WeenieCampbell.com
Country Blues => Saturday Night Fish Fry => EuroWeenie => Topic started by: Richard on July 10, 2006, 07:40:34 AM
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Just thought I'd give this a bit of a shove and say I have finally got the web site up for the great event 13-14 April 07.
There is a load of info there now so please visit the site and let me know if you have any queries or whatever.
http://www.weekendblues.org
I understand that the hotel has actually received a booking :) and it might be best to email them at this point in time.
I fully realise that it's a long way ahead but if we could get just a few confirmations I would be happy as the hotel would then know that we mean business!
r
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Richard
This sounds good and I would have loved to join you all but I'm booked for The Clarksdale Juke Joint Festival which unfortunately clashes.
See you in Swindon?
Bob Long
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Richard:
I have decided to attend your august gathering, with my sweetie. Will book hotel presently.
Alex
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Richard:
I have decided to attend your august gathering, with my sweetie. Will book hotel presently.
Alex
There goes the Commonwealth...
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There goes the Commonwealth...
They'll be fine, Alex is showing up in August. :P
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There goes the Commonwealth...
They'll be fine, Alex is showing up in August. :P
And they say rockabilly doesn't cause brain damage...
Alex
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Just make sure you book for April. ;D
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Seriously Alex, I think it is great that we'll have at least one Weenie representative from North America.
Very cool!
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Seriously Alex, I think it is great that we'll have at least one Weenie representative from the U.S.
Very cool!
Dear Rockabilly Guitar God:
I am not yet a subject of GWB. Didn't you notice my Canadian accent.
Brain damage......
Alex
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Thank you for the proper address. :D
Ah well, close enough! I'll change it to North America. ;D
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In response to the great news that one (for the moment?) transatlanic weenie making the perilous crossing to Guernsey I have undated the website and added trillions of photo's of the place so you can sea (pun, there) what you are in for... assuming the weather is going to be half-way reasonable :-X
A serious point,if you are contemplating the trip from foreign climes you will need the extra short flights to get here as well, now helpfully >:( they don't fly from Heathrow anymore so if you need some help or advice with that please let me know.
Oh, and be warned however, that the photo page of the web site taketh all the memory you can throw at it, it's the quality of the photo's I expect ;)
So, whilst I am here banging on about this... if you have not booked, then go to it or at least read all the exciting stuff on the site :P
Go for it............ www.weekendblues.org
ps.. Sorry if I have missed replying to any posts on this topic, but the as per usual the computer has been ill... maybe a switch to Linux..again!
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13-14 April 07.
... not a we but Fri & Sat ?
is it correct ?
Yves
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Good point, Yves....is anything planned for the Sunday??
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Sorry men, I have been away and just got back.
My orginal intention was to give you the Friday and Saturday nights and then since the Sunday follows I assume that to be the day when most people will be heading home, we can maybe do something on the Sunday (or just the morning ?) I am open to any suggestions and of course there is nothing to stop you staying on if it's Okeh with the hotel - so don't just look on it as the Friday and Saturday.
I have not got as far as thinking of a timetable (sounds posh!) yet, so please lets have any idea's or requests - cliff walks, sandcastles, drinking, playing guitar,fishing, sleeping, taking the sea air etc etc etc let me know!
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Hey Richard. This is looking more and more like a go here. Was wondering about possibilities of getting to Guernsey from France (by ferry?), as we may be flying in and out of Paris. I'm very concerned about flying with guitar and feel English airports are to be avoided. I was forced to gate check my little Stella on a recent flight and was pretty worried so I really need to find out the best plan. I have a CaseXtreme Clam but am now finding out that even that may warrant a large additional fee. Gad do I hate this current climate of paranoia and the related profit gouging industry it has spun off.
Anyway, I should try to get things firmed up over the holidays.
Any further movement from the Montreal contingent, UB? Your not going to make me face the conservative Calgary onslaught alone, are you? Perhaps he'll be a little easier to take with lady friend in tow.-G- Or perhaps we can ban all political discussions for the duration.
All for now.
John C.
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Hi Richard-Everything sounds fine except the sandcastles part. I think I'll be staying for the Sunday and travelling back on Monday. If there's nothing arranged, that's fine - time to explore etc.
Waxwing, if you don't go to France, you're still very welcome to stop off and stay in the land of your forefathers. There are cheapish direct flights from Edinburgh.
Prof S
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Your not going to make me face the conservative Calgary onslaught alone, are you? Perhaps he'll be a little easier to take with lady friend in tow.-G- Or perhaps we can ban all political discussions for the duration.
Hey Barbeque John:
I thought that was part of my charm! :D. And today's my birthday so I'm a year older and considerably more mellow. Except towards pinko Quebecers.
And Prof. S, I mights well look you up. I intend to visit Scotland, from wence my forefathers emigrated to Canada in the 1830's. My last name is after all, Knox.
TTFN,
Alex
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Looking forward to seeing you, Alex. And playing Mississippi Blues as only a duo, eh?
How are you contemplating dealing with guitar flying issues. And what box might you be bringing. I'm a little leary of bringing the Stella because the pickgaurd is real tortoise and I'm worried some customs agent will cite a CITES regulation and confiscate the guitar. I've heard that even if you later prove the guitar was built before such and such a time, the chances of getting it back are very small. Just hearsay, but....
Anyway, if I can't see clear to bring my favorite Stella, I may bring the Style O, altho' I think resos will be a dime a dozen at this gathering.-G- But, packed correctly, they're pretty rugged. I'll have to hope that one of our fellow Weenies from accross the pond will have a nice throaty Stella and will allow me to play it with at least some of my usual emotion.-G- I'm just about to get the O back from a refret and some intonation issues due to having permanently changed to an unwound 3rd. I may be very happy playing it exclusively for a couple weeks.
Looking forward to meeting a lot of you folks. And your guitars.
All for now.
John C.
All for now.
John C.
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Any further movement from the Montreal contingent, UB? Your not going to make me face the conservative Calgary onslaught alone, are you? Perhaps he'll be a little easier to take with lady friend in tow.-G- Or perhaps we can ban all political discussions for the duration.
Still not able to make any hard plans. I'm definitely still looking into it though!
And Prof. S, I mights well look you up. I intend to visit Scotland, from wence my forefathers emigrated to Canada in the 1830's. My last name is after all, Knox.
From whence came the phrase "There goes the neighbourhood"...
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Any US or European Weenies needing a stopover on the way to Guernsey are welcome to stay over at Blueshome - we are less than an hour from London Gatwick.
Phil
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Hey Scratch. Didn't see your post before Alex's. We are definitely planning on taking you up on that. So far our itinerary includes flying in and out of Paris, or possibly Amsterdam and then visiting Paris, but also spending some time in the Orkneys and Scotland. Not sure how things will shake out yet, but it looks like Guernsey will be the last weekend of the trip.
I'm concerned about carrying a guitar (still thinking of bringing the little Stella) while traveling and am now prepared to pay a fee to use my Clam case to fly into Paris or Amsterdam, but don't want to lug a huge case around everywhere by rail so will probably stow it at the airport and rail or ferry around to our various destinations, with a car rental now and then for sightseeing.
Thanks much for the offer. We are looking forward to it.
The Cowans are part of the Coulquhuan clan, from the sides of Ben Lomond I believe, so we'll probably make it by there. Also emigrated to Canada, likely around the same time as the Knox family.
Alex, have you planned your itinerary yet? Perhaps we could make some other connections, not to mention earn a few pints by playing duets in a pub here and there? If you make it UB we could do a Weenie tour.
[Edit] Just saw your post, Phil. Don't know if we are going to spend time in the South of England, but I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.
All for now.
John C.
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Hey BJ:
I have not yet thought a lot yet of my itinerary. I suspect (only suspect) that I'll place the Weenie gathering in the middle of two weeks or at the end of the first week of three. I have some friends here in Calgary who may be going to Amsterdam in the latter part of April.
And I'd love to hookup and maybe head up to Scotland, who knows. There is a Scottish heraldry shop here in Calgary, so possibly I could purchase a kilt, sans undies of course, to impress the wimin.
Unless I lose my nerve, I'll be bringing the L-00. I notice that Mary Flower carries two with her and one in a (very sturdy) gig bag. I might buy one for the L-00 and try to bring it on the plane as carryon. Did it once, we'll see.
Later,
Alex
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Scratchy Towers can accommodate three single Weenies or two Couplaweenies and a single...so come all ye (as long as you bring those old guitars)!!
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Great news and lots of interest, be good if the transatlantic contingent make it :)
Ummm... a ferry from France, now I'm pretty sure Condor do it so have a look at the link to them on the site and if not let me know and I will investigate for you www.weekendblues.org
Now, I have to admit that the handling of guitars by any airline here (or uk) is not the kindest that I have seen and they try their best to put dents in my Carlton case... however, if you are flying here ask at checkin if you can carry your guitar to the steps of the plane and they will put it in the baggage bit last. Since it's all a bit Mickey Mouse at times, if you wait till the baggage is opened you can try and retrieve it via the stewardess - or if you are lucky and the plane is not that full you might get it in the cabin.. if you give then a load of verbal bollocks that it will fit in the locker... It's not that bad but be prepared ;)
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I have been emailed and told the hotel has now filled the allocation of the 10 rooms I "booked", wonderful news, but sadly not correct!
Unfortunately some of the staff, now seem to be from eastern Europe (as is the way the UK is going :( ) and English is obviously their first language - neeed I say more!!!
There are certainly some bookings so basically while I am on the subject I'll give it another plug and hopefully tempt a few more (UK ?) weenies to come along. I know this is all a bit long distance timewise but I have to keep at it !
For details www.weekendblues.org
Now, if you have booked could you pm or email me so that I can keep up on this and whilst I'm here ...Yves, did you say you had booked?
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:)
I was just giving this another push to get you latent UK-Weenie-Guernsey types animated in the booking department as January is here and April ain't that far away!!
So, if you fancy that exciting weekend break like no other then this is for you... 8)
I really want to fill those remaining couple of rooms if not more, so please go for it.... right now if possible! :P
>:D Now here's a little phsycology to help you, just tell madam you have booked this incredible weekend break (just don't tell her you are taking your guitar) and whizz her over she'll love it 'cause it's a nice hotel right on the beach :o
Besides, we all know just how much our dear ladies enjoy listening us play don't we.... :-X
I hope to see you here......... :) and just in case you don't know full details with delux photos of the place are right here.... www.weekendblues.org
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I can well imagine that the hotel folks will start to get twitchy if those rooms aren't all booked up soon. So yes, if you're being latent, now's the time to strut your stuff. Especially since Richard has done all the matrimonial subterfuge stuff for you! Richard- any ideas about programme? Maybe some of the non-latent attendees could come up with ideas??? I was thinking we could all come in kilts...
Prof S
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Prof,
Steady on - my wife's coming to Guernsey as a birthday treat (ha-ha) - the sight of Richard in a kilt could make it her last. I think you've been living in Scotland too long and gone native.
I've made some programme suggestions privately to our host, I'm sure he'll combine ideas and publish something soon as long as he's not distracted by that banjolele thingumy.
Phil
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OK, Gre and I are gonna make our reservations this weekend. Looks like we'll be flying into Paris two weeks early, spending most of a week there. Then, somehow, off to the Orkney Islands (ferry from Amsterdam?) for a few days twitching (birding to you statesiders) and ruins haunting, then to Scotland, where we hope to spend some time at Scratchy Towers and maybe meet up with the Calgary contingent (if Alex is still talking to me -G-) and then from there to Guernsey, flying out of Paris Sunday or Monday.
I think I'm gonna brave it and bring the little Stella, so I'm hoping someone will bring a nice old National and a long scale 12 string so I can play all of my material.
I see the topic of what we are gonna do has fissled out. I would love to lead a workshop on any of the songs I do. Of course, Mississippi Blues is popular, particularly the turnaround and I've developed some nice break variations. Others that I think are good and that are songs I've transcribed myself and are pretty close to the original are Broke Down Engine, which is different on every verse and would really take some time (and would require that long scale 12 to sing and play, but for teaching purposes we could do it on a 6 string), Avalon Blues, of which I do the original 1929 version, and Fuller's Screamin' and Cryin' Blues, a great slow blues in G (and which would require that vintage Nat to do justice -G-).
Anyway, just some ideas. Anyone else have some good tunes they could teach?
All for now.
John C.
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Hi all:
Looks like I'll be arriving 10 days-two weeks early myself. Might go to Amsterdam first (to practice my smoking) 8) then I want to go to Scotland (to pick out a kilt) ;) , see the ancestral homeland and hang out with Waxy.
I'd be happy to teach a class on whiskey-drinking, poss. this skill has been lost in the motherland.
Alex
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Thanks for the support men, it's just like having a good truss :P now, if anybody has any trouble with hotel or flights let me know and I'll try and help.
Waxy, thanks you are very brave and I know it's a long way to come!
Prof S was quite right in that it's the hotel bookings that worry me most, especially as my Latvian isn't that good these days :-\ however it now looks as though all of my rooms might be filled, I'll pop up and check later in the week which will give a little leeway for these booking to be translated ;)
As for a rough program I will put my mind to it and I will base things on the assumption that -
On the Friday evening maybe some form of organisied open-mic type of thing which could be dependant on numbers as folks will be arriving etc etc
Saturday, I imagine is going to be the music day.. so maybe a masterclass (or is that a bit grand!!) or two - volunteers and suggestions please? Phil ..Tampa Red? Somebody suggested a lap steel one :-X , Prof S was going to do lap dacing in a kilt, Waxy looks like you are going to be conscripted as well! Possibly one of my famous blues quizes, but I'm usually told they are too hard! Desert Island Blues was another suggestion and of course there are always the Harry Potter DVDs should we all fail to come up with anything at all! Or, there me be so many of us (I live in hope) that we could do a matineee performance.
Naturally, the evening will have to have more performance time and I have had some been giving thought to making some small groups which would give you something to work on! Oh, and how could I forget the finale of the Lap Dancing KIlt Contest.
On Sunday if anybody is still compis mentis, without a hangover we could even do something healthy like have a cliff walk and watch Waxy have a bit of a twitch in the bushes :P
Seriously, put your minds to it and tell me what you would like and I'll do my best to tailor the thing to suit and if you do book, it would be helpful if you could email me so I can keep up todate-ish.
Finally, just for Prof S, I am making enquiries as to where I can get my hands on a set of the McPipes as I know you are a great enthusiast :P and also for the McPipes >:D
It should be fun..... :-X
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Alex,
It's whisky not whiskey on this side.
P
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Sounds like it's coming together nicely - Waxy I can take care of the long scale twelve string...
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Whisky...ooo, careful now!!!
As for Waxy and that long scale twiching someplace, the mind boggles.
And, I had an email today saying Sonya was going book in as well, so the gangs almost all here - with I may add for Phil, a few exceptions ;)
Prof while I think of it, how you getting here... flying ??? I was just thinking of guitar transportation.. ::)
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Flybe from Edinburgh via Southampton I think!
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That'll be with Flybe then... well don't forget to see if you can do the guitar loading as I suggest then.
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Actually the connections from Edinburgh were better via Birmingham. Still with Flybe though.
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If theres still spaces- me and the missus are good for this... She hates the music but can wander the beach and shops I suspect....
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NS sorry I missed your post here, but heard you were heading this way via one of my other spies ;) be good to see you.
Now, whilst I'm here can I ask those of you that are coming over to have a think about whether you want me to book a table for a meal on the Friday and Sturday nights or do you think you prefer to do you own thing(s) ?
I have not eaten at the Hotel since my last bout of gastric trouble ;) but I did hear only the other day that somebody had a very nice meal there!
So therefore, it would be helpful if you let me know roughly when you will be arriving... could you do that?
l
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First off, we're booked (Friday and Saturday nights) and ready to go!-G-
How many are we? Having worked the restaurant biz I know that large groups can be unwieldy, but two tables of 8 or so shouldn't be too bad. What are the other eateries in the neighborhood like? Maybe we could do Friday dinner at the hotel and Saturday out somewhere?
Not sure of our travel plans, yet but would expect to get there early enough on Friday for dinner.
All for now.
John C.
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Waxy we are talking Guernsey here... other eateries ::)
If a horse farts it's makes the front page of the local newspaper and we will need transport for other eateries - unless one considers the most excellent fish&chip shop on the Cobo sea front, all very quaintly English but with fish from the sea not the freezer! Bring your own statin 'cause it ain't cooked in the usual oil!
Now, being slightly more serious I know some folks are threatening to hire a car so either that or a fleet of taxis would get us somewhere else. ILet's take a head count a bit nearer the time and book the hotel restaurant for say the Saturday night, we can sort something else for the Friday evening depending on numbers.. that Okeh with all concerned ?
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Anywhere for a good curry...?
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Im all booked.... see you all there.
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NS... good look forward to it, you booked Okeh then - I didn't know you spoke Latvian ;)
Prof....curry, well I don't do curry myself (or be precise curry does me :-X, you don't want to know that do you ;) ) there was highly thought of curry shop, I'll check if it's still there - but you'd need a taxi.
I do know there is Chinese eatery which is very easily walkable up the road, I forgot that when I extolling the virtues of the chip shop!
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fish and chips are fine - as long as they're cooked in beef dripping!
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Hey, Waxy:
We may have to help these folks out. See if you can bring the Kamado.
Alex
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Prof, I have a nasty feeling in my coronary arteries that is why they could taste so nice :P
What's a Komodo..... NOw I could have misread that (wait for it >:D so I'll apologise in advance, now read on... :D ) surely you don't mean one of them there chairs with a hole in the seat .................... :-X
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It's a Royal Kamado. a Japanese ceramic smoker/bar-B-Q, which goes to PT every yearr, but which I don't think, at about 40 lbs., is gonna make it on the plane. But I was thinkin' the same thing, Pyro. Do you Guernsey chlllen do any grillin"? Perhaps a seafood barbecue on the beach? One of the primary experiences at Weenie PI is that we do our own barbecuing every night and with Alex and I you've got two of Weenie's top chefs, capable of masterminding a feast for about 30 people or more. "Course it requires others to do shopping, assist cheffing and cover utensil logistics.
I'd be up for it, weather permitting.
All for now,
John C.
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The evening temperature in April is likely to be about 12 deg. (54degF), a bit chilly to be on the beach. Still there is always Richard's garage.
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Hey, you're only there a couple days, why cook? Fish and chips fried in beef fat sounds like excellent blues food to me...
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It's nice idea Waxy, but I fear the weather could be against us even if the sun (keep praying) is out, since as Phil say's the temperature is likely to be against it ::)
But, who knows :o if it ain't that cold I'm sure we could rustle up some form of diy catering equipement and a few dead molluscs to partake of.... alternately, there is always the Cobo chip shop :P
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I now have this vision of a small group of colonials shivering around a tiny fire on the beach chewing on half-cooked whelks whilst the rest of us sit in the warmth of the hotel sipping our wine and eating our perfectly cooked steaks and waving at them from behind the glass.
Alternatively, despairing of trying to light a fire in the rain and wind,they clutch their fat-sodden, newspaper-wrapped, fish and chips wondering where it all went wrong and wondering whether the health insurance is up to date.
We must be able to get a song out of that!
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That ain't no vision...you are talking Guernsey here again... but they don't do welks, there is another vulcanised local delight called ormer which is also doubles as a fossil fuel :P
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:o Just completing an update to my site www.weekendblues.org which now offers a provisional programme of sorts for the weekend, so please let me have any suggestions or idea's you may have.
If you know your flight (ferry?) arrival time it would help let me if you could let me know when you are scheduled to beam down :P
I hear they have got some parachutes, oh damn
Thanks
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What a bunch of wusses. OK. Deep fried food it is. I guess what they say about British cuisine is true, Alex? Thankfully I'll be spending close to a week in Paris.-G-
'Course if it's polar in Guernsey I'm wondering what it's gonna be like in the Orkneys a week earlier. I assume the North Sea is still frozen over and the natives are huddled in their caves eating dried mackerel for fear of being eaten by polar bears.-G- May have to rethink that leg of the trip. And I assume Scotland is still two feet deep in snow at that point, eh, Scratch? I'm not sure Gre will go for that.
So, approximately how many are we, Richard. You make it sound like it's gonna take days to hear everyone play. How 'bout a roster?
An hour seems awfully short for a workshop in which an entire song or two is gonna be taught and learned. Saturday morning seems sparse, how 'bout a two hour workshop at 10:30 and another at 2:00? I can't believe you are such a novice at drinking that you have to recover 'til noon?-G-
All for now.
John C.
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Hi Waxy
Orkney is cold in summer. In April you might manage 8-10 degrees if the wind is blowing from the south. You'll like it though - especially if you go for birds and prehistoric burial sites. Don't expect too many trees though. Edinburgh is the Riviera of the north. Sun always shines and it rarely gets cold. I rarely lie. No snow though, 'cos we're on the seaside. Wherever you go in Britain in April, prepare to wrap up warm. If it's as warm as twelve degrees, I'd certainly be up for a barbecue on the beach. If it gets too cold....well, guitars burn don't they? Even Nationals have the decency to have wooden necks (apart from the bakelite ones).
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What a bunch of wusses. OK. Deep fried food it is. I guess what they say about British cuisine is true, Alex?
I agree, BJ. +10C is nice BBQ weather here in W. Canada. I guess all the real men emigrated years ago ;D
I now have this vision of a small group of colonials shivering around a tiny fire on the beach chewing on half-cooked whelks whilst the rest of us sit in the warmth of the hotel sipping our wine and eating our perfectly cooked steaks and waving at them from behind the glass.
Waxy doesn't "half-cook" anything. They don't call him "Barbeque John" for nothin'!
Perfectly cooked steaks, in Great Britain! Outrageous! Calgary is in the heart of Cattle country, where we really know how to cook beef. I'll bring the BBQ sauce. (although you do have HP, fortunately).
BJ, we've got our work cut out for us... >:D
Alex
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"Perfectly cooked" over here does not mean carbonised, plus the beef is not hormonally enhanced and fed on GM feed - pass the steak under the grill just long enough to stop the blood running, or if you are French, light a match close to the meat.
Now we've got the cookery sorted, what guitars are folks bringing? I suppose I'll have my FR Triplate, it covers most bases very well.
Phil
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HI:
I'll be bringing my Gibson '33 L-00. And the Barbeque sauce, just in case.
Alex
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"Perfectly cooked" over here does not mean carbonised, plus the beef is not hormonally enhanced and fed on GM feed - pass the steak under the grill just long enough to stop the blood running, or if you are French, light a match close to the meat.
Now we've got the cookery sorted, what guitars are folks bringing? I suppose I'll have my FR Triplate, it covers most bases very well.
Phil
LOL. Phil, please send me your address so I can dispatch a present. ;) Plus, you guys actually seem to have the mad cow thing figured out. Costs too much over here says the ranchers. (edited in support of actual ranchers. It's more the lobby groups and various levels of government that are to blame, IMO. ;))
And Waxy, fish and chips is, IMO, a food freak's dream when done right. I can still taste the deep-fried cod and chips I had in Newfoundland years ago now... mmm... Doesn't mean you live on the stuff.
Wish I was able to make it but circumstances have conspired against me. Hopefully Euro-Weenies will make this an annual thing and opportunity will knock once more. Sounds like a tremendous blast.
Alex, pack that baby well. I know it's earmarked for me in your will...
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Alex, pack that baby well. I know it's earmarked for me in your will...
Unkie Bud:
Done. But repeat after me: "Ralph Klein is God, Ralph Klein is God"
Alex
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My word wot a lot of posts, you lot must be keen and excited :D
Where shall I start.... first refer to Google Earth and take note that anything north of Cheltenahm is pretty foreign. As for temperatures, one of my daughters was really, really keen to go to Edinburgh Uni till she went there in May one year and was frozen to the spot, they had trouble getting her on the plane like that :-X And, as for the Orkneys, I always thought that was a disease ;D so I would strongly advise taking your Ralph Klein long-johns...
UB Glad you sorted Waxy out in that proper fish&chips is as good as or even beats a barbie anyday.. heheh As carnivorous as I am, you must remember this is a tiny place and all (most) meat cometh in from across the high sea sp possibly steaks are not to Calgary (pass me the Statin) standards ;)
An hour seems awfully short for a workshop in which an entire song or two is gonna be taught and learned. Saturday morning seems sparse, how 'bout a two hour workshop at 10:30 and another at 2:00? I can't believe you are such a novice at drinking that you have to recover 'til noon?
Waxy, my olde fruit, how can I put really nicely this...in words maybe! Over here in the polar lands you find that our guitar type events do not neccessarily revolve around learning a song - sometimes it's just a few licks or a technique, one of the best ones I went to was on just learning to playing rhythm. Now, I had to start somewhere hence the programme but, it's not set in stone. I'll post the workshop topics of what I know we will be doing shortly and if I may sa,y they do look prettyt good!
Now, and unless, without being disparraging to anybody concerned, the person I have conscripted for a workshop is red hot and the class is with him, it's going to be very hard work to hold it together for an hour and a half. I don't know how long the PT classes last but EBA has it down to 1.25 hours and that has proved plenty if you are really concentrating. Again, without being funny, I am looking for another "lecturer" so if you or anyone else, fancied doing it you are more than welcome to run a class, so let me know.
So, approximately how many are we, Richard. You make it sound like it's gonna take days to hear everyone play. How 'bout a roster?
At this moment I don't know how many, I have put out calls for folks to say if they are coming but without that much reponse. However, rumour has it that my ten rooms are filled, some double occupancy.. I will go the hotel this week and test my Latvian again.
As for playing times, I have done it this way as at one event I attended the stand was hogged for number after number by one particular personage. By saying, only 2-3 numbers and you are off at the outset, we will avoid that without offending anybody and after the (dis)organised performances the open mic\jam session can take over and I suspect who shouts loudest will then bag the mic !!
Errrr, that's it for now :)
No it's not, just to aid those of you who are flying over this is what it looks like from the air :o
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?ie=UTF8&om=1&z=16&ll=49.478163,-2.58949&spn=0.007905,0.017338&t=h
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Alex, pack that baby well. I know it's earmarked for me in your will...
Unkie Bud:
Done. But repeat after me: "Ralph Klein is God, Ralph Klein is God"
Alex
I believe, I believe...
I suddenly feel the urge to berate some homeless people...
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Any chance of explaining this to those who are not in on the original joke ::) ;)
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Any chance of explaining this to those who are not in on the original joke ::) ;)
Ralph Klein is the former premier of Alberta. He's a hero there to many and pretty much a buffoon to everyone else in the country. He liked a good drink, shall we say, every day. One Christmas, he got loaded, had his driver take him to a homeless shelter and started yelling at the people there about not having jobs etc. He then threw money at them and left. (!) Would have been the end of almost anyone's political career, except Ralph: his public remained in thrall.
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Now I see it all, didn't Bush also like a drink in his younger days.. oopps.. sorry that's political :-X
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Any chance of explaining this to those who are not in on the original joke ::) ;)
Richard:
Unfortunately Unkie Bud has coloured his description, as people on the left didn't appreciate his sensible, conservative policys. But we Albertans did!
End of political discussion.
Alex
PS, never trust a politician who doesn't drink!
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Just to help entice any more of you lot over here... we now have a couple of workshops\talks lined up one on Tampa Red and the other on Blind Blake... what more can you want ;)
Oh, and I have it on good authority that Mr Diamond Bottlenecks himself (Ian McWee to you) will also be here just to show that he can play a mean bottleneck guitar himself!
Looks like we are now cooking by gas :P
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Richard,
What's the latest score - are there any places left and do we know who is coming?
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Right, well I brushed up on my Latvian and took a troll up the coast today.
My first mistake was to ask the friendly young gentleman at reception what part of Latvia he came from, as one does to make polite converstion and to help get his English up to speed.. ;)
Whooopps, turns out he was from Austria so that didn't go down at all well, rather like the Titanic or was it the Graf Spey? I think I'm losing it :-X
Anyway, after much grovelling he produced a list of names with much Austrotonic efficiency, except he is not sure if he has them all and to be honest since I don't know everbody's surname neither do I ::)
So, here they are - please if you have booked and you are not amongst these then please say and I will go venture forth again. At least though we have the function room reserved for the Friday and Sturday nights so that bit is still on track :)
The surnames he gave to me are - Allen, Bates, Coates, Darby, Hartwell, Doughty, Field, Jones, Knox, Thorne, Tonge, Ward
Now, amongst other things I thought Ian McWee said he had booked - but, is there anybody else out there who has and is not on this list?
Tell you what, lets have a roll call and please include if you wife or partner is coming over so that I can get a better idea of numbers for say a meal on the Saturday at the Hotel.
And, YES I'm sure we can find some more hotel space if anybody else want's to come... please do, the more the merrier :)
It's 5.30 decisons, Prozac or wine calls :P
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I booked, surname Cowan.
All for now,
John C.
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yep me and the Mrs booked- Field
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Boss lady booked in.
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Thanks men and latent ladies.
Wax, I'll check the hotel over the next day or two and let you know.
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I can send you their confirmation email.
And I forgot to mention above that Gre will be with me as well.
All for now.
John C.
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Just got an email from Cobo asking for deposit, so I guess that reconfirms we're booked.-G. Now we just have to figure out the rest of our itinerary. You guys have pretty much put us off Orkney if it's going to be barely above freezing.
All for now.
John C.
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Ah, you beat me to it, I have not long come back from my travels and was going to email you to say they had you down........... looks as thought they have now decided on deposit - maybe I should no have reminded them - or is the tutonic efficiency of the Austrians over the Lavians ;D
And Orkney :-X I hear it cold in summer let alone April, but of course it's north of Cheltenahm... whoops >:(
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Today's comparative weather report:
Orkney high 8; low 5
Edinburgh high 9; low 6
Cheltenham high 11; low 7
Guernsey high 12; low 9
Guernsey Iowa: high 5; low -2
All above in centigrade. Double and add30 for fahrenheit.
Guernsey Channel Islands wins. Guernsey USA doesn't. I'll pack my bathers!
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If you are exceptionally lucky it might get to 45-50deg in early April in Orkney, but add the wind chill and rain and it is likely to be "brutally cold" as one of the guide books puts it. If I had the chance to go, however, I'd take it, just depends on your expectations, remember there's always the pub.
Don't expect conditions to be exactly summery on Guernsey although you will get a warm welcome from the Euro-weenies.
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Just got around to booking the hotel and flights, sorry I'm so late - was umming and aahing for a bit. Hope this is OK
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NJ
Of course it's Okeh, we shall be delighted to see you... now, my spies tell me you have some fine guitars :P
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Thanks. I do have a couple of particularly fine specimens :D. Just need decide which I want to risk entrusting to FlyBe!!! :o
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We're out the door. Little Stella in hand. See you all in 2 weeks.
All for now.
John C.
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Bon Voyage! Sounds like a ton of fun - wish I could be there with you guys!
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Well this time next week :-X
Let's hope it all turns out as planned and the weather is with us, I've even got the pa sorted now as well !
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Good on you for putting this event together, Richard! I'm sure it will be a lot of fun. I wish I could be there myself. It would be great to see everybody and see Guernsey, as well. Best of luck on the weather.
All best,
Johnm
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Yes, keep us posted Richard and congrats on pulling off the affair - I have a feeling this is the start of something BIG
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Thanks for the support.... from little acorns etc etc etc
A quick update - I checked with the hotel today and basically it looks as though we have the function room from the Friday through to midday on the Sunday and since most folks will be returning on the Sunday that is probably enough playing time for anybody!!
I think we now have enough people to make it work now and with luck if it's a success we might be able to get a few more for the next one ... :P
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Someone remember to get some pictures, mp3s for the Back Porch, hell why not some video for YouTube...
:D
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Made it thru customs with the little Stella. In fact, they didn't even look at us. Must be nice living in a country that hasn't pissed off the rest of the world.-G-
Been in Paris since early Tuesday. Played for the staff after hours last night in a great little restaurant down the street from the studio we rented in the Bastille. We've been having one great meal after another, and since my LDL cholesterol was down to 106 before we left I ain't holding back.
Played a '33 Duolian and a cool Bakelite necked Triolian, not to mention some other tasty boxes, in perhaps the most upscale little guitar store ever, in the Gallerie Verot-Dodat, near the Palais Royal. Lots of Selmers and such, too. Real fun.
Richard, do we really need a PA? How many are we at this point? I've been at house concerts with 25 or more in the house and a PA would have been overkill. Personally I'd rather hear the music unamplified.
BTW, Gre's sister is joining us for the Guernsey leg of the trip. I believe she's already booked into the hotel, but please include her in any meal plans.
We arrive on the ferry from St. Malo on Friday.
Internet cafes are few and far between so I won't be checking in much.
All for now.
John C.
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Wax
Nice to know that Paris is suiting you, I like it too. Sadly, once you cross the water to the realms of the UK you will be hit by the fact that, unlike the rest of the civilised world, the coffee here is total and utter crap... you have been warned :(
PA ? Well, it seems to be customary so we got it, particularly since there is a bar in the room :P I suppose of course you don't need to use it and if I'm honest I also prefer things in a quiter mode.
The hotel will let us makre the final numbers for the Saturday meal on the Friday, work that out ;) so no problem with extras.
I am sure I will be floating around there on the Friday, so will catch you then... no doubt!
I am am afraid I can't offer anybody lifts or anything as my car is in technical speak, buggered and I am having to pinch one of the kid's cars as and when I can >:(
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Forecast is remarkably good for the South of England next weekend... Hopefully that will translate to the channel islands as well.
Anyway- just a silly thought Richard: I don't suppose there are any music shops around from which it might be feasible to hire a double bass for the weekend? Probably a very silly thought I know, but the mrs plays so I thought I'd ask.
It is of course an even longer shot to persuade her to play blues, but...
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Wouldn't it be good if the weather held out, there we are sat indoors twanging away while the sunshines away.... ;)
NS it's sad to say a bass is is no-go... the musac shop is on holiday (obviously, when you need 'em) and the only string bass players I know are not keen on lending.... could we eeeerrr, uummm maybe silver tongue her into dressing up as Ransome Knowling and get a box, string and a broom handle...................... :P
You shouldn't have to persuade her to play the blues surely ?
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Just a short note to say "All the best for the weekend guys - hope it goes well and you all have a great time - play a few for me - who knows maybe I'll be there in future years !"
Steve ;)
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Thanks... they all seem to be arriving and the sun is (was) shining so let hope they all enjoy themselves.... :D
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So far so good, even the weather :)
But, that there Waxwing... maybe it's the long hair like Samson that gives him the energy... 'cause we can't keep him off the stand ;D ;) ;D
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We'll post a full review of the festivities later & I'm told Richard is going to post some sound files (eek!). I can however, with due modesty, reveal that Prof.Scratchy and myself jointly won the blues quiz by a distance. Something to be said for the 60's.
Thanks to Richard for setting this event up and ensuring it has run so successfully - looking forward to next year.
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Looking forward to reports from all, audio, video, photos, menu items, you name it... ;D
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I'd like to second Phil's thanks to Richard for arranging the weekend which went smoothly and was good fun for all.
We had a weekend full of good playing and solid performances, and (as far as I can recall) barely any endless E Shuffles... It was a good and fairly eclectic mix of styles and influences which was great.
Special mentions to:-
Prof Scratchy (who is a very fine player indeed) for an apparently alcohol fuelled (but perfectly executed) run of great tunes late on Saturday night, including a great rendition of Lonni Johnson's Racketeers Blues.
Tom Doughty, who I've not seen play before. Wonderful. original, lap slide.
And also the wonderful youngsters of Guernsey who's mopeds woke me up early enough in the morning to ensure I didn't miss anything!
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Glad to hear you all had such a good time. Blueshome will doubtless tell me all the sordid details when we next meet up.
Nice to see my old mate Tom Doughty was there as well. He's a fantastic musician.
Maybe I'll make it next time.
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Just back from Weenieguernsey and had a great time. Wonderful to meet everyone and put faces to weenienames! What a fine bunch of folk! More later...but many thanks to Richard for putting it all together.
Prof S
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Well thanks for coming over people, without you there would have been no event and I glad it went well.. we were so lucky with the weather as well !!
I'll put a few short joined up words togther when I have wrung the odd mp3 out of the machine and post tomorrow - sadly, vids we have not !
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(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi179.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw306%2Fnorfolkslim%2FDSCF1601.jpg&hash=ec686e243e3136ad866c5b41680babe94b893729)
Tom Doughty, Steve and Graham
(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi179.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw306%2Fnorfolkslim%2FDSCF1600.jpg&hash=5ed4cacc5b30bf936c71e25bd88e644a22d7b3cd)
Sonia, Blueshome and Richard
(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi179.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw306%2Fnorfolkslim%2FDSCF1599.jpg&hash=ffea5f2c67490ae00a8c8656158de2a4a36ab405)
Ian, Natterjack and me
(https://weeniecampbell.com/yabbse/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi179.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fw306%2Fnorfolkslim%2FDSCF1593.jpg&hash=979b1ff5f19ea492f4094b5adfe3d1cbbd62075f)
Geoff, Waxwing and Prof Scratchy
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NS - thanks thats really good, but I didn't our suntans were quite that pronounced... maybe it was the odd drink that has coloured the scene ;)
I think I have an mp3 of each of the 4 "trios" so I'll sort em out for a post tomorrow :-X
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Great pics, NS. The trios all did good, with benefit of last minute rehearsals and pints of Guiness. Musical highlights of the weekend for me were Tom Doughty's wonderful lap playing and Waxy's note-perfect version of Clifford Gibson's 'Tired of Being Mistreated'. Richard, you should have hung around for the Sunday night gathering - lots of variety in
the tunes that came about and some great lap playing again from Tom.
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Scratch, I know... but to put it medically I was knacked by then and needed some sleep ^-^
However, for those interested here is a very brief resume and the recipe for a weenie weekend.
First, hope you can get enough weenie's or similar to attend... don't rely on the locals for support and pray for nice weather, something we were more than lucky with :)
Next, assume you have say, a dozen players, which luckily we did and then surprise them on the first night with the news that they are going to draw lots to form trios to perform two songs the following evening - now that really did produce some very interesting reactions..hehehe >:D
It being a weekend event, I had concluded that maybe the full day on the Saturday would be enough if backed up by perfomances on the Friday and Saturday evenings. Obviously some form of musical entertainment is required to keep the theme in the daytime so I arranged for hour long-ish workshops "workshops" throughout the Saturday - Blueshome on Tampa Red style, Waxwing on Scrapper Blackwell, Tom Doughty on tunings\styles and Prof Scratchy on Blind Blake - they were all very good believe me - and for free :P
Personally I thought the idea of a communal meal at the hotel on the Saturday seemed a good idea, which I think proved to be the case. That was followed by the "trio" performances (samples will be posted on the back porch) and from there things moved onto solo performances for as late as you wanted to stay up!
Sunday morning, generally a travelling day (Travelling Blues or is that too much of a jass number?) was enlivened by one of my infamous blues quizes for which only two people scored well over halfway - what does that tell you !
That's about it really, I will sort out and post the sound files tomorrow... so, all I can say is thanks again for coming over and it looks like next year is going to be on :)
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Congrats to you Richard and all who participated on a successful event! Not easy to do! Interesting format and we'll patiently await the mp3's.
Weenie would be proud.
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I have just finished putting up a selection of mp3's on the back porch and hope you enjoy them :P
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Finally have a moment to post, having flown into Philadelphia last night and staying at my folks place in New Jersey.
Thank you, Richard, for putting this all together. Great job! And a really fun time.
I certainly enjoyed meeting all the Euro-Weenies and some (hopefully) new Weenies as well. Hey to Liam, Phil, Alan, Geoff, Simon, Sonya, Ian, Graham, Steven, and Tom.
High points for me were the very emotive playing of Tom Doughty and Scratch's set on the Saturday night, and especially his vocal on the jam number we did around his Stop Breakin' Down.
Look forward to seeing some of you lads over here for PT soon. I don't know if I'll be able to make it back to Guernsey (altho' Gre and I are already planning a return to Paris) but I highly recommend the trip to other North American Weenies, not to mention some of you other Euro-Weenies from the continent.
The view from the hotel was particularly breath taking as well. When we checked into our room, Gre exclaimed, "Well, you didn't tell me it would be like this."
I'm in a library with no headphones so I'll give a listen to the back porch postings latter, but Good job there as well, Richard.
Off to play at JimNJBlues's open mic tonight
All for now.
John C.
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Thanks again for coming over and I'm really pleased it worked. Had, trouble booking the weather though..
Here's a pic of you (just sent to me) which shows you in total concentration mode it was kindly sent to me by Paul, Sonya's other half.
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I forgot to say, Paul has kindly sent me photo's of all who attended so if you want to admire yourself in glorious digital colour, then email me so I have your email address and I'll send you a copy - the same goes for any of the better quality sound files that I have.