Horses, Golf & New Songs

Well, that was my weekend. We both went for a lovely walk with Sally, Jake and Daniel through some woods that they are trying to burn down, clear out to make way for housing. There was a big get together of people who live nearby to sign a petition to stop this from happening. We signed it. However, due to the land already sold off for housing in 1971 AND the lawyers finding no way out of it, it looks like the walks will be soon stopped and replaced by concrete, cars and bricks. Shame really as in the summer it is a beautiful to walk.


Jake and Daniel had a turn on the horse which they seem to enjoy very much.



While on the walk, I was listening to The Ryder Cup. I could have gone to a pub and watched it, but no, I spent the afternoon walking the children. Now, I hear you cry, where was Daddy? Well, Daddy, or Richard as he is also known as, was ..... at the K club ..... I not jealous .... nor an I UPSET IN ANY WAY .... there ... got that off my chest.

Made a list of lots of new songs to tackle this month. I usually pick 5 new songs a month, but I was been lazy month and simply stole 5 of Ali's ..... so .....

Sledgehammer - Petrer Gabriel
All My Loving - The Beatles
So Lonely - The Police
The Boxer/Sound Of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
Don't Look Back In Anger - Oasis (I really really hate this song, but I get requests for it all the time. ... so)

For those in and around Brussles this weekend, I will be playing at "Churchills" Bar, just off Munt Plein. starting 21.00 - 00.00. You might even get to hear a couple of the above!!!

Oh ... one other thing ... would like to recommend the new (well relatively new) Battlestar Galatica series 1 & 2 Second series outstrips the first but it is very, very good. Nioce twists on the original series, great characters (except the stupid Doctor) and an excellent script/dialogue. Available for download at you nearest pirate download site!!!

I have been called many things in my life .....

..... but never "Andrew Music"



Ah well .....

La Porte Noire as wlawys lived up to the expections of a really god night. Lots of dancing, lots of good audience participation, and of course very, very, VERY good beer.

A weekendend off this weekend, just spending time together for a change. No visitors, no hassle, just pure bliss .... Hmmmm

How Tall Is A Smurf ?

I read this and thought about the blogging community of NBBTS and it's affiliations ...... in particular, Andy C.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5317982.stm

I was always curious about how tall a smurf was!

Anyone out there got a question that you think they will struggle with?

or

Anyone out there got a question that you think Andy will struggle with?

Well, He's Gone

Yes, I returned Ali to the airport and to his flight home to Hexham (via Newcastle of course). It has been a great weekend which was topped off by a great Bizon Jam.



Really great audience who took Ali to their hearts. Chimay Bleu with Bizon Blood chasers seemed to have given Ali a bit of a knock on the Tuesday morning. After texting him "Are you in one piece", his reply of "I'll get back to you on that one" speaks volumes.



Nothing now until Thursday ... what ever am I going to do? Well, practise the 6 songs I have 'borrowed' from Ali for a start as well as sorting all the things out that need to be sorted out that I hjave failed to sort out because I haven't sorted myself out yet.

Anyway .... thanks Ali fir an amazing weekend of fun and music, we will have to do this again sometime soon ..... very soon .... and next time try and persuade Chris !

A Most Excellent Weekend

To say that I have had one of the best musical weekends would be an understatement.

Ali Reay and myself took Brussels by storm since Thursday. People, musicians and the odd canine seemed to have really enjoyed the guitar exploits of Mr. Reay

Thursday night saw a gig at La touche (thanks pascal). It was a perfect rehearsal for the next two nights. Thanks to those who turned up and had a lot of fun, Ciaran for playing his large percussive instrument.



Friday night was Fat Boys ...... a really great night. Bai turned up and joined in, even Tony Mallet sang Sultans of Swing! Isabelle also joined us which was great to sing with her again. Lee the barman played his harp and of course Bo shouted a lot. Just a camera photos I'm afraid. Wli and I hung around until about 03.00 talking about nothing really, but the beers kept turning up on the bar so we couldn't leave them!



"Nature Boy" was played I think about 3 times that night! Ali does the best version ever of this song, Naty King Cole and George Benson dont get a look in!








Saturday night was Churchills Bar A first for me and obviously a first for Ali. Thanks to Ronnie and Phil for allowing us in without a real demo and having faith purely by looking at the blog and the set list. Really nice place to play, nice listening audience (rare for Brussels) and the bar maids who look after us amazingly well ... by ensuring we always had a drink at the ready!! Thanks girls!













Tonight is the Bizon ..... so please please please be there as Ali wont be bacl for a bit and its the last chance to see him.

Dont Forget now!

For those who may have been on another planet .....

Thurs 7-Sep La Touche With Ali
Fri 8-Sep Fat Boys With Ali
Sat 9-Sep Churchills With Ali
Mon 11-Sep Bizon With Ali
Thurs 14-Sep Celtic Ireland

Really looking forward to having Ali playing this weekend ..... its been sometime since we seeded the idea ... lets hope it bears fruit.

Guests will include Roman, Bai, Pete, Zach (although he doesnt know it yet) plus anyone else who pops along.

Pics will I'm sure be blogged next week.

Link to a video!

http://soundideas.blogs.com/jasonblog/2006/08/the_chorus_of_t.html

This is a quick 2 minute video of the gig at The Black Pearl for those of you who are interested.....

Watch this space ..... another gig next weekend may be appearing soon!

There is an 'r' in the month.

Which means Mussels are back on the menu! Hurrah!

For those of you who don't know, Mussels are only ever, really, truely available in Belgium when there is an 'r' in the month. Any genuine Belgium establishment won't sell you mussels until then. I am out tonight with friends so I have already made my mind up about what I shall be eating!

Its been a long time since a blog, mainly due to me being in the North East for around 12 days with no internet access ....... there is of course internet access in the North East, its not that backward, but I dont have personal access. Becasue of the length of time since a blog, a lot has happend, so here is a quick thank you list ....

Thanks to ....

All those who turned up at The Black Pearl. I had a great time and I hope you all did too.
Jason, for organising the above event and hitting bits of metal and wood in an organised way, Andy and Ali for playing along also















Friends and relations for the Wedding Party at my Dads

Dad for supplying the house

Nick and Trish for a lovely meal and entertainment.

Sam and Jim for a wonderful Wedding


















Alison for the lovely dancing



















The Sage ....... for simply being there .... what a building!

















The Gateshead Millenium Bridge ...... for opening up while we were there.















Brian and Joyce for their ever wonderful company

The A1 / M1 / M25 / M56 / M6 / M62 for NOT having too many traffic jams.

And of course to Louise for being the best co-driver anyone could have!

..... and any one else who knows me