Simone Felice, The Cluny, October 3rd 2016

#Gadgees at Cluny 2:  Simone Felice

@folkastro 
#Gadgees saw him last year at the same venue; with a fantastic band.  This year he played an acoustic set solo.  Yet this did not change the brilliance of the gig; it changed the dynamic only in the slightly dark and menacing feel of his engagement with the audience; who were in awe of his set.

He played all of his recent popular songs; with a few diversions ie reading a  W. B. Yeats poem and a pre-election diatribe about Trump; the 90 minutes went over quickly as the audience were so entranced by this performance. Hopefully it's not another year until he comes back.

@alphaspud
Once again Simone Felice did not disappoint,highlights were 'Hey Bobby Ray' and a moving 'New York times' come back soon!

@gerry0504
This #Gadgee cannot believe it's almost a year since we saw Simone Felice with his band at The Cluny2.
In front of a rapt audience of Geordie fans, Simone played a solo acoustic set of assured, understated excellence. My favourite song, 'New York Times'  is, in my opinion, a masterclass in the art of songwriting, pulling together a series of vignettes from the eponymous newspaper to make a powerful statement about current American society. #Genius.

BTW , not content with being a successful singer songwriter, Simone Felice is a published poet & author. This #Gadgees review of his 1st novel, 'Black Jesus' :

http://geordiegadgees.blogspot.co.uk/2016/10/simone-felice-black-jesus_25.html

I, Daniel Blake

#Gadgees attended :

Special Screening of I, Daniel Blake for Changing Lives’ Clients at Tyneside Cinema on 30th October 2016

#Gadgees, not being film devotees, include a review by our favourite critic, so we can consider the event as a whole:

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/23/i-daniel-blake-ken-loach-review-mark-kermode

@folkastro

This #Gadgee approached the film with an open mind given the media debate about the accuracy of the content.

The film itself as an artwork was superb; really powerful drama and dialogue. But believable, as you know much of the suffering felt by ordinary people (caught up in a political show of force) is real.

Certainly, it casts in a new light how we treat our older people - many of whom have worked all of their lives and need support when they are unwell.

The farcical situation where Daniel Blake (who is classed as disabled by a specialist) is reclassified by a civil servant and can't appeal because he hasn't had the phone call seems to gel with today's welfare state. Then he needs to seek work to get Jobseeker's Allowance and have photo evidence of this; but can't take the job he gets because he's truly disabled.

At all times he is treated as a second class citizen and his word is doubted without "proof". A computer only appeals system doesn't work for a generation who don't understand and don't have family to help.

The personal witness statement and observations from a panel after the show indicate many people are sinking fast in the current system; there has to be a better way! This was a powerful piece of work and pulls at the emotions - there is so much more to say about it but you must experience it for yourself.

@Gerry0504

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 The first comment is that this is not some Orwellian nightmare set in a dystopian future, it is THE HERE & NOW IN OUR CITY, in towns & cities all over the UK.
Having seen reviews & clips from I, Daniel Blake this #Gadgee was prepared for the inexorable progression to the invevitable conclusion, although leavened by small acts of kindness & the famous Geordie black humour mentioned in reviews.
The visceral image of the single starving mother, Katie, devouring a tin of beans with her fingers in a corner of a food bank is an indelible memory.

What struck me was the systemic oppression of ordinary people by the State in these circumstances, caught in a 21st century Catch #22. 

This movie should have FOC screenings around the country to reach the people affected.  DO IT!

Afterwards, I was privileged to hear the discussion of the issues raised in the movie by the panel & audience members invited by the 'Changing Lives' charity, ably chaired by Jessie Jacobs.

A lovely lady, Lynn (second left in photo), gave a moving account of her personal situation, which was as relevant as anything in the movie, with a positive outcome as she has turned her life around. 
The audience too gave some contributions to validate the truth of the film as fact not fiction.

The guy on the right in photo (I think maybe John), an unemployed volunteer for Unite, helps unemployed people fill in forms & prepare for tribunals/appeals.
Kema Sikazwe,(second from right) who played China gave an account of working on film c/w his upbringing in west end of Newcastle, a valuable contribution. 

Jamie Driscoll (left in photo) gave an impromptu closing speech at short notice to close what was, ultimately,  a powerful, positive event.



In addition,  #Gadgees went round to #NewbridgeProject #HiddenCivilWar 

http://thenewbridgeproject.com/events/hidden-civil-war/

 to see what they missed & sign the wooden installation, where they met Jessie Jacobs & Janie Driscoll (many thanks)

Goat at The Riverside Newcastle , Thursday 20th October 2016

#Gadgees decided to check out the current Psychedelic/Progrock  scene at the Riverside, Newcastle to see Goat supported by Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation,  a Swedish double bill.

@Gerry0504
This #Gadgee came into this gig cold not having seen anything of either band.
I watched the support band unaware of their name never mind their previous work.

So, Josefin +The Liberation were a breathe of  fresh air, providing a short, supporting set for Goat but were ,for me, the highlight of the evening, with a driving set of Psychedelic rock, referencing early Pink Floyd & a charismatic singer who delivered in style, certainly a band to see again

Goat, whom I thought would be some dadaist performance outfit,  turned out to be a Voodoo fixated masked prog-rock ensemble performed a thundering set which was a visual & musical barrage of sound. The anonymous singers/dancers were  an energetic duo fronting a driving musical beat encompassing electro-world-dancing music with a Viking twist.

@Folkastro
Gadgees have waited a long time to catch the Swedish band Goat on tour and were not disappointed. The make up of the band is a traditional psych rock line up - with 2 female singers/dancers - and the main members in masks. The band and music were engaging and they played a great rock set.

The Swedish support band was superb; sounding very similar at first to early Pink Floyd. The female lead singer and organist was dominant; and the guitarist played a brilliant lead. This gadgee bought the new album afterwards and it's still on the turntable!

Simone Felice : Black Jesus

Simone Felice : Black Jesus

This book, the third published work by former Felice Brother, singer, songwriter & poet, Simone Felice, is a series of  snapshots of life in the Catskills,
Each chapter is a vignette, being like a track from a concept album, though a coherent  & vivid one, building to this slim, entertaining & comic  novella.
The characters are all damaged individuals, certainly not fully rounded characters, who illustrate a certain trailer trash lifestyle, the obverse of the American Dream.
 However there is a genuine, loving relationship between Fat Debbie & Indian Joe & ultimately  some mini redemption is achieved by Gloria & Lionel as they spring Bea, Joe's dying Mum, from her Old Folks home to visit a drive-in.
It certainly gives an insight into the strata of American society that is the breeding ground for this #Trumpland America.

Skinny Lister at the Cluny 6th October 2016

#Gadgees were invited to see Skinny Lister at the Cluny by #GuestGadgees

@gerry0504
There was a fervent core of  @SkinnyLister fans & it was impossible NOT to get caught up in the enthusiasm.

They provided a vibrant night of post punk folk-rock live entertainment with audience participation & crowd surfing from the band!

For this #Gadgee there was not much light & shade but it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening.

New Album: "The Devil, The Heart & The Fight "

@folkastro
"Ain't what you say, it's the way that you say it"

The Home Gathering, Hoult's Yard 16-17th September 2016

#TheGadgees attended both days of  'The Home Gathering' curated by The Unthanks, which should become an annual event.
This was a mini festival relocated, last minute, to Hoults Yard, who did a fantastic job as hosts.
By the nature of the festival, the Gadgees did not see all but found the event fantastic.

Friday 16th September

Richard Hawley & Young'Uns

The Friday evening featured the consummate #RichardHawley supported by #Young'Uns from Teesside, R2 Folk award winners.

Saturday 17th September

The Saurday event offered a musical melange, the following is a selection, non-inclusive, sampled by

#Gadgees.

#TheFurrowCollective

 The #FurrowCollective played an excellent set sampled by #Gadgees more soon when they play@sagegateshead at end of October.

#HorseLoom

Good to see Mr Loom has recovered from a serious hand injury & played a great set including the worst joke of the weekend ..'.Frittering my life away'

The Moulettes

The Moulettes, a hybrid folk-prog rock  band played a vibrant set & good  luck to bassoon player who is leaving to further medical career as doctor!

#Marry Waterson

The sublime voice of Marry Waterson, from the first family of folk music, entranced a packed room. 

Apparently a favourite of @paulsmithmusic. 

The Unthanks

A glorious set from #The Unthanks @TheUnthanks who curated this splendid weekend, @home_gathering which must become  an annual event.

Richard Dawson

  The last set seen by #Gadgees was the gloriously idiosyncratic #RichardDawson, the Geordie progeny of Ivor Cutler/Captain Beefheart, who was watched by many other artists on bill.


Apologies to acts unseen.

Harvest from the Deep festival , The Exchange, North Shields, 14th August 2016

#Gadgees made their 1st visit to The Exchange at North Shields & what a splendid venue for this 'Harvest from the Deep' festival which we attended on the Sunday. The hospitality & staff were a breath of fresh air compared to other NE venues.
We heard from friends that Warm Digits & Richard Dawson were exceptional on the previous day.

Majestic @BritishSeaPower #HarvestfromtheDeep 'From the Sea to the Land Beyond'@folkastro @alphaspud @DMulholland pic.twitter.com/PT0RCvqDOB

— Gerry Mulholland (@Gerry0504) August 26, 2016

Bugman

 Jazz Riot