Wednesday 12 August 2015

Breaking News: Ryan Adams not the first country artist to take on Pop!


SHOCK NEWS: Ryan Adams is to cover Taylor Swift's album '1989' in full.

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/ryan-adams-taylor-swift-1989

No stranger to fantastic cover versions (Ryan Adam's version of 'Wonderwall' is one of the most played first dance songs for weddings in the UK) his mastery of song is akin to alchemy.

He is by no means the first country singer (I know he is so much more than this, but for the sake of argument) to tackle pop, but how about pop having a go at country? Listen to some 'mixed' results here:

http://www.wideopencountry.com/8-pop-songs-that-were-country-first/



Tuesday 2 June 2015

Tuesday 12 May 2015

Wednesday 29 April 2015

Nepal: Never Ending Peace And Love

Blair and Polly Chadwick in Nepal

















I visited Nepal for the first time with my Wife, then fiancee, last spring. We fell in love with each other and the country, actually planning our wedding whilst trekking in the Annapurna Range.

What was so striking to me (and this I know is not an original thought) is how people with so little could be so happy. They didn't seem to bogged down with the unnecessary and I rarely heard anyone shout or even talk very loud! We were made to feel so welcome and it made both of us re-evaluate are 'wanting' lives.
 


Monk on his bike in Lumbini











We visited the birth place of Buddha in Lumbini and this is where took the picture above of a monk on his motorbike. Spirituality there, and around the country, is completely entwined with the everyday its hard to see where it starts or stops, because it doesn't. It is the same.

The earthquake that shock the country at the weekend was over in minutes but its effects will be felt for years to come.


My wife and I cant shake this peaceful place being in such turmoil right now. Since we came back last year we have started regularly meditating and I personally feel a better, more positive person having gone there and let the wonderful country and its people into my heart. 


We have donated to the crisis appeal, can you?


Please donate whatever you can; a cost of a night out, a weeks worth of cigerattes or the price of your car failing its MOT, whatever you can give please give. 

If you haven't been there please take it from us these beautiful people and their beautiful country need your money and there is no where more deserving. 


If just one person reading this gives, it was worth me writing this. But I hope many of you can.


Thank you


Blair and Polly Chadwick


Tuesday 14 April 2015

Gig Review - Scott H Biram

Kings Arms Bristol - Monday 13th April

A couple of years ago I was in desperate search of the 'New Sound' - Richard Warren had found that sound I had in my head and was playing it through a 60's Jazz Master into a 'heavy as hell' Fender Twin. He opened the show last night and before a mixed crowd of rocker/diesel billies and others, he coaxed some truly intriguing noir tones out of his kit. An obvious talent he was also a lovely fella, check out his video here to hear the magic sound.


Scott H Biram came on without a big entrance (just a small stumble from the bar) and lifted the flippin rough off! Playing a wicked array of old Gibson and Martin acoustics, and even a pointy explorer at times, he battered the hell out of his kick pedal that was at times four to the four and at others stuttered with excitement like a drugged up heart doing somersaults! Songs were played with a true overtop outlaw swagger that only a southern man could have pulled off. Highlights for me would be the fantastic Muddy Waters track that seamlessly went into 'Jack of Diamonds' and my all time favourite 'Still Drunk, Still Crazy, Still Blue'. Scott is a natural story teller whose eyes flip into his head when he really gets in the moment when he is rocking out. I implore you to see him and buy all his stuff, I purchased 'Something's Wrong/Lost forever' and here's the picture with Scott to prove it....

Scott H Biram and Blair Chadwick

Wednesday 25 March 2015

Have you seen the Scottish Mona Lisa?


I have just been up to the capital for a really good course for my day job in  Charity, but not wanting to waste an opportunity I ran over to the Tate last night before close to get a vitally need shot of culture, and this is where we met.
May I introduce you to Margaret, the Duchess of Argyll.

 She was just 19 when she sat for Gerald Leslie Brockhurst. Both the artist and Margaret where 'on the up' in their worlds when this was painted. Margaret was very proud of her Scottish roots and this is clearly on show in her scenic back drop. 

Margaret and I meet in the corner of a large room in the Tate, with an array of intense things on show including the harrowing 'TV Interupptions' an installation by David Hall (check it out its great AND unsettling) but their was Margaret unaffected and all blissed out in the corner! The pull of this picture needs to be seen to be felt, (I'm certain the above JPEG wont have the same mojo)

 My wife and her mother are currently enjoying the Highlands on holiday, so this ones for you - 
the lovely Margaret of Argyll. 

Podcast #3 Butch Walker


Butch Walker

Sunday 1 March 2015

Nashville Tuning


Discovery of a new thing... Nashville tuning. My songwriter partner Charlie Bateson came across this and here I am playing his guitar with the Nashville tuning. The guitar is still tuned to standard but the bottom  four strings are with a lighter gauge and tuned an octave up. The effect is like a twelve string but without the flab. It narrows the sonic spectrum, playing solo would be a bit limited but alongside another guitar in regular tuning it sounds great, like a big Mandolin!

We have already worked this tuning into a new song 'Soul of a new machine';

"...lights go down, smoke goes up, the moment to flee has run away..."


Pinch punch the first of the month, have a good week. x


Friday 20 February 2015

Naked Woman

Danae - Gustav Klimt


I love this picture. During a mad five (possibly a bit longer) minutes I bought a professional framed print of this costing a months rent, I was a student and it made perfect sense.

The painting depicts the Greek myth of Zeus, disguised as golden leaves, seducing the most beautiful women on earth; Danae.

What gets me is her complete serenity in the midst of her busy surroundings, she is wonderfully calm in the eye of the storm.

Thought I would add this into your 'Selfy' world.

Ta rah x

Tuesday 10 February 2015

Get the feeling Scott H Biram is genuine...

Here is Scott H Biram playin' the blues, sloppy and true.
Love the sound, the careless(/carefree) way he sings, almost says "you like me or you don't, whatever"
This song "Still drunk, still crazy, still blue" is off an older album, Im currently sinking my teeth into his current one "Nothin but blood", but will going back to discover his back catalogue. 
He plays country numbers like this one and full on rockers with the backbone being him belting the hell out of his amplified kick drum.

Raising a glass to Scott H Biram, glad your music got to me.

Tuesday 3 February 2015

Never a truer word said


"He who binds to himself a joy Does the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the joy as it flies Lives in eternity's sun rise"                                                        William Blake

Sunday 1 February 2015

Rivers Of England - Selfless People





Lovely song from the talented Rob Spalding and Co AKA Rivers of England. They have a new album coming out this year, and im looking forward to hearing it and seeing them live when they tour it!

Thursday 29 January 2015

Butch Walker - Bed On Fire [OFFICIAL VIDEO]





Love this track. Recorded at Ryan Adams Pax-Am Studio in LA. I checked out alot of Butch's older records he has gone through a fair few changes, always great lyrics though and this current rock country thing I think is the best! Love the feel of this and the really left of field verse vocal melody, bring on the album. 

Tuesday 20 January 2015

The AAA Revue Website goes live with Free Download 'Ghost Walks'


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Belated happy Christmas to one and all, hope you enjoy 'Ghost Walks'.