Thursday 17th May

Hello again all to yet another dose of Thursday night Karaoke fun at the Birches Head Hotel. This week, like the last few weeks, proved again to be a busy old night, and with Andy being away on his hol's next Thursday and myself and the wife away the week after on ours, this was the last night we would be all together for a couple of weeks so as usual the beer flowed in its usual fashion, with plenty drank and plenty of songs sang.
As this is the official start to the gig season I have updates on the next few weeks gigs that I will be going. So starting in date order here we go.

• Magnum 24th May Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton: Yes the wife finally got tickets and with Andy being off next week this gig has come at just the right time to see the pomp rock masters again. Support on the night is from a band called UXL who sound quite good and seem to be very young.
• Download Festival 2007 9th June Donington Park: Now this little beauty has fell on my lap quite nicely. As it is a weekender time for day pass tickets is strictly limited so it was a nice surprise to find them available from Saturday 19th May. It was decided with a bit of debate that the Saturday gig seemed the best one of the three with Linkin Park headlining supported by such rock gods as Marilyn Manson, Motley Crue, Slayer and Machine Head plus some great sounding new bands such as Biffy Clyro, 30 Seconds To Mars, Satellite Party and the fantastically named Lez Zeppelin.
• Aerosmith 24th June Hyde Park,London: Affectionately now known as Hyde Park Calling the best American rock band hit London and the U.K. for the first time since 1999, and the Toxic Twin Towers Ball at Wembley Stadium. Three stages and some great other bands on including Chris Cornell, Jet, Joe Satriani, Yourcodenameis:Milo and The Answer, who are also on at Download this year.
• Rolling Stones 21st August O2 Arena,London: Still no news on the support for this one but who cares its the Stones and whoever is on with them lets face it they won't be a patch on the guys. Rumours on the web seem to think that Van Morrison may be on some of the European dates but nothing confirmed yet for the London shows.
• Status Quo 27th August Trentham Gardens, Staffs: Well the date and venue has been decided, but the timing could of been better. If I'm not away on holiday for my 1st wedding anniversary, then I would love to go to see the Quo at a local venue but its really up to the wife!. It would make a lovely birthday present though!
• Bon Jovi 24th June O2 Arena,London: Well the timing of their only U.K. date is almost as bad as the Quo date. It just happens to be on the same night as Aerosmith at Hyde Park. Now the rumours on the web were the boys were adding an extra gig on the 23rd but it seems that seeing as the tickets have not gone on sale that this is not happening. But on the bright side they did hint on American Idol, that they would be playing the U.K. in January 2008.

So that's it for the summer season of gigs and there are a few bands I am really looking forward to seeing at the festivals who have wetted my musical appetite. Anyway on to tonight's little ditty's. They were 1. Turn To Stone by E.L.O. (SFMW879-11) 2. Girls Talk by Dave Edmunds (ZMP086-10) 3. Hysteria by Def Leppard (SC8716-03) and 4. I Don't Wanna Talk About It by Rod Stewart (ZMP099-06)

Turn To Stone by E.L.O.

Another seventies classic from the brummie boys E.L.O. Yet again they came up with track after track of class music and this is no different, in fact this is one of their best. It was the first track taken from the outstanding Out Of The Blue album in 1977 and was recently used in an episode of Doctor Who (Love and Monsters) along with Mr Blue Sky and Don't Bring Me Down. Pretty easy to sing although the rather fast end bit I let the backing track do for me as it was my first track of the night. These are one of my favourite bands to sing at the moment and I do feel a little nostalgic every time I sing one of their songs.on the night rating 6/10

Girls Talk by Dave Edmunds

A song that I have wanted to do for absolutely ages. This is another late seventies classic and is probably Dave Edmund most famous hit, along with I Hear You Knocking. The song was written by Elvis Costello and reached No 4 in the charts in 1979. Its got a very catchy chorus and is pretty easy to belt out. Loved finally having a go at this one and, although Shaun had never heard it before, it seemed to be recognised by pretty much everyone in the pub,even Hayley! on the night rating 8/10

Hysteria by Def Leppard

One of the great British rock bands at their finest here with the brilliant track Hysteria. One of the best songs, and the title track off the bands huge album from 1987. Included on the link is the fantastic live "in the round" performance of this track recorded at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium. The band were one of the first to do the in the round gigs in the U.K. which bought a new element to the live experience, although it was pretty standard for rock bands to play like this in the States. It was this album which catapulted the band into super stardom around the world. Easy to sing and this Sound Choice version is one of the best versions around. It was also requested that I do another Def Lep track on the night by Tina so this one was for her. on the night rating 9/10

I Don't Wanna Talk About It by Rod Stewart

Another song that I have wanted to do for ages. Rod has, over the years brought out some great songs, and this is one of my favourites. It has been covered by loads of artists ranging from Rita Coolidge, Dina Carroll and most famously Everything But The Girl. Its a great ballad and although it originally for a male vocal, it seems to be just as easily sang by a female. This one was requested by Hayley earlier in the night when I couldn't decide on which Rod song to sing. on the night rating 8/10

So there you go another batch of great songs I'm sure you will agree. I really feel that all the songs felt great tonight, and I think my choices are getting better every week. Now we have got a couple of weeks off now due to holidays, so I will use the time to find a few more new tracks to do in the spare time. Of course though, next week is the first gig in the Summer 07 music tour with Magnum at Wulfrun Hall in Wolverhampton. Its another new venue for me so I'm looking forward to the night. So next weeks blog will be a gig review instead of karaoke review, and if I get the camera in I will have some photos. So until next time me old hearties see ya soon!

"To shake your booty means to wiggle one's butt. Permit me to demonstrate."
Homer J Simpson

Thursday 10th May

Well here it is back around again, another helping of Thursday night karaoke fun at the Birches Head Hotel. All seems to be picking back up again as this week, yet again, we were not the only people in the place, and those who were in seemed to leave entertained! Shaun turned up yet again in one of his T-Shirts (available at a very reasonable price from his blog site). So far his sales are doing very well, even though he is the only person to buy them! At least he is paying himself commission!
It turned out to be a full night of songs again with myself and Shaun getting five songs each in for the first time in weeks. This now brings my total to 55 new songs since we started doing the blog, which to be honest has taken me a bit by surprise. I have, in a way, also been laid down a bit of a challenge to see how long I can keep this run of new tracks up for. So just to let you know Shaun, I've got plenty more left in the tank yet me old mucker! We all seem to be coming up with more new songs every week now, and I know from a bit of pillow talk with the wife (and also her constant screeching in the bath!) that they will have even more new stuff in the near future, that is if they can decide on what to sing and then to actually listen to them! lol!
Anyway onto tonight's list of top tracks. 1. Hush by Deep Purple (SC8724-04) 2. Wild World by Cat Stevens (AH8010-01) 3. Hole Hearted by Extreme (SC8917-3) 4. All Over The World by E.L.O. (ZMP088-11) and finally 5. Nightshift by The Commodores (SC8984-04)

Hush by Deep Purple

What a cracking song to start my night off with. Now I do admit that the original version of the track by Deep Purple is not the version that I came to love this song by, it was a later version of the track by Kula Shaker which is a much more rockier version. It is a pretty straightforward track to sing, even though it is quite fast in parts, although you wouldn't guess that from the sixties version! I have linked both versions for you to listen to anyway so you can decide for yourself. on the night rating 6/10

Wild World by Cat Stevens

Another great song that I appear to of pulled from nowhere but yet again I have a good reason for this track. Now as in the previous song this is no way linked to the original version of the track by Cat Stevens, nor the Maxi Preist version or the much more rock orientated version by eighties rock gods Mr Big. No this was in tribute to the fantastic show shown on E4 earlier this year, Skins. Now I know most of you won't of watched the show as it was on E4 and not on the mainstream C4, but if it does get on to mainstream t.v. I urge you to watch the show as it was great fun and gave a great insite into what its like to be young again. Anyway good news is a second series has been commissioned by E4. Included on the header link is the very strange finale to the show where the whole cast join in a voice over version of the song going about their normal routine's which is worth a look in itself. on the night rating 7/10

Hole Hearted by Extreme

Now this is one of my favourite song's by the band Extreme. It is a typical song by the band with strong acoustic overtones, great harmonies and catchy lyrics. Easy to sing and one where people seem to know the song at least if not the band. My overwhelming image of Extreme will always be tainted by the time I went to see Aerosmith headline the Monsters Of Rock Festival at Castle Donington in 1994. Extreme were the main support act to Aerosmith at the time and were touring with them on the European leg of their world tour. The guys unfortunately had to follow Seputura and Pantera on the main stage, and after their set's the sweaties at the front were less than ready for a 10 minute acoustic version of More Than Words, and went on to throw bottle after bottle of urine onto the stage and over most of the crowd. The band promptly left after about 4 songs and strangely their careers seemed to vanish as well! on the night rating 7/10

All Over The World by E.L.O.

Another great track from one of the seventies best bands. This is from the Xanadu soundtrack which starred Olivia Newton John. It yet again shows how good E.L.O. were in their day. Apart from the fact they were great in the day, E.L.O. can be seen now in a whole new way, with probably the best tribute band I have ever seen, The ELO Experience covering all the band's hits in a massive two hour set which gets the crowds jumping. I went to see them at a local venue the other week, and as you can see they sound just like the original band. If you fancy catching the band yourself, click here to go to the bands website and gig guide. on the night rating 5/10

Nightshift by The Commodores

Well to end with tonight this is probably the last song anyone would expect me to sing. It is a classic song that was a tribute to Marvin Gaye and Jackie Wilson who both died in 1984, the year before the song was released, and was the first song released after Lionel Richie's departure from the band. It is an easy song to sing, as most of these classic soul songs are. Yet again listening to Radio Two at work gives me inspiration into what to sing on a Thursday night. on the night rating 8/10

There we are then, another five songs to add to my growing set list. Now as you will notice I have changed my "do again rating" to an "on the night rating". This is to judge how I feel the song went for me on the night, and as I intend on continuing to do new songs the "do again rating" doesn't seem to be worth putting in! This is in no way intended to be me being big headed about my performance, just how the song felt for me to sing and how I feel it was received on the night, and I'm sure people will comment if they feel I am wrong in my self assessment of a song.
Anyway enough for now on to my Simpson tribute for this week and of course the Homer quote to end with. Until next time me old hearties!



"Okay, be nerds. I'll find some people who will know the meaning of the two words 'par' 'te'."
Homer J Simpson

Thursday 3rd May

Oh Yes Its Ladies Night Oh What A Night!!!!!!!!!

Yes here we are again on what proved to be one of the most entertaining and embarrassing nights of the year so far. In our drunken stupor of a week ago we had decided to pull out a theme night for the bank holiday weekend, and unfortunately it turned out that the girls remembered, and therefore we had to brace ourselves for the onslaught of comments. I can safely say that I had done no rehearsal for any of the songs I eventually sang, and I know I always wish to sing more than the three on the night, but to be fair I don't think I would of handled more than three.
Shaun, of course ever the professional, had mentioned to his work colleagues of the for mentioned ladies night and of course they all turned up to give us their support! Of course this means that when they get up to sing Shaun zaps them with his magic camera and amazingly within days they appear on You Tube as internet stars! At least Captain Jacks on screen antics have been kept to a minimum so far, but I'm sure he will make sure that that changes soon.
All in all the night went really well, and the songs all seemed to go down a treat, although from the songs we picked for ourselves I do think they are better being left to the girls. We managed to get through them without any real mishaps, even Andy joined in with the spirit of it all and sang a couple of crackers (including a duet with myself)
The blog is a little late this week as with it being Bank Holiday weekend I have had an extremely busy schedule. On Saturday it was our annual works bash to Uttoxeter Races and for once I had a very profitable day! But of course the free booze took its toll so all of Saturday night and most of Sunday was a blur! Saturday also saw the end of the season for one of the football teams I support Port Vale who beat Bournemouth 2-1. This has been the first time for a long time I have missed the last game of the season, but this season has been very disappointing after a promising start and petered out into a pretty dismal year. Highlight of the season were of course the cup trip to Spurs when we gave the Premiership team a run for their money, eventually losing 3-1 in extra time. Low point of the season was of course our dismal F.A. Cup performance at Hereford losing 4-0 to a bunch of cattle proders!
Of course there was another major bonus this weekend. My other team Manchester United, regaining the Premiership title from Chelsea after the 1-0 win at Man City and Chelsea only drawing 1-1 at Arsenal. Of course they would probably of won the title this year anyway as they have been the best team by a country mile this year, and apart from the disappointing result in Milan on Wednesday, this season has been one of many positives. The highlight of the season had to be the 7-1 thumping of Roma in the Champions League and the low point was the defeat to Milan, not so much of the result, but the fact that playing Liverpool in the final would of been a spectacular night for English football. Still the F.A. Cup final verses Chelsea does promise to be one of the best finals in recent history with two teams at the top of their game playing for the famous old trophy at the new Wembley.
Sunday night was also a bit of an event. The wife was very excited at the prospect of going to see Journey South of X-Factor fame at our local Chicago Rock Cafe. Now joking aside the boys are quite a good band, although quite why they drop to this level I'm not sure as they are much better than having to do this. They performed six tracks very well on the night, and proved they can sing live and harmonise very well still together. They do have a second album out in the summer and I wish the boys all they best as they are rockers at heart so they are ok in my book.
On then, too tonight's tracks. They were as follows 1.Catch You by Sophie Ellis Bextor (SF252-06) 2. Come As You Are by Beverley Knight (SFMW877-10) and finally No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Barbera Striesand & Donna Summer (DK2007)

Catch You by Sophie Ellis Bextor

Now don't get me wrong this is a great track. The girls have had a go at this one a few times it the last few weeks, and I thought it would suit a male vocal, but it is a very hard song to sing, but I had a go and gave it my best shot. It was a bit nervy to say the least but it went quite well up to the bridge towards the end where it goes off on one. Note to self listen to the song before you sing it! do again rating 0/10

Come As You Are by Beverley Knight

Now again this is a great track but another that is definitely best left to the girls. It didn't help either with the fact I didn't know the version that Andy had on Karaoke so I got completely lost halfway through it but again gave it my best shot and I do think it didn't sound that bad. Much prefer the original though. do again rating 0/10

No More Tears (Enough Is Enough) by Barbera Streisand & Donna Summer

Now as duets go this was probably not mine and Andy's finest hour, but I have heard Andy sing it before albeit with a lady! So no worries at all about singing a song I had no idea about how it went. Well disco was never my strongpoint anyway so singing a disco classic was always going to be a tough call! Now I'm not sure if I ended up as Summer or Streisand but I never realised they came from Bolton, as singing this one a la Pater Kay was a much easier attempt when you had no idea how it went. And to think I wanted to do Sister's Are Doing It For Themselves!
do again rating a resounding 0/10

Well there it is another night of treats for the people who made it out this Bank Holiday weekend. I'm sure that next week we will all be back to normal as I know both myself and Shaun are itching at singing some new stuff and I have a special treat for everyone coming up but it's top secret hush hush at the moment! All will be revealed soon. See you all soon and until next time I leave you all with your Homer fix.







Mr Burns : We don't have to be adversaries Homer, we both want a fair union contract ...
Homer's Brain : Why is Mr.Burns being so nice to me?
Mr Burns : and if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours ...
Homer's Brain : Wait a minute, is he coming onto me?
Mr Burns : I mean, if I should slip something into your pocket, what's the harm?
Homer's Brain : Oh my God! He IS coming onto me!
Mr Burns : After all, negotiations make strange bed-fellows.
Homer's Brain : (Screams)
Homer : Sorry Mr. Burns, but I don't go in for these backdoor shenanigans . Sure I'm flattered, maybe even a little curious, but the answer is no!