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Barbara Helen



Last Updated: 12/22/2009

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Status: Single
City: Saltburn by the sea
State: Northeast
Country: UK
Signup Date: 2/10/2008

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Monday, November 30, 2009 

Category: Music

 Grandson Ronnie & Santa

Here we are on the brink of December! The Christmas lights have gone up in our town, and I saw a Christmas tree lights flashing in a window of a house today! May as well get your moneys worth? We will get a real tree next week, I love the smell, and love to drag out the decorations, some of which were made by my son over 30 years ago Ahhhhh!!!!! 
     On Sunday we will go and visit Father Christmas in the morning and then as we decorate the tree later we can listen to:
                                ScrubRadio.com.
The play list includes ME!!! so I am chuffed 4pm-5pm GMT .(From Carolina)
visit www.myspace.com/justgoodpeopleradio site for more info.
I am in good company on the site, lots of mutual friends.
              Take care and lots of love to my special friends here on myspace xxxx
5:08 PM 
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Wednesday, November 18, 2009 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4-pElf9w2rE
Terry Ferdinand took this. A song destined for the next Album.You can hear Terry join in the chorus near the end xx
8:11 AM 
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Monday, November 16, 2009 

Current mood:  focused
Category: Music


 

I launched my debut solo Album, “An Unfamiliar Place” almost one year ago with the help of Angie Taylor of North East Live supported by some fabulous musicians ,  Wendy Arrowsmith and Blind Summat, Brother Crow and Martin Nesbitt all playing a  set at the launch.

 

                           ............................................................................ 

 

So to pick up the R2 Rock n’ Reel Magazine Nov’/ Dec’ edition today  and see the track “A Familiar Place”, from my album alongside Wendy Arrowsmiths’ track ..”The Blacksmith”  plus  other top musicians featured on the UNHERD album  ( free with the magazine) was a real thrill for me.

 

                              ........

 

                  

 

 

                        There is a review of the Album too which was given:

 

                                                       FOUR STARS

Combining a very English vocal diction with elements of the singer-songwriter approach of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins and Joan Baez, North East of England-based Barbara Helen debuts with an eleven-track collection of originals..

       The title track, a delightful statement of intent tinged with regret, is decorated by warm, inviting acoustic guitar. It’s  this laid-back accessibility that is the general tone of the Album, save for the almost incongruous intrusions of the light acoustic jazz of “Let It Go” and the arresting acoustic rocking of “ My Own Patch Of Blue Sky”. The whole, however, makes for a thoroughly engaging listen. Helen is a charming vocalist, an accomplished guitarist and an impressive songwriter. An Unfamiliar Place suggests she is a lady worth watching.

   Danny Moore. R2 Rock n’ Reel.

 

 

 

You can purchase An Unfamiliar Place from myspace via paypal, or….

Ask me at a gig.

The Album comes in a limited edition recycled cardboard cover sleeve, or the new jewel case batch is now available with the brand new booklet. If you have a preference please say.

........

2:06 PM 
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Friday, October 02, 2009 

Current mood:  blessed
Category: Music

 

Well, off I trotted to York the other week to spend my winning voucher in Banks Music! ( The prize for winning the first Richer Sounds and Banks Music Step Up to The Mic Contest) Quite a choice instore. 


         Les , my husband, and I had accompanied our friend and musician, Bernie, to Guitar Guitar in Newcastle a couple of weeks previously to assist him buying a new Taylor guitar. Whilst in the store I was trying all the amazing and incredibly expensive guitars out!! Fell in lurve with a 12 string.

    My first real guitar was a twelve string, still have it and play it at home. I have shared my hopes dreams and lifes loves and losses with it, in return it has helped me create many a melody and song. So I have a real soft spot for thier sound. When I have seen JIVA playing thier Taylor 12 strings it warms my heart with the richness and quality of the sound. So there must've been little wheels and cloggs whirring around in my subconcious steering me to the right place and time.

     After a look around the Banks store Les went to look at some music books leaving me to gaze at guitars....and what should catch my eye?  a Taylor Twelve String. When Les returned I was playing it and he knew that I had found a new companion to treasure for life.

      After negotiating a very generous deal, adding the prize winnings ,  I walked on air out of the shop , got home  played till my fingers were sore!! I love the sound , quality, warm, full, rich,....... so lucky !

     x


5:46 PM 
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Monday, August 24, 2009 

Current mood:  imaginative
Category: Music
Gathering my thoughts together, what a great couple of weeks. I feel truly alive when I play my songs, be it to the birds in the garden or better still a friendly audience. Been doing both of late.

       The weather here in Saltburn by the sea has been kind to us, overcast but that's ok, means I can sit out in my little back garden and strum my guitars without worrying that they get sunstroke. So I have discovered some new melodies in my guitars, amazing how they always offer something fresh and I do love being outdoors, most inspiring. So I have a few new songs, I hope to go to Ian and Catherines' Acklam OM this Tuesdayto air at least one, but may have to dash to Lincolnshire at any time , family stuff.

           Two highlight events for me this month. The brilliant review offered for "An Unfamiliar Place" in the Folk and Roots reviews page/Net Rythmns and Folk Roundabout (Sept' edition)By David Kidman....
".......an absolutely charming, often profoundly moving – and in the end distinctly inspirational – record of a universal journey. A release to really treasure"To read the full review, please visit:http://www.folkandroots.co.uk/reviews.html



And secondy, I was in York  a few weeks ago and saw an ad' for Step Up To The Mic' in Banks Music. Had to send in a bio' website contact and demo. I now have a quality disc, recorded by myspace mate Julian Is A Viking,  of the live performance at the February KFWW festival gig, and have put three songs onto a disc so people know how I sound solo, and live.
             I was told I had been accepted as an entrant! two songs to perform .I chose "My Own POBS," and a new song "Happy ever after," after consulting with The Bass Players Daughter, more myspace friends , who I was at a gig with the evening before the contest .
           The City Screen Basement Bar where the contest was held,  is nery nice, quite small but airy, and upstairs there is a balcony onto the river and  a restraunt bar. I was greeted by Ben the stage manager who told me I was on first, suited me. I had a tray of tea and enjoyed watching the evening unfold.

       The MD of Banks Music,Iain Davidson,came over to greet me and we chatted. He took notes as he was comper for the evening.
              Other acts started to arrive, we introduced ourselves,the atmosphere was great and very supportive. There was one older chap singing an operatic piece, but the other  6 acts in all, were young and shiney.
             Miles Gilderdale arrived, famous  guitarist, the drummer was Julian Richer, owner of the Richer Sounds shops,  a female saxophonist, a bass player and keyboard player. I was earwigging . They ran through the arrangements of several standard popular jazzy numbers, speaking in fluent music lingo. That was brilliant seeing them work things through on such a pro' level.There is always something to learn from other performers.
          I had my sound check and was amazed at how good I sounded, thank you soundman,then went and sat on the balcony watched people on the other balconies at the neighbouring bars celebrating weddings and nights out, brilliant buzzing atmosphere.
         Got into the green room in good time to play through my songs and take a few deep breaths then Ben came and escorted me to the stage where Iain was  beginning the evenings introductions. The place had filled up, the judges were Miles, and  the Branch managers of both music shops. I played my songs and was amazed at the eruption of applause!!!
            Iain said after as an outro how the hairs had stood up on his neck!
I was assisted with my bits and pieces back to the green room...used to struggling and juggling!  and when I had packed up my guitar went and sat near the side of the stage to watch the others. All very good and seemed to be receiving louder and louder applause as the drink kicked in ........resigned to fate.
              A lovely man  from Banks who had had the job of sifting through the initial entrys came over and told me how I had been one who really stood out with my bio' and music etc!! That really made my night.The contest ended and the judges went to confer....dang.. dang dang....
                 Then we all got shepherded back on stage . A little synopsis was given of each act by Miles......they got to me...said what well crafted songs they were and how well they were sung and played and how I was the winner!!!!!!!!!!! I was truly overwhelmed, (but not in a trashy Xfactor way), then Iain,  held my hand as he made a speech about how good he thought I was and presented me with a £200 voucher and goody bag.
               I received genuine well wishes from my fellow competitors , rang Les..."I'M IN THE CLUB....YES ...YES..." Dom Jolly Style.....saw the band play a couple of numbers , and then drove home. Had 5and1/2 hours sleep and then up for work.

            So thrilled to be the first Step Up To The Mic'winner, a real honour.

          Shop talk Music room.........

"Last night saw the first ‘Step up to the Mic’ hosted by Banks Music, York in combination with Richer Sounds, York.  The evening was a great success, with a very talented, eclectic mix of 6 artists and pulled a great, receptive crowd.

The well deserved winner was Barbara Helen, who has received reviews like “A voice like pure crystal” Bob Fischer, Fischer’s Eye.  She sent goose bumps through the audience.  Listen to her on MySpace:  "

....

          I think I may get an acoustic amp.

I hope that this recognition helps me move forward as a singer songwriter and performer, certainly boosted my confidence and I walked on air the next day......still really happy about it!
      Hope to play some more gigs in York, fantasic atmosphere, real buzzing City.
                  Thanks for reading . Love Barbara xxxxx

10:01 AM 
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Tuesday, July 21, 2009 

Current mood:  amused
Category: Music
What an interesting couple of days. Huuuuge learning curve. Les home recorded some acoustic tracks of my songs....nearly drove us nuts trying to get to grips with the technology.

 
       However, puts it in perspective to  think, man landed on the moon with less technology than we were trying to get to grips with yesterday!


      Unfortunately after getting the three songs from the recorder to the computer....an eternity later.... we can't copy them onto a disk to play Ahhhh.


       Hey ho...it is really great though to have these amazing tools at hand and we will learn as we go along, should get our teenage Grandson to teach us.


        I suppose I should know the routine by now, every time a new piece of technology arrives there is a guarenteed frustrating process to go through to get to grips with it, eventually , when you do you can't believe how easy it is !


     I went to see Ice Age Three... in 3D! today...took Ronnie age 5 so as not to look too conspicuous. It was a hoot!!! The effect was awesome, only ever saw another 3D film in the 1970's . I think I was the only person in the cinema that was whooping in awe of the 3D effects!...lol


      I am getting into practice for being a crazy elderly person who wears Purple.


       I have uploaded a couple of tracks on my player that Les and I recorded a few years ago on our Cd "Beyond The Sand," I was having a listen to the Cd and thought they deserved an airing......when we get the home recording process sorted there will be no stopping me. I have been busy writing new songs and looking forward to playing a couple live at my next couple of gigs to see how they are received.


    ♥ xx
 


          
         
           

Currently listening:
Beyond the Sand
By Les Cameron & Barbara Helen
7:59 PM 
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Wednesday, July 15, 2009 

Current mood:  inspired
Category: Music
So thrilled! "When you look at me", the 6th song on my CD, Is listed on the songs inspired by Joni , on the  Joni Mitchell website.

         


http://jonimitchell.com/music/inspiredbyjoni_songs.cfm

 


When I saw this picture it inspired the song.

      I realised what I had been looking for, after yet another  failed relationship. 

     "I only wanted to see, the look in your eyes that says I'm everything you ever wanted a woman to be, when you look at me"

          I am pleased to say I have now found this look.

All the songs on "An unfamiliar Place" are about this journey. Starting with being in a Familiar place , not a good place, but one I was used to and  despite opportunities to move on, I stayed there, it was what I knew so therefore safe.

     Each song on the Cd is like a diary of the transition to finding the love and respect  for myself that I needed in order to be cherished.

            The final song "From a distance" reflects on how our perception of events are shaped by our self beliefs at the time. 

    I found a safe plateau to reflect......"An Unfamiliar Place"
                       xxxxxxx
      
        
Currently listening:
Stephen Stills
By Stephen Stills
Release date: 1996-01-01
7:33 AM 
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Sunday, June 28, 2009 

Current mood:  blessed
Category: Life
Had a really great break this weekend visiting our oldest and best friends near Northampton. Long evenings, bbq, drinking wine, playing music outside, chatting catching up with each others lives and remenising sitting around  a chimneya roaring away late into the night .
     We went walking through lanes filled with wild grasses and flowers, swallows  and buzzards swooping in the sky. We found a pond and watched dragonflies scoot around skimming the water, swallows diving  and picking tasty morsals from the glassy surface of the pond , the air filled with the scents and sounds of Summer Ahhhh....
              It was so lovely to return home refreshed and recharged, feeling extremely fortunate to have such lovely friends and have seen such amazing natural beauty.
       Been working on some new songs I have written too. Looking forward to the gigs I have coming up and will do my best to get to feel comfortable enough with the  new songs to air them.
      Love to all my friends xxx
9:32 PM 
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Sunday, June 07, 2009 

Current mood:  breezy
Category: Music
What a lovely day, even though I had just a short set at M'bro Live where I performed 3 songs, it was so good to be involved. I had some lovely feedback. I had to compete sound wise with a full band on a nearby stage, but that's part of  live performance, I just take it in my stride.


            The thing that struck me was that no matter at what level of performance, what age, or type of  music , there is such a lovely comradery between musicians. That's what I love about myspace too. All the musicians I know here are so supportive and encouraging to each other. I have been picked up when I am down, jollied along, humbled and encouraged, along the way. I hope I offer the same positive support to others too.


      So thanks,
and love to you. xx

Currently listening:
You've Got A Friend: The Best Of James Taylor
By James Taylor
Release date: 2007-04-02
6:21 PM 
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Tuesday, May 19, 2009 

Current mood:  nostalgic
Category: Music

.............times do.
     Been busy rehearing new songs that I plan to play this weekend at Rydale Festival
          http://www.festivalonthemoor.co.uk/ryedalelweekend/index.htm
Always a bit of a butterfly feeling, mainly due the fact that my songs are drawn mainly from personal , but certainly not unique, experiences.
      Life is never boring, if sometimes challenging, but one good thing I have learnt is if it doesn't kill you it makes you stronger! 
     Something just popped into mind, when I was 18 I wrote a song called,"Put it down to experience"  Oh my.........♥

Currently listening:
Pure Prairie League/Bustin' Out
By Pure Prairie League
Release date: 2006-07-31
12:49 PM 
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