CATHY MIDDLETON JOINS IN

Thursday April 21 saw Cathy Middleton join us for a fun sesh. Cathy is a long time friend of Chris's. They played together in well known South Coast Band Roxygen. Cathy has played at the Narooma and Cobargo festivals amongst other prestigious gigs. Cathy is a great keyboard player and saxophonist, and she joined in on some of the songs we are currently piecing together, plus a couple of our older songs.

Cathy lives in Melbourne now, so we don't expect to see ( hear ) her in The Shed very often, but we sure enjoyed having her and would really love to see her in The Shed again.

So Cathy, thanks very much for coming over, and any time you are back around these here parts, please do not hesitate to come on back and play some more songs with us - great fun !

PETER BRUNT AND LYNDON LEWIS DROP IN

A couple of Thursdays ago, PB and Lyndon Lewis popped by.

PB had come over to say good-bye – he has accepted a new job up in Ballina and he and Lyn are moving very soon. PB played bass and sang some for PBGB for a good while, and features on three of our cds.

Since Pete took leave he has been playing bass for Lyndon’s 50s rock band ‘Shadoogie’.

Thanks for coming over to say good-bye Pete – that was really nice of you. We all wish you and Lyn all the very best with your new adventure up North !

It so happened that Lyndon had his trusty Strat in the car, so he dragged it out and we played a few songs together. We all liked what we heard, and Lyndon has been back a couple of times and is adding some really tasty licks to some of the songs we are currently working on. Lyndon is enjoying the challenge of getting his head and hands around some of our original material.

We hope that before too long we can capture a good recording of Lyndon’s guitar work. Watch this space.

So welcome aboard Lyndon !

You can have a look at what Lyndon gets up to with Shadoogie by clicking on http://www.shadoogie.com.au/Welcome.html

GUS POPS OUT A NEWIE

In early March 2011, Gus turned up at The Shed for a sesh, and, with the recorder rolling, popped out a great version of Technology, a song he had first brought to us late in 2010.

It is a typical Gus Gus song, sharing with an open heart Gus’s feelings and emotions about his day to day life.

Most people will relate to the frustrations Gus feels about the overwhelming onslaught of new technology and the pressure to master the operating instructions !

We think this version has just the right feel, mixing up a chunky sort of rhythm with quirky fills and tongue in cheek lyrics.

Featuring Gus ( the writer ) on lead vocals and guitar, Neil on guitar and backing vocals, Chris on bass, and Pete on drums, this version is a live take, with the only add-ons being Neil’s backing vocals.

Put on your headphones or good desktop speakers and click on ‘Technology’ under The Shed Giveth banner on the right hand side of the screen to have a listen.

Enjoy !

“PBGB welcomes Mark Bolsius

Brian had expressed a desire to play a few Latin / Jazz numbers, so we organised a special Latin Jam session in The Shed.

The always positive Ken, and the usual “I’ll be in it” from Chris had us sitting pretty for a great afternoon. Then Ken announced he had been chatting with Mark Bolsius, one of the very best keyboards players on the NSW South Coast, and that Mark was keen to join in.

The particular combo that played on the afternoon ( Mark, Brian, Ken and Chris ) had never played as a unit before, and they didn’t play through any song twice, so it was very much an unrehearsed jam.

Neil had made some critical discoveries about the recording set up, enabling us to capture some songs without interrupting the flow of the jam. The first song ready for posting, Autumn Leaves , appears on the right hand side of the Latest News page of the blog, under the heading “The Shed Giveth “ . Click on it to have a listen.

Mark – welcome to the PBGB Family !! Thanks very much for coming to The Shed. We loved having you and look forward to seeing you again some day ! A brilliant performance sir.

Brian arranges a "Latin Jam"

A "different" Thursday sesh - story and hopefully some music coming soon - organised by Brian Kille - with Ken Vatcher, Chris Ralfs and first-time Shed visitor Mark Bolsius.

Mark Bolsius

Ken Vatcher

Thanks Brian!

“UNCLE BOB RESONATES WITH PBGB”

When Chris turned up for the regular Thursday sesh on January 27, he brought along an old buddy of his – ‘Uncle’ Bob McGowan.

Bob plonked hisself down with his trusty Resonator guitar and joined in the fray.

Neil happened to be fiddling with the recording gizmos when Bob, Gus, Chris and Pete launched into the old Howlin’ Wolf classic ( written by Willie Dixon ) ‘Built For Comfort’.

Uncle Bob has quite a history as a band leader, guitarist, singer, mandolin, kazoo ( and more ) player.

Click on these sites

http://www.wasak.bigpondhosting.com/ubb/history/history.htm and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkSu-DJbGRs

to have a peak at some of Bob’s distinguished musical pedigree.

We all got on really well, and Bob made noises about coming back to The Shed some day.

Well that would be great Bob – any time sir !

Welcome aboard Bob ! Thanks for coming.

New Song for Friends of PBGB

On the right side of the page you will see the song title “Take Me To Heart”. Click on the title to play the song ( headphones highly recommended if you don’t have good computer speakers ), or to download it for free.

After releasing PBGB 6 ‘Transitions’, we had a few chats and agreed that for a while at least we would try to release songs that were less tricked up, rawer, straight out of the recorder as it were. It’s a tough call to release virtually live songs after a period of releases that have had some smoothing out in the studio.

But we have had some great successes. The version of Things Must Change you see in The Shed Giveth box to the right was a cracker, pretty much straight out of The Shed, no tricks.

And now we have this version of Neil’s song ‘Take Me To Heart’. A trio version with Chris on his fretless Warwick bass, Neil on his Telecaster and vocals and Pete on Roland v-drums.

When Neil first started playing with PBGB his clear goal was to build his confidence in singing his songs and in playing guitar – a switch from bass. On this version of Take Me To Heart Neil’s vocals are straight out of the box, no studio enhancements or tricks and he sang it while playing the guitar, which, similarly, is ‘straight’.

So this is a big achievement for Neil, who does, I am sure you will agree, a stellar job on both vocals and guitar. Great work Neil !!

Big kudos for Chris too – that brilliant bass line is as performed

And for me, Pete, a very satisfied feeling about the absolutely live drum track.

Enjoy !!

Gotcha Col !!

Col took most of the shots at The Wharf and so didn’t appear in many. Probably thought he could get away with not being immortalised on the PBGB Blog. But this one was sent in by a fan.

NYE at Ford Oval

Thanks to John McVeity and crew for the great sound out front.

Brian, Chris, Neil, Ken, Heather, Gus and Pete rockin' out!

Same song, different camera.

Merry Xmas from PBGB!

It takes a while to start, but we think it's worth the wait!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!