WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Saturday Night Fish Fry => EuroWeenie => Topic started by: blueshome on September 17, 2012, 03:32:47 AM
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It's that time again to begin planning for the next Euroweenie gathering.
We are aiming at a similar timing ahead of the Easter as before but the venue is up for debate, if anyone has any viable alternative suggestions then please post them as soon as possible as this is the best time to be booking to get a decent deal. We see the only real issue with Fawlty Towers to be its accessibilty.
Our great panjandrum, Richard, is currently in the midst of moving off the island so we may have to do some of the legwork he has undertaken in previous years.
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Where's panjandrum moving to...maybe he can check out venues near his new address???
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The West Country !
..yes it suits me :D
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Obviously suits me too, but isnt the most central / accesible spot...
I have no real issues with the existing venue. It largely does all we need in a fairly pleasant fashion. Not many hotels, I suspect, would be quite so easy going about bringing our own spirits either...
That said, they're not perfect, and do get a bit crabby occasionally, which they really shouldnt with paying customers.
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I've found the people at our usual hotel in the New Forest to be friendly and helpful. Also, as we know from past experience, some hotels will want to charge us for using their conference room, but this is not the case at our current venue. The surroundings are certainly pleasant and I usually get a walk or two in, including going into the village for a pub lunch with Prof. Scratchy, Bunker Hill, etc. on the Saturday.
I must admit to being in two minds about a change. On the one hand, a change definitely is as good as a rest and, more importantly, it might throw up somewhere more convenient for a number of people wanting to attend. On the other, I tend to think "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". We know what to expect and how to get there and whilst not exactly 5-star, I find the standard and usual warm welcome more than acceptable. And if we move - what will happen to the BRICK??!!! :o
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Good point about the brick...
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That's it then - the brick clinches it! On the other hand.....we could mount an operation to recover the brick.
Thanks for the thoughts so far, as I said, the only real downside to Fawlty Towers is accessibility from points north or west.
Richard is not moving to the West Country, he's moving to Bath (think about it).
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What is this inside joke about 'the brick'?
That's a rhetorical question, don't tell me, I realize it's on a "need-to-know" basis.
Whatever it is I think you really need to go get the brick, whatever it is, so someone go get it. :)
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The Brick
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=1404 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=1404)
Access from the West to the New Forest isn't too bad, but it must be a drag from the North (and, indeed, Scotland...)
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And here's why Scratchy got so excited about it (as the first ever winner).
http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=1305 (http://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=1305)
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The brick was awarded a "a substantial prize" in 2011 for the blues quiz winner, in 2012 for best dressed Euroweenie. It lives at the hotel and holds the soul of Euroweenie..............
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Phil - please show a little respect: when referring to the Euroweenie prize, "Brick" should always be capitalised or even written entirely in capitals! :o
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As great panjandrum in chief, I like probably many of you are in two minds about a move and the if it ain't broke aspect certainly does apply. However purely on selfish grounds, having lived in Dorset for a few years I find it the most inaccessible place and HATE that jouney from Poole to Bath\Bristol which for a little over 60 miles generally wastes two hours, should you decide to go the shorter route via Salisbury that will add another two hours!
Ideally an equivalent of the faded gentility of The Lawns within striking distance of the M4 would be good, so lets get thinking.
On the home front the house move has slowed to a standstill due to a typical Guernsey type boundary dispute and seems to be taking most of my time. That's a pity since the other house is all but finished and most of the furniture moved over but for various reasons we can't yet move in.
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I'm open to suggestions, Richard (within reason, of course). Hope you get your move sorted out soon.
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What about Cheltenham area. Then M Roach esq would have no excuse for not turning up!
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Wonder if any hotels near Cheltenham would list themselves as "slightly seedy". I'll start working the inter web.
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Oxford / Swindon / Cotswolds might make sense if we're heading in that general direction. Lots of Best Westerns scattered around which seem to be (often) the kind of places that suit.
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My vote would be for somewhere along the M4 too. I really want to make it next year but for a non-driver the New Forest is pretty inaccessible. That being said, I will have a lot more time to save/plan this time so intend to come along wherever it ends up being.
Hmm while I'm here....I'm looking for someone who would be interested in helping me with a duet - It's Joe Callicott's "Frankie and Albert" and I need a 2nd guitarist!
Been playing around with an 8-track recorder which is fun but it's just not the real thing and I have no idea how to get it onto my computer -_- I have the 2nd guitar tabbed out (It's flat-picked) so I could email that part, maybe Skype, meet up once a month? It could be fun - please send me a pm if interested :D
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Laura - each year non-drivers and those preferring to use public transport do come to the Euroweenie event. For instance, this year Colm Kill Paul flew in from Northern Ireland and in previous years Prof. Scratchy has flown from Edinburgh to Southampton. A taxi from a nearby station is then one option, but as this can be a bit pricey there is usually a Weenie willing to pick people up from a railway station. I think we have some Weenies in Southampton and in previous years, pick-ups have been made from nearby Brockenhurst station.
However, I am somewhat pre-emptive as a final decision has yet to be made on the venue. Last time I spoke to Blueshome, there seemed to be a slight swing in favour of staying at our usual hotel (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). Watch this spot for future developments.
Wherever we meet it would be nice to see and hear a younger player, especially one of the female persuasion (a bit of a rarity in country blues). Hope you don't get too bored by a bunch of grizzly old geezers - actually I doubt it, as one of my main motives for going is the social aspect of meeting up with a nice bunch of people who have, over the years, become friends.
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Hey PP- some of us aren't even 40 yet, and don't have beards! (Admittedly not many)
I was meaning to ask how things were progressing- have been stupidly busy and unable to contirbute much recently.
It did occur to me that a further option was some sort of holiday let type place (rather than a hotel) - a group of self catering apartments or large rented cottage etc- which would give flexibility as to meals etc though perhaps more hassle and possibly not any cheaper.
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Hey PP- some of us aren't even 40 yet, and don't have beards! (Admittedly not many)
Ha ha - I like it! Yes, Norfolk Slim and Harvey are the welcome younger element. Although Blueshome and Scratchy are also in their thirties - it's just that they've had a hard life... ;)
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Actually I think Harvey must be 40 >:D
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NEWS FLASH!!!!!!
Euroweenie 2013 - Same venue (subject to R getting sensible price) Provisionally set for 12-14th April.
pm me with programme suggestions or if you wish to offer a segment.
THE BRICK AWAITS!!!!!
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Does actually tell you at the bottom of the main forum page !! I am 26 today :D
Goodluck Richard negotiating with Basil Fawlty - tell him we dont want any issues this year when I get my nuts out.
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Hoping to get along to the 2013 Euroweenie bash if that's OK...?
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A feel for numbers will help Richard in his cost negotiations. Who's in?
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Count me in. Am starting to save up for it now.
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Me too also as well.
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Yup.
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I hope so... I will say yes
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Plus myself and Richard, of course. We're getting there.
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Have hatched a possible theme with Scratchy which I will discuss with Blueshome when he visits tomorrow.
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He's sure to love it >:D
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This move back across a mere eighty miles of water feels as though we might have well come from the moon what with on\off sale and much work on the UK house all with limited internet access :(
However, all that aside I have spoken with the South Lawn Hotel and they have written to me with the rates for the weekend 12-14 April. I think if we ever do move it will have to be next year now or does the "if it ain't broke don't fix it" maxim apply.
Twin\double room B&B inc Dinner (sic) all for ?130\room\day
Single room B&B inc Dinner (sic) all for ?85\room\day
There are only 4 single room available and 10 rooms are reserved for us at the minute and the hotel has requested that we make our room bookings by 1 Feb 2013.
Tomorrow I'll go ahead with a provisional booking and since we were a bit tight on rooms last year I suggest if you please sign up here and we exceed the 10 rooms I can try and get some more early on. At that point I'll post again and then urge you to book in.
My thanks to Blueshome for his help on this todate, I'm hoping in a week or so I will be back on the net (and weenie) properly.
rt
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:D :o :D
Okeh boys and girls, dreadfully sorry for the delay all I can say is never move house, but if you do make sure you have a continuous internet connection >:(
The hotel have written (spasmodic internet only till this week you see!) and the rates are -
- Twin\double room to include dinner, bed and breakfast at ?130 per room per day
- Ditto single occupancy at ?85 per day - NOTE they can only offer 4 such rooms
I have provisionally booked 10 rooms, more are available so the trick is to get booking pronto, besides which the hotel would like all bookings by 1 Feb 2013.
Ring the hotel direct 01590-643911 to make your booking - maybe put a note on weenie so we know who's mad keen enough to attend.
I will bring my new (hah ha) metal Dobro as I know Phil likes them so much :P .. oh and my almost rebuilt eight string banjolin :-X
Go for it :)
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A Dobro?
Richard, you've gone over to the dark side.
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So you've got the Charlie McCoy stuff down on the B*****lin?
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Booked in and Bound to go.
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That's me booked in again. What am I letting myself in for?
By the way, I have drawn up a 20-question quiz for the weekend (not as hard as the one Blueshome did a couple of years ago). The winner might find themselves well on the way to the mighty BRICK. (At least by asking the questions, I can't win it myself - but who knows with the likes of Richard & Blueshome involved?!)
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I'm booked...
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Mrs Blueshome and myself now booked.
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Does anyone have any ideas for workshops? Could be particular songs, or individual artists' styles (nothing too difficult, mind)!!
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Only 7 signed up so far. Come on Weenies!
Remember the hotel are holding rooms until 1st February.
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I'm in. Look forward to seeing (and hearing) you all!
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Discussions are ongoing with Richard and we should be issuing the programme in the next couple of weeks. Look out Brick, he we come!
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In in folks.
Professor: workshops on Lonnie Johnson and or Robert Johnson would be welcome.
Regards,
Chris.
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Could do either of those, Chris...but we covered Lonnie a bit 2 years ago. Blueshome has requested a 12 string workshop for this year. Suppose I could do the 12 string and maybe an elective RJ if there was interest?
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How about Scrapper Blackwell Prof?
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Well, those suggestions should cover the next 3 Euroweenies!
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Still a couple of places spare - come on Euroweenies!
The programme is almost complete but we still have a one hour slot to fill for Saturday pm. Please PM myself or Richard with your (polite) suggestions or offers.
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Hi Phil
I have an idea for another slot on Saturday. It excites even me! I'll PM you about it.
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I'm booked :)
Just got to learn how to play the guitar again now...
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Well knock me down with a feather - Natterjack returns to the fold. Welcome home, Liam. Hasn't Rick still got some of your guitars?
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Nice to see you hopping back Liam!
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Babysitter sorted..I called the hotel this evening and they're going to get back to me tomorrow to confirm there's a room available.
So against my better judgement(?) I'm in!
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Laura,
Persist with the hotel, they are members of the not terribly good club, I don't think all the rooms Richard asked to be allocated have been taken.
Really good to know that you are in. We've got a great programme again (details next week).
Please PM myself or Richard if you need picking up from a nearby station.
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Thanks for the welcome back gents, I'm looking forward to it..
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You'll be pleased to know that the Great Panjundrum (Richard)has now approved the programme for the weekend!
Friday: From 2.00pm meet & greet etc.
Dinner.
Play till midnight including each performer playing1 song in the style of different artist to the original recording. (Shades of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue")
Saturday:
Morning: Parlour Picker's quiz.
12-string seminar by Professor Scratchy
Lunch (off-site).
Group rehearsals.
Memories of Jo Anne Kelly (Scratchy & PP)
Dinner.
Play till midnight including lucky dip performances. Brick presentation.
Sunday: Do as you please
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I like.
:)
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At last I seem to be able to return to life and matters weenie, the moral being never move across the high seas into an unfinished house.
Now as Phil - who seems to have put in most of the work this time - says, come on boys (and girls) and sign up with the hotel as they are holding the rooms and time is ticking away.
r
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Hi Euroweenies, I intend to come, I'll be contacting the hotel tommorrow to see if I can get booked in.
Cheers, Mike
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All booked up and looking forward to it!
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Play till midnight including each performer playing1 song in the style of different artist to the original recording. (Shades of "I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue")
Phil, can you give an example? Is it like, play a country blues song in the style of a different CB artist, or a non-CB song in the style of a CB artist?
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For example, a song by Blind Lemon in the style of Casey Bill. Any song you like, any 2 artists you like. It's just for fun so don't worry about it.
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It seems we also have an added (secret) little workshop being formulated as I type, so there's something else to look forward to :P
Laura in answer to your question, as I see it you could play a Big Joe Williams song in the style of Memphis Minnie, conversely if you were a bloke and wore a tight truss you could do Big Joe Wilams song in the style Of Memhis Minnie. :-X
I'll try and ring the hotel to see how we are doing.
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Hello,
I am a very infrequent poster to this site but was asked once by Bluesholme if I'd care to attend your shindig.
Can you tell if a place is still available and how much it costs. If room I will travel down from North East and can pick anyone up on way down(work pays petrol costs :D)
Cheers
Ian (Monkeyhanger)
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Ian,
As far as we are concerned there is room for one more but you would need to check out if there is a room at the hotel, it's around ?85 per night all found (not sure exactly). You need to mention the Blues Weekend to get our special deal.
If not, there are plenty of B&B's and even camping (one participant and his partner did that a couple of years ago) nearby in the New Forest and we could arrange for you to dine with us so you don't miss out on the jollities.
South Lawn Hotel, Milford-on-Sea - 01590 643911
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Not long now. Do we know the final numbers?
I can almost taste the rubbery meat.
And is it cheating to use a tune I played last year as my "in the style of" tune...? :D
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About the dozen.
Yes, it is cheating, but that's between you and your conscience Your Honour. ;D
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Righto...
There's a fine line between putting the lyrics of a song to another artists music, and actually doing a song in the style of. My efforts so far have ended up being the former...!
12 is a good number. Bit less than last year? Certainly enough that we ought not to run out of repertoire though.
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Apologies if this is in the thread somewhere...but what time do people arrive on the Friday and depart on the Sunday?
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People tend to drift in mid-afternoon on the Friday and hover on the patio / bar with tea/ beer depending on their proclivities.
Sunday is pretty much a case of have breakfast, and drift off when you feel up to it.
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2 weeks to go.
We hope the Prof's arm is going to be up to the trip.
Disappointing news is that Laura has withdrawn as her work has moved her to Europe.
Don't forget to be getting your heads around that song in the style of another - you can do it!
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Dear Euroweenies,
Due to other commitments I can only come on Saturday of that is ok?
Peter Gabony
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No problem, we'll look forward to it. There will be a penalty to be paid in beer though!
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Another successful Euroweenie weekend passes.
Thanks to Richard for setting up the hotel and for having the original idea. Thanks to all who attended for making it an enjoyable weekend. The hotel staff were friendly and the food was much better than previous years, no doubt we'll be back.
Whilst the Euroweenie brick did not make a personal appearance this time (no-one could be bothered to go out in the rain to find it), it is a perpetual award and despite being offered it for winning Parlor Picker's ridiculously easy quiz, I believe it should be awarded to the above named and his playing partner, Dennis Riggs, for their lucky dip performance. A really nice couple of songs from two who are not regular performers.
I'll leave others to give a full report and post photos.
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I agree with Phil, a great weekend - I thoroughly enjoyed listening to everybodies great renditions of great songs, being able to play along with others, trying out some new songs to sing and play, lots of interesting and enjoyable discussion (especially the New Forest deer recipes Richard!), reading my Mississippi John Hurt book, eating rather good food, and all in all not having any of the day to day "stuff" that usually goes on in life interfering with music - yes it was great.
Thanks to Prof Scratchy for the workshops, I've decided to keep my (usually unplayed) 12 string as a result!
Looking forward to the next one.
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Another one over and my thanks to all the boys and girls who attended, I really enjoyed this one and hope everyone else did as well.
And, I would also like to endorse the comments of that avid deer fetishist young Shipman wot he made in respect of the Professors excellent contributions and of course that young PP's quiz of which I scored four., err, uummm...
I would also like to say how good it was to see Graham performing after what he has been through, which make my recent succession of torn muscles and general demise seem as they say to be medically, bugger all!
On a more musical note, I have a recording of I think just about everybody doing something, so give me a few days and I'll get them sorted and post something - the quality, from what I have heard is surprsingly good.
When the sun is out I might have a look around and see if there is anywhere else that is a bit nearer a motorway or at least a main road, but will take sounding before moving. What else, oh yes - I think us Somerset\Wiltshire types (listening Andrew?) ought to decend en mass to this open mic thing down in deepest Nunney and shew 'em where it's at - what do you think weenies?
Time for my medication.
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I agree with the above comments. It was a nice relaxed event and as usual it was great to see old friends again. It was particularly good to be able to welcome back young Natterjack, who despite his claims of not having played much guitar recently put in some outstanding and highly enjoyable instrumental performances on various 6- and 12-string guitars.
Denis Riggs was in great demand as a harp-player. He also had the misfortune to be my partner in the lucky dip. We fumbled our way through, only to now discover that Phil has awarded us the infamous "brick" (by now virtual, as it was hidden somewhere outside in the rainy garden and it is possible that only last year's winner, Colm, knows its actual whereabouts). Not sure if I should prepare an acceptance speech or return it like the Beatles and their MBEs.
I have uploaded a lot of photos as usual, but it takes ages to reduce them in size to fit Weenie parameters and crop the odd one, etc. I will eventually be posting a gallery. (New gallery please, Slack.)
Referring back to Prof. Scratchy's 12-string workshop, I for one did not know that Barbecue Bob played in a different string configuration, but as soon as you heard the guitar, the sound was distinctive. He played that on a Gibson and kept the mighty Boris back for the more normal octave string arrangement. Scratchy also brought along great Tonk American and Gibson LG-3 six-string guitars (he promised to give me the latter guitar after I lusted over it, but seemed to forget his promise in the next second...).
And I almost forgot to mention how much Scratchy and I were impressed by Norfolk Slim's various performances. His playing, presentation and choice of material have all improved noticeably over the years. Greatly enjoyed (as was his shirt decorated with ukuleles!).
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Update - the recordings are quite good and I have managed to split the sound files so can offer a track or two by all concerned in mp3 format with the tracks being 3-4mb on average. I have some email details but if you want to hear yourself be sure to send a message with an email address so I can send the file. Please do let me know if you want the file trimmed to just the song or if you want it mit banter to edit it youself.
Finally, could somebody let me know the order (and who were in) the original duo's - I know I was in the first!
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Enjoyable weekend as ever. Lots of guitar porn. Food much better. Missed Harvey and his bottle of Cognac though...
PP tells us that his beautiful clean and crisp tone and picking is down to the Sellens guitar he plays, but there's rather more to it than that- and I concur with what Phil says on the subject!
It is nice to have a harp specialist around- and Dennis is an excellent one.
Thanks for the comments on my stuff PP. Much appreciated. In terms of material, perhaps I should do some more "filth" next time around! Credit to John Miller for drawing my attention tot he wonderful Stump Johnson song!
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Oh- and the Belton Sutherland one... Original footage here:
Belton Sutherland "Kill the old grey mule" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2aPBYvPlg#)
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I have to concur, what an improvement in service from the hotel...They just refunded my booking for 19th to 21st April.
Oh well see you all next year, or at Bluesweek (if I can get the dates right)
Glad you all had a good one - gutted !
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Finally back home after a slow campervan progress to and from Euroweenie. Saw some great places on the way there and back, notably Cambridge, Boston (Lincs), and the entire East Coast from Skegness to Whitby. Not forgetting Rye, home of Parlour Picker and also, I learned, of Roger Hubbard, whom I met, albeit briefly. Roger had come across an ancient cassette tape of himself playing about 40 years ago, and a friend had further 'antiqued' it to give it a very Joe Bussard sound. Fantastic. The Euroweenie weekend itself was another testimony to the skill with which Blueshome and Richard can snatch chaos from disorder! As others have remarked, it all worked extemely well, and this year was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable gatherings ever. Greatly missed were Harvey and Bunker Hill. But the lower numbers led to brisker proceedings and a lot more playing being packed in - that was my impression anyway. Magic reappearance of Natterjack, whose playing is as strong as ever and whose taste in instruments is impeccable. Great, as ever, to hear Graham hit those basso profundo notes, leading everyone to speculate 'How Low Can Slo-Blo Go'? By the end of the weekend we found out, when there was an impromptu group performance of Wade On The Water. Mike S and Bobalong impressed with their relaxed playing and great singing. Richard was playing some great and professional sounding lap slide fills on his duo performance. And a giant sized Yorkie Bar goes to Norfolk Slim for creating over the years a killer repertoire with much funky string snapping goodness. Thanks to Angie for sharing her birthday cake and to her hubby for keeping the pot boiling with his inexhaustible supply of new tunes. Finally thanks to PP (and Sue) for giving me a real bed to sleep in for a couple of nights, and to PP especially for the quiz (which I'm gutted not to have won), in which two of the answers were 'Johnm' and Slack. I'll see if they can guess what the questions were...
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Sorry for the delay, your 2013 Photo Gallery is up!
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I think it is really great the way you guys get together for this event. What is it now--five years or more? I know that some of you, like Professor, and Richard and Colm in past years have had to travel some distance for the get-together, but it sure sounds like a great time. Good on yez all.
All best,
Johnm
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Sorry for the delay, your 2013 Photo Gallery is up!
I will start to upload pictures as and when I have time - too much German to translate today. Might manage a few later, but don't get too excited as they'll be pretty much like previous years, i.e. old geezers playing old guitars... But then, that's what we like I suppose.
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I see about 41 pics are up now -- nice pics! ...and thanks for providing the captions! It's a great thing you all do!