| 1 |
Pete Atkin / News / Wizz Jones has died |
01.05.25 at 09:19 |
| Started by S J Birkill | Newest post by S J Birkill |
Influential virtuoso guitarist Wizz Jones died at the weekend, aged 86. Himself inspired by Ramblin' Jack Elliot and Big Bill Broonzy, Wizz was a pioneer of the instrument across the folk and blues spectrum during the 1950s and 60s, along with contemporaries including Davy Graham, Alexis Korner, Long John Baldry, John Renbourn, Bert Jansch and Martin Carthy, inspiring a generation of young British guitarists. He was a charming and gentle man, very modest and easy to talk to.
Wizz was a member of Midnight Voices in its days as a mailing list between 1997 and 2004, and appeared as a guest artist at two of our MV gatherings during that period, at Milton Keynes (Stantonbury School) in October 2000 and at Hebden Bridge (The Picture House) in September 2001.
Here is a video of Wizz, shot by MV's "Fat_Ed" (Brian Hazelden) in 2012. Coincidentally this performance also took place at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire, this time at the Trades Club. The song, Atkin/James's 'Touch Has A Memory' appeared on Wizz's 1987 album "The Grapes of Life".
Robin Denselow has written an obituary for Wizz in The Guardian, here. |
|
Reply | Quote | Notify of replies
|
| 5 |
Pete Atkin / News / BBC Radio Scotland |
25.03.25 at 01:11 |
| Started by S J Birkill | Newest post by S J Birkill |
I don't believe we've yet reached the point where any radio programme featuring one of Pete's songs is worthy of mention here, but today I heard for the first time in, well, ages, from MV founder members and Monyash '97 attendees (along with several other events in the early days), Pat and Richard Llanwarne. They are currently "Richard and Pat" on MV, having resigned the email list in September 1997 but rejoined (after it became the MV Forum) in August 2006.
Pat and Richard listen to Iain Anderson's 9 p.m. radio show on BBC Radio Scotland, and were surprised and delighted to hear Iain's first selection on last night's (Sunday 23rd) programme, "Have You Got A Biro I Can Borrow". This prompted them to visit the Website, where they learned about the upcoming Woking gig, and promptly reserved a couple of places.
Which goes (perhaps) to show that any publicity, however remote or obscure, is worth having. I hope all members will keep this in mind while executing their daily drear. Oh yes, and if any other MV old-timers show up at Woking I hope you'll say hello to Pat and Richard. Now, how many of you can remember where you put your Andy Love enamel MV 'Walk Towards The Music' badge, complete with our original URL!
Steve
PS: I should have credited Angus MacIver (he of the far-flung island, MV member at the time) for the badge artwork.
|
|
Reply | Quote | Notify of replies
|
| 6 |
Pete Atkin / Shrinks / Re: Shrinks at the Alma, March 9th |
18.03.25 at 01:02 |
| Started by S J Birkill | Newest post by S J Birkill |
As half-expected, Dave Lewis wasn't able to play the Alma gig, Sunday before last.
Dave Lewis, bass guitarist and record producer to the stars and constant voice of the rhythm section in the otherwise fluid line-up of Bristol band The Shrinks, has been suffering for some time with unremitting lung cancer, despite bouts of chemo- and radiotherapy. He's quite frail now and, though philosophical about his illness, has regrettably had, for the time being at least, to lay down his Jazz Bass.
It may not be the end of The Shrinks -- there's a possible replacement waiting in the wings -- but our thoughts must be with Dave, one of the good guys. On Sunday's gig Pete was able to fill in some of Dave's bass lines on his keyboard, so the show could, and did, go on.
Steve
|
|
Reply | Quote | Notify of replies
|
| 7 |
Pete Atkin / Gigs / Re: Woking, June 21st (e-mail address) |
18.03.25 at 00:22 |
| Started by S J Birkill | Newest post by S J Birkill |
Pete says:
"Fingers crossed the Woking e-mail address is all OK now."
I think by this he means that the "pawokiing" bit was indeed a typographical error in Chris Harris's e-mail, and not in the setting-up of the address. Or the other way round(!). Either way, you should now be safe in directing your reservation requests to:
pawoking2025@gmail.com
Steve
|
|
Reply | Quote | Notify of replies
|
Return to the board index.
|
