Martin Stephenson & The Daintees

Album cover artwork by Phoebe Stephenson

Just in time for Christmas the ever-prolific Martin Stephenson accompanied by The Daintees have come along with an album that will have any party up on it's collective feet and dancing; whether it's having a knees-up or waltzing the night away.

It kicks off with a rockabilly-esque The Whisky and I'm not sure if it's an advert for the benefits of Uisge-Beatha (The Water Of Life) or a dire warning. But one thing is for sure, it's a rollicking start to a quality collection of tuneage.

Title track Bayswater Road is a tune that will wriggle its way inside your head and you'll be singing it all day before Secret Crush has you bop shoo bopping along to some classic Daintees stylee old school musical perfection.



High Sierra Snow mixes Americana with Latina as it pleasantly meanders along, which leads you nicely into Lord Lead Us and sees Martin competing with Cliff Richard for a potential Christmas hit as he explores his gospel side.

The folksier Every Kind Of Heaven is more resonant of the earliest incarnation of The Daintees and that's followed by Shoot with it's similarly familiar Daintees vibe from 'back in the day'; like a cosy old favourite jumper saving you from a cold winters day.

Thorn From A Rose is a moodier, reflective joy with smatterings of Johnny Cash; possibly my favourite track on the album, but then again I'm an old softy. The album rounds of with the countrified Elaine and finishes off in fine style with She Rides Horses, which is a delight.

Ralph's playing a track from Bayswater Road on the Radio KC Indie Show, but you'll have to tune in on November 26th to find out which one. For now I suggest you go out and acquire a copy of the album (on repeat here in 'the kennel' all last week) as its a must have for any serious music lovers collection.

You can download a copy of the album Bayswater Road by clicking HERE

Ralph's Top Ten Blogged Band Chart - 22.6.13

OK bands you know the score.....

the more hits your blog gets by the fans, the higher you go.....

So tweet it, Facebook it.....

and generally expose yourself.....

Now Mr Snuggles and me have been sitting with our heads down counting the hits on each bands blog to see who's got which place.  

So here it is.....

The Top Ten Blogged Band Chart .....

No 1..... 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.

No 2..... Bombskare 

Now normally to write a blog I'll sit down at the laptop, stick on the headphones and listen to the artistes I'm writing about.  Trouble is I'm writing about the nine man ska juggernaut that is Bombskare and the last thing you can do when you've got their crazy brand of ska playing is sit down.

No 3..... Jess Harwood

With a new EP out in May and some great gigs in the offing Jess Harwood is starting to make a real impact on the music scene.  Jess is a 20 year old singer-songwriter from Blackpool and has been writing and singing her own songs since her early teens. 

No 4..... The 1004s

Last time I updated the blog on The 1004's I'd put out last year when they released 'SOS' was early this year after The 1004's had released 'Light's Out' and were heading to the studios to record their new single.  Well the good news is it's been worth the wait as they've just released 'Throes' with an indie folk/rock feel to it and has already been seeing some airplay both by Ralph on Radio KC and Jim Gellatly.

No 5..... The Tennents

Young North East band The Tennents from Hull have been showing up on Ralph's Twitter a lot lately with news of a new EP 'Belgium' coming out soonish, so Ralph invited them into the kennel for a chat to check out what they've done already and what's planned for the future.

 

No 6..... The Bedroom Hour

Ralph's sent his intrepid reporter Malcolm Parry out into the wilds - yes Bathgate no less - to bring you a live review of The Bedroom Hour, and this time he's come back with a corker.  The night was originally advertised as three bands, unfortunately the opening act from Fife - Calm As The Colour had to cancel, but never mind they still had Somerset's indie rockers The Darlingtons there to warm them up.  Enter Malcolm stage left...

No 7..... The Indieannas

Following up on the success of 2012 including an appearance at the Y-Not Festival, Buxton band The Indieannas recently released 'Flying High' as a single and it's saw critical acclaim from music bloggers and fast become a fans favourite on the launch tour.  Why?  Because it's a high octane, in your face, Indie guitar thrashing, pounding beat, floor filling rock 'n' rolla.

No 8..... Mog Stanley

The laid back, sharp dressed man that is Mog Stanley describes himself as a song singin', guitar playin', foot tappin', blues, folk, indie musician which sounds like he's got a sponsorship with Coca Cola but that really does sum up his stylee.  His crisp bluesy guitar playing is complimented by his super smooth vocals.  You only have to listen to 'Little Bag of Bones' to get hooked on his immaculate, ultra-hip laid back vibes and I'm tuned in as I write the blog.

No 9..... Wullae Wright

Everybody likes to make a comparison about artistes and Ralph's old man is no exception. He heard Wullae Wright's 'Halo Effect' playing on my laptop and next thing he was wiping the dust of his collection of vinyl, dug out Led Zeppelin I and stuck it under my nose 

No 10 ..... Culann 

Culann have made no secret of the fact that they want to make 2013 their year and they made a great start by winning the 'Best Rock/Alternative' category of The Scottish Alternative Music Award earlier this month.  Comprised of PJ Kelly - Vocals/Guitar, Sean Kelly - Drums/Vocals, Greg Irish- Guitar, Ross McCluskie- Keys and Calum Davis-Bass, Culann are making rousing folk/rock anthems (sometimes with a hint of prog rock like - 'Beat Your Chest') with almost alarming regularity.

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