Album Review - Have You Met George - George Montague

British Singer/Songwriter George Montague has been enthralling viewers on YouTube with his particular brand of jazz-rock fusion. Continuing to wow live audiences up and down the country, now, accompanied by his Notsobigband, he has committed 11 self-penned tracks to posterity in the form of his first album ‘Have You Met George’. From the rinky dink piano of Hold On to the syncopated rhythm of The Smoke, George explores the human condition and his own idiosyncratic take on it, through lyrics that perfectly complement his musical arrangements. If in doubt, lay back and listen to the laid back exploration of imagination that is Mind, you won’t regret it. As a first album George, with the help of a highly talented and accomplished group of backing musicians, has produced an at times smokey,  at times steamy, but always stylish tour de force. Keep the name in mind, he’ll be around a long, long time.

 

http://www.georgemontague.com/

ttfn

MSW

I feel like a neew loo!!

It's been another busy week, On Friday morning I was made very welcome by Sadie, Jane & the team at Stourbridge Tesco as they invited the Mayor of Dudley along to officially open their new toilet for the disabled. It might not sound very rock & roll, but in fact it was a really big deal.Tesco has become only the second supermarket to launch a trial of hi-tech new toilet facilities for disabled customers.

I spoke to representatives of Tesco, Changing Places co-sponsor AVESO, as well as local families about the neccesity of the scheme. The Changing Places facility has been installed in the Tesco Extra store in Stourbridge, part of a new programme by Mencap aiming to install 1,000 such facilities across the country. The facility is designed for use by a variety of different people with profound and multiple learning disabilities, together with their carers.It includes a ceiling hoist, a height-adjustable changing bench, assisted sink, grab rails and privacy screen, all of which are essential to preserve the mobility and dignity of those using the facilities.

Without facilities such as these many families would be unable to shop and spend the day out in ways that you or I simply take for granted. Dignity was the watchword for the day, and I congratulate all those involved in the scheme and hopefully we'll see Changing Places facilities rolled out throughout the country. Check them out at www.changing-places.org/

In the studio I welcomed a talented guy who was also tremendous fun. Actor Christian Dixon came along to talk about his Drama Therapy, conducted through his organisation Sky Elixir.

Christian chatted about the need for people to express their feelings in an increasingly stressful world, and explained how they can do it through drama therapy. Take a look at Christian's work at his website skyelixir.co.uk . We also chatted about his love of acting, Shakespeare's 450th birthday and cake! Christian was a wonderful guest who I hope will return to the Afternoon Show soon.

Also in the studio we said hello to founder and organiser of 'The New Un-named Classic Car Group' Ian McAuley. If you're into classic cars of all shapes, sizes and makes then go along to the groups facebook page and say hello www.facebook.com/pages/The-New-Unnamed-Classic-Car-Group/495578973841714.

Ian came along to publicise their latest event a Classic Car Rally from 12 noon at The Old Waggon and Horses pub on the A451 Stourbridge to Kidderminster road on Sunday 27th April. £3 per car, all proceeds to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Next up I spoke with Robert Chesworth, Chair of St Andrews Church Building Committee and Paul Taylor Executive Director of Veolia Environmental Trust. St Andrews in Sedgley is starting work on a new cafe & drop in centre aided with grant funding from the Veolia Trust. Robert kindly asked Simon & I along for a cuppa when the work is finished sometime in July.

Finally, I got the chance to chat with musician Dave Kelly from The Blues Band. The band are on tour and you can find details of venues and dates at their website www.thebluesband.net .

Dave is an absolute gent and always good value to interview. I can do no better than quote from his bio on the website 'If there is such a thing as a British 'blues pedigree', then Dave Kelly's sets the standard.  Kelly is a blues craftsman - a journeyman who has served his time with the best.'

Lots

There are lot's of exciting developments in the offing just now, I'll hopefully be bringing you up to date with some of them in the next couple of weeks, in the meantime dont forget to give my shows a listen at www.thebridgeradio.net

New Traditions 11pm Thursday

Friday Afternoon Show 1pm-4pm Friday

tara-a-bit

MW

And so it begins......

I began my broadcasting adventure almost by accident at the tail end of 2008, and my blogging seems to be following along the same lines. Two hours ago I had no idea I'd be spending my Easter Holiday typing into 'Marks Little Helper' and giving the world my thoughts on music, poetry, comedy and much else besides, whether the world wants those thoughts or not!

Since February 2009 I have been a presenter with 102.5fm The Bridge, a community radio station broadcasting to the Southern Black Country. Through the magic of the internet anyone can listen to the station through a variety of apps, or by visiting the station website www.thebridgeradio.net .

My Friday Afternoon show is generally a mixture of music & chat, encompassing a variety of musical styles and genres along with a plethora of guests from all walks of life. Let me give you a little taster.

My show on Friday  18th April included:



An interview with first season X Factor winner Steve Brookstein. Steve is on tour and promoting his latest album, 'Forgotten Man' .                                                                                                                                                    I played three tracks from the album, California Dreamin',Rainy Night in Georgia and Good Man Down.

Steve has a great voice and in my opinion this is Blue Eyed Soul at it's very best, a terrific album, slow, sultry and soulful.

Steve is also a delight to interview, a lovely guy with a real feel for his music and his fans.

I also spoke to the talented guitarist & singer Mick Wilson, Mick is currently on tour with The Reflections Band 

features musicians who have performed with bands and artists as diverse as 10CC, The Manfreds, The Hollies, SAS Band, Kylie, Alice Cooper and Sir Cliff Richard. They are coming to Huntingdon Hall & Redditch during April and I chatted with Mick about the tour, recording and his musical ambitions.

Prelude hit the top of the charts in 1974 with an acapella version of Neil Youngs ‘After The Goldrush’ I thought I was going to be chatting with founder member Brian Hume, but in fact I got to interview all three founder members, Brian, Irene Hume & Ian Vardy. We chatted about songwriting, gig audiences and bus stops!

Now it isn't every day I get offered cake on the show, but I spoke to Avis Robinson from the new Oak Furniture Land at Merry Hill to find out why they are playing host to The Deputy Mayor, Dudley Zoo’s CEO and even more importantly, why they had a lifesize  replica of Daseep the tiger made from cake! It turns out that the new store is the companies 50th, and by way of celebration they'd tied in with Dudley Zoo to celebrate the conservation work that the zoo is involved with. Avis promised to send cake to the studio, where no doubt it will be eagerly devoured before I get anywhere near it!

Lead singer Luke from local band Of Kings and Captains, popped along to the studio to talk about their latest single ‘Takes All Night’ and the launch party on Enville Ales beer bus, which is taking place next Friday. It was great to catch up with Luke and hear all about the guys tour in support of Jon Bonjovi last year.

Trainee Simon had been busy all week compiling my regular feature Todays Top Ten, this week it was favourite Easter songs, not an easy task, he included Hot Chocolate and The Jesus & Mary Chain, but number one came from The Steaming Weasels , a new one on me!

This weeks new music came from Family of the Year, Corrina Taylor, and Nude.

All in all an enjoyable three hours. The interviews can be heard on The Bridge replay page so if you're interested pop along to the website to check them out.

Saturday has, apart from putting this together, been a quiet day, but tonight I'm off to The Artrix in Bromsgrove to see legendary American folk singer/songwriter Eric Anderson who joins Irishman Ben Reel and his band for a musical journey through folk, R&B and Americana. A review of the evening will no doubt follow.

So that's it, my first ever blog entry, seemed painless enough and I haven't even talked about my evening show New Traditions (Thursday 11pm gmt) or my involvement with Community Production Company Hat's Off to Charlie. Still the weekend is yet young.....

tara-a-bit

MW