I’ve just uploaded a new Grateful Fred Podcast (Episode 4) in which I interview Eddie and Frank Thomas “live” from Mississippi.

You can either go to The Podcast page here on the website or if you want to hear it on your iPhone or iPad or on your computer just click on the iTunes icon in the right hand navigation menu on this page which will lead you to this page: http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-grateful-fred-podcast/id470564666

It’s an interesting interview and the Podcast includes five songs from Eddie and Frank’s new album, “Pennyland”.

Hope you enjoy it.

Colin

Here’s the review courtesy of FATEA Magazine:

Will Kaufman/Zoe Mulford

Venue: Grateful Freds
Town: Liverpool
Date: 1st February
Website: www.myspace.com/willkaufman

Grateful Fred’s is a monthly roots and acoustic night at the British Legion Hall, Formby, near Liverpool. It has a firm accent on American roots music and tonight was no exception.

After a rousing set from the Grateful Fred’s House Band, the capacity audience was treated to a well-received support set from Zoe Mulford, an American singer /songwriter ,now living in Manchester. As well as her fine voice and songwriting skills, what makes Zoe standout is her claw-hammer banjo technique, which she used to great effect on a marvellous version of Richard Thompson’s “1952 Vincent Black Lightning “. Zoe also performed several of her own songs ,including “All of the Songs Were Road Songs” about travelling [in song] to the mythical places of North America.

Following Zoe’s set, Will Kaufman[another American living in the North West of England] took to the stage to present his multi-media “live documentary” called “Woody Guthrie : Hard Times and Hard Travellin’. ” With the use of evocative images ,narrative and live music [ sung and played with great skill by Will] we were taken back to America in the 1930′s ,to the Dust Bowl, Migration, the Depression and the New Deal . Will’s show set the songs of Woody Guthrie and his contemporaries in the context of those times and took us on Woody’s journey along the Dust Bowl trails to the hardship of the work camps of California. Stand out songs included ” How Can you Keep On Movin’ [Unless You Migrate Too ]“; “Do Re Mi” ; “Brother Can You Spare a Dime ” ;This Land is Your Land” and “Pretty Boy Floyd “. For me, however, the stand out performance was a stunning version of “Vigilante Man” with bottleneck guitar that would give Ry Cooder’s version [on "Into the Purple Valley "] a good run for its money.

As well as being an academic [professor ,actually] ,Will Kaufman is a brilliant performer. As an eminent singer-songwriter has said, “Will does it all so well that you can taste the dust and hear the freight train whistle blow”. I could not have put it better myself! I would urge anyone who has any interest in American history and/or music to see this show.

All in all, a marvellous evening of Americana at Grateful Fred’s.

Peter Cowley

They’ll be supported by “The Lonesome Georginas” and your hosts will be “Grateful Fred“.

Our last night with the wonderful Will Kaufman was a complete sell-out. This month we have a maximum capacity of 70 so please book in advance if you want to be sure that you can enjoy these wonderful musicians.

You can get tickets on our Tickets page here, from Quicksilver Music in Southport or from Colin on 0797 077 4618.

I’ve been speaking with the guys and listening to some of their latest songs and I know it’s going to be another great night of “live” music.

Eddie and Frank are also established film makers, Thomas Films, as well as accomplished musicians.

This is one of their short films….

Click here to view the video on YouTube.

We have now sold all advance tickets for Will Kuafman’s “Hard Times & Hard Travellin” on Wednesday 1st February.

If you are contemplating paying at the door please be advised there will be very limited availability. Probably 10 entries at the most depending on whether we can get extra seating organised.

If you are coming to pay at the door please be sure to check with us in advance especially if you are coming any distance.

Neville, who is a great singer and performer in his own right has been really suuportive of our Grateful Fred Nights from the very start 18 months ago and has been to many of the Nights.

The Real Ale and Real Music Blog is a mine of information about “live” music locally and nationally and is a Blog you should add to your Google Reader or whatever RSS reader you use.

That way you wont’ miss some of the great music and arts events that take place locally.

“Hard Times & Hard Travellin” will be performed by Will Kaufman, author of two books about Woody Guthrie both available from Amazon.co.uk.

You can read more about Will and his work at his excellent new website http://www.willkaufman.com/

We can only hold 70 seated at Grateful Fred’s so I think we’ll have a sell-out so if your hoping to come I would suggest you either book online via out Ticket page, pick them up from Quicksilver Music in Southport or call me on 0797 077 4618 and I will arrange to get some to you.

I’ve been hearing great things about Will Kaufman’s show and I think we’re in for a treat.

I’ve just added two videos from Eddie and Frank Thomas who are joining us from Mississippi on Thursday 1st March.

You can see them here: http://gratefulfred.co.uk/artists/eddie-and-frank-thomas/

Eddie sent me some of their latest songs one of which, “Chasing Butterflies” I haven’t’ stopped paying. It’s a beautiful song and the production is flawless.

I’m really looking forward to meeting them and having a great evening of entertainment.

Merry Christmas and a great New Year in 2012 from all of us at Grateful Fred’s.

Look forward to seeing you all in February.

Our friend Peter Aldridge who supported Michael Chapman for us earlier this year has asked if you would vote for him in the Oldies Composers songwriting competition.

Hers is Peter’s message:

Hi Colin,

Could you and as many as possible at Grateful Freds vote for my song’Last Train’ at:

www.oldiecomposers.com

If I reach the next level, I get the chance to be heard by Radio 2 presenters and producers!

Many thanks,

Peter

If you get a moment to vote I know Peter would be really grateful.