The Blue Moon WORLD AROUND EP

The Blue Moon
World Around EP
Self Released

Punchy Choruses, Poptastic Melodies and Seriously Fun Arrangements Too

The day that I received this EP was mostly made up with trying to resolve e-mail problems; so I probably hadn’t been concentrating as much as I should have been until I played opening track Count The Ways, so I could decide which folder to put it in …. then KERPOW!
I was knocked six ways sideways by the fast and furious Power Pop that came at me out of the office speakers …. YIKES! How good is this?
I say ‘Power Pop’ and even now don’t think that’s too far off the mark, as the song (and most of what follows) is glorious four minutes of sleazy guitar, a bass n drum combo straight out of the Glam era, and a brass section that must surely be wearing matching black shoes, trousers and polo neck sweaters as well as the obligatory RayBan Wayfarers, while singer James Chapman’s voice soars above it all with more gusto and swagger than a school teacher from Watford should be able to conjure up.
Second song out of the traps, Spare a Little Thought carries that vibe on like a Classic Triumph Herald following an MG Midget on a country road at the height of Summer ….. and the whole EP is destined to be on several Summertime playlists on my iPhone.
While the overall sensations that The Blue Moon create for me are Power Pop in essence (Haircut 100, Orange Juice, Big Star etc.) there’s a contemporary feel too; with hints of Embrace on Won’t Do That Again which also has a bit of a Stones vibe circa Brown Sugar.
The EP comes to too soon an end with World Around, arguably the deepest song here, with the vocals coming at you like Secret Affair covering a Yardbirds b-side and that combination easily makes it my Favourite Song of the four, and that’s no disrespect to the other three.
Punchy choruses, poptastic melodies and seriously fun arrangements too – what’s not to like?

Released March 2024
https://www.bandthebluemoon.com/
https://www.facebook.com/bandthebluemoon

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Erja Lyytinen, The Prohibition Bar in Newcastle

Erja Lyytinen
Prohibition Bar
Pink Lane
Newcastle
Sunday 12th November 2023

I was really excited about finally getting to see Finnish singer-songwriter/guitarist Erja Lyytinen; especially as it was going to be an intimate, solo acoustic set in a tiny venue I’ve never been to before, but heard great things about.
The flaw was that I host a radio show between 6 and 8 pm on a Sunday night. It shouldn’t have been a huge problem, although I presumed I’d miss the support act.
After leaving the station early, I had a nightmare trying to find a parking space so arrived just after 8.15 to find Erja already on stage and just finishing a song that apparently wasn’t the first of the night!
As I stood at the bar Erja went into a Jazzy song, which really suited the kitsch venue with its candles on the tables, flock wallpaper and a velvet curtain around the tiny stage, where the ever smiling Finn dressed all in black, sat cradling an electric guitar (and no acoustics in sight).
Following very loud applause she introduced the next song; Joyful misery that contained a fabulously cool guitar solo that merited at least 1 of the 3 stars I awarded it in my notes.
This was followed by the Blues Standard, Midnight Rider which didn’t receive a big take up when she requested some ‘help from the audience’; but that hardly mattered as Erja somehow stripped it back to bone and sinew but still made it Rock via her very dextrous playing.
On the next song; What’s Going On? (I think?) not only was her intricate guitar playing a highlight but she used her unique vocal talents to hit notes out there in the stratosphere.
At one stage, mid verse she giggled that she could hear the Jazz Band playing below in the bar … but carried on regardless.
One of the joys of Live Music is witnessing something no one else will ever see as each gig is different, and tonight was the first time Ms Lyytinen had played in this format and you could tell that she was both excited and nervous in equal measures; which made for an exciting show.
I missed the title of the next song; but that wasn’t a problem as I was mesmerised by her remarkable slide playing. OK I’ve heard it plenty of times before on her band albums; but sitting barely 9 feet away from her was mind blowing; and yet again at the end the 40 or so fans in this tiny venue made more noise than some 100-200+ sold out venues I’ve attended over the years.
The other thing about being so close, was watching her delicately move between effects pedals on the NASA supplied board at her feet even though she was wearing a pair of Doc Marten style boots!
I barely recognised Oil and Water in this format; even though she had introduced it; but one of my favourite songs of hers took on a life of its own tonight.
Next up was a fabulous mish mash of several Classic songs; starting with Rollin and Tumblin’ seguing through Smoke On The Water and ending up with Could’ve Had Religion, with another 3 or 4 other snippets that I recognised but didn’t have time to write the titles down.
It was similar with the next song; Pistol Slapper Blues that rocked like Rory Gallagher’s rendition but still owed a lot to Blind Boy Fuller’s original version too.
It was fascinating watcher her trying to sit still on the wooden chair while singing these generally stripped down songs; but her natural stance kept taking over and without thinking she was on her feet ‘throwing shapes’ while mesmerising the crowd with her skills on the electrical guitar.
Erja finally got the audience participation during the finale, On The Roof with most keeping time as they clapped along in absence of bass and drums; much to her delight, and even the pantomime style call and response “Oooh ooh!” and assorted playful grunts seemed in keeping with the mood of the night.
As I chatted to a couple of friends I was really impressed that Erja took the time to greet absolutely everyone who filtered past her; and it was obvious she recognised quite a few and chatted for a couple of minutes much to her obvious delight.
What a great night I had.

https://erjalyytinen.com/

RMHQ Radio Show Ep:73 @NovaRadioNE Newcastle

RMHQ Radio Show
Nova Radio NE
Benwell Delta
Newcastle
Sunday 08 October ’23

Where does the time go? I only seem to have turned around twice and it was Sunday again.

It’s not getting harder finding a great mix of old and new music to play for you, with new singles and albums arriving every day and my own collection providing the older music from across the vast Americana/Roots spectrum from Neil Young through Ian McNabb via Chris Difford and the Trashcan Sinatras; plus a fascinating trio from Danny and the Champions of the World guitarist Paul Lush which really impressed me, so I hope you like them too.

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Doug Collins	Sunday Afternoon
Lydia Loveless	Sex & Money
Paul Lush	Ever at a Loss
Araluen	The Girl Will Do
Danny & The Champions of the World	Talkin’ About The Weather
John Douglas	I’m Not That Fella
Trashcan Sinatras	Weightlifting
Mare Berger	Broken Bells of Light
Karen Jonas	Last Cowboy (at the Bowling Alley)
DH Lawrence Skiffle Show	Supermodels & Skifflers
Neil Young	Harvest
Ian McNabb	Film Star Noir
Rod Picott	Dirty T-Shirt
Briana Corrigan	Sweet Song Bird
Kassi Valazza	Long Way From Home
Sam Lewis	Great Ideas
Hannah Aldridge	Shouldn’t Hurt So Good
Pete Molinari	Only When I Love
Chris Difford	Fat as a Fiddle
Leo Lyons	Meet Me At The Bottom
Bonnie Raitt	All Alone With Something To Say
Feenstra & Simpson	Your Eyes Gave You Away
Anton O’Donnell	Skulduggery
Bridie Jackson & The Arbour	All You Love Is All You Are
Florence Somerville	On My Way
Bobbo Byrnes & The fallen stars	Glad & Sorry
Mary Gauthier	Mercy Now
Howlin’ Wolf	Built For Comfort

RMHQ Radio Show “Guitar’s With Attitude Special Edition Part 1” @NovaRadioNE #Newcastle

RMHQ Radio Show
“Guitar’s With Attitude Special Edition Part 1”
Nova Radio NE
Newcastle

Monday 14th August 2023

After Sunday nights’ ‘wobble’ when didn’t think anyone was listening to my regular show; even I was questioning the wisdom of coming back into the studio the following afternoon.
But, a promise is a promise and when I ‘fit in’ when someone can’t do their show; I’m allowed the freedom to play what I like; and a ‘Guitars with attitude Special’ sprang to mind.
On the way to the studio I refined this even further to the ‘guitar bands’ I not just grew up listening to, but actually bought in my youth (generally).
By the time I got to the halfway spot I realised not just could I put two hours of these songs together, but as my playlist which by now was resembling a Ven diagram, there was just as many if not more great acts that I was having to leave out!
So, the next time someone calls in sick; expect a Part 2!

Guitars With Attitude SPECIAL
Graham Parker & The Goldtops	Music of the Devil
T Rex	Get it on
The Faces	Stay With Me
Suzi Quatro	Can the Can
Icicle Works	Love is a Wonderful Colour
Squeeze	Cool for cats
Beautiful South	Perfect 10
Andrew Cushin	Wor Flags
David Bowie	Jean Genie
10CC	Rubber Bullets
Orange Juice	Rip it up
Fox	Single Bed
Aztec Camera	Oblivious
Rolling Stones	Tumbling Dice
The Who	Won’t get fooled again
Beatles	Get Back
Chuck Berry	Johnny B Goode
Eddie Cochran	Twenty Flight Rock
Stranglers	Go Buddy Go
The Clash	Should I Stay or Should I Go
Suzi Quatro and KT Tunstall	Truth as My Weapon
Dr Feelgood	Roxette
Oasis	Cigarettes & Alcohol
Sam Fender	17 Going Under
Family	Burlesque
Richard Hawley	Some Candy Talking
Slade	Get Down Get With It.

RMHQ Radio Show Ep: 63 Nova Radio NE, Newcastle

RMHQ Radio Show
Episode: 63
Nova Radio NE,
Newcastle
Sunday 6th August 2023

During the preceding week I’d been made aware of a technical problem in the Nova Studio; but as the station was still broadcasting didn’t think it would effect my Sunday night show.
How wrong I was!!
Thankfully I’d sent my regular file of ‘new music’ in on the Friday afternoon; and this week I’d included about 30 ‘old songs’ from an old hard drive to add to the 3,000+ in my Americana file on the Super Computer.
My jaw dropped when I arrived at the studio and Producer Dean explained the depth of the technical problem and he ‘hoped’ my back catalogue hadn’t been lost for good and ‘may’ be saved when the technician installed the new computer.
EEK!
So with a gulp of strong coffee I set about creating a two hour radio show with a handful of songs, some sticky tape and an old cereal box …. or something like that.
Four songs in and I also realised all but four of my jingles were missing too …. and don’t get me started about the slider/fader that allows me to introduce songs becoming haunted!
Hopefully you will like this week’s selection of songs old and new while having a laugh as I just about avoid a full on nervous breakdown.

Lindisfarne	Fog on the Tyne
Burr Island	English Roses
Avril Lavigne	Dare to Dream
Sam Baker	Boxes
Guy Clark	El Coyote
Annie Keating	Keepsakes and Heartaches
Rosie H Sullivan	Fragments
Andrew Cushin	Memories
Bella Gaffney	Holy Island
Warren Zevon	Werewolves of London
Handsome Family	King of Everything
Birds of Chicago	Galaxy Ballroom
Christina Martin	Storm Radio
Mixhal Langton	Leaving You With Less
Karen Jonas	If You Could Read My Mind
Sugar & The Hi-Lows	Skip The Line
Onsind	Pokemon City Limits
Rob Heron and The Teapad Orchestra	Lonely Boy In the Dole Queue
Edd Donovan	Eva
Garrison Starr	Dam That’s Breaking
Jaklash Cat	When I Look At You
LeBarons	It Still Bleeds
Holly Rees	Timid Heart
Tom Heyman	The Mission is On Fire
Chuck Prophet	Best Shirt
Dave Alvin	Link of Chain
Matt Owens	Radio King

Jimmy Regal And The Royals FIRST AND LAST STOP

Jimmy Regal & The Royals
First and Last Stop
Lunaria Records

The Best of Memphis & New Orleans With a Flourish or Two African Beats Too, All From London.

I’m not sure where to start here.
Jimmy Regal & The Royals have a very impressive CV, yet I’ve not heard of them nor the albums that precede this, and it is their third album on Lunaria; plus they come from down the road in London Town.
It appears that the crux of the band is a simple trio made up of Joff Watkins, CJ Williams and Sammy Samuels and they say they are a Blues Band; but listening intently tells me that they are so much more than ‘just’ a Blues Band.
The opening track, (Got To Make) a New Flame is a heady and intense New Orleans/Swamp Rock/R&B fusion, the likes of which could easily be transferred to the opening credits of a gritty Inner City TV drama; and introduces us to Watkins distinctive vocals and ‘punch to the gut’ harmonica playing, while a brass section and Tricia Nearne Davies gives a masterclass in backing vocals.
Ain’t Done Yet follows in a similar, yet slinky vein and subconsciously had my feet shuffling under the desk as it played in the background.
As used to happen way back in the golden days of Pub Rock that enthralled London Town and the suburbs many decades ago; Jimmy Regal & The Royals encompass and appropriate many different sounds and styles from their musical circle right across this album. At times I feared that it could be an unholy mess because of that; but they never cross the boundaries too far; adding what they need and no more.
Empty Streets is a good example; where they somehow criss-cross Blues and Alt. Country with a vocal performance and song that could easily slide into Rap or at least Toasting, but pulls back from the brink just in the nick of time.
Show Time; uses 60’s R&B as a spine; with Watkins singing ala Paul Jones and matching the Manfred note for note on the harmonica, while Williams and Samuels provide a Muscle Shoals backdrop on bass n drums, while the Toby Kinder adds some subtle but swinging organ in the background.
Now I’ve played the album three or four times, I get the feeling that these songs can be adapted to whatever setting the band find themselves in, with the African groove on The First and Last Stop probably sounding amazing at a local festival on a sunny afternoon …. the chant-along Chicago Blues belter Fat Man’s Chicken will come alive in a similar setting.
Others, like the sumptuously dark Can’t Keep From Losing You and the Dr. Feelgood tight Bones to Dust will be showstoppers in a sweaty club; but when loosened up will also have the kids dancing in front of the stage at that festival.
I particularly like the instrumentals that are dropped in like musical time bombs; the Flanagan & Allan influenced Elmer’s End Blues is decidedly beautiful and another that wouldn’t be out of place as a theme tune to a 40’s or 50’s period drama courtesy of some delightful harmonica playing and a jazz guitar offering that sent chills up my spine.
The other Mickey Two Suits is actually a contender for Favourite Track; simply because it gets so hot and fast you think the band my actually implode; but don’t really.
The other contender; and actually the winner of Favourite Track is the swoonsome Do Whatever You Can; a soulful Blues that wouldn’t be out of place as a last dance ‘bum hugger’ in a Honky-Tonk on the back streets of Chicago or Eltham, for that matter.
There really is a lot to like here; especially for a British R&B/Rootsy band and the mood changes really work better than expected; making for an album I’d easily and confidently recommend to friends and readers.

Release 28th July 2023
https://www.jimmyregalandtheroyals.com/

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RMHQ Radio Show Ep:61 Nova Radio NE, Newcastle

RMHQ Radio Show
Episode 61
Nova Radio NE
Newcastle

Sunday 23rd July 2023

I didn’t have as much time as normal to prepare the show this week; but still found my spreadsheet and Music Box full to the gunwales with new music; albums and singles.
A year ago I wondered why acts still bothered releasing singles, as National Radio (everywhere!) doesn’t play ‘our music’, does it?
But, now RMHQ Radio Show is becoming established alongside Leader’s American Pie, Mike Ritchie On Sunday, Mark Nevin’s The Dad Pill, Ralph McLean on BBC Radio Ulster and Ricky Ross on BBC Scotland, there are outlets for ‘our music’ and Singles.
So I arrived at the studio with a file full of new songs that meant I had to physically shoehorn in some oldies as a counter balance; which I think worked.

PLAY HERE
https://ondemand.novaradio.co.uk/od/TheRockingMagpie/2023-07-23%20-%20The%20Rocking%20Magpie.mp3

	Bob Dylan	Forever Young
	Nanci Griffith	From a Distance
	LeBarons	True Blue
	Buritto Bro’s	I Live For Loving You
	Gram Parsons	She
	Van Plating ft Elizabeth Cook	Heron
	Jimmie Rogers	Blue Yodel #9
	Ole Lonesome	Gold Chevy
	Beth Bombara	Curious and Free
	Graham Parker & The Goldtops	Wicked Wit
	Mitch Woods ft Joe Louis Walker	Nasty Boogie
	Tift Merritt	Mixtape
	Dean Owens & Calexico	A Bullet and a Silver Coin
	Teddy Thompson	I’ll Regret it All in The Morning
	Laura Cantrell	Brand New Eyes
	Quiet Loner	Nothing Less Than Revolution
	Steve White & The Protest Family	When The Sun Goes Down
	Nev Clay	You Are My Sunshine
	Shipcote	North of England
	PJ Harvey	All Souls
	Tav Falco	Sugar Mama Blues
	Reverend Freakchild	Keep on Truckin’
	William The Conqueror	LWY
	Dot Allison	Weeping Roses
	Graham Webber	Black & White
	Michele Stoddart	Tell Me
	Rod Picott	Mark of Your Father
	Slaid Cleaves	The Old Guard

PJ Harvey I INSIDE THE OLD YEAR DYING

PJ Harvey
I Inside The Old Year Dying
Partisan Records

Human Longing, Dripping With the Instinctual and Elemental Desires To Be Seen and Loved. 

Based on a narrative poem, “Orlam,” that she wrote about a 9-year old girl living in a fictional town in Western England, and her new album, I Inside The Old Year Dying, paints aural landscapes in desperate, plaintive colors of the natural world and human longing, dripping with the instinctual and elemental desires to be seen and loved. 

Always a keen observer and facilitator of melodic shifts that move with the changing tide, PJ Harvey seems to manipulate the position of the sun, moon and stars to reposition the flow that is this enigmatic and compelling story of a year in the life of this young girl.

Moody and emotional, with not so subtle iconic Elvis Presley “Love Me Tender” imagery and pleading, each track washes into frame and then back out to sea in a seemingly simple (instrumentation) and yet complex, powerful imaginary world of folk music peppered with found, field recording sounds and sung in Dorset dialect at times.

12 tracks represent the 12 months that make up this attentive child’s 9th year.
Progression is pure poetry and unfolds through the monthly narrative of what feels like it might be the last year of “childhood.”

Integrating the poetic life of her fertile mind back into her music, (did it ever go away?), PJ Harvey has created a heady tale of operatic structure and folk-pop, resulting in a record that echos Pink Floyd’s The Wall without the “obvious invisible” drama and violence.  

Rife with stirrings and conflict, I Inside The Old Year Dying left me feeling as if I was “Praying at The Gate” to hang on to the wonderment of childhood, clinging to melody without noise and external influences of doubt and dirt. 
A brilliantly crafted musical interpretation of her own poetry, PJ Harvey shows us that her abilities as a multi-discipline artist are vast and vibrant, as is our capacity to ingest, digest and reimagine the interpretation of the written word to music, nourishing all of our senses to take us into her fictional world of language known and unknown.
At the end of the day, the visceral, innate response to song and human growth is the touchstone of what makes PJ Harvey an artist, recording or otherwise. I Inside The Old Year Dying is truly, a deeply-rooted, vivid experience of what it means to be alive. 

Reviewed by Emily Duff
https://pjharvey.net/
Released 7th July 2023

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Ed Snodderly & The Shoestring Seven CHIMNEY SMOKE

Ed Snodderly & The Shoestring Seven
Chimney Smoke
Majestic Records / You Need To Know Records

Another Addition to the Make Americana Great Again Fold.

Although he has 9 previous albums to his name, I’d not heard of Ed Snodderly prior to receiving this album; but did due diligence by playing the opening track while adding the details to the Reviews Spreadsheet.
In my defence I wasn’t in the best frame of mind that day and the song more or less passed me by.
Jump forward a couple of weeks and I was looking for new releases for the radio show and played Better Just Ride The Mule again ….. what had I been thinking of? It’s a clever Americana/Rootsy song using metaphor in the manner of some of my favourite Singer-Songwriters dating back decades.
Now, had I played Track #2 Gone With Gone and Long Time it’s highly possible this review would already be written and gushing with praise too.
To all intents and purposes that’s exactly how subjective music is.
That second song is typical Southern States singer-songwriter fair in the mode of Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt and early Rodney Crowell; but with added ‘magic dust’ sprinkled all across his words, phrasing and melody; plus harmony vocals from RMHQ Favourite, Miss Gretchen Peters which does it no harm at all.
Now I’ve played this album 4 or 5 times Ed Snodderly seamlessly fits in with his contempories in my record collection, with ease.
Perhaps he’s even a little bit more Country than some; with the use of a piercing pedal-steel on There You Are, Before School and the beautifully maudlin Jump Dance South which also features a haunting accordion in the background too.
First and foremost it’s Ed’s Snodderly’s voice that will capture your attention as it carries the weight of experiences that he’s lived over his life. The dark There You Are is a prime example sounding like a confessional of sorts; alongside the ghostly harmonies of Malcolm Holcombe and a penetrating steel guitar.
Then there’s the astute observations in his writing; the bewitching Just Like You River will wash over you until you’ve absorbed every word and nuance; while the toe-tapping The Diamond Stream will make you smile and sing along to the chorus; such is Snodderly’s skills with words and music.
Even the notoriously hard to please Mrs Magpie has asked for this album to be added to her I-Phone, which must be the equivalent of a Grammy in our world surely!
For a Favourite Song I’ve slowly narrowed it down to three contenders; the title track Chimney Smoke is probably the most obvious choice as the band roll along like a steam train on a Spring morning; then there’s the lovelorn So Far Away which feels intentionally claustrophobic and I like it a lot.
But the uptempo and punchy Walking In The Sunshine Again possibly takes the title by a nose; and has a feel of several of my favourite songwriters about it; and Snodderly’s laconic voice doesn’t sound better anywhere else.
I don’t remember Ed Snodderly gigging in the UK or even releasing albums here either; and I’m happy to be proven wrong …. but until then he’s been a great discovery at RMHQ.

Released July 21st 2023
https://www.edsnodderlymusic.com/

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https://www.edsnodderlymusic.com/music

RMHQ Radio Show Ep:57 @NovaRadioNE #Newcastle

Today’s episode was all a bit rushed, with only a handful of new tracks to be played oh which THREE were RMHQ EXCLUSIVE First Plays, meaning most everything else would be selected from the Nova Radio Super-Computer.
This all worked apart from the second track when I selected a dodgy Allman Bros instrumental track from their 1971 ‘Down in Texas’ album … but someone might like it I suppose.
Otherwise I was happy with the overall ‘vibe’ of the programme … enjoy Brethren, enjoy.

Lovin’ Spoonful	Summer in the City
Allman Brothers	Hot ‘Lanta
Pam Tillis	When You Walk in The Room
Kent Rose	All That American Night
Elizabeth Moen	Synthetic Fabrics
Paul Kelly	The River Song
Jessica Lynn	You Save Me
Tom Russell	Throwing Horseshoes at the Moon
Dave Alvin	Harlan County Line
Angie McLaughlin	Nobody’s Baby
Josh Turner & Kris Kristofferson	Why Me?
Bobbie Cryner	You’d Think He’d Know Me Better
Rodney Crowell	Jewel of the South
Townes Van Zandt	To Live is To Fly
Justin Townes Earle	Graceland
Asleep at the Wheel	The Letter Johnnie Walker Read
Los Pacaminos	Raised on Margaritas
Los Lobos	Flat Top Joint
Don Antonio & The Graces	Black Wolf Boogie
Uncle Tupelo	Screen Door
Blue Rose Code	Nashville Blues
John Jenkins	43 and Counting
Speedbuggy USA	Last Train to Clarksville
Uncle Brent & Nostone	Tequila Nights
Alejandro Escovedo	Rosalie
Remedy Club	Your Light Shines
Angie Palmer	Dirty Little Secret
The Summertimes	Inside
Nick Moss	Your Bark is Worse Than Your Bite
Jack Tempchin & Rita Coolidge	Slow Dancing
Kinky Friedman	Circus of Life