Show of Hands are an English acoustic roots/folk duo formed in 1986 by singer-songwriter Steve Knightley (guitars, mandolin, mandocello, cuatro) and composer and multi-instrumentalist Phil Beer (vocals, guitars, violin, viola, madolin, mandocello). Joined by singer and double-bassist Miranda Sykes for a tour in 2004, Show of Hands continued to regularly perform as a trio with […]
Cell Phone Songs
Recently whilst preparing a post on the Major General’s Song from the Pirates of Penzance by Gilbert and Sullivan, I came across one theatre company’s clevr way of asking people to turn of their moblie phones. I will let them explain the origins of this in their own words whilst providing some of the best […]
House Gospel Choir
The late great Frankie Knuckles once called house music: “church for people that have fallen from grace.” Anyone who has been caught up in the rapture of a true house classic can testify to its power to unify and uplift. HGC is an electrifying House meets Gospel experience that never fails to get audiences clapping, […]
First We Take Manhattan
One of the first songs that I remember David liking was “First We Take Manhattan” written by Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen. As one who had enjoyed Cohen since his early days it was a wonderfully gratifying moment, especially as David had discovered the track on his own. Cohen’s quasi-synthpop version of “First We Take Manhattan” […]
Patricia Janeckova
Patricia Janečková is a German-born Slovak operatic soprano. Patricia was born in Munchberg to Slovak parents. Shortly after, her family moved to Ostrava in the Czech Republic. She has been singing since she was four years old. Having graduated from primary school, she began studying at the Janacek Academy of Music and Performing Arts. Her […]
Welsh of the West End
Over the past year, Welsh of the West End has become an online viral sensation. Created by Steffan Hughes, this West End super-group features the finest Welsh musical theatre talent from shows such as Les Miserables, Wicked and Phantom of the Opera. With the absence of live theatre due to Covid-19, they’ve sprung into action […]
Granny’s Attic
Granny’s Attic – Cohen Braithwaite-Kilcoyne (Melodeon, Anglo Concertina, Vocals), George Sansome (Guitar, Vocals) and Lewis Wood (Violin, Vocals) – are a folk trio who play the tradition with verve, energy and their own inimitable style. They are all exceptional musicians and fine singers and play English traditional and original music. Since 2009 they have toured […]
Fairground Attraction
Fairground Attraction were a London based folk and soft rock band. They were put together in London by guitarist and songwriter Mark Nevin, who had previously played with Kirsty McColl. After meeting Scottish singer Eddi Reader they played small venues in London with band members Simon Edward and Roy Dodds. In 1987, RCA Records signed […]
Sweet Georgia Brown
“Sweet Georgia Brown” is a jazz standard and pop tune composed in 1925 by Ben Bernie and Maceo Pinkard, with lyrics by Kenneth Casey. Reportedly, Ben Bernie came up with the concept for the song’s lyrics – although he is not the credited lyricist – after meeting Dr. George Thaddeus Brown in New York City. […]
Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani was born in California. She was named after a stewardess in the 1968 novel Airport, and her middle name, Renée, comes from the Four Tops 1968 version of the Left Banke’s 1966 song “Walk Away Renee”. Her brother Eric introduced Gwen to 2 Tone music by Madness and the Selecter and, in […]