For your pleasure...

Live, Radio-Session version of "The Day I Die".

Not "The Day I DIY". That would be something.

New Year Planking.

Guitars I intend to gig with in 2012; on the floor we have (L-R) a Bose acoustic folk & Ashton Joey [mini-acoustic for impromptu sessions etc], back row (L-R) Mirage custom [similar to a Schecter with powerful humbucker pickups], Tokai Goldstar Strat, Roberts Firebird and Ashton Classical. The Tokai Goldstar is a new addition to me, an early 80s model I found in The Rhythm House in Stoke .I tried it having heard good things about these guitars from a friend & fellow guitarist, Derek (who also sold me the lovely Firebird) and following this up with investigating some online reviews. I also tried, for comparative purposes, a U.S. Fender Strat which was 6 times the price but didn't sound as good to me!

 One more thing, for now; Here's a new youtube posting of a live track I did as part of a live radio session a while ago.

2011 - Some highlights.

SO MANY... So I'm just picking one high point for each month, but before I do that, please spare a few moments to listen to some of the awesome musicians we have shared a stage with this year; If you do, I feel sure that you'll agree with me they deserve a lot more recognition. Enjoy  :)

Suzie Does It

Dayve Dean

Dan Logan (also in the video with Dayve above, here with Thea Gilmore)

Hayley Strangelove



Phil Maddocks

Guitar Mal




Not forgetting those brilliant mammals with channels, The Angry Badgers! Read their blog at http://badgerodyssey.blogspot.com/

Jan: Green Party Gig at Alexander's, Chester. We helped them raise money for their election campaign, gorgeous little venue and the wonderful Phil Maddocks and Dayve Dean (featuring Nick Bayes on Bass) in support.

Feb: Some fun promotional radio shows as I remember and made some low-key videos including this one http://youtu.be/XLCJpED7Vn8

March: A gig in our local, what could be better than that?

April: A guest appearance on Simon Newbury's radio show. A great photographer but apparently still learning the ropes on the mixing desk, yet he did a great seat-of-pants job of mixing and recording a live, acoustic version of "No Tobacco", hear it here http://youtu.be/3lpirGL7jm0 plus (OK I'm cheating now) an introductory appearance for a Rick Sanders gig, a great musician and showman.

May: An action packed and packed house for a CreweLive 11 Festival in the town centre.

June: The unfailingly fantastic atmosphere at The Middlewich Boat & Folk Festival and first of many support slots by the great Manchester band Suzie Does It and Dayve Dean. As with so many times this year professional, quality sound provided by those Angry Badgers.

July: A new sound for me, acoustically with my re-found love of nylon strings and a debut solo performance at The International Eisteddfod!

August: Quiet on the public front but some unforgettable private shows in preparation for playing for our own fellow BlueYellows Emma's wedding to chief roadie Pete!

September: My solo debut on "Rosie", my new (to me) classical guitar joined on stage by Hayley Stangelove and her awesome pipes!

October: One word. BOXJAM!

November: Rehearsing for a tour-packed September and 3 of the BYs not only went to see The Red Hot Chili Peppers but a huge (10ft high?) image of Hayley appeared behind the band during their encore!

December: Gigs, gigs, gigs plus free double A-side released! Click on this link to download. http://jonathantarplee.bandcamp.com/album/no-tobacco-no-jesus-humankind-double-a-side-single

Merry Christmas and all the best for a great 2012 xxx

End of tour/Christmas Party

Photo by Suzie Does It's own Jo Allum.

Photo by Verity Gray

Tim Lee from The Suzies & Dan Logan both joined us on stage for the final jam.
(Photo Jo Allum).

A heart-felt thank you so much this year to Hayley, Emma and Simon from the band for all their hard work, sacrifice and commitment (people often only see the fun side of these things!) plus so many people surrounding the band, without which we wouldn't be able to do what we do, plus everyone who has supported us in any way, including coming to band gigs and my solo gigs and all the amazing musicians and organisers we have met, shared stages with and shared the stress with sometimes. Thank you for making 2011 so ace! xxx

Dayve Dean with Dan Logan on purcussion provided quality support again. (Photo Jo Allum)

Simon in his favourite erm.. deerstalker, plus antlers!?
(Photo Jo Allum).

I'm thinking of doing a sort of "highlights of 2011" type of post before the year is out but in the meantime, here's some photos from this event, in which our the fantabulous Suzie Does It, Dayve Dean and Dan Logan did a magical job in support. Thanks also to Verity Gray and Jo Allum from the Suzies for the photos.

Tim Lee from The Suzies offered the largest donation to St Tiggywinkles for this one-off T-shirt.