Foxwood Steel play Leeds Winter Wonderland

It was a rubbish idea in the first place! And it was my rubbish idea. What with Blayd's being on Briggate, and Wonderland being on Briggate, I thought, leave the pans overnight at Blayd's, then just collect them on Sunday.

No.

Blayd's - Lower Briggate; Wonderland middle of Briggate; pans stored top of club; have to carry them down, then stagger up Briggate with them. We pile all the big ones onto Bart in his wheelchair. This made an alarming sight for passers-by, as Bart couldn't see over the top of the basses. Worth it for the comedy moment.

Parking on last but one Sunday before Christmas?

I put my bike into the van before bringing down the rest of the pans; nearest parking space is opposite the University Parkinson steps; cycle down to Briggate [and in reverse later].

Ed, the organiser, asked me how many people were playing. "Well," I said, "I'm not sure." Amy passed, carrying a guitar pan; Varshika passed us holding a small piece of drum-kit in her one good hand; Bart rolled past. "Er, that makes twelve, I think".

In the end we were me, Bex, Natalie, Amy, Sophie, Varshika, Tim, Bart, Charlotte, Gary, Vicky, Daisy. Yes, that makes twelve. I thought we were expecting a couple more, but sometimes it's hard to keep track. Ah, half way through Sarah appeared. She said she would just come to take pics, but given that she had originally arranged the song we were playing when she turned up  . . .

Varshika asked what should she play; I said, shall we wait to see what's not taken. It's ever thus. 






But we loved it; they loved us; despite all the hassles on transporting our several hundred kilogrammes of crafted metal down to a town-centre pedestrianized street, it was a just Foxwood at its best: long-term friends [and a few newer ones] playing along together by feel. [Cycling back to the Parkinson steps in ecstasy. Well, a bit].

Foxwood Steel play Blayd's in Briggate

Well, it was Blayd's who hosted our set for Leeds Pride in summer so when it was Robert's birthday, and he wanted us to play outside [in December!] we did.







It was cold, but we were under a gazebo which stopped trying to take off once we weighted it down. Plus there was some sort of warm air vent.

We were me, Bex, Natalie, Georgia, Katie, Vicky and Charlotte. We played for half an hour, then I skipped off back to the X Factor final. Not very rock n roll!

I am kinda hoping that someone has some better photos than these, but they will have to do for now.

Allerton Allstars at Allerton Grange Winter Show

A whole week now passes without a gig. Ah, bliss.

Then next up it's Thursday and it's Allerton Grange winter show. As ever this show is packed full of acts and of talent. My two groups get one song each. We will make them count.

First up is Year 7. They are Kris, Adam, Seb, Phoebe and Finlay, and guest Jonah, supported by Polly and     . They play Monday Morning. They have been playing for four months. I count in; they don't need me; I stand to one side in pride.







Next up is the Year 8 and 9s. They are Polly, Isobel, Rowena, Sophie and Josie. I he3lp out with the tune.They tackle I'm a Believer. This is tricky; they are amazing. George plays kit for both bands. Thanks, George.

East Steel plays Leeds Town Hall

On Wednesday, it was East Steel's turn to tread the historic boards [and the new bit of stage at the front]. We were me and Bex [joint leaders and occasional sparring partners], Vicky, Joyce, Wendy, Cheryl, Becky, Jeanette, Trish, Anne, Lynn,Wanda, Kirsty with Peter guesting, and Bart on kit.  [Unusually we had rehearsed with the drummer the week before. Don't worry - I'm sure we won't make a habit of it.]






We had planned to give a mash-up of Harry Potter and Hedwig's Theme till we discovered that we playing the same set of notes and chords. So, time to remember Lou Reed, and bring out Hallelujah, but with a little twist. I planned to locate an angel and ask the audience, when the angel was waving, to sing along with the chorus.

Well, Vicky scoured Leeds, but no angels. She returned with a snowman. Besides Hallelujah and Harry Potter we played The Flood [by Gary B]. I copied out The Flood a few weeks before, and me and East Steel secretly tried it when Bex was away, and then presented to her the following week. A couple of days later, Bex opined, "The Flood's great, shame we haven't time to do it for the Town Hall Concert" I had to tell her it was already on the printed programme. In the end it was great!

As an apperitif we raced through Walking in the Air, I saw Three Ships, Jingle Bells, Last Christmas and ?. For the prize-giving we stopped and started our way through Rudolf.

Xanthe brought the lovely Steel Silc to play their Beethoven Seven/Too Close [Alex Clare] mash-up. Two steelbands on the Town hall stage at the same time. Mmmmm!

The snowman did indeed direct the audience singing the chorus to Hallelujah.

Next thing I knew, Snowman had been kidnapped by the Lord Mayor, and was now appearing at the other stage of the stage as Mayoral sidekick!

Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows play Leeds Town Hall

It's been a while since we did an LSMA Christmas Concert, so pleased when we were asked. No time to practise anything seasonal. Not really a shame. On Monday me, Bart and Millie loaded in. This involved giving Millie a lift in an instrument trolley. Which turned out to be the highlight!

 Players were me and Bart plus Millie, Millie, Naomi, Claudia, Chloe, George, Georgia E [G2], Peter.

We played I Dreamed a Dream, and Bridge Over Troubled Water. Although we were squashed, we were actually on the stage. Then we had the joint Saviour's Day with Leeds Youth Orchestra and choirs, which, with a songsheet guide, players mostly played by ear.

On Tuesday we were joined, fresh from Narnia at the LeftBank by Chloe. She learnt her way round the tenor basses at 6pm, and an hour or so later played them for real. Super.

As luck would have it, I was using most of these pans the following evening with East Steel on the same stage [but on the opposite side], so we just them in situ.

Sparrows went unexpectedly camera shy on me. These were all we managed from rehearsal and concert day itself. I'm liking Peter's impression of a footman and G2's chin.

Sparrows TakeOver

Leeds Council invited us all to take part in Takeover Day. I put it to the older Sparrows, and so it was that on 22 November 2013, six-formers: Millie C, Chloe and Peter arrived with a completely new fully-written out Under the Sea, two tins of home-made buns iced with Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows Takeover Day and musical signs, and a fully planned session.







Peter turned up in suit and tie, Chloe put her hair up in a bun. Millie C . . well, jeans and a hoody since you ask.








We did Le Onde, and thanks to Chloe's patience and pace, and I have just about learnt the bass line for it. At very long last.





Peter produced a completely new fully arranged version of the Disney sea tune, and we learnt the first half, with a promise that we can finish it. They were patient with the newcomers, without neglecting the more experienced, and brought one more tune than we had time to do. In paticular they didn't just run through numbers, but took songs line by line, even bar by bar.





The buns were as delicious as they were beautiful, but we had to work for our break. At the end, Millie S [longest-serving Sparrow, but is actually still in Year 11] who had decided against taking part in the teaching, tidied all the songsheets up. Which after all is invaluable if you want to find all the tunes again.







I was so proud, and also so moved that they had thought about it, taken the experience seriously, collaborated with each other, without consulting Bart or me, and in particlar, carried their plan out so meticulously. After the Albert Hall, the Festival of Britain, and alongside the Music For Youth concerts, and Helen and Amy bringing Chasing Cars half-worked out, this was one of the great highlights of fourteen years of Sparrows.

Foxwood play Babyrave

Well Debs





It's babyrave time again. Down to the old warehouse by the M621 Holbeck-way.







This time, especially post Cross Gates Small Stageness, we are only taking what is necessary. Single pans, no bass, and absolutely no Smalls of our own. Sticking to 2, 3, 4 or 5 chord songs, and playing with gusto. Some work better than others.

In the morning we are me, Gig and Sarah; for the afternoon rave we are me, Gig and Bex.

I love what Faye has devised: these babyraves and am happy to support her whenever we can.