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NEWS ARCHIVE 2003>>
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- But now leaving Dusty in sole charge of the ol’ homestead, Brad has packed his rabbit rope and lit out for the Honky Tonks once more. Hank and Brad’s first gig is on March 27th, and they will be high in the saddle from then on, with the serious work kicking in around September, by which time they will, of course, be Superyodels. STAY TUNED FOR MORE NEWS...
HANK WANGFORD & BRAD BREATH
30 years ago I was recruited by BJ Cole to play on an album by an old acquaintance, Hank Wangford. The money ran out after 2 days, but we stuck with it, and later that year I was persuaded to do a maximum of 3 gigs round London, to promote the album’s release. 4 years later, after a very happy time with a fantastic bunch of musicians, I left the band!I have always stayed in touch with the venerable doctor Hank, and now we have decided to pole our way up the river of pain once more, reviving the partnership which brought Hank Wangford and Brad Breath together all those years ago.
Brad has spent the ensuing years on his Rabbit Ranch in Two Buttes, Colorado – see here, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_Buttes,_Colorado. Alongside his trusty wrangler Dusty Evsky, Brad has wrestled with the curse of rabbit ranching – namely, the nearly 100% mortality rate at branding time.
POETRY LIVE FOR HAITI
The Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Poetry Live have invited 20 of our leading poets to perform at Westminster Central Hall on Saturday January 30th 2010 at 2.30pm in a fundraising event for the people of Haiti.
Poets include Carol Ann Duffy, Roger McGough, Andrew Motion, John Agard, Dannie Abse, Brian Patten, Gillian Clarke, Imtiaz Dharker, Grace Nichols, Elaine Feinstein, Daljit Nagra, Ian Duhig, Lachlan Mackinnon, Owen Sheers, Glyn Maxwell, Jo Shapcott, Robin Robertson, Colette Bryce, Maura Dooley and Robert Minhinnick, along with the musicians John Sampson and Andy Roberts.
Tickets are £10. Telephone 01497 822629 or go to www.poetryliveforhaiti.org to book tickets. Tickets will be available at the door on the day for cash only.
All proceeds will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Haiti Earthquake Appeal.
This event has been made possible thanks to the huge generosity of the Guardian Hay Festival, Westminster Central Hall and Eclipse Sound and Light..
- Three Bonzos and a Piano... hit London Town
Three Bonzos and a piano hit london on the 6th February when the boys play Bloomsbury Theatre. The gigs have been doing very well, with capacity crowds everywhere, and loving it, too. Andy says "The act is pretty much hitting its peak, and I'm having fun doing it." Just to remind you, Three Bonzos and a piano are:
Roger Ruskin Spear: saxophone, trumpet, rowmonium, clarinet, air guitar, robots
Sam Spoons: spoons (natch!), percussion, drums
Rodney Slater: saxophones, washboard, ukulele
Dave Glasson: keyboards, bass sweater
+ for Bloomsbury, ‘Legs’ Larry Smith & Vernon Dudley Bohay Nowell!
+ Guest - Andy Roberts: tenor banjo, ukulele, guitar
- Adrian Mitchell
A London memorial concert to celebrate Adrian Mitchell, who passed away earlier in the year, took place on Wednesday evening. Entitled Celebrating Adrian Mitchell, the event took place at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on London’s South Bank, and it was a truly fitting occasion. A stage full of poets and musicians, and decked with bunting set the tone of the evening from the very outset fitting for the man. More here...
Andy in Paris
Andy is to play a gig in Paris on 8th November. The concert, at the Sound Gallery, will be a solo concert. The venue is The Sound Gallery, 104, quai de Jemmapes Paris 10 and kicks off at 8pm.
- Robert Kirby
Andy's friend and long time collaborator Robert Kirby passed away last Saturday. Andy Says, "The saddest news has been the death on Saturday last of Robert Kirby. We met in the early 70s when Bob was making his name as an arranger, principally through his superb work with Nick Drake. Quite often he would be arriving as I was leaving Sound Techniques, or vice versa. "
- More of Three Bonzos and a piano... plus Andy Roberts
Andy has pencilled in more dates with those old men who ought to know better again! See the updated gigs page . Also, he will be perfoming with Roger McGough whilst sailing around the Scottish islands on a Saga cruise during August.
- THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ...
THE LIVERPOOL SCENE
The new Liverpool Scene anthology, 1968-1970, entitled The Amazing Adventures of …The Liverpool Scene, is released today (29th June) by Esoteric Records, a division of Cherry Red. The 2-CD package features most of the band’s recorded output, along with some previously unreleased live material. Many of the included tracks have never been available on CD before, and those that have have been meticulously remastered from the original master tapes from 40 years ago. Get your copy from you favourite music shop.... - THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ...
THE LIVERPOOL SCENE - eclec22138
- Three Bonzos and a piano... plus Andy Roberts
Andy played Salisbury Playhouse last night (2nd June) with Three Bonzos and a Piano, other old people who ought to know better (!), including Roger Ruskin Spear, Sam Spoons, Rodney Slater & Dave Glasson and special guest 'Legs Larry Smith'. We've quickly loaded up some photos from the gig. More to come!
- THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ...
THE LIVERPOOL SCENE
The new Liverpool Scene anthology, 1968-1970, entitled The Amazing Adventures of …The Liverpool Scene, will be released on 29th June by Esoteric Records, a division of Cherry Red. The 2-CD package will feature most of the band’s recorded output, along with some previously unreleased live material. Many of the included tracks have never been available on CD before, and those that have are being meticulously remastered from the original master tapes from 40 years ago.
Carol Ann Duffy
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Fantastic news today that Carol Ann Duffy is the new Poet Laureate!
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Congratulations..
Andy says, “I first met Carol Ann in the early 1970s when Adrian Henri introduced us. Later, when she came to the University in Liverpool, we all got to know her well, and it was no surprise that her earliest work won prizes, and she has become one of the nation’s best loved poets. No one could have been prouder than Adrian at the phenomenal success she has had – she remains a great friend to this day, and to see her progress, from OBE to CBE and now to the Laureateship, has been pure pleasure. I’m sure Adrian is looking down from Parnassus and rubbing his hands in glee!”
- Tribute to the 96...
You will have seen that we have added a tribute to the 96 Liverpool football fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough on 15th April 1989, and their families. The poem 'The Bell' was written by Adrian Henri , a life-long Liverpool FC supporter, in the days that followed the tragedy, and the performance reading is accompanied by Andy on guitar. Adrian Henri's partner, Catherine Marcangeli, has kindly given permission for the poem to be reproduced on the website. Andy said "This recording is a plain, and I hope unpretentious, performance of The Bell from the Bedford Readers’ and Writers’ Festival 1993. I think we had started performing the poem a couple of years before, but it was only short, and I recollect it always had this simplicity – an unadorned feeling which was in keeping with the momentous event it recalled. "
- Three Bonzos and a piano... plus Andy Roberts
Andy will be doing a handful of gigs beginning in May with Three Bonzos and a piano. Andy will join the other old people who ought to know better (!), including Roger Ruskin Spear, Sam Spoons, Rodney Slater & Dave Glasson.
- The amazing videos of THE LIVERPOOL SCENE...
We've added several videos from the 1960's when The Liverpool Scene recorded a live television programme at Granada studios in Manchester.
- THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF ...
THE LIVERPOOL SCENE
The new Liverpool Scene anthology, 1968-1970, entitled The Amazing Adventures of …The Liverpool Scene, is expected to be released in May 2009 by Esoteric Records, a division of Cherry Red.
- ADRIAN MITCHELL
- Andy's close friend and long time collaborator Adrian Mitchell passed away just before Christmas. With Adrian Mitchell Andy wrote his first full length stage musical, (Mind Your Head), his first ever TV drama (Something Down There Is Crying), and his LIVE (!) TV musical (Total Disaster), a first full length childrens’ musical (The Patchwork Girl Of Oz), and 2 lovely pieces in the last 12 months (To The River, and Maudie And The Green Children). R
- THREE BONZOS AND A PIANO
- The news came in too late for inclusion here, but Andy did a gig with THREE BONZOS AND A PIANO at the weekend in Brighton. There is the possiblity of further gigs in the New Year. As you might have guessed from the title, the band comprises Rodney Slater, Roger Ruskin spear and Sam Spoons from the Bonzos, with the addition of Dave Glasson on piano.
- MIKE HART BLEEDS
Mike Hart's reissue of album Mike Hart Bleeds on Dandelion/Cherry Red is gathering greaat reviews. The Independent gave the CD a 4 star rating last week and of the five tracks they marked out as particularly noteworthy - three were Liverpool Scene numbers.
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- VIVIAN STANSHALL by John Peel
- Recently Andy was handed a newspaper appreciation of Vivian Stanshall, written by John Peel just after Vivian had passed away. Mike Berry and his wife had kept it for Andy for 13 years as Andy had been away in Hollywood when Viv died.
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- MIKE BERRY gig
Andy will be appearing with his old mate Mike Berry in Brighton on Saturday November 8th. - The gig is at the Latest MusicBar
(formerly the Joogleberry Playhouse)
14 - 17 Manchester Street
Brighton
BN2 1TF
Tel: 01273 687171
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- JOHN PEARSE
- John Pearse (founder of Breeezy Ridge Instruments, and John Pearse Strings) has sadly died (early on Friday morning last week). Andy Roberts has long used and recommended John’s strings and other products, and said "I have long held him to be a genius as a designer, as well as an infectious performer, who happened also to be an inspirational teacher. He will be hugely missed." John’s funeral will be in Germany, where he lived with his wife Linda, on Wednesday 5th November. You can find out more about John's life and work and contribute to a visitors book here: www.jpstrings.com
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- ANDY ROBERTS gigs
- There may be some Andy Roberts gigs later in the summer in partnership with Iain Matthews. Nothing is confirmed as yet, but watch this space for further details. Additionally, Julian Dawson and Andy may collaborate with a handful of gigs, also later in the year.
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Adrian Mitchell
- Andy has recently collaborated with Adrian Mitchell to produce a 30-minute musical for children, with music by Andy Roberts and the book and lyrics by Adrian Mitchell. Called Maudie and the Green Children, it is based on an old Suffolk folk tale. Both Adrian and Andy completed a three day workshop, hosted by the Theatre Royal, Plymouth, to present the show to the teachers and theatre outreach staff who will be rehearsing the performers. It is hoped the show will later tour taking in London, Leeds and Dundee. Watch this space for more info.
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Rusty's Roundup
- Andy featured in Rusty's Round-up in Brighton last month.
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ANDY ROBERTS & Rusty's Roundup- Andy features in Rusty's Round-up in Brighton this coming weekend. The all strat band also features; Nick Pynn – fiddle; BJ Cole – pedal steel guitar; Graeme Ross – dog-house bass & & Debbie Tyndall – backing vocal plus guest appearances from Sleepy Ed Hicks, Debbie Doright, Stella Starr and Elvin Priestley.
- Saturday 1st December, Hanbury Ballroom, Brighton
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- Andy Roberts on Radio 4
From Fact to Fiction... - Andy Roberts and poet/writer Adrian Mitchell collaborate on 'To the River', a surreal journey into the depths of a curious underworld. This is a series in which writers create a fictional response to this week's news. The drama/musical has been written in the past few days, recorded today (Friday 16th November), and will be aired on Radio4 at 7pm, Saturday 17th November and repeated on Sunday at 5.40pm. Plus if you miss either of these two airings you can 'listen again' over the internet at www.bbc.co.uk
- Andy Roberts on Radio 4
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- Adrian Henri: Selected and Unpublished
A couple of 'Adrian Henri' happenings will take place this weekend in Liverpool. On Friday (19th Oct) Adrian's new 'SELECTED AND UNPUBLISHED' will be launched at the Liverpool Everyman theatre. Edited by Catherine Marcangelli, Adrian's partner, this new volume presents a selection of the Adrian's most famous work, as well as the unpublished collection he was working on at the time of his death.
'SELECTED AND UNPUBLISHED' is published by Liverpool University Press. ISBN 9781846311048. - In addition, on the Saturday (20th Oct) the unveiling of Adrian's Wall will take place at the newly refurbished St. George's Hall, also in his home town.
- Adrian Henri: Selected and Unpublished
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- ANDY ROBERTS and the GREAT STAMPEDE
IN STOCK NOW and available to purchase direct from AndyRobertsMusic. - Released for the very first time on CD, this album contains the nine original tracks plus five bonus tracks. ANDY ROBERTS and the GREAT STAMPEDE comes with a sixteen page booklet and the original artwork. The booklet contains Andy's recollections and many of the photographs he took during his trip to Jamaica in the early 1970s which inspired several of the tracks.
- ANDY ROBERTS and the GREAT STAMPEDE
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- Andy Roberts & Dennis Locorriere
'Hits and History Tour' - The Hits & History tour began a few days ago and we have some photos of the Salisbury gig. Dennis and the whole band are outstanding and the tour offers a rare chance to catch Andy playing some fine electric guitar! See the HITS & HISTORY PAGE for the photos and the GIGS PAGE for dates.
- Andy Roberts & Dennis Locorriere
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- Andy Roberts & Dennis Locorriere
'Hits and History Tour' - Dennis tours the UK during March and April. The band consists of some outstanding musicians with Andy Roberts on vocals, guitar and mandolin, Clive Gregson (former Plainsong) on vocals, keyboards, guitar, mandolin and accordian, Mark Griffiths (Plainsong) on vocals and bass guitar, Sev Lewkowicz on vocals and keyboards and finally Martin Hughes on drums.
- Andy Roberts & Dennis Locorriere
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- NEW PAGE for 2007!
- Andy's live appearances in various formats are building for 2007 so we've decided to add a GIGS PAGE.
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- ANDY ROBERTS
- Andy Roberts is featured on the new compilatation 5 CD set from Elektra that highlights the absolute finest recordings from the label during their first decade: 1963-73. Andy is featured on two tracks: The True Story Of Amelia Earhart - Plainsong and All Around My Grandmother's Floor.
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- ANDY ROBERTS solo...!
- Andy Roberts will be performing a rare solo show at the Lamb Folk Club in Eastbourne on Wednesday 21st February. His first folk club appearance for over thirty years! The club is above the Lamb Inn, High Street, Eastbourne. Tickets are £5 on the night.
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Roger McGough
- Roger McGough's Said And Done tour continues into 2007 and Andy Roberts will appear at the Warwick Arts Centre on Monday 12th February.
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ANDY ROBERTS touring again- Maggie Reilly will tour with a band in late November to promote her new album Rowan. Andy plays beautifully on the new abum, which was released in September. The dates, which at the moment are all in Denmark, are 22nd - 26th November. Find out more at Maggie's website: www.maggiereilly.co.uk.
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- GRIMMS 2 selling fast
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- The new GRIMMS CD Sleepers is selling out fast! The earlier release sold out so quickly that this second, remastered version with eleven bonus tracks was produced. But with Andy gigging across the country the past couple of months this also is selling fast. You can order a copy of this fantastic sounding CD by filling out the order form. What better than to buy direct from the artist - here at AndyRobertsMusic.
- GRIMMS 2 selling fast
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- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - Touring
On the weekend which sees the DVD release of the Vivian Stanshall's, 'Sir Henry At Rawlinson End' (£14.99 Digital Classics) AndyRobertsMusic is pleased to confirm that Andy will play several of the up-coming Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band dates. - The line-up features Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus and Andy Roberts, along with original members Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater, Legs Larry Smith Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Sam Spoons & Bob Kerr.
- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - Touring
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Roger McGough
- Roger McGough's tour to promote his new autobiography Said And Done (Century) started in Leeds last night and continues during the next couple of months. Catch Roger and Andy, a words and music partnership which has lasted forty years (1966).
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- Andy in Japan
- Well, not quite, but a photo of Ian and the crew in Toyko taken with Andy's phone!. Andy says that both he and Iain had a brilliant time in Japan and that he was overwhelmed by the interest shown in all aspects of his career! News and more photos soon.
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- ANDY ROBERTS
- The new Maggie Reilly album Rowan on which Andy plays, will be released on 15 September. You can order a copy from Maggie Reilly's website at www.maggiereilly.co.uk.
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- Andy in Japan
- Andy Roberts will be playing a couple of dates in Japan in early September. Appearing with Iain Matthews, Andy will play Toyko on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 September.
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Roger McGough
- Roger McGough's new autobiography Said And Done (Century) explores overnight fame with Lily The Pink and Mike McCartney & John Gorman. And of course, Andy Roberts, having been there at the beginning, provides musical accompaniment.
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GRIMMS @ AndyRobertsMusic
- We now have stock of the new GRIMMS CD Sleepers. The earlier release sold out so quickly that this second, remastered version with eleven bonus tracks has been produced. You can order a copy of this fantastic sounding CD by filling out the order form. The cost of each CD (25 tracks) - signed by Andy- remains £12.99 / €20 including postage. The bonus tracks are: Living Apart Together; She's Leaving Home; Crystal Balls; The Masked Poet;I Must Be In Love Riff; I Must Be In Love; Street: Mouth; Where Am I Now; Backbreaker & Plenty Of Time. This release also includes extensive liner notes written by Nigel Cross, with the full collaboration of Andy Roberts. What better than to buy direct from the artist - here at AndyRobertsMusic.
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- Andy Roberts & Julian Dawson
- Andy will be performing with Julian Dawson in Hove on Saturday 17th June. The gig is at the Sanctuary Café Cellar. 51-55 Brunswick St. East, Hove BN3 1AU . Tel: 01273 770006. The line-up will also include Julian's daughter Holly Dawson.
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- Andy Roberts - PINK FLOYD photos
- Some time ago, Andy bought a handful of photos of the Earls Court PINK FLOYD gig in 1981. We've obtained permission to reproduce them on AndyRobertsMusic and you can find them here >>
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- Andy Roberts Gig
- Its not often Andy does a solo gig! So make the most of his appearance at Brighton's Hanbury Ballroom on Monday 5th June, presented by Barn d'Or Music (Mike Lance formely the Greys).
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- Brighton Fringe Festival
We have some photos of the BIG IRON shows from Brighton's Fringe Festival
- Brighton Fringe Festival
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Brighton Fringe Festival
Andy will accompany the The Last Word Theatre Company during their theatre show at this year's Brighton Fringe Festival. The shows which run from 14th - 17th May at the Theatre Bar, upstairs at the Prince Albert, Trafalgar Street in Brighton features an array of characters and Andy has written several new numbers for the show, a Musical Extravanganza. Tickets are £7/£5 available from the Dome Box Office on 01273 709709 or 01273 620434.
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ANDY ROBERTS in Acoustic Magazine
Andy Roberts is featured in the current edition of Acoustic Magazine (issue 9). Andy's acoustic guitar skills are well documented and his playing is admired by and has influenced lots of other musicians.- Andy talks to Joel McIver about what's kept him going through the years, his collection of guitars and argues about who's the greatest guitarist ever.
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- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary!
Marking the 40th anniversary of the release of 'My Brother Makes the Noises for the Talkies' the Bonzos first record. . . - This DVD of the Astoria event features special guests Stephen Fry, Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus & Paul Merton and Andy Roberts, along with original members Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater, Legs Larry Smith Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Sam Spoons & Bob Kerr.
- The DVD is nearly finished and a screening took place in London this week. The DVD will be released in the next few weeks. Buy from Classic Rock Direct - link from the 'LINKS'page
- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary!
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- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary Celebrations.
Marking the 40th anniversary of the release of 'My Brother Makes the Noises for the Talkies' the Bonzos first record. . . - This DVD of the Astoria event features special guests Stephen Fry, Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus & Paul Merton and Andy Roberts, along with original members Neil Innes, Roger Ruskin Spear, Rodney Slater, Legs Larry Smith Vernon Dudley Bohay-Nowell, Sam Spoons & Bob Kerr.
- The DVD which will be released in April, is available for pre-order from your favourite dvd dealer now.
- Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary Celebrations.
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ANDY ROBERTS -
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...and the Bonzo's
40th Anniversary Bash
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ANDY ROBERTS interview...
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"The obvious high point of the year was the release of the Anthology on Sanctuary."
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- BONZO'S 'wacky' one more time...
Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band come together for a one-off gig at the London Astoria (157 Charing Cross Road) on Saturday 28 January.
Martin Ash, Vernon Dudley Bohey Nowell, ‘Legs’ Larry Smith, Neil Innes, Rodney Slater & Roger Ruskin Spear will come together for this unique performance together with some of Vivian Stanshall's special friends...... who for the moment remain 'undisclosed'...! - Check out the Astoria Box Office for more details on 0870 060 3777.
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- ANDY ROBERTS plays Belfast
Andy Roberts will play a gig supporting Andy Irvine in Belfast this week. Andy Irvine formed Planxty and has played extensively with Paul Brady. The gig is this Thursday 8 December at THE SPRING & AIRBRAKE, Ormeau Avenue, Belfast. Tickets are £12.50. Further information from the venue on 028 9032 5942.
- ANDY ROBERTS plays Belfast
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- ANDY ROBERTS & Roger McGough
- Andy will be appearing with Roger McGough for an evening of poetry and music this Saturday (12th November) at Lewes Town Hall, Sussex. Tickets can be purchased by phoning the box office on 01323 841414.
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- ANDY ROBERTS in the studio
- Andy Roberts is currently in Woodworm Studios, the original Fairport Convention studio in Oxfordshire, recording tracks for the new Maggie Reilly album. Maggie is a Scottish singer songwriter whose voice graced the Mike Oldfield hit 'Moonlight Shadow'.
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- ANDY ROBERTS & TONY HAASE
- Andy Roberts and Tony Haase appear together at the PAVILION THEATRE, BRIGHTON as part of the BRIGHTON COMEDY FESTIVAL.
- Comedy and NINE NEW SONGS from the new comedy concept album: 'First Singalong Symphony'. For too long symphonic music has been written by composers and played by classical orchestras. In this 1st Singalong Symphony all the notes are chosen and sung by the audience... Which is much more fun!
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- KEITH MORRIS
- Andy has recently learnt of the death of an old friend, Keith Morris. Keith took lots of photos for Andy's album sleeves and publicity in the early 70s. He became famous for his photographs of other bands such as Elton John, Led Zeppelin and in particular those of Marc Bolan from T-Rex. Keith's photos can be seen on Andy's Everyone and Nina and The Dream Tree albums. More recently he built a reputation as a diver.
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- LIVERPOOL SCENE
- Andy is currently working on a proposed release of a LIVERPOOL SCENE collection. The exact format is not yet decided, but could be 2CD (or more) boxed set and would include tracks for the last album St Adrian Co. Broadway and 3rd which contains some of the Scene's best work and has never been released on CD format. The collection would mastered from the original tapes. More details as we get them - stay tuned.
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- IN STOCK NOW
ANDY ROBERTS- JUST FOR THE RECORD
- the solo anthology, 1969-76
- Andy's hugely anticipated new album, the first solo release with his full co-operation in nearly twenty years, is now available for immediate delivery here at AndyRobertsMusic.
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- MAKE POVERTY HISTORY
Every single day, 30,000 children are dying as a result of extreme poverty. This year, 2005, we finally have the resources, knowledge and opportunity to end this shameful situation. Join the band of people who are taking action to make poverty history.
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- MONDAY 11th JULY
- ANDY ROBERTS
- JUST FOR THE RECORD
- the solo anthology, 1969-76
- Andy's hugely anticipated new album, the first solo release with his full co-operation in nearly twenty years, will be released on the 11th July.
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- ANDY ROBERTS - touring
- Andy Roberts has been invited to join Dennis Locorriére next month in a band that includes Mark Griffiths and Clive Gregson. Dennis was the former lead singer in the band Dr Hook and normally tours solo. Dennis Locorriére & the Lucky Ones will be playing Wolverhampton - The Robin 2 (7th), Newark - The Americana Festival (8th) and Southampton - The Brook (9th) July. Catch these unique gigs if you can.
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- PLAINSONG Amelia 3 now in stock @ AndyRobertsMusic
- After a few teething problems, Andy has taken delivery of the new 2 disk PLAINSONG CD. The CD set includes "In Search of Amelia Earhart" together with the unreleased second album "Now We R 3", and additional live tracks including a recently discovered recording of the band singing a demo of "Along Comes Mary". This was the track that decided all members of the band to go ahead with plans to form PLAINSONG in the first place. The 2CD set has 40 tracks and over 150 minutes of music from the original band and is available NOW - here direct for £13.49 including delivery.
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- CONGRATULATIONS another new addition
- Iain Matthews and his partner Marly have become parents. Marly gave birth to a daughter, Luca-Mae recently. AndyRobertsMusic and I'm sure Plainsong fans everywhere welcome Luca-Mae to the world and offer their congratulations to Marly and Iain.
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- RECORD COLLECTOR
- An article about Andy Roberts earlier career and recordings is featured in the July edition of RECORD COLLECTOR. OUT NOW...
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- JUST FOR THE RECORD
- Andy's hugely anticipated new album, the first solo release with his full co-operation in nearly twenty years, will be released in the next couple of weeks.
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- NEW GALLERY
- You may also have noticed that we have added a brand new GALLERY to the pages of AndyRobertsMusic. ARM will be adding additional photos over the coming weeks.
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- ED KELLEHER
- Andy pays tribute to another lost friend. Ed Kelleher, screenwriter, playwright and film critic passed away recently. A huge fan of the Liverpool Scene, Ed used to hitch rides from the USA on American airforce planes to come to weekend gigs!
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- THE VERY BEST OF ANDY ROBERTS
SANCTUARY RECORDS will release a double CD ANDY ROBERTS: "JUST FOR THE RECORD...the solo anthology, 1969-76". The title may be a bit of a mouthful but this double CD, due in June and produced with the full consent and co-operation of Andy, holds the very best of his music from this period. For the first time the remixed, re-recorded and improved later versions made for B & C version of HOME GROWN will be available on CD together with NINA AND THE DREAMTREE, plus several bonus items, which include tracks from Andy's 1970 EVERYONE and 1973 albums URBAN COWBOY and THE GREAT STAMPEDE. We now have the full track listing and the working cover for the release.
- THE VERY BEST OF ANDY ROBERTS
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- RECORD COLLECTOR
- An article about Andy Roberts earlier recordings will feature in RECORD COLLECTOR in the next few weeks when a 5000 word piece written by Colin Harper appears in the magazine. Look out for RECORD COLLECTOR.
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- PLAINSONG
- We promised you lots of Andy Roberts music at the beginning of the year and hot on the heels of the re-released GRIMMS album, SLEEPERS,
comes the new PLAINSONG release. - This 2CD set of the original 1972 Plainsong quartet, which included Andy, Iain, Bob Ronga and Dave Richards is due in early May. The CD set will include "In Search of Amelia Earhart" together with the unreleased second album "Now We R 3", and additional live tracks including a recently discovered recording of the band singing a demo of "Along Comes Mary". This was the track that decided all members of the band to go ahead with plans to form PLAINSONG in the first place. The 2CD set has 40 tracks and over 150 minutes of music from the original band and will be available in the next few weeks - but you can order it here direct from AndyRobertsMusic for £13.49 including delivery.
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- WORDS AND MUSIC - LIVE IN BRIGHTON
- Andy Roberts first live gig of 2005 was a great success, with both Andy and Tony Haase playing to a receptive audience. "Hugely encouraging response from the Brighton audience ...." ANDY ROBERTS. An additional date has been set the Greys in Brighton for 10th April.
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- LIVERPOOL SCENE - ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL 1969
- BritishPathe.com have downloadable film footage of The Liverpool Scene onstage at the Isle of Wight Festival in 1969. Pathe produced news footage for British cinemas almost from the early 1900's until they stopped in 1970. The short clip (one minute) shows the band performing complete with sound (and commentary) onstage prior to Bob Dylan's appearance. For those who missed out on The Liverpool Scene in the late 60's and early 70's, the film clip gives a good idea why they were so popular.
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- WORDS AND MUSIC - LIVE IN BRIGHTON
- Tony Haase - Writer and Comedian and Now Singer of Popular Dirges combines with Multi-Instrumentalist, Songwriter and Producer Andy Roberts for an evening of Words and Songs from their new Comedy Concept Album called: "This Is Tony Haase and Andy Roberts"....
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- PERCY JONES
- New on the PERCY JONES web-site is an interview in which he talks about his early playing days in the UK, his influences and experiences after he moved to the USA. Percy Jones was the bass player in THE LIVERPOOL SCENE and talks to his web master about playing with the SCENE, THE SCAFFOLD and alongside Andy with ROY HARPER. Today he is a highly regarded jazz player who has performed alongside some of the greats in jazz music. Link to Percy Jones web-site via the
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- We have now added a BUY CDs page to AndyRobertsMusic which you can use to order the GRIMMS Sleepers CD. Also on this page are copies of PLAINSONG'S New Place Now CD and the posters from Andy Roberts solo album The Great Stampede for sale. To those who have pre-ordered the CD, they have been sent out today (4th Feb). Happy listening.
- Keep tuned for several more CD releases this year which will only be available here at AndyRobertsMusic.
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'SLEEPERS' selling fast... -
@ AndyRobertsMusic
- Already the GRIMMS Sleepers CD is well on the way to a complete sell-out and thats before we have sorted a proper order form! Those wanting a copy of this album, considered the best, from GRIMMS should send a pre-order email to ARM quickly to avoid disappointment.
- ORDER NOW or miss out...
- The cost of each CD - signed by Andy- is £12.99 including postage
- What better than to buy direct from the artist - here at AndyRobertsMusic.
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GRIMMS @ AndyRobertsMusic
- We now have a limited stock of the GRIMMS CD Sleepers. You can pre-order a copy of this wonderful CD by sending us an email. This will be a temporary feature whilst our order pages are being built. Please tell us how many copies you want to order, your name and address. We will hold a copy for you and notify you when our payment details are finalised. The cost of each CD - signed by Andy- is £12.99 including postage
- What better than to buy direct from the artist - here at AndyRobertsMusic.
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- 2005
AndyRobertsMusicoften starts the new year with promises of AR treats and delights for the coming year. This year promises much more than usual, as in late January the GRIMMS album Sleepers will be released on CD, with the full co-operation of Andy and all the artists who created this wonderful recording. Sleepers is considered to be the best GRIMMS album and was produced by Peter Jenner (legendary manager of Pink Floyd, Roy Harper, The Clash, Ian Dury and Billy Bragg), engineered by Jerry Boys (who recorded the Buena Vista Social Club) and contains performances from John Gorman, Zoot Money, Roger McGough, Neil Innes, & David Richards, as well as Andy's original Bluebird Morning, amongst many other delights. - We hope to have copies available for sale here, signed by Andy. What better than to buy direct from the artist - here at AndyRobertsMusic.
Later in the year, plans are in place to remaster the original tapes of Andy's earliest material for a planned release on double CD. These will come from the nearly 200 rough mixes, radio cuts, demos and alternate mixes that form Andy's personal archive, as well as the original master tapes of his solo albums between 1969 and 1973. This will be the first time in nearly twenty years that Andy has collaborated on a planned release. We hope to have copies for sale direct from the website.
This site has been promising MP3s downloads for years, but this year we will definitely have them up and running in a completely new section. We will feature material from Andy's film and television scores, as well as poetry collaborations and songs.
Also your webmaster has been weavering away on new look GALLERY, which will include lots of new photos including some from Andy's time with Pink Floyd. Stay tuned for more news soon.......
- 2005
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- ADRIAN HENRI @ AndyRobertsMusic
We have added a new section to AndyRobertsMusic which celebrates the life and work of Adrian Henri. The new pages will highlight Adrian's poetry and paintings and are presented with the consent of Catherine Marcangeli, Adrian's partner for fifteen years. See more of Adrian Henri's lifetime of work - Poet, Artist & Musician
- ADRIAN HENRI @ AndyRobertsMusic
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- ANDY returns to Poetry
Andy is presently working on a collaboration with Catherine Marcangeli. The project will set a number of poems to music (written by Andy) and record them for use as teaching aids for school children. Andy's links with poetry are well documented and go back to the earliest recordings of the Liverpool Scene with the late Adrian Henri (Catherine's partner) and Roger McGough.
- ANDY returns to Poetry
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- ANDY IN RECORD COLLECTOR
Fans of Andy Roberts HOME GROWN album, released in the early 1970's don't need reminding just how good this record is. The album contains some absolute gems, including Applecross, Moth & Lizards in Detroit, Queen of the Moonlight World and The One-Armed Boatman & the Giant Squid. However the Christmas 2004 edition of Record Collector, has just labelled the album one of the UK's -
' Top Twenty Neglected Brit-Folk Gems '
- ANDY IN RECORD COLLECTOR
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- ANDY IN MOJO
December's MOJO magazine features a ten-page special tribute to John Peel with contributions from Andy Roberts and lots of other friends and colleagues of the great music guru.
- ANDY IN MOJO
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- EVERYMAN HOSTS STAR-STUDDED GALA
Andy Roberts will be part of the 40th Birthday celebrations at the Everyman Theatre later this month. The Everyman will host a star-studded Gala which will feature Willy Russell, Julie Walters, Matthew Kelly, Sir Antony Sher, Loreto Murray, Andrew Schofield, Pete Wylie and Bill Nighy - amongst a host of other Everyman regulars both past and present.
- EVERYMAN HOSTS STAR-STUDDED GALA
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- PETE McCARTHY
- There will be a memorial to Pete McCarthy in Brighton on Saturday 13th. November. We will report more details once they have been finalised.
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- JOHN PEEL
- BBC broadcaster John Peel has died at the age of 65, while on holiday in Peru. John was great fan of The Liverpool Scene and friend of Adrian Henri and Andy. During the late 60s and early 70s, when John was far more well known than the band itself, he would often insist on the Liverpool Scene appearing on the same bill if a promoter wanted to book him for a gig. John was also a good friend to this site and gave permission in 2001 to reproduce an article he had written and in fact featured Andy's web site on the BBC Home Truths web-page. He will be sadly missed.
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- ROGER McGOUGH CBE
- Poet and playwright Roger McGough was made a CBE at Buckingham Palace for his services to literature. Roger has, of course, collaborated with Andy Roberts on a variety of projects since they first met during the Edinburgh Festival in the 1960s.
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- PETE McCARTHY
- Travel author and radio presenter, Pete McCarthy, sadly passed away last week. Pete had huge success with his books, 'McCarthy's Bar' and 'The Road to McCarthy', and was a close personal friend of Andy.
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- THE MIKE HARDING SHOW
- Andy, Tim Firth, Willy Russell and the band played the Rawhide Club in Liverpool for this 'LIVE FROM LIVERPOOL' Mike Harding Show. The band comprised Willy Russell, Tim Firth, Andy Roberts, Loreto Murray, Emily Jackson and Gavin Kaufman. The show also featured Ralph McTell and Janis Ian. There is a photograph of Andy on the Radio 2 'LIVE FROM LIVERPOOL' website.
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- THE MIKE HARDING SHOW
- The Radio 2 Mike Harding Show on 6th October, will come live from a venue in Liverpool. Willy Russell will perform on the show which also features Janis Ian and Ralph McTell. Willy be joined by Andy, Tim Firth, Loreto Murray, Emily Jackson and Gavin Kaufman.
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- THE LIVERPOOL SCENE live
- We have added some photos of the Liverpool Scene live on stage sometime in 1970. Taken from some film footage of an open air concert in Victoria Park, London, the images capture the energy of the band during those days.
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- NEW DOM ROWLEY arrangements
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"The string arrangement by composer ANDY ROBERTS on this track is quite breathtaking..." -
DOM ROWLEY
- Earlier this year Andy composed a string arrangement for a track by new Liverpool singer/songwriter Dom Rowley, recording with Mike Cave at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. This week, Dom and Mike Cave have asked Andy to produce further arrangements for his forthcoming album. The tracks are called "Look To The Sky" and "If You Fall".
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- Liverpool - City of Poets
- Roger McGough and Brian Patten present a documentary on C5 next week. The two Liverpool Poets take viewers on a poetic tour of Liverpool to discuss the city's cultural and architectural history.
- The show goes out on C5 @7.30pm on Thursday 9th September.
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- The Singing Playwrights
- Andy's trip to Edinburgh with the Singing Playwrights, Willy Russell and Tim Firth, was a great success with the shows receiving great reviews.
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- The Liverpool Poets
- Whilst in Edinburgh enjoying Andy's live playing as part of Willy Russell's and Tim Firth's THE SINGING PLAYWRIGHTS, BBC Radio 4 re-broadcast the LIVERPOOL POETS programme. Presented by Pete McCarthy, the programme featured Roger McGough, Brian Patten and Adrian Henri and with interviews and contributions from Andy Roberts. If you missed the programme, you can 'Listen Again' via the BBC Radio4 web-site.
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- The Plainsong CD
- Next week, Andy and Iain Matthews will be in the studio putting the finishing touches to the new Plainsong CD, Now we R 3, in preparation for its release - shortly.
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- The Singing Playwrights...
- Andy will again lead the band ‘The Lips’ for the sensational singing scribes Willy Russell & Tim Firth when they take to the stage for their latest mix of comedy and music at the Edinburgh Festival this August.
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- Andy pays tribute to Glen Sherley
- ..and recalls a lost album with some happy links to early Plainsong, Hank Wangford and Vivian Stanshall.
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- PLAINSONG - finally 'Now we R 3' to be released
- There is a plan to release a 2 CD set of the original 1972 Plainsong quartet, which included Andy, Iain, Bob Ronga and Dave Richards. The CD set will include the unreleased second album "Now we"R 3", plus a recently discovered recording of the band singing a demo of "Along Comes Mary" The 2 disc set will contain over 150 minutes of music from the original band.
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- DOM ROWLEY sessions
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"The string arrangement by composer ANDY ROBERTS on this track is quite breathtaking..." -
DOM ROWLEY
- Earlier this year Andy composed a string arrangement for a track by new Liverpool singer/songwriter Dom Rowley, recording with Mike Cave at Parr Street Studios in Liverpool. The tracks are now released and can be listened to and downloaded from Dom's web-site. All the tracks sound strong but Late November truly does sound stunning.
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- PLAINSONG PRESS PACK
We have a copy of the Press Pack produced by ELEKTRA when 'In Search of Amelia Earhart' was initially released. This extremely rare item has not been seen for years and contains lots of press cuttings from the time of Amelia's flight and disappearance. AndyRobertsMusic.com is pleased to show the pack in full size and with the original packaging and a photograph of Andy, Iain, Dave Richards and Bob Ronga appearing on stage. Check out the Plainsong pages to see the pack in all its glory.
- PLAINSONG PRESS PACK
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- Plainsong Live recording just too good!
- Blue Rose Records have decided not to release the Plainsong Live CD recorded last year. The record company had planned to release the live CD this summer, but declined because, according to label boss Edgar Heckmann, the recordings were so good that no-one would believe they were live! Those who have seen and heard Plainsong will testify to just how polished their live performance is - no electronic gizmos to squeeze harmonies into shape - just four fine vocalists/instrumentalists. Andy and Iain will try to incorporate some of these recordings in a future Plainsong project. Watch this space....
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- Willy Russell & Tim Firth ...
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IN OTHER WORDS - This tour moves to Liverpool for two nights at the Playhouse this weekend and has picked up some excellent reviews as it moves across the UK. Some of the quotes include: "something unique in musical theatre" - "outstanding musicianship" - "Russell and Firth share the stage with an excellent band" Catch the band at the venues listed below.
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- The Rutles & Bubs White
- Whilst Rutle mania was breaking out across the UK during their tour earlier in the year Andy and Neil Innes met up with ex-Bonzo guitarist Bubbles White.
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- Manchester
- The IN OTHER WORDS tour opened in Manchester on Sunday and a great gig it was too. The band played brilliantly to an appreciative audience. We will have some photos soon - but in the meantime here's one of one-time Plainsong member Clive Gregson, who now lives in Texas, but is currently touring the UK.
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- Willy Russell & Tim Firth tour with ....
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IN OTHER WORDS
"The sung meets the spoken in a unique and entertaining mix of wit, wisdom and melody"
Willy Russell and Tim Firth re-join Andy Roberts for a comprehensive tour of the U.K. with words and music. Both Willy Russell and Tim Firth have new music to perform from their new albums. Plus there will be readings, comedy and much more...
The musicians who will join Willy and Tim on this tour will be Andy (guitars) plus Emily Jackson (vocals, bass & keyboard), Gavin Kaufman (vocals, bass & keyboard) and Vidar Norheim (vocals, drums, percussion & vibraphone). Emily, Gavin and Vidar are current students at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts (LIPA). Dorie Jackson and Loreto Murray, who appeared with Willy and Tim last year for the Galway Festival and Oswestry gigs, will also join the band.
- Manchester
Sunday 9th May
Manchester Opera House, Quay Street Manchester
Tel: 08704 019000
- Milton Keynes
Tuesday 11th May
The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon
Tel: 01908 280800
- Liverpool
Friday 14th May
Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 4776
- Liverpool
Saturday 15th May - Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 4776
- Mold
Sunday 23rd May
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
Tel: 0845 330 3565
- York
Friday 28th May - Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street York
Tel: 0870 606 3595
- Hay On Wye
Saturday 29th May - Hay On Wye Festival
Tel: 0870 990 1299
- Northampton
Sunday 30th May - Royal Theatre, Guildhalll Road, Northampton
Tel: 01604 624811
- Cardiff
Saturday 12th June - Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road Cardiff
Tel: 02920 646900
- Buxton
Saturday 19th June - Buxton Opera House, Water Street Buxton
Tel: 08451 272190
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- On Tour & In The Studio
- Andy has had a couple of busy weeks and is presently touring with The Rutles.
- In addition, the past few weeks has seen Andy completely redraft the score for Cloud Nine (Joint Stock production from 1979) for a new high-profile production at the Sheffield Crucible Theatre later this year. He also composed a string arrangement for a track by new Liverpool singer/songwriter Dom Rowley, currently recording under the careful eye (and ear) of Mike Cave, who also works alongside The Coral, and Cracatilla and Thea Gilmore.
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- Willy Russell & Tim Firth
- The band has now been confirmed for the IN OTHER WORDS tour and will consist of Willy (guitar), Tim (keyboards) and Andy (guitars) plus Emily Jackson (vocals, bass & keyboard), Gavin Kaufman (vocals, bass & keyboard) and Vidar Norheim (vocals, drums, percussion & vibraphone).
- Emily, Gavin and Vidar are current students at the Liverpool Institute of Performing Arts - LIPA.
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- Competition Winner
- We have just run our first competition of this new AndyRobertsMusic site and earlier today I drew the winner's name from the hat.
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- Willy Russell & Tim Firth tour with ....
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IN OTHER WORDS
"The sung meets the spoken in a unique and entertaining mix of wit, wisdom and melody"
Willy Russell and Tim Firth re-join Andy Roberts for a comprehensive tour of the U.K. with words and music. Both Willy Russell and Tim Firth have new music to perform from their new albums. Plus there will be readings, comedy and much more...
- Manchester
Sunday 9th May
Manchester Opera House, Quay Street Manchester
Tel: 08704 019000
- Milton Keynes
Tuesday 11th May
The Stables, Stockwell Lane, Wavendon
Tel: 01908 280800
- Liverpool
Friday 14th May
Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 4776
- Liverpool
Saturday 15th May - Liverpool Playhouse, Williamson Square Liverpool
Tel: 0151 709 4776
- Mold
Sunday 23rd May
Theatr Clwyd, Mold
Tel: 0845 330 3565
- York
Friday 28th May - Grand Opera House, Cumberland Street York
Tel: 0870 606 3595
- Hay On Wye
Saturday 29th May - Hay On Wye Festival
Tel: 0870 990 1299
- Northampton
Sunday 30th May - Royal Theatre, Guildhalll Road, Northampton
Tel: 01604 624811
- Cardiff
Saturday 12th June - Sherman Theatre, Senghennydd Road Cardiff
Tel: 02920 646900
- Buxton
Saturday 19th June - Buxton Opera House, Water Street Buxton
Tel: 08451 272190
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- Competition
To celebrate this new site we have a signed copy of the Great Stampede poster to give a way in our first competition. Simply email with your name and address and tell us which is your favourite Andy Roberts composition. We also have some stickers from the same promotion to give away as runner up prizes.
I will draw the winners name and post it on the site on the 29th February.
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- Congratulations
Iain Matthews will marry his partner Marly Kleeven in a few days time. Andy Roberts, who has known Iain for over thirty years, will be Best Man. - I'm sure all fans of Plainsong will join me in wishing Iain and Marly a wonderful day and a joyous future.
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- The New Site
- The new-look AndyRobertsMusic site is taking shape and we will be reinstalling pages that have had to be trimmed during the three years of Dreamtree because of space shortages and adding brand new pages over the next few weeks. Watch out for some rare photos from Andy Roberts period with Pink Floyd and Hank Wangford which will be added together with some music clips.
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- The Rutles
- Andy and Neil Innes will come together for a special concert during The Cream of British Comedy, hosted by Alan Partridge at the Royal Albert Hall. The event is in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust and is on Wednesday 31st March beginning at 7.30pm.
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- Plainsong Live CD
- Blue Rose are planning to release a CD recorded last year in Holland. This two (possibly) CD set will be on sale during the summer. The feedback is that it is a wonderful recording and truly captures the live sound of Plainsong.
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- Summary of the year - 2003
- Andy has had another very busy and productive year, having been involved with the production of two albums and two tours. The early part of the year was taken up with Andy mastering Hoovering the Moon, Willy Russell's debut album. A tour with Plainsong followed and then later Andy began work on producing Tim Firth's new album interrupted briefly by a series of gigs with Willy Russell. Oh, and yes, Andy played a one-off gig with the reformed Rutles!
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- PLAINSONG
- The Plainsong UK tour in March and April proved successful with Julian Dawson rejoining Andy, Iain and Griff. The new album Pangolins was well received, with the cover providing lots of comments! The European leg of the tour in May went well and a festival appearance at Tolder was added during August.
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- WILLY RUSSELL
The
early part of the year was taken up with Andy putting the finishing
touches to and mastering Willy Russell's impressive debut album
- Hoovering The Moon. Then, during July, Andy led a band
consisting of some of the musicians who contributed to the album
for a series of gigs in Britain and Eire. -
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- TIM FIRTH
Work
finished on Tim's as yet untitled debut album just prior to Christmas,
so expect a release sometime in the Spring. Andy co-produced
this album with Willy Russell and of course contributes to the
recording. Other contributions come from members of the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Loreto Murray, Elaine Grainger,
Paul Allen and Mark Griffiths. -
- www.andyrobertsmusic.com
- And - in case you hadn't noticed - we finally outgrew dreamtree (thanks to virgin.net for three years of freespace) and have recently moved into andyrobertsmusic.com with lots of space and a new fast server!
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Please bookmark / add to favourites this new site. - We have big plans and a site re-launch in the next month or so. Watch out also for a competition or two, some MP3's (who said at last...) and more great news soon. A big thanks to everybody who emails with comments and recollections. Keep tuned ...
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- Tim Firth Album
- Andy and Tim Firth spent last week recording vocals. Willy Russell (who is co-producer for the new album) Loreto Murray and Elaine Grainger contributed to the tracks. The final mix for the album could happen during December and the project completed before Christmas if all goes to plan.
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- Tim Firth Album
- Last week Andy and Tim were at a Liverpool studio recording a string quartet. The players, all from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, were chosen and lead by Ken Johnson (Ist Violin). The others were Celia Goodwin (2nd Violin), Rob Shepley (Viola), and Gethyn Jones (Cello). The arrangements were largely Tim's own inspiration, which Andy scored and conducted. Andy and Tim had previously spent a day in Willy Russell's Liverpool Office recording (with Willy) Hammond Organ. more news soon...
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- Willy Russell web site launched
- Willy Russell's new web-site - willyrussell.com was launched just a couple of days ago (link from the credits & links page). Copies of his new album, HOOVERING THE MOON, which is currently on limited release and Andy Roberts co-produced are available direct from the new site.
- Mike Harding played a track from the new album on his Radio2 show and called Willy "One of the country's great songwriters..."
- As well as details of Willy's musical pedigree, the site gives background information on his plays, musicals and recent novel - THE WRONG BOY.
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- Tim Firth Album
- Back from Denmark - Andy continues working on the new Tim Firth album. He is currently scoring string arrangements for several of the compositions. Tim co-wrote Calendar Girls, the new film starring Julie Walters and Helen Mirren, which is currently hitting the headlines. He also wrote the new Johnny Vegas and Paul Kaye film, Blackball, directed by Mel Smith about a rock'n'roll lawn bowls champion!
- Tim, like Willy Russell, is a songwriter and musician, as well as a writier.
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- Plainsong
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Andy, Iain and Julian ... -
- Plainsong became a three piece last weekend for the Tonder Folk Festival in Denmark: 29th - 31st August. Mark Griffiths was unavailable to play the event, so the gang of three - Andy, Iain and Julian - reverted to a trio and played a tight performance. tour photos here >>>
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- Willy Russell in Oswestry
- Willy and his band played two great gigs at the Walls Restaurant in Oswestry last weekend. With packed houses on both evenings, the audience enjoyed full sets with Willy, firstly reading from Wrong Boy, followed by the whole band playing a selection of Willy's compositions from his new album HOOVERING THE MOON.
-
- The band composed some of the musicians who have contributed to the new album. Andy Roberts (guitar & vocals) led the band, ably assisted by Tim Firth (piano & vocals), Mark Griffiths (bass & vocals), Paul Allen (drums), Iain Matthews (vocals & guitar), Dorie Jackson (vocals), Loreto Murray (vocals) and Phil Beaumont (percussion).
-
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- "In Words And Music:
-
WILLY RUSSELL with special guest TIM FIRTH and the band led by -
ANDY ROBERTS 
Willy
Russell's new album will be premiered at two gigs at the Walls,
Oswestry, on the 18th & 19th July.
The performances will be mixed media events with Willy Russell reading some extracts of his work, Tim Firth performing some of his material and then a full set from Willy and the musicians who have contributed to his new album - HOOVERING THE MOON. The band - led by Andy - will include Mark Griffiths, Paul Allen, Tim Firth, Dori Jackson, Loreto Murray, Iain Matthews and Phil Beaumont. Both days will be recorded and filmed.- TICKETS are available direct from the venue on:
-
Tel: 01691 670970 - Fax: 01691 653820 - Email: info@the-walls.co.uk
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- Galway Festival
- Willy Russell will appear with special guest Tim Firth and a band led by Andy Roberts at the Radisson SAS Hotel, Galway, as part of the Galway Festival. The date is Monday 21st July and tickets are on sale now from the Galway Arts Festival web site. (link from the credits & links page). Willy will be joined for this Festival event by fellow dramatist/songwriter Tim Firth (piano/vocals), musical director Andy Roberts (guitar/vocals), Mark Griffiths (bass/vocals), Paul Allen (drums), Iain Matthews (vocals/guitar), Dorie Jackson (vocals), Loretto Murray (vocals/keyboard) and Phil Beaumont (percussion).
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- Willy Russell
- Andy is currently overseeing the mastering of Willy Russell's new album. The album is likely to have a limited release to coincide with the live performances of the WR Big Band during July. These performances will be recorded and filmed. More news soon...
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- Galway Festival
- Andy will perform with Willy Russell at the forthcoming Galway Festival in Ireland.
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- Plainsong
- Those fans who ventured out to one of the recent gigs will know that the Plainsong sound of the four guitars and four voices on stage produces an experience that is a little different from the the sound on studio albums. Well - this Plainsong tour may produce a live album! In Tuebingen, Germany on May 6th the gig was recorded for a possible future release. Watch this space.....
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- Plainsong
- The tour got off to a great start on Wednesday night at Birmingham MAC when Plainsong, supported by Ad Vanderveen, played two long sets to a packed house. The band played numbers off the new album PANGOLINS and a selection of rarely played favourites from their nine albums including AMELIA EARHART, VOICES ELECTRIC and SISTER FLUTE. Some of Plainsong's back catalogue is available for sale at the concerts - and of course - the new album. Catch Plainsong during the next three weeks.
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- Tim Firth
- Andy is preparing for another recording session - this time with Tim Firth who has enlisted Andy to produce his new album. Tim is a writer whose work includes Neville's Island, Preston Front and Border Cafe and has contributed episodes for The Bill. Tim is currently enjoying success on the West End, London with 'OUR HOUSE', the musical he scripted which features the music of the group Madness. 'OUR HOUSE' won the 2003 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.
- Like Willy Russell, Tim is a musician and he and Andy should begin the initial recording just prior to the Plainsong tour.
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- What a year - 2002!
- Andy has had a very busy and productive year, having been involved with the production of two albums. The recording of the eagerly awaited Willy Russell album is complete and Plainsong's new recording for Blue Rose is nearing completion ready for a release prior to a comprehensive tour.
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- WILLY RUSSELL
- I have been lucky enough to listen to the early demos and more recently to the rough mixes of this remarkable first album. Not surprisingly, the lyrics contain those sharp social observations, which you might expect from a playwright and author who brought us 'Educating Rita', 'Shirley Valentine' and more recently Willy's first novel 'The Wrong Boy'. Musically - it is top notch - Willy is an accomplished tunesmith.... remember this is the man who wrote the musical 'John, Paul, George, Ringo and Bert' and The West End hit 'Blood Brothers'. Andy acted as Producer and Arranger, and of course, plays on this album.
-
The release of this album will cause more than a ripple....
- PLAINSONG
- The new Plainsong album is a delight and contains a dozen tracks or so. It's a typical Plainsong record in that some tracks are jointly written by members of the band together with a couple of covers. The sound is a little different from previous Plainsong albums, but still with those wonderful harmonies and great musicianship. In short - It's a gem! Catch Plainsong on the following tour dates during March and April in the UK. (which are still subject to change) The German tour will follow during May.
-
Next year's tour promises to be exceptional...
-
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- Plainsong in the studio
The recording of the
new CD from Plainsong is progressing well after two weeks in
the studio. I visited Andy, Iain, Griff and Julian at their recording
location last week to take photos. The tracks I heard, engineered
by Andy Metcalfe, sounded wonderful and hold one or two surprises
for Plainsong fans. - Photos here >>>
-
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- Plainsong in the studio
- Plainsong will begin recording their new album next week. Plainsong founder members Andy Roberts and Iain Matthews come together with Mark Griffiths and Julian Dawson for the recording at a studio in Somerset. The recording is scheduled to take about three or four weeks and the completed CD will be available to buy direct from the web sites of Andy Roberts Music.com, Iain Matthews.com and Julian Dawson.com in the Spring of next year.
-
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- Willy Russell
- The latest update to the Willy Russell news is that vocals from Kate Rusby have been added to some of the tracks and the voice of Barbara Dickson is scheduled to be added later in the month. As yet no title for the CD and no release date have been decided for this eagerly awaited album.
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- Poetry Please
- Roger McGough presented a special edition of his Radio 4 programme Poetry Please live from the Birmingham Book Festival on Sunday 13th October where he was joined by Andy Roberts. Andy performed two pieces: 'Just For Me' (poem set to music) and 'I'm in a Stew Over You'.
-
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- Willy Russell
- Andy is putting the finishing touches to the, as yet untitled, Willy Russell album. This CD will feature Mark Griffiths, Herbie Flowers, Rohan Kriwaczek, Louis Borenius, Andy Cutting (Kate Rusby Band), Loreto Murray and the wonderful Kate Rusby herself. He will be in the studio recording the final vocals and mixing during the early part of October.
-
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- Great Plainsong News
- Plainsong have appeared in various formats over the last few years. The latest plans are to record a CD in November this year and tour the UK in the Spring of 2003 and Europe later the same year.
- The new line-up is Andy, Iain and Griff and they will be re-joined by Julian Dawson, who last appeared with Plainsong on the Sister Flute album in 1996. Watch this space for more news.....
-
-
- 'Dreaming Amelia'
- ...is the title of a community play touring the UK over the next few months. Produced by the Hijinx Theatre Company, the play is inspired by and based around Amelia Earhart's unexpected landing on a South Wales beach in 1928. For those Plainsong fans who, like me, have investigated the source of so many Plainsong compositions these last 30 years, this represents an opportunity to experience another creative interpretation of aspects of Amelia's life and is especially interesting when you consider Andy Roberts links to live theatre. Visit Hijinx's web site for further details from the link on the Credits & Links page.
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- Roger McGough's 40th Fringe Bash
- Andy appeared with long time collaborator Roger McGough at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival at the Assembly Theatre on Sunday 25th August.
- Roger was joined by Andy, Willy Russell, Carol Ann Duffy, John Hegley, The Kosh and Pete McCarthy. Dreamtree will have a brief report soon.
-
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- Pete McCarthy
- Andy appeared with Pete McCarthy at a gig in Brighton in July. He accompanied Pete during a reading from his new book The Road To McCarthy.
-