GRAPEVINE @ BEDFORDS : Starting 2010 as we mean to go on !

Well, the poster speaks for itself really.  The last time Marcus Bonfanti, Jinder , and Lotte Mullan came up together we were treated to one of the most blissful nights of live music we have ever had ( and we've had some crackers, I'm sure you'll agree ! ) Their musical friendship resulted in some wonderful duets and collaborations, and the night was full of heartfelt songs, killer musicianship and a dazzling blend of blues, soul and Americana.

SO ....add the amazing Paul Liddell ( who always gives a show-stopping performance whenever he plays ) and his uncanny ability to turn himself into a one-man acoustic rock machine  and local hero Mark Miller ( a long-time lynchpin of the local acoustic scene ) who will be bringing a bunch of new songs and a band this time  and you have the recipe for a wonderful night of music.

As usual, we'll be kicking off around 8pm , and we're expecting a good turnout for this one, so please come early. You may even like to enjoy a bite to eat before the show, in which case please ring 01603-666869 to book a table. ( We already have some bookings , so ring early to avoid disappointment )

I hope to see as many of you as possible there. January can be a bit of a dull month, but we are determined to show it really doesn't have to be that way !

All the very best, and see you soon !

Steve xx

Firstly, a huge thank you to all those who came to our recent gig. So great to see such a crowd enjoying such brilliant music from Lewis Garland & The Kett Rebellion, Brooke Sharkey and Adriana. I hope to see you again because we have some more very exciting musical treats coming up , starting with this :

WEDNESDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2009

MARINA FLORANCE BAND

SYLVIE LEWIS

JENNY DIDN'T LIKE TO BE PHOTOGRAPHED



Our November Grapevine will feature sets from Marina Florance Band and Sylvie Lewis , and Jenny Didn't Like to be Photographed.

Marina and her band will be known to many of you, but it has been a while since this great band played on their home turf, so grab this opportunity to catch their mellow sound, great songwriting and musicianship in the lovely setting of Bedfords.

We are also very excited to have Sylvie Lewis joining us, not least because, though British, she is normally based in Italy ! Sylvie..s voice has been described as sounding like honey, her songs are witty, poignant and timeless ( with more than a nod towards greats like Cole Porter and Bacharach ) and delivered with masses of charm. This is an all-too-rare UK appearance, and not to be missed !

We can now also confirm the " mystery artist formerly known as TBC " is , in fact, the very fine Jenny Didn..t Like To Be Photographed. So, add some atmospheric alt.country to the rather promising musical mix.

As usual, entry on the door will be £5. Or you can pre-book a table and join us early for a bite to eat by ringing Bedfords on 01603-666869

Hope to see you there !

Steve xx

WEDNESDAY 30th September : THOMAS J SPEIGHT & JESSICA STAVELEY-TAYLOR and EMILY CREED

We are very excited to tell you that we have added another Grapevine night at the end of the month to coincide with a tour by the excellent London-based singer-songwriter Thomas J Speight to mark the release of his " This House " EP.

Thomas is a graduate of the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts, and received the famous  Macca thumbs-up from Sir Paul McCartney ( LIPA patron )  who told him : " Don..t change a thing ! "  His music is heart-on-sleeve and rootsy, with a strong hint of Americana flavoured with an English songwriting sensibility. We hate to categorise and compare, but are confident that fans of the likes of Ryan Adams will be right at home with Thomas..s music. 

Also joining Thomas in his band is the lovely Jessica Staveley-Taylor ( another LIPA student )  Jess has a wonderful voice and some great songs in her own right ( she played Glastonbury this Summer with her sisters as The Staves ) and we are delighted that she has kindly agreed to play a set of her own as well as with Thomas.

There will be another support act, still to be confirmed.

This promises to be a very fine night of music and we very much hope that you will be able to come down and enjoy these artists in an intimate setting whilst you can, as they seem destined for bigger things.

Entry, as usual, is £5 on the door and music will start around 8pm. Food is available and tables can be reserved by ringing 01603-666869.

You can check out the artists here : www.myspace.com/speightboy  and  www.myspace.com/jesstaylormusic


Hope to see you there,

Steve @ Grapevine xx

AN UPDATE : EMILY CREED JOINS THE LINEUP

We are very pleased to confirm that the excellent Emily Creed will be joining the lineup for this gig. Grapevine regulars will already be familiar with this very talented young singer/songwriter . Check her our heer:
www.myspace.com/emilycreed17

Yes ! 

Later this month we can thumb our noses at the all the doubters then shake hands with all our supporters ( having washed our hands from the nose-thumbing first, of course ) as we celebrate our 2nd blissful year of Grapevine music nights at Bedfords.

As I am currently up in the Lake District and bashing this out on a tiny netbook, I am unable to update posters etc, but here is all you need to know :

Wednesday 16th September 2009 at 8.00pm

Guests : Clara Kousah, Dove and Boweevil and John Ward & Mario Price.

Once again, it will be a great night with a broad range of musical styles, from the dazzling acoustic based rock and balladry of the lovely Clara Kousah and her band,  blues from the excellent Dove and Boweevil ( recently returned from the USA ) and the wonderful musicianship of John Ward and Mario Price who mingle contemporary folk with rousing traditional tunes that last time threatened to blow the roof off. So guitars will be strummed, violins bowed ( frantically ) and all manner of things will be hit.In short, everything a party should be !


Please join us if you can.


PLUS !! Wednesday 30th September a Grapevine Extra !

We are squeezing in an extra night to tie in with as tour by the excellent Thomas J Speight. This will be on Wednesday 30th September. More details to follow, but what I can tell you now is that Thomas is a graduate of the Liverpool Institute of the Performing Arts ( like Alyssa Bonagura who was with us a month or two back ) and will be accompanied by several of the band who so ably accompanied Alyssa, plus the wonderful Jessica Stavely Taylor ,another LIPA student ( who we are hoping will also play a solo set for us in her own right )

This looks set to be another great evening, so please pencil it in your diaries now.


More info to follow, when I get back home !

All the best til then,

Steve xx

Yes !

Very pleased to confirm the brilliant  Ed Sheeran as a last-minute addition to the lineup for next week. Last time he was with us, this young Next Big Thing winner played a superb set and we are really pleased that he will be joining us again.

So......just to recap, the lineup for next week 19th August will be :

FERGUSSON : All the way from Australia, this guy is a brilliant player of both guitar and Irish Bouzouki, and has some excellent songs . A great blend of folkiness with a contemporary slant.

JESS MORGAN:  One of the most talked-about local singer songwriters , and with good reason ! Great songs, wonderful voice and a charming performer. Catch her in an intimate setting whilst you can.

BELINDA GILLETT/ELEPHANT : If, like us, you are already a fan of her acoustic stuff, you are going to love hearing Belinda in a band setting, and Elephant provide just the right kind of sympathetic setting for those emotive songs.

ED SHEERAN :  Loop station ahoy ! Young, contemporary, and almost unfairly talented ....this guy is impressive !

Plus , we still have a surprise guest dropping in to road-test a few new songs ...so be ready for an exclusive or two !

A whole evening of great musical entertainment in a beautiful setting for just £5.

Music will start around 8pm, but why not come early and sample a treat from the brand new Bedfords menu ? Just ring 01603-666869 and you can book a table in advance.

Hope to see you there !

Steve xx

I know that all mailing list members are already aware of this, and the lack of any advertising, flyers, or listings on our profile also probably convey this too, but may I just confirm that the Marcus Bonfanti/Lotte Mullan/Jinder gig we had pencilled in for tonight is NOT taking place as originally planned ....hence no further reference has been made to it since our blog at the beginning of July.

Sadly, once again recording comittments got in the way of our plans ...Marcus is by now well into the recording of a second album, and I believe Lotte has been busy in the studio working on her hotly-anticipated debut, whilst Jinder has been receiving some fully-deserved rave reviews for his recently-released album " 9cents from Benelux "

We are hoping that this gig may be re-scheduled for later in the year, and meanwhile apologise for any disappointment !

Our next gig ( as advertised ) is on Wednesday 19th August and will feature Fergusson ( all the way from New South Wales )  Jess Morgan ( a local treasure !) and  Belinda Gillett with her wonderful new band Elephant.  Please check them out by clicking their names on our " Next Gig " entry on our profile page . It should be another great night .

All the very best, and happy listening !

Steve @ Grapevine xx