Big Untidy News

A Pop Group Writes

Squeeze 'Spot The Difference' is being released on Anchor & Hope Records in the US on 3rd August. Over the last few months lots of hard work has gone in to re-recording some of the old catalogue, this release is your first opportunity to hear these great songs all refreshed and lovely. We are very proud of the recordings and hope you won't be able to spot too many differences!

The Lowe Down

Nick Lowe's triumphant return to the indie world back in 1994 was marked by the release of the critically-acclaimed Impossible Bird. With the overall excitement that followed the release, it was evident that Nick's music had taken a slightly different twist on the road in the way of a more mature tone and stripped down musical arrangement. And although it was unknown at the time, Nick's next two records Dig My Mood and The Convincer would travel the same road, achieving greater success with each effort. These three records always represented a kind of trilogy to Nick and now for the first time, all three are being issued on vinyl by Nick’s now longtime label Yep Roc Records. Many fans consider Lowe's later period of work to be his very best and of course we agree. Now Nick’s legendary croon can be heard on the very medium that made him the icon he is today. All three 180 gram LPs will be available in stores on September 21st. Each LP features a beautiful full-color sleeve.

Storm the Charts

In December 09, the success of the campaign that drove Rage Against the Machine to number one inspired many imitators and compared to most of these, the STORM THE CHARTS campaign is trying to do something different... and arguably bigger.

The group – numbering over 30,000 members on Facebook (so far!), has chosen not one but 40 original songs from bands who aren't on major labels and who haven't charted before. They are asking all music fans to check out the list and to download, from Sunday 27th June, any tracks they'd like to see in the charts – or as many as they can – in the hope of taking as many slots as possible for 'independents' in the Top 40 chart rundown of July 4th.

20 of the 40 songs chosen, from nearly 600 artists who applied, came from an open public vote – the other 20 were chosen by the former Glastonbury Unsigned Competition listening panel (of which Storm the Charts founder Wes White is a past organiser), as well as a guest panel.

The guest panel included Tracy Morter ('Rage for Christmas number 1' & Save 6 Music), Huw Stephens (Radio One Introducing & SWN festival), Emily Evis (Glastonbury Festival), Sofia Hagberg (End of the Road Festival), Steve Henwood (Glastonbury Festival bandstand & Bath Fringe), Gareth Main (Bearded Magazine), Louise Dodgson (The Unsigned Guide), Adam Brooks (Warp Records) and Louise Kattenhorn (producer of the John Peel show).

http://stormthecharts.wordpress.com/the-bands-in-our-final-40/

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=814505536#!/group.php?gid=231943888357&ref=ts

Dr John

From our pals at Properganda Distribution:
'Tribal', the extraordinary new album by Dr. John shows this great American artist at the pinnacle of his creative powers, making what might be the most complete statement of his musical and personal identity in his 50-year career.

Recorded with his band The Lower 911 'Tribal' also includes some of the down 'n' dirtiest tracks Dr. John has recorded since 1968’s iconic 'Gris Gris'.

Replete with swamp rock, funk, Creole voodoo, and Mardi Gras Indian chants, 'Tribal' resurrects the magical persona of "The Night Tripper" in his full regalia. At the same time, Dr. John displays the rippling piano licks, Cajun-fried humor and sharp political observation that have helped make him a national spokesman for post-Katrina New Orleans – and an indelible presence on "Treme".

As always, Dr. John has a little help from his friends: NOLA legend Allen Toussaint contributes two songs; and three songs were co-written with the late, great Bobby Charles, a Louisiana legend himself, to whom Dr. John dedicates the album. Other guest stars include slide guitar phenom Derek Trucks and jazz great Donald Harrison on alto sax.

Got the blues?

The Bluesmaster, Robert Hokum to you and I, has the following Festival dates this Summer:
SAT 24 JULY - EALING BLUES FESTIVAL (Ben Waters, Northsyde, Storm Warning, Big Chief, Sonny Black, Tim Aves).
SUN 22 JULY - BENTWORTH BLUES (Northsyde, Rik Martin, Trafficker, Jules Benjamin, Five Field Holler and more).
SAT 2 OCT - SWANAGE ROOTS & BLUES (line up t.b.c.).

some reminders from Robb Johnson

26/6: Robb & Leon performing The Liberty Tree in Leeds - double CD released by PM Press now available!

4/7: Robb & the Irregulars @ The Hydrant, London Rd Brighton - pm

see website for details.

& the sad bit:

Regular Irregular Roger Watson, not at all well. currently in hospital with pretty serious ongoing heart problems. send him some good thoughts.

Big Untidy sure does


Bobbins

Frank Sidebottom / Chris Sievey RIP

Eggs Over Easy

From Untidy Mike Halpern comes news of a gig to be at if you can on June 27th, when Austin de Lone(Eggs Over Easy), Alex Call(Clover), and the Jim Kweller Band(Jim co-write 867-5309/Jenny with Alex) will be doing a benefit gig in Mill Valley, CA to support those with Prader-Willi Syndrome.
As Mike says "A great gig for a very worthy cause".

Just What I Always Wanted

Mari Wilson
Sunday 27th June
Pizza Express,
Dean Street, Soho, London W1
http://www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk/jazzList.aspx

The Neasden Queen of Soul,
The High Priestess of Hairspray and
The Nymphet of the Nail Varnish -
Mari Wilson
is back at Dean Street with her Threesome, featuring Adrian York (piano) and Matt Backer (guitars).
Retro Pop, Jazz, Soul and Irony.
Expect storytelling, sing-songs and a swinging night out!

A Folk Song A Day

On 24th June 2010 – Midsummer’s Day – acclaimed singer, Jon Boden, will launch an ambitious new project – A Folk Song A Day. Every day for one year Jon will post a traditional song online (and also available as a podcast) to promote the art of 'social' (or communal) singing. Now largely confined to football grounds and places of worship, social singing was once the domain of public houses throughout the land. Ending with 12 digital albums (one released each month), containing a total of 365 songs, Jon Boden will also be providing a unique, traditional folk song resource for those looking for inspiration; social singing made possible by contemporary technology.
In related news, Bellowhead (the group Jon plays in) will be releasing a new album recorded at Abbey Road later this year.
www.afolksongaday.com