GRAHAM BROWN PLEADS FOR EMPATHY WITH HIS "JUST LIKE YOU AND ME

Graham keeps the songs coming.........not that long ago we posted his 'First Impressions', and now here we are again, this time with 'Just Like You and Me’

This time around Graham has his political hat on again. Just Like You and Me is a call out to those amongst us who seem to think that refugees are somehow different, somehow less human than regular Humans Being...........somehow undeserving of our generosity and support. Humans Being?  What are they ?  Prize for the first correct entry.

 

Anyway, Graham says no...........we can do better, we can't continue to persecute people who do no more than flee brutality, terror and starvation.

 

It's a very raw issue in Australian politics, and here, Graham makes his feelings clear.............we can and should do a lot better! Not good enough Australia.

 

Graham's song came together fairly quickly. We put down the basic tracks intending to use them as a guide, but as often happens, we realised the basics were pretty darn good. So then it became a matter of what to add. In the end it really came down to Paul adding some guitar licks and Graham adding some percussion.

 

We like the way it came up. What about you ?  Take a listen..........click HERE

 

Who did what ?

 

Graham Brown wrote the lyrics, ran us through the 'feel' he had in mind, and played percussion

Mick Nadin sang the song and played harp

Neil Porter played guitar and organ, and did some super production work

Louise Nadin played the bass

Paul Daynes played guitar

Pete played the drums

LEE DAYNES DEBUTS WITH HUSBAND PAUL ON PAUL'S "LOOKING FOR CLUES"

Paul Daynes turned up in the PBGB Shed a few weeks back now, and in no time added his guitar chops to Mick Nadin's "International Hit Squad", and Graham Brown's "First Impressions". See the two postings below for the stories on those songs.

 

While we were putting those two songs together Paul dragged out one of his original songs......."Looking For Clues", and in doing so also introduced us to his wife Lee, who came along to add keyboards. Lee had her part down pat and seemed to enjoy herself no end. Lee and Paul have been making music together for a good while. You can read all about Lee and her musical escapades by clicking HERE.

 

"Looking For Clues" - the story, in Paul's own words..............

 

"Some of my songs seemingly come out of thin air, while others develop from a line or two and/or a couple or so chords, but this one was delivered wholesale, inside a dream I had during an afternoon nap.

 

I guess the subconscious pot-boils ideas, lyrics, music and arrangements, and in my case puts some of them together. 

 

In the dream itself I was underground looking up through the dirt, with the opening line in my head, ........."I had miles and miles of feet under my dirt"  which I later altered, but that was the view. 

 

The setting was like a full technicolour comedy movie of the 40/50's in the wild, wild west, with an anachronistic Big Ben ringing away, singing coyotes, clippetty cloppetty hooves, soulful harmonica, rolling tumbleweeds, wooden buildings and dry and dusty dirt roads.  And in this dream I was both observer and mute main actor, while the whole song was performed by various characters/musos as my subconscious saw fit.

 

On face value the song is simply about a person's journey in life and realisation of what's important.  For the rest you'll have to consult my therapist.

 

I any event it was a fun project with the great and patient musos of PBGB.  Thanks gang".

 

On 'Looking for Clues',

 

Paul Daynes wrote the song, played lead guitar, bass and sang

Neil Porter played rhythm guitar, harmonised and did all the production work

Mick Nadin played harp and harmonised

Graham Brown played percussion, including the clip clops

Lee Daynes played keyboards

Pete played drums

 

 

We had a lot of fun getting it down. Have listen by clicking HERE. We'll be featuring more of Paul and Lee's licks, so here's hoping you enjoy the flavours they bring to The Shed.

GRAHAM BROWN IS RIGHTFULLY WARY OF 'FIRST IMPRESSIONS'

Time flies!  It's been over a year since we last posted a song penned by Graham, our stalwart percussionist. You can listen to Graham's last post "Can't Take It Back" by venturing into The Vault, and giving it a play. 

First Impressions is GB's latest, and it's a cracker. Just as he did with 'Can't Take It Back', Graham handed the vocal duties to Mick Nadin, and we think Mick has done a stellar job.

 

First Impressions is a love gone wrong story. From "First time I saw you I knew you were the one", through to "It's all so clear now, I've seen the real you" the story starts on a very rosy note indeed, only to go downhill to the ultimate realisation that "First impressions don't really mean a thing".  Another broken heart!

 

Fictional, of course. Or maybe from an early liaison. But we are pleased to report that Graham is very happily settled with his loving partner Denise. So, Denise............it's not about you!

 

We had lots of fun getting First Impressions down.  It came together pretty smartly. Not one of our one day wonders, but pretty rapid none the less.

 

Have a listen by clicking HERE

 

Hope you like it !

 

On First Impressions,

 

Graham Brown wrote the song and played percussion

Mick Nadin sang it and played harp

Paul Daynes played rhythm guitar and the guitar lead break

Neil Porter played rhythm guitar and did the Production work

Louise Nadin played bass

Pete played drums

 

See the line-up in the photo!

 

Nice work team!

PAUL DAYNES DEBUTS ON MICK NADIN'S 'INTERNATIONAL HIT SQUAD'

We welcome Paul Daynes to the PBGB Shed.

Paul came to The Shed via Louise, who takes U3A music lessons, under Paul's tutelage.

 

Louise told Paul a thing or two about the mysteries of The PBGB Shed.  Intrigued by our strong preference for recording original songs, and just plain curious, Paul asked if he might come along for a look see. He brought his guitar (and a massive pedal box) with him, took up a stool, and before long was playing along.

 

We liked Paul's licks and invited him to see what he might add to International Hit Squad, a song written by Mick which we had been messing with for a while.

 

Paul ended up on the final product which you can hear by clicking on HERE  Hope you like it.

 

International Hit Squad reflects what Mick thinks many folks feel about getting rid of nasty buggers who are generally a blight on the earth. No doubt you can think of a few. Mick reckons that perhaps what the world needs is an International Hit Squad........a crack team who can take out pests without the need to enter into a full scale war.  A James Bond style solution - get in there with minimum fuss and take out the baddies.  No need for armies and citizens to die, just send in The International Hit Squad!

 

A great idea as long as the people running the squad are on the right side.  Whichever that might be.  Hmmm.

 

Anyway, thanks for a cracking lead break Paul! We look forward to featuring more of your guitar chops.

 

You can read all about Paul's pre-Shed musical escapades by clicking HERE. 

On International Hit Squad:

 

Mick Nadin wrote and sang the lyrics. 

 

Louise Nadin played bass

 

Paul Daynes played lead guitar

 

Neil Porter played guitar and did all the production work

 

Graham Brown played percussion

 

Pete drummed

 

Welcome aboard Paul. We dig your interpretation of Mick's song, and hope you're inspired to stick around in The Shed.

 

And thank you Mick, for the song. A great addition to the PBGB ouvre.

 

2 SEA FM Radio show - a little PBGB history

Neil presented an hour long show on 2SEA FM today - to give people an idea of what we've done in the Shed (just 9 songs, but all goodies).

You can listen in 2 parts by clicking the links below:

2SEA FM show PART 1

2SEAFM show PART 2 

AL NOBLE VENTURES OUT INTO THE 'DEEP BLUE SEA'

Al always has a bunch of songs in his kit bag when he sidles into The Shed. Always. Must have dozens of them stashed away there.

 

Last time we asked he pulled out a little ditty he called Deep Blue Sea. As is usual with Al's songs, there are some truly fine lyrics......try "Fear is the laughter of the devil" and "If love was disease I'd have a lethal dose".  Right on Al !

 

The usual gang was there, and we started kicking it about. 'Kicking it about' usually means agreeing on a basic feel from the drums and bass, putting together a basic arrangement, deciding on solos etc etc

 

Deep Blue Sea came together pretty quickly. We soon enough had it all figured and started running it through. Then we turned on the recorder.

 

THIS is the result.

 

Hope ya'll like it.

 

Al Noble wrote it, sang it and played rhythm guitar

Neil Porter played lead guitar and did the production work

Louise Nadin played the bass

Mick Nadin played the harp

Graham Brown played percussion

Pete played drums

 

Special call out for Mick on this one.........top harp solo Mick !

NEIL PORTER A TAD CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT AWAITS AROUND THE 'VERY NEXT BEND'

 In much the same fashion as our previous post, 'Here To Stay', came together, "Very Next Bend' started life with just Neil and Pete kicking a beat around while waiting for the rest of the gang to arrive.

Pete was playing around with a steady, sort of hypnotic feel on the drums. Neil picked up his guitar and started riffing, then figured that a set of lyrics he had in his kit bag might well fit what was coming out.

Louise, Mick, Al and Graham turned up and joined in, and before long we thought we had something going on. And we were enjoying it.

So we did a rough recording. Neil took that home and massaged his lyrics to fit.

As is often the case, when Neil heard the individual tracks, he realised that what we had was actually a good basis to clean up. And really all it needed was a 'proper' vocal track, some percussion tweaks, and a re-run of Al's guitar solo. The rest was pretty much there.

In fact, the rest is pretty much HERE. Have a listen.

It's about the perils of street protest and man's inhumanity to man - could be in Melbourne, but more likely in Portland ;)

Neil Porter - Writer, vocal, guitar (and third solo), shaker, production

Louise Nadin - Bass

Peter Reid - Drums

Graham Brown - Congas

Mick Nadin - Harmonica (and second solo)

Al Noble - Guitar (and first solo)

HOPEFULLY WE ARE 'HERE TO STAY

 

We love building songs like this latest little ditty we call 'Here To Stay'. If memory serves us well, and that is an 'if' nowadays, Pete and Neil were in The Shed ahead of time one afternoon. Neil had a little riff up his sleeve and Pete added a bouncy reggae (ish ) beat. Mick wandered in and pulled a lyric sheet out..........seemed to fit OK.

Lou joined in on the bass, and next thing you know the song was here to stay, as it were.

 

A fun collaboration that was all over and done with in pretty much no time flat.

 

Hope you like it.

 

Neil Porter wrote the music and played guitars, then did the production work.

Mick Nadin wrote and sang the lyrics and played the harp

Louise Nadin played the bass

Pete drummed

AL NOBLE SLINKS BACK INTO THE PBGB SHED WITH A SASSY LITTLE SONG CALLED 'SNEAKY SLIDER'

Well it's been a long time between posts, but at last we have got our heads around the current Covid restrictions and have been gathering in The Shed once more. Properly spaced out of course.

 

First song out of the box is a ditty Al put together called "Sneaky Slider".

 

It's a laid back little number with a cut time beat and a reggaeish rhythm that just sort of sneakily slides around the room. It definitely makes you move. 

 

You can have a listen by clicking HERE 

 

Hope ya dig it !

Al Noble wrote it, sang it and played the lead break

Manny Aigner played the rhythm guitar

Mick Nadin played the harp and sang backing vocal

Neil Porter played the bass, sang backing vocal, and did the production work

Graham Brown played percussion

Peter Reid played the drums

Nice work thanks Al. We're all very pleased to get another of your great tunes together after such a long break.

 

Keep 'em comin'.

THE HOPS HOP INTO THE PBGB SHED

Ah.........The PBGB web. Some time back, Manny caught a gig by a band called The Hops.  He struck up a conversation with Damian, the bass player. Damian mentioned to Manny that the Hops were looking to do a spot of recording, so Manny suggested Damian get in touch with Neil. Neil quite liked the idea and discussed the idea with Pete. Next thing you know The Hops hopped in.

We had a fun afternoon and ended up recording six songs. What with one thing and another, not least the Coronavirus pandemic, finalising all six songs is taking a bit longer than we anticipated, but we have finished two, and we thought we might get them out there sooner rather than later.

Kirribis Blues and Simple Life are ready to go.   

The Hops are :

Noel Whittem - Guitar/Vocals (Noel wrote both these songs)

Brooke Marshall - Vocals

Kass Fenton - Flute/vocals

Damian Picone - Bass

On the afternoon in question, John Travena (aka Trapper John) was drafted in to play Drums. Trapper did a great job. He'd never heard any of the Hops' material before arriving in The Shed, but had no trouble inventing great grooves to slip under the songs. Trapper is a very respected local drummer who currently plays with local acts  The Hoops ( yes, yes, Hoops not Hops ), Jackson State and numerous other bands in the Bega Valley and beyond.

Damian supplies the backdrop.............

"Performing as ‘The Hops’ we supported a touring Japanese band ‘John John Festival’ on two nights at Tathra Hotel in 2018 and have performed there on many open mic nights. We’ve also played at the Candelo Blues Club, cafes, fund raisers and parties. Noel Whittem’s and Brooke Marshall’s thought provoking songs form the basis of the band’s repertoire. Kass Fenton,flautist, is a music teacher who is currently also performing with Surg. Damian and Noel have been performing together as part of the Bemboka Blues Brokers and The Blue Band Bees for the past two years with regular spots at the Candelo Blues Club and the Scotch Oven Cafe in Bemboka. We have been guests of ABC Local Radio and Phil Moriarty on Edge FM

Noel, Brooke and Kass are long time residents of the Bega Valley. Damian moved into the area in 2014. Noel and Brooke had performed together previously. Brooke and Kass have played together at many music camps. We got together for a jam in early 2018 at Noel’s place and immediately formed a strong bond based on a love of playing music and generally having a good time doing it."

So there you have it.

Hope you like these songs as much as we do !

We had a great afternoon with The Hops,  and hope to see them back in The Shed in the not too distant future.

Thanks for coming gang !