Dear all,

 

The end of a mammoth UK tour has come. Actually it came last weekend but I’ve only just summoned the mental energy to write about it. It was a lot of fun, eventful, varied and insightful all at the same time. As many of you know, Walsh and Pound came to an end towards the end of last year and with the release of ‘The Same But Different’ I decided to launch myself more as a solo artist again after three years spent more duetting than soloing. For various reasons, mostly because last year was such a vile one for me on a personal level, it was getting a little late in the year with 2013 looking a little Continue reading “Two and a bit months, 50 gigs, a city swap, two cancellations and one knackered musician” →

Dear all,

I write to you from Kilkenny where I decided to spend a few hours on my way to Cork for my first ever Irish gig tonight. A lovely story for you:

 

Fifteen years ago I was on holiday with my parents in this fine city and went to a music shop called Essaness Music. I got a bodhran and a lesson from the chap in the shop. I loved it and I still play the instrument today after being inspired by him that day. Well today I stumbled across the shop again, popped in and lo and behold there he was! He was chuffed to bits at having inspired me. Cheers Frank!

 

Anywgig the gig in Norwich was an awful lot of fun, as was the ale and whiskey afterwards while Derby was a small but appreciative crowd.

 

The ferry experience was fun what with a very sweary group of lads oh they were great. Mercifully they popped off to bed before long (it was an overnight ferry). I then had the thrill of driving in Dublin where red lights are a fairly meaningless feature it seems…Anyway I’ve been reminded already how much I love Ireland, have missed it since my family holidays and so respect the friendly and hospitable people that inhabit it. Happy days.

Dear all,

 

Just a note of apology to those who went along to my scheduled Cambridge gig last night. I have been in touch with those I know but anyone else do let me know. I have never ever done what I did last night before but I am not prepared to be messed around as the alleged organiser messed me around and there comes a point when enough is enough. I won’t go into more details, but it really is an it only happens to Dan story! First an enquiry followed by a ‘we’ll let you know’ then a not letting me know and a chasing up and a ‘yes let’s do that date’ then a ‘oh that’s normally a session can you do this date’ then a ‘no I Continue reading “Cambridge” →

Dear all,

 

Just to say the Levellers new single ‘The Recruiting Sergeant’ (featuring myself on the banjo!) to raise money for Warchild charity is now available here: http://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/recruting-sergeant-ep-in-support/id619221933

 

Youtube video of the song is here too: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ns1q-DOF5gI

 

Enjoy!

Dear all,

 

Many thanks for all the lovely emails you’ve been sending about my gigs and indeed blogs (the Thatcher one particularly!). It’s been a while since I’ve updated what’s been happening so lots to tell you.

 

30th March – Joxers

Well I know you’re probably all bored of me singing the praises of this place…but there’s a reason. Even by Joxers standards this was an all time classic. Thank you one and all for a superb night!

 

31st March – Angel Wooler

 

Then it was a trip up North to do some mentoring for a student who’s interested in bluegrass. This I enjoyed very much but while up there Simma and I did a strangely crap covers gig at the Angel, Wooler which is normally our favourite gig. Ah well can’t have everything but we certainly had fun Continue reading “Licensing Laws” →

Margaret Thatcher, surely the most divisive of all politicians, is gone. As with just about everything she ever did in her political life, her death has provoked extreme reactions and in turn a multitude of reactions to those reactions. Both her legacy and what might perhaps be termed ‘death etiquette’ make interesting studies but the two are very seperate things. Her legacy is of course immense and no-one can possibly deny the sheer impact of Thatcher as a prime minister and a public figure. What is rapidly approaching a majority of the British public regard politicians and politics with almost a shrug of the shoulders now with phrases like ‘they’re all the same’ commonplace. With Thatcher, that is almost impossible to hear.

 

So was she the savior of Britain or a reckless, evil woman who destroyed the social fabric of the country? One of the most common arguments is the former and that Britain ‘needed’ her and her ruthless approach. Much of this is directed at her ‘taking on the unions’ who had become too powerful. Few, even on the left, can reasonably Continue reading “A sad legacy, but no excuse for cruelty” →

Dear all,

 

I’m going to go to the title straight away here: PLEASE HELP ME COME UP WITH A NAME! Basically, I am going to tour in November with a British-Indian fusion trio, very exciting. However, I’m dashed if I can think of a name for it. It needs to be obvious what is without being ridiculous. So Afro Celt Sound System was a good example – does exactly what it says on the tin and isn’t crap. While Nic’s suggestion of Royal Britabla undeniably made me laugh, it doesn’t quite do the job…

 

Anyway while you’re pondering on that, let me tell you what’s been happening. So last time I wrote from a phenomenally wet Truro ahead of my gig at the Eden Project Cafe in St Austell which was certainly an enjoyable gig if a tad more intimate than planned! However, the weather was shite so it was hardly surprising and actually Continue reading “Please come up with a name!” →

Dear all,

 

Well I write to you from a disappointingly sodden Truro in Cornwall. Absolutely persisiting it down as it has been all ruddy day! How on earth did I manage to get 2 sunny weeks in Scotland in February yet heavy rain in Cornwall in March?! Anyway the day began a mite stressfully with a fairly awful journey from Exeter which meant I arrived for my live session on BBC Radio Cornwall a little closer to the due time than planned but I made it and enjoyed my chat and play with Pam, Continue reading “Six times in two weeks?!” →

Dear all,

 

Well Scotland finished last weekend. That’s not to say the country finished obviously, I mean my visit to it finished. St Andrews was an absolute joy, a real pleasure. I arrived and dreaded it immediately courtesy of a group of complete twerps who were in on a stag party. I tell you what this feels like an end of blog rant so read on for more…anyway the gig was wonderful, a real joy. Everyone seemed to love bluegrass which is always good by me of course. Best of all I managed to meet up again with Stuart McGregor, a sterling chap who I hadn’t seen in many years. He was the reason I went to Continue reading “Stag parties generally means twits” →

Dear all,

 

Well since my last entry it was the Loch Ness in Drumnadrochit on Wednesday which was good and then legendary Grog and Gruel last night which went ahead…just. The power went off and it seemed the night was off, especially when the power company told us so but fortunately it unexpectedly returned so all was fine. Off to St Andrews today and then the borders on Saturday before finishing my Scottish stint in Glasgow on Sunday.

 

Do check out the photos section, there are now lots of photos from my Indian venture. Awfully exciting!

 

Danjo