FEBRUARY
2013
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| Photography: Andy Melbourne |
Pandas
in the Sugar Cane … Phil
Riley with Julie Wright
Phil
and I trialled our set at “On the Verge” in Nottingham on 7
February, which was great preparation for our long awaited cd launch
on Monday 18 February at Monty's Acoustic Club, hosted by John
Montague who, we're delighted to say, is well enough to be playing
and singing again! Following the initial gig at our local venue,
with a fantastic crowd in to support us, we had our next tour date at
The Old George Inn in Stony Stratford on 20th, where again we were
met with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. Local poet and
singer, Theresa Kelleher said, “I enjoyed the diversity of
your music; South American rhythms, eastern european influences,
roots music . . . Phil has a really warm, rich voice. The dynamics
of each song really brought out the emotion in the music, and the mix
of solo songs, whole band, piano and range of percussion made for an
evening of contrast and cohesion.”
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| Photography: Andy Melbourne |
On
Monday Neil Mercer joined us on mandola, mandolin and whistle, Neil
Segrott on fretless bass, John on sound, guitars and backing vocals,
and of course Phil and I, with our blend of voice, guitar, piano and
percussion. Heidi and Jodie joined us on Wednesday, and we look
forward to many more dates on the tour. Next date is Thursday 14
March at The Criterion in Leicester.
The
Pandas in the Sugar Cane cd
also has Bob Dayfield on electric slide guitar, Chris Conway on Irish
whistle, and Jodie McCarthy and Heidi Carascon backing vocals. It
was mainly recorded and produced by John Montague at Montysmusic,
Fieldview Studio, Leicestershire and on location, except “Northern
Star” and “Leaf upon the Wind,” recorded and produced by Greg
Tempest at Greg's Music Room, Quorn. All songs written by Phil Riley
except “Sally Free and Easy”, written by Cyril Tawney. Sleeve
design by Noodle Doodle, Leicester.
Copies
can be bought through me or Phil, £9 inc pp – and hopefully online
once we've mastered how to make that available :) Call Phil on 07517
401221 for information.
Teaching
and Schools
My
regular weekly students at Anstey Martin High, Glenfield and
Highcliffe Primaries and Stonehill High, continue to make steady
progress with their West African drumming. In addition this term
I've returned to Hind Leys Academy to work with GCSE music students,
and am delivering a CPD Transition Drumming Project on behalf of LSMS
and The Leicester Music Hub. This involves two clusters of schools,
working with years 6 and 7, training teachers and bringing all the
classes together to share their work. All drums have been supplied
by LSMS and bought from local world percussion importer Soar Valley
Music in Rothley. My annual day with Year 6 for their “Africa
Project” at Highcliffe Primary approaches, and with hardly a day
off before Easter, things are really busy!
