Martin Stephenson and The Daintees

Martin Stephenson has been one of the UK’s best-loved musicians for 30 years.  The new album 'California Star' sees him reunited once more with The Daintees, the band he’s intermittently fronted through a string of albums - and hundreds of gigs - since his teens in the North East.  Always popular on the circuit, his 'must see' live performances are an exuberant tour-de-force combining heart-in-your-mouth intimacy with playful humour and warm self-deprecation.

The Daintees’ critically acclaimed 1986 debut 'Boat To Bolivia' opened up an always interesting story. It showcased Martin Stephenson’s songwriting, poetic romanticism and spiritual depth – so marking him out as a soulful cream of the left-field crop during the self-obsessed 1980s.  




Never pandering to a particular scene, Martin Stephenson’s lightness of touch on a varied mix of musical styles was immediately apparent. His path was destined to be a lifelong journey through the music he loved: folk, ragtime, jazz, rockabilly, show tunes, punk-pop and country.



The album 'California Star' continues his tradition for eclectic roots songwriting, and is the perfect middle-age bookend on a discography now amounting to 40 albums.  Like 'Boat To Bolivia' (worth buying just for Slow Lovin' and my vinyl copy's a wee bit worn) it's one of those must have albums for any serious music lovers collection.



To promote the new album there's an EP available for free download here aptly titled 'California Star' with three tracks to give you a taster of the album.  Ralph's had a wee listen.....

The lead track on the 'California Star' EP with its James Taylor-esque guitar and vocal is music for a warm Sunday's summer afternoon, with a glass of chilled wine and the headphones on.   It's a testament to the ability of one of the countries finest songwriters to be able to get inside your head with his words and musicality to make you feel in tune with the mood of the track.

'Morning Time' tips its hat to a rockabilly stylee and it's a relaxed, laid back, kick your feet feelgood toe tapper.  If the late great Lonnie Donnegan was around on today's scene, this is what he'd sound like.





Final track 'Home' from the 2009 album 'Western Eagle' has an easy listening 'Americana' folk feel.  It's a wistful piece of musical and lyrical loveliness.....
  

"And home isn't always the house you were born

 It's just a light where love is strong

 Everywhere we wander, love will guide us home"

The Daintees gigs are the stuff of legend and only today they are taking to the stage at Glastonbury...hang on though...who's that old bloke with Martin...surely not Rolling Stones leg end Bill Wyman!



Fri 28                GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL

The Daintees tour bus arrives at Glastonbury

ACOUSTIC STAGE:  

Sinéad O'Connor
Glen Hansard
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Martha Wainwright
Martin Stephenson and the Daintees
Jake Bugg
Joel Rafael
Lucy Ward
Rainy Boy Sleep
The Riptide Movement

JULY

           

Fri 05          

Venue:           The Oakwood. Glossop 

Address:        67 High St W, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8AZ

Phone:           1457 857974 

Website:         www.theoakwood.net/        

Mon 08        

Venue:            Robin 2

Address:        20-28 Mt Pleasant, Bilston

                         West Midlands WV14 7LJ

Phone:           01902 401211

Tue 09          

Venue:            Lantern Theatre, Sheffield   

Address:        18 Kenwood Park Rd, Sheffield S7 1NF

Phone:             0114 255 1776

Ticket Link:    http://www.wegottickets.com/event/221586

Wed 10       

Venue:            Brudenell Social Club

Address:        33 Queen's Rd  Leeds LS6 1NY

Phone:            0113 275 2411

Thu 11       

Venue:            Bootleggers

Address:        24 Finkle St, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4AB

Phone:            01539 723824

Web:                www.bootleggersbar.com/           

Fri 12       

Venue:            Darwen Library Theatre 

Address:        Knott St, Darwen, BB3 3BU

Phone:            01254 706 021

     

Sat 13       

Venue:            Solihull Arts Complex - Studio

Address:        Central Library, Homer Rd 

                          Solihull, West Midlands B91 3RG

Phone:            0121 704 6962

Web:                http://www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk

Sat 20      

Venue:            Argyle Hotel

Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB

Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422

Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk

     

             

AUGUST

Thu 01          

Venue:            The Blue Cat 

Address:        17 Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4AG

Contact:          Events Georgina <events@bluecatcafe.co.uk>

Web:                www.bluecatcafe.co.uk

Sat 10         

Venue:            Argyll Hotel

Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB

Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422

Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk

Wed 14          

Venue:            St Cecilia’s Hall

Note:               As part of Edinburgh Festival

Address:        Cowgate, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1NQ

Phone:            0131 650 1000

Sat 31          

Venue:            Argyll Hotel

Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB

Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422

Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

Sat 21          

Venue:            Argyll Hotel

Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB

Phone:           Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422

Web:               www.theargyll.co.uk

OCTOBER

Sat 05          

Venue:            Argyll Hotel

Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB

Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422

Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk

Fri 18 

Venue:            Warrington Pyramid Arts Centre

Address:        Palmyra Square South, Warrington, WA1 1BL

Phone:            01925 442884
Box Office:     01925 442345
Email:              pyramid@culturewarrington.org

Contact:         Emma Joyce / Christian Persoglio

Web:                http://www.pyramidparrhall.com

Sat 19 

Venue:            Durham, Old Cinema Laundrette

Address:        38 Marshall Terrace, Sunderland Road,Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2HX

Phone:            07905 210039

Contact:         Richard Turner