstone. It is a fantastic venue - made so by Stephen who runs the club. Stephen has really made a big effort; the stage is elaborately decorated (check the photos) - the country and rock 'n' roll sounds from the resident DJs were great; he also does a great job as a compere - setting the friendly upbeat tone.

All that was needed was great live music, which on the night was supplied by The Sounthern Tenant Folk Union; an energetic bluegrass/country band. The place was packed with music lovers, all primed to enjoy good tunes. It was a great crowd to play to; I loved it. One of the very best gigs I've done in my short solo career; I had them singing along at the end. I must have done pretty well myself - as I got calls for an encore - which I duly played.

Great that our friends, Elaine McIntyre and John Ellis, who live in Leytonstone managed along. They are brilliant company and John (ex-Strangler) is a real muso so I enjoyed hearing his take on the night.

The Tuesday and Thursday gigs also had their own character - and I enjoyed both - not least because the other acts were all excellent and also friendly people. At the Icarus club we met with a singer songwriter 'Hortag' from Holland, a local blues player Mississipi Olly McDonald and a five piece band called 'All Things Considered' - playing folky tinged music with a bit of pop thrown in. We had a good chat with Mississipi Olly McDonald and his partner Stephanie, who very kindly gave us a lift home. Great players all.

Andy of The Icarus Club is another brilliant host and I'm was delighted to hear that I will be invited back to play at one of their shows they have three times a year in Blackheath Town Hall. Thanks for the gig Andy.

Thanks to Pat for getting such great gigs; musical adventures and memories to cherish. :-)

A big thanks to Pat's friends Alex and Mary who put us up (and put up with us) while we were in London. They have a beautiful flat in Blackheath - a small characterful part of London - worth the visit on its own. While in London we also did a lot of wandering around and lots of looking at buildings, shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. The trip along the Thames on the boat was particularly memorable.

* Songwriting at Friars Carse

Prior to the London trip we had an great weekend at the songwriting workshop at the Friars Carse hotel in the Dumfries and Galloway countryside. The event was run by Martin Stephenson, Helen McCookerybook and Scott MacDonald. The weather was glorious the entire time - which is always a mixed blessing for me as I suffer from hay fever.

I felt humbled by the people there - writing songs directly from personal experiences; the song by Trystan Lewis about his third child was particularly beautiful and moving - a great song.

Jim

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Songwriting workshops

We (i.e. myself and Pat) are off for three days of music and songwriting - as part of a songwriting workshop organised by Martin Stephenson, Helen McCookerybook and Scott MacDonald. I can't wait - should be great fun. It is at Friars Carse Hotel in Dumfries in the Scottish Borders. The same team run a guitar workshop - so you can get an idea of what it's all about on the Myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/guitarweekends

Gigs and more gigs

Over the last week I've played as part of the West End Festival - at the Aragon and Liquid Ship - and over the weekend at the Mugdock Music festival. The West End festival gigs were more intimate - well the Liquid Ship one was anyway - Aragon a bit more raucous. The West End Festival gigs were great fun as I knew most of the other performers and quite a lot of the people who attended the gigs.

The Mugdock festival was enjoyable and notable because it may well have been the biggest audience I've played to; to give you an idea of the size of the tent; it had two stages - one at each end. The event was made more enjoyable by the friendliness of the people who were working at the Festival; always smiling and helpful.

At the Liquid Ship gig Eva Bolander came along with her friend Matts - both from Sweden and both Bagpipes players - which seems a little bizarre to me - though if you are a Bagpipes player from Sweden it's probably normal. Eva has the unusual distinction - of missing every one of my gigs she has ever tried to attend; either turning up just after I've left the stage or turning up so early that no gig appears to be happening - and disappearing as a consequence. True to form at the Liquid Ship - Eva and friend arrived just after I finished my set. One of these days Eva you'll see me playing live. :-)

All the best,
Jim

Monday, June 15, 2009

Dispatched to Dorris Island, West End Festival and future fun

I had a great time last Sunday as a guest of Ciaran Dorris' radio show on Celtic Music Radio; I was dispatched to Dorris Island (a bit like desert island discs) and had to choose 4 songs, something to read, a person to have dinner with and a luxury item. I'll admit I caused Ciaran a bit of stress; I was held up by the chatty Alan Broom who was working in the office. Then I had to disappear as I'd forgotten to bring the CD with my chosen songs - it was still in the car - and when Ciaran wanted to play them, I couldn't tell him what order they were in, on the CD. In general, I inadvertently tripped Ciaran up at every turn. Good fun for the listeners - not sure Ciaran thought it was as funny though. Sorry Ciaran.

The songs I choose for the show were 'Mardi Gras In New Orleans' by New Orleans piano player Professor Longhair, Roly Poly by country music legend Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys, 'It's Been a Long Time' by Steve Forbert and 'Days Aren't Long Enough' by Steve Earle. I also played a couple of of my own new songs on my acoustic guitar - which wasn't the best idea as I didn't know them as well as I thought I did. I couldn't have been that bad though, as I did get a comment on my Myspace the next day (from a listener) inviting me over to play some gigs in Nashville. :-) The invite didn't include fares to get there - so I think we'll have to put that on hold for now. It is an exciting prospect - you never know - could be something to work towards.

I choose Kieth Richards as my dinner guest; I think I would have a great time chatting to Kieth and loved the idea of getting the guitars out for a Jam after dinner. The book I choose to take with me was, 'the Book of Prologues' by Alastair Gray; mainly because it was a book I had started reading before we moved house a couple of years ago - and it disappeared during the flitting - never to be seen again. We did have a big clear-out of hundreds of books when we moved; perhaps it disappeared into the Caledonian bookshop with the rest.

If you are interested in reading authors introductions to their books (getting the excuses in first, attacking other authors, replying to critics and so on) - all the way from the 700s then this is the book for you. It's funny and heavy at the same time; the funny bits are in the comments on each entry by Alastair Gray or one of his literary friends.

* Gigging in the West End

Last night I played a gig at the Aragon on Byres Road as part of, 'Folk blues and beyond' - which is part of the West End Festival. It was a great night of music - as also on the bill were friends, The Ballachulish Hellhounds and Crawford Smith. There were lots of friendly faces in the audience including Mathew, Mags, Steph, Issi and Davy, Ciaran and Outi Karhula.

I?d like to say a big hello to the friendly couple I met when I finished my set; sorry I didn?t catch your names - but thanks for the nice words and encouragement. Hope to see you at future gigs.

I'll be playing another gig this Friday as part of the West End Festival in the Liquid Ship on Great Western Road. On the bill will be Patrick Monaghan, Ciaran Dorris and John Alexander. I'm looking forward to it - the Liquid ship is one of my favourite venues.

* Recording at home

I'm still learning how to record in my home studio. One thing I'm learning is that the entry level equipment I've got is a bit limiting, e.g. I can't record acoustic guitar and voice at the same time; as I've only got one microphone input. Well that's not strictly speaking true, I could record both if I set the microphone to pick up both my singing and guitar; but I've tried that and the quality was poor, so I gave up on that strategy. Not to worry - I?ve plenty of time to record that tricky second album.

* Future fun

We've (i.e., myself and Pat) got quite a few things to look forward to over the next few weeks, including attending a songwriting retreat led by Martin Stephenson, Scott MacDonald and Helen McCookerybook. This will be at Friars Carse Hotel in Dumfries.

I'm also going down to London with Pat to play some gigs; apparently the streets are paved with gold. Check my myspace for dates if you are in London and fancy coming to say hi. http://www.myspace.com/dexterslim

Speak soon.

All the best,
Jim

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Hidden Cafe and Memorial Garden Fundraising gig

On Sunday night I played at the Hidden Lane Cafe in Finnieston - at the invitation of Chris Barrett. Chris is a fantastic singer and songwriter; one of my favourites - so it was a pleasure to be there and hear him play. I sang some new songs as well as a few from my CD. Chris also plays as part of the band, Brawth - check them out on Myspace at: http://www.myspace.com/brawth

On Monday evening we went along to Old Kilpatrick (where my wife Pat comes from) to play at the fundraiser related to setting up a Memorial Garden for the people who have taken their lives by jumping from the Erksine Bridge. I had been asked by Ann Morgan, who organised the night, to write a song to be performed on the night - which I duly did - with lyrics written by Pat and myself. Ann's partner Hamish took his life by jumping from the bridge; so some of the words in the song were inspired by Hamish and the person he was.

As I mentioned in a previous blog the song is called, 'You can't catch the butterfly'. I played the song and everyone sang along on the chorus. It was a moving experience; given that many of the people there knew Hamish well. David Rogers (old friend from my rock band days) came onstage and played along on his (new) Mandolin. It was an evening of good music, friendly smiles and successful fundraising.

Been enjoying the good weather - hope it's as good where you are.

All the best,
Jim