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This is the archive of the combined Barking Spider and Andy Broad Portsmouth Blues Site mailing lists.
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Hi all, I'd like to bring to your attention a portion of the latest newletter from John Adams from Bottleneck Blues Club, a superb promoter who brings over people like Ben Andrews, Little Toby Walker, Geoff Achison etc., who have all been at The Bullfrog Blues Club and given us some wonderful night's entertainment. John's said almost all the things I've been thinking about the present state of live music (especially the blues) in this neck 'o the woods, so I hope he'll forgive me for sharing his thoughts with you all..... Ccheers, John Roberts (The Barking Spider) The Bottleneck Blues Club Spring Newsletter 2004 I hope you've enjoyed the first three months of gigs this year as much as I have……we've had a wonderful mix of styles & artists & everyone has given their all…….& it just gets better. Shame about Jazz FM & Paul Jones's programme. Nothing more to be done now ~ it's a great loss. You know, I've been in various businesses all my life ~ never had a "proper" job as my old Mum used to say (bless her soul) & this is the second time in my life (the 1st being the very first business I started back in 1968 but that's another story) that I'm doing something I really love ~ & presenting music must be one of the least environmentally damaging businesses anyone could be involved in ~ & I'd just like to thank all of you for helping me to continue to do that. There's a little bit of me up there on that stage at every gig ~ if an act doesn't do it for the audience a little bit of me dies on the night but thankfully most nights you all love it & that gives me a huge charge! I feel very lucky & often privileged to be associated with some of the finest musicians in the world & that's what I try to bring you every gig……not reasonably good music, not the best I can squeeze out of a budget but the very finest music I can find. A lot of thought & angst goes into each & every gig (& tour) & ultimately it's you that makes it a goer or not……that's made me feel better ~ it's not my responsibility, it's yours ~ never thought of that way before!!………That's me off the hook! Little Toby Walker is now back in Long Island after a stupendous 2,700 miles tour & he sends his best wishes ~ we had a great time ~ too many laughs to recount, met loads of wonderful people (and a few tossers! Please blues-nazis, I know Robert Johnson didn't use a PA ~ he didn't use a bloody estate car to cart it all around or a plane to fly here in either ~ that's how we get to entertain so many people these days……for crying out loud!) & I'm now working on his Oct/Nov tour to launch the CD we recorded at the club. I'll obviously keep you posted on developments & release date for that. Look, I know I've banged on about this in the past, but I did feel very ashamed driving Toby Walker & Daria around the UK. We've got to do something about the state of this country, it's disgusting & getting worse. France was lovely, clean roads, clean hotels, no drunks. Britain? Filthy town centres & roads, dirty hotels & far too many loud, obnoxious drunks of both sexes. What's gone wrong? Truthfully, something has got to be done, if it isn't too late already. Any suggestions? Yes I had that idea too, but it's illegal! OK, that'll do for now, see you soon, stay happy, stay well & don't get pregnant……..too late? Oops!……as Toby would say. John & Dee The Bottleneck Blues Club 01732 842452 www.bottleneckblues.co.uk