Live 2009

Mostly Autumn release the second of their two "Live 2009" CDs via their website this month. Further details can be found at their website here:

http://www.mostly-autumn.com/

I saw Mostly Autumn at The Robin2 earlier this month. I'm not going to bore you with yet another review of a Mostly Autumn gig because you know the drill by now, (World class band with a ridiculous amount of talent at the top of their game etc etc...), but I will direct you to a collection of pictures from the gig here:

http://www.digitalsensor.co.uk/Concert%20Photography/Mostly%20Autumn/The%20Robin%20November%202009/index.html

Also the most recent edition of 'Classic Rock Presents Prog' features a three page article on Mostly Autumn as well as an interview with Heather Findlay.

Norton Buffalo (1951-2009)

I just wanted to take time out to pay my respects to Norton Buffalo, long time member of the Steve Miller Band, who passed away in October this year.

I could write something myself but his friend Steve Miller put it far better than I ever could:

"There are some people who pass through this World who are so unique and special they defy description and Norton Buffalo was one of those people. There will never be another Norton. For 34 years Norton was my partner in harmony and a principle soloist in the Steve Miller Band. He gave more than he took and brightened the World whenever he played his harmonica or sang a song. He went out with his boots and spurs janglin', he had a unique and wonderful musical voice and had love in his heart for everyone he met.

Thankyou Buffalo for the love and beautiful music and if you don't see me in Heaven I'll be in Hell...Put in a good word for me please and be sure to say Hi to Les Paul and T Bone Walker from all the guys in the band. So long partner, rest in peace, I love you dearly and hate to see you go" - Steve Miller

Tell Me Something New: Marsheaux

Marsheaux are an electronic duo from Thessalonki in Greece. Their two members, Marianthi and Sophie, have picked up the baton from the likes of Yazoo, Human League and OMD and made something new of their own. My personal favourites are "Analyze", "Wait No More" and "Ghost".

For further investigation check out their myspace site here:

http://www.myspace.com/marsheaux

New In Town

This rather dodgy mobile phone picture is actually Little Boots, who I saw last Friday at the Wulfrun Hall.

It's actually rather heartwarming to see someone that I'd kept an eye on via myspace and You Tube last year -back in the days when it was just her, an impish young woman sitting at a keyboard in her bedroom posting music she had recorded herself -now playing to a sold out and appreciative crowd at The Wulfun Hall! Thoroughly deserved too I have to say.

Tracks such as 'Remedy', Earthquake', 'New In Town' 'Symmetry' etc are great commercial pop tracks and have got the success they deserved, but other songs such as 'Hands' and the unreleased song 'Echoes' also show a quirky, reflective side to Little Boots and a distinct Kate Bush influence.

There's a blog from Wolverhampton (and a picture of West Park!) on Little Boots website here:

http://www.littlebootsmusic.co.uk/blog,wolves-wolves-wolves_113.htm

And the video to her excellent new single 'Earthquake' can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeJBd746-4w

Whilst we're in the zone of plugging up and coming new acts, here's a few more...

Ellie Goulding - Under The Sheets (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Navl4fYI-Zk

"Ellie was support to Little Boots on this tour and performed a fine set in her own right. This is her first single, released on 16th November"

Marina & The Diamonds - Mowgli's Road (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwfCjYv7gVQ"

An inventive single and video from the Welsh born Martina Diamandis. This re-recording of 'Mowgli's Road is her first major release on 16th November"

Bailey Tzuke - Somebody's Rose (Live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ld3UVsYwyk

This track hasn't even been released yet but has appeared on Bailey Tzuke's mypace page, which is where I first heard it. A beautiful song from an emerging young talent"

Katy Perry - Hot N Cold (Promotional Video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lkaf9PdlNM

"This one you probably already know but I've wanted to post this up here for a while. I think this is a wonderful video, very funny and Katy looks fabulous throughout"

Newton Faulkner - Teardrops (Live)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjT86g9gTKk

"I've got my friend Andrea to thank for bringing this one to my attention. Recorded in an elevator in Amsterdam & you don't get more live than that. The guy's got soul..."

And to bring it back to Little Boots, this is how it was in February 2008...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_sefFkHPUs