Ruud Weber Band-New Blues

May 21, 2011 by 3songsbonn

This new CD by Snowy White’s bassman Ruud Weber is a real gem. One of those wonderful discs that you play to the end and then want to play through again, and again. Nothing ground-breaking or demanding – just fine music played by people who enjoy doing what they do and just happen to be very good at it too.

Two years ago I enjoyed Snowy White’s show at the Harmonie, but especially the contribution from bass player Ruud Weber. Snowy not being a man for the spotlight, Weber tended to do the shining (unless there was a killer guitar solo going down of course). The Dutchman in the Stetson promised to let me know of his future projects, and thankfully his memory is long because he alerted me to ‘New Blues’.

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GoVinum & A Bit of Blues

May 19, 2011 by 3songsbonn

John Harrison & Paolo Pacifico got the Live Music Season at GoVinum in Bad Godesberg off to a flying start on Tuesday. ‘Sans’ ampflication but certainly not ‘sans’ entertainment. Under the banner ‘A Bit of Blues’ The duo had a sizeable arsenal of musical ‘weapons’ at their disposal: guitar, dobro, tambourine, Jews Harp, a bag of harmonicas – and a kazoo. Shortly after 8pm the battle for our attention began in earnest with Sonny Terry and Brownie Mcghee’s ‘Strangers Blues’.

A veritable cornucopia of Blues standards followed, and for those interested in Blues history John Harrison was a walking Wikipedia with stories to tell about every song and it’s origins. It’s the music that matters though, and after a couple of numbers I’m reminded of a quote by the great Etta James:

“You can’t fake this music. You might be a great singer or a great musician but, in the end, that’s got nothing to do with it. It’s how you connect to the songs and to the history behind them.”

Paolo is not going to replace Kim Wilson in the Fabulous Thunderbirds and John isn’t going to be a Rolling Stone anytime soon – but they do indeed, as Etta so wonderfully puts it, ‘connect’ to the songs. So much so that John related how after a rendition of the mournful ‘St James Infirmary’ a listener once asked with concern “Have you had a death in the family?”. But I’m jumping ahead here, and that would mean missing John and Paolo’s mid session ‘walkabout’. It being hot there were a fair few diners outside. They had food, they had sunshine, but they didn’t have music – so the music came to them as John and Paolo headed outside with guitar and percussion. Whilst ‘Take this Hammer’ is more a work song than a relaxing song the smiling faces suggested that the ‘serenade’ helped the Flammkuchen go down a treat.

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Raymond Searson & The Fiddlers

May 14, 2011 by 3songsbonn

Raymond Searson

The Fiddlers Irish Pub in Bonn has long been a favourite place for english speakers both visiting and resident to relax. It’s not just a cool pint of Murphy’s Irish Stout or a plate of Fish & Chips that brings people to Endenich though. It’s also the many events that take place all year round. From Karaoke to Pub Quizzes. Football to Poker. TV Sport to Comedy. The Irish also love a good sing song, so naturally music is also high on the agenda. 3SongsBonn asked Fiddlers owner Raymond Searson about the pub and his own thoughts on music and it’s part in his locations success.

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Folk at GoVinum

May 11, 2011 by 3songsbonn

The Godesberger ‘Wein & Bierstube’ GoVinum is offering live Folk Music this month.

Regulars at Bonn Folk Club will recognize the names here so I don’t need to tell you a fine time will be had by all!

Photo courtesy of John Hurd

”LIVE ACOUSTIC MUSIC ON TUESDAYS”

Begin: 7:30pm

Entrance: Free

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Meeting the Mayfolk

May 7, 2011 by 3songsbonn

May is traditionally an important time in the Folk Calendar. In England Maypoles are danced around, in Germany they are hung high from the sides of houses. This makes it rather difficult for Folkdancers to do their thing. Maybe that’s why there were no Maypoles in the Gaststätte zum Schützenhaus on Friday. I must admit though I can’t quite imagine Barry and John hopping around with bells on their trousers. Best that they stick to what they do best – and that of course is, play music and entertain.

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Strings for a Cure

April 30, 2011 by 3songsbonn

Her motto is ‘Fighting Cancer One String At A Time’ and Elisa Guida is doing just that.

Elisa’s jewellery website offers necklaces, pendants and bracelets with a difference: each is fashioned from a guitar string donated by a celebrity musician.

String Attack! - Oli Brown in Bonn

Jon Bon Jovi, Buddy Guy and Joe Bonamassa are just some of the many guitarists who have answered the request to pop their used strings in an envelope with a note of authenticity and send them to Pennsylvania. Money raised from the sales goes to providing help for Cancer patients with such things as medicine costs, and providing access to treatment information. Guida had the jewellery idea after having battled cancer twice herself.

Strings 'n' Things

“The strings are usually thrown away. With my foundation they can be recycled and the customer can recieve a piece of musical history, along with knowing that they are helping someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer”

Closest I'll get to owning a Vanquish Guitar like Oli Brown's

I gave the site a try myself. The good news is that there are plenty of attractive items to look at. The bad news is that they sell so quickly that most things are gone even by the time they seem to appear online. Luckily I got a heads up from Graham Brown that his youngster had recently donated some strings – Oli Brown also being one of my musical heroes I clicked onto ‘Strings for a Cure’ immediately. Even then almost everything had been snapped up. I did find a 1.09mm string from Oli’s show at Spirit of 66 in Belgium last October though. Having seen a pic of his blistered fingers a while ago I suspect that Elisa’s first job would have been to remove the blood – if so, she did a fine job. The string fragment is bent into a Cancer ‘Awareness Ribbon’ shape, held in place by its original brass ferrule.

If you’re interested in some unique musical jewellery and helping a good cause at the same time check out the website:

Strings For A Cure Website

On the Streets – Arne Schmitt

April 30, 2011 by 3songsbonn

A typical entry from the Facebook site of Arne Schmitt: 8.4.11 – The police would not allow me to play today. They claimed my permit wasn’t in order. So I will travel to Leipzig tomorrow to play instead!

On Saturday Schmitt was ‘tickling the ivories’ opposite Bonn Main Station – his white gloves reflecting off of the highly polished August Förster piano that he travels around Europe with. It all started with making music with friends after school. Then he found that not only did people like listening to him play – they would even give money! A CD of Schmitt playing the likes of Elton John’s ‘Song for Guy’ or Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ amongst others costs 10 Euros (suggested donation price).

It’s hard to believe anyone can make a living from travelling Germany, Poland, and the like by just playing in the streets; but the man from Hagen has been doing it now for some 14 years. He even has his own Facebook page and Website. Just don’t expect to see a tour itinerary on it!

Arne-Schmitt’s Webpage

Rheinaue Jazz

April 28, 2011 by 3songsbonn

Along with the Summer temperatures comes the arrival of this years Jazz Calendar in the Rheinpark Restaurant. Familiar names guaranteed to warm the heart even if the outside temperature drops by late August.

MAI:

13.05. – Oklahoma Washboard Stompers – Hot Jazz

20.05. – Schäl Sick Big Band – Big Band Swing

27.05. – Rod Mason & His Hot Five – Hot Jazz & New Orleans