Yes it's back to a new term with Rock Choir and blimey I've missed it so much. It was lovely to see everyone again and get warming those vocal chords up. We have three great new songs to learn this term and true to our name we kicked off in style with the rock classic 'Don't Stop Believin' by Journey.
Air guitars were all tuned up and I have to say for the first week in and a new song we sounded blooming fabulous. I do love this song, it brings back funny memories of a great friend of mine who used to work as a presenter for a local radio station called RAM FM. I used to drive this man mad by requesting this song nearly every day, luckily it was a favourite of his so it became our workplace theme song. I couldn't wait to tell him what we were learning this term, think the conversation went something like, 'you'll never guess what song we are doing at Rock Choir'.......he knew! Not only did we start a new term we also had a gig on Saturday, I know!!! straight in there eh? We had the privilege of headlining, yes that's headlining The Duffield Arts Festival in Derby. We were in great company with The Derbyshire Constabulary Male Voice Choir and Derby A Capella for a Singing Spectacular. It was spectacular too and I was on my best behaviour obviously with police presence in the house.....didn't want the Derby Telegraph's headline the next day to be 'It was Jailhouse Rock for one member of Derby Rock Choir at the weekend' Yikes!!! I have to say a big welcome to all the newbies who came along this week, it was lovey to see so many people wanting to join in the fun. Looking forward to progressing with 'Don't Stop Believin' and hopefully taking part in more performances. It's not too late if you want to join us too, just go to the Rock Choir website at www.rockchoir.com and register for a free taster. We have a laugh as well as singing our hearts out so come along, you'll love it. You don't have to audition or be a professional, just as long as you love music and like to sing that's it! Anyway I'm sure I'll keep updating you all with our antics and what we get up to over the next few months. For now though thank you for reading, I will be back for Teapot Tuesday tomorrow, until then...... Take care.
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Remember them? Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark. If you were a 80's teen like myself you would have danced to their electronic tones at the school disco. Songs such as Electricity, Joan of Arc, Maid of Orleans, Talking Loud and Clear, Locomotion, Tesla Girls and the anti war song Enola Gay. Oh brilliant songs, well guess what? They're back!
Yes, this September has seen the release of a new album 'The Punishment of Luxury' and listening to the title single it's as if they've never been away. It just got me the other day listening to them on the radio. They just have that distinctive sound that you recognise as OMD. It took me back and made me feel good. I like a good nostalgic session especially with music, it can project you to a different time and recollect some great memories. I also love to see a band which was formed way back in 1978, still doing their stuff today and it remaining relevant. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys founded the band and gained success with a rotation of different band members over the years until the time they disbanded in 1996. In 2006 they made a come back and now, back as strong as ever. If anyone mentions both their names in a music quiz of in conversation I always remember what they look like and recall their hits. That's probably because I'm a bit of a music buff and a total 80's fan. It would be my specialised subject if I ventured on Mastermind, I blame Smash Hits magazine and listening to the Top 40 as a teenager. It was my era, my time and I loved it. I remember when leaving school I applied for a job with EMI in sales and I knew in a way that I wouldn't have the experience but crikey it was the best job I ever applied for, even though I didn't get it. I think I still have the rejection letter, it's my evidence of chasing a big dream even for a little moment. The new single by OMD is great, again it's called 'The Punishment of Luxury' and available on all good downloady places like itunes to name one. I say that one because it's the one I use.......go get it now and do what I did, think ahhhhhh OMD are back and a little bit of the 80's.......timeless classic music. You'll be punching the air singing 'hey hey hey' I guarantee! Enjoy and thanks for reading today, come back tomorrow for Teapot Tuesday. Take care for now...... I had a really nice relaxing day yesterday. I pressed the red button on my tv and tuned into the Radio 2 Live Concert in Hyde Park. It really was a neat festival in a day and musical artists played to a packed out crowd on the park. Yes it rained a bit but nobody seemed bothered, people seemed well equipped with umbrellas, raincoats and the infamous festival ponchos.
The Stereophonics kicked off the show, followed by a bit of folk by Seth Lakeman and Wildwood Kin who were excellent if you can broaden your music mind and delve into something different. Seth certainly got the crowd going but I felt so sorry for the girls from Wildwood Kin who unfortunately experienced a lot of technical difficulties. This seemed to be a common problem which cropped up later on in the evening before Take That came on stage. Radio Presenter and Scissors Sister member Ana Matronic played a DJ slot and the power went off suddenly for a minute or so, she looked shocked but what made me laugh was the sound engineer who stood next to her holding his hands up to say ' well I don't know what's happened'. It's ok love you're only live to millions of people around the world, at least look technical. Rick Ashley woo'd the audience with his recent hits and of course the classic 'Never Gonna Give You Up' which he left to the last moment. He is so good and doesn't look any different. I boogied in my living room and closed my eyes, no I didn't fall over but was transformed back to to the 80's but without the terrible poodle perm. Emeli Sande and James Blunt both followed with great performances. Emeli has just an amazing voice that sounded great. I had transferred over to the radio coverage at this time as I had a bit of ironing to do. See you can festival and do housework at the same time. James was also great and you forget how many class songs he has produced. The crowd sang out loud and how could you not sing along to 'You're Beautiful'. Loved it!!! I eventually finished my ironing. I had saved it up a bit to be honest. I tend to iron on demand so it was a bit of a shock to the system. Kids have gone back to school now and that means school shirts!!! So yes after that I went back to the tv coverage as it was Shania Twain up next. I love Shania, loved her early days and love her now. She looked fabulous and belted out all her popular tunes such as 'Man I Feel Like a Woman' and the ballad 'You're Still The One' regardless of having previous problems with her voice due to illness a few years ago. She sounded great and seemed a little excited to be there and good because I hope she enjoyed it that much she returns soon. I know I'd like to see her tour in the future. After Shania it was Blondie time. Wow I cannot believe Debbie Harry is 72!!! I wanted to be Debbie when I grew up, as well as Suzi Quatro and Cheryl Ladd from Charlie's Angels. maybe I've still got to grow up yet. I don't care what anyone says Blondie can still rock and can knock out those tunes such as Heart of Glass, Hanging on the Telephone and One Way or Another. A great show. LEGENDS!! Take That headlined the event and did what they do well, entertained everyone with their songs which to be honest if you're a Take That fan or not, you usually end up tapping you're feet them. I think even though they are now a three piece they still own any stage and were just a brilliant act to end this 'Greatest Day' (see what I did there?). Lovely blokes, you just can't help love em' Well done Radio 2 for providing a very entertaining day including the entertainment in between the acts, loved Popmaster with Ken Bruce, Zoe Ball and Claudia Winkleman, so funny. Thank you also for helping me work off 10,000 steps on my Fitbit. Just goes to show you don't have to go to the gym or go for a massive walk, you can work it all off with a dance around in the living room. I got some very funny looks from my boys as they passed through now and again but was I bothered? NO! If you missed this music moment you can catch up on BBC iplayer or go to the Radio 2 website for more info at www.bbc.co.uk/radio2 Thank you for reading today, come back tomorrow for Teapot Tuesday. Take care for now....... I saw this lovely young man perform on Saturday night and a treat it was too. Local Derby boy Ryan has been performing since he was nine years old and has gained a lot experience in the theatre world and commercially too. He's rocked the cruise liners and worked the stage like a true professional.
Wherever he performs, whether it be a large or small venue he knows how to work an audience and the audience on Saturday night at the Mickleover Country Park Social Club couldn't get enough of him. Even for a small venue he fills it with his presence and star performances of West End classics from The Lion King, Les Mis and Miss Saigon which completed the first part of the night. The second set involved fun filled, disco diva and singalong songs we could all join in with from Tina Turner, Queen, Take That and The Beatles. Something for everyone and no one went away disappointed, you really are guaranteed a fabulous night. The night was a charity event raising money for the Me & Dee Charity whom Ryan is a regular supporter. The charity is run by Maria Hanson and together with her very small team work hard all year round to raise funds to provide holidays to anyone of any age, with life threatening, life limiting and terminal medical conditions. They also now offer holidays to serving and ex serving military who have sustained serious injury and PTSD through their service. There are two fabulous caravans on the East Coast resort of Mablethorpe and this really is a chance for these families to take time away and make some precious memories together. The charity have no funding from anywhere else other than from the the events they run and from public support so it was an honour to all get together with Ryan to help raise some precious pennies for this charity to enable them to continue their great work. There is a short live video taken from the night on my Facebook page of Ryan but if you would like more information you can visit his website at: www.ryanjoseph.co.uk Here you can check out some of his tracks, find out where he his performing next and book him for an event you may have so please take a look. If you would like more information on Me & Dee they have a website at: www.meanddee.co.uk Thank you for reading today, I'll be back tomorrow with Teapot Tuesday so take care for now....... |
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