Tuesday 11 June 2013

Martin Stephenson and The Daintees




California Star EP cover art
Martin Stephenson has been one of the UK’s best-loved musicians for 30 years.  The new album 'California Star' sees him reunited once more with The Daintees, the band he’s intermittently fronted through a string of albums - and hundreds of gigs - since his teens in the North East.  Always popular on the circuit, his 'must see' live performances are an exuberant tour-de-force combining heart-in-your-mouth intimacy with playful humour and warm self-deprecation.






The Daintees’ critically acclaimed 1986 debut 'Boat To Bolivia' opened up an always interesting story. It showcased Martin Stephenson’s songwriting, poetic romanticism and spiritual depth – so marking him out as a soulful cream of the left-field crop during the self-obsessed 1980s.  




Never pandering to a particular scene, Martin Stephenson’s lightness of touch on a varied mix of musical styles was immediately apparent. His path was destined to be a lifelong journey through the music he loved: folk, ragtime, jazz, rockabilly, show tunes, punk-pop and country.



The album 'California Star' continues his tradition for eclectic roots songwriting, and is the perfect middle-age bookend on a discography now amounting to 40 albums.  Like 'Boat To Bolivia' (worth buying just for Slow Lovin' and my vinyl copy's a wee bit worn) it's one of those must have albums for any serious music lovers collection.



To promote the new album there's an EP available for free download here aptly titled 'California Star' with three tracks to give you a taster of the album.  Ralph's had a wee listen.....

Martin Stephenson & The Daintees artist photo
The lead track on the 'California Star' EP with its James Taylor-esque guitar and vocal is music for a warm Sunday's summer afternoon, with a glass of chilled wine and the headphones on.   It's a testament to the ability of one of the countries finest songwriters to be able to get inside your head with his words and musicality to make you feel in tune with the mood of the track.




Martin Stephenson image
'Morning Time' tips its hat to a rockabilly stylee and it's a relaxed, laid back, kick your feet feelgood toe tapper.  If the late great Lonnie Donnegan was around on today's scene, this is what he'd sound like.





Western Eagle cover artFinal track 'Home' from the 2009 album 'Western Eagle' has an easy listening 'Americana' folk feel.  It's a wistful piece of musical and lyrical loveliness.....
  

"And home isn't always the house you were born

 It's just a light where love is strong

 Everywhere we wander, love will guide us home"












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The Daintees gigs are the stuff of legend and only today they are taking to the stage at Glastonbury...hang on though...who's that old bloke with Martin...surely not Rolling Stones leg end Bill Wyman!



Fri 28                GLASTONBURY FESTIVAL
The Daintees tour bus arrives at Glastonbury

ACOUSTIC STAGE:  
Sinéad O'Connor
Glen Hansard
Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings
Martha Wainwright
Martin Stephenson and the Daintees
Jake Bugg
Joel Rafael
Lucy Ward
Rainy Boy Sleep
The Riptide Movement




JULY
           
Fri 05          
Venue:           The Oakwood. Glossop 
Address:        67 High St W, Glossop, Derbyshire SK13 8AZ
Phone:           1457 857974 
Website:         www.theoakwood.net/        

Mon 08        
Venue:            Robin 2
Address:        20-28 Mt Pleasant, Bilston
                         West Midlands WV14 7LJ
Phone:           01902 401211



Tue 09          
Venue:            Lantern Theatre, Sheffield   
Address:        18 Kenwood Park Rd, Sheffield S7 1NF
Phone:             0114 255 1776

Wed 10       
Venue:            Brudenell Social Club
Address:        33 Queen's Rd  Leeds LS6 1NY
Phone:            0113 275 2411

Thu 11       
Venue:            Bootleggers
Address:        24 Finkle St, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4AB
Phone:            01539 723824
Web:                www.bootleggersbar.com/           


Fri 12       
Venue:            Darwen Library Theatre 
Address:        Knott St, Darwen, BB3 3BU
Phone:            01254 706 021
     

Sat 13       
Venue:            Solihull Arts Complex - Studio
Address:        Central Library, Homer Rd 
                          Solihull, West Midlands B91 3RG
Phone:            0121 704 6962
Web:                http://www.solihullartscomplex.co.uk


Sat 20      
Venue:            Argyle Hotel
Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB
Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422
Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk
     
             

AUGUST


Thu 01          
Venue:            The Blue Cat 
Address:        17 Shaw Road, Heaton Moor, Stockport, SK4 4AG
Contact:          Events Georgina <events@bluecatcafe.co.uk>
Web:                www.bluecatcafe.co.uk



Sat 10         
Venue:            Argyll Hotel
Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB
Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422
Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk



Wed 14          
Venue:            St Cecilia’s Hall
Note:               As part of Edinburgh Festival
Address:        Cowgate, Edinburgh, Midlothian EH1 1NQ
Phone:            0131 650 1000



Sat 31          
Venue:            Argyll Hotel
Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB
Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422
Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk





SEPTEMBER

Sat 21          
Venue:            Argyll Hotel
Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB
Phone:           Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422
Web:               www.theargyll.co.uk




OCTOBER


Sat 05          
Venue:            Argyll Hotel
Address:        18 Argyle Street  Ullapool, Ross-Shire IV26 2UB
Phone:            Franner or Nigel:  01854 612422
Web:                www.theargyll.co.uk


Fri 18 
Venue:            Warrington Pyramid Arts Centre
Address:        Palmyra Square South, Warrington, WA1 1BL
Phone:            01925 442884
Box Office:     01925 442345
Email:              pyramid@culturewarrington.org
Contact:         Emma Joyce / Christian Persoglio


Sat 19 
Venue:            Durham, Old Cinema Laundrette
Address:        38 Marshall Terrace, Sunderland Road,Gilesgate, Durham, DH1 2HX
Phone:            07905 210039
Contact:         Richard Turner





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