Ebbor Gorge

It's been a few years since I last visited Ebber Gorge. Tucked away in woodland on the Mendip Hills, Ebbor is a lovely spot, less well known than Cheddar, and in many respects better for it. A compact 350 million year old limestone gorge engulfed by woodland, it's a wonderful place; very Robin of Sherwood. The gorge has been popular with humans since the palaeolithic, with evidence of later Neolithic occupation and possibly Bronze Age too. It must have been a special place, being on the edge of two worlds, of the Mendip hills and the wetland world of the levels. In more recent times the gorge has been blighted with Ash Die back (Hymenoscyphus fraxineus), resulting in the loss of trees; fortunately the natural aspect and atmosphere of the place are little affected, and it remains magical walking. I read that the Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is fighting back, with saplings growing in some infected areas developing a degree of resistance to the fungi. Here's hoping, eh.

Up on the hill

There wasn't too much of a sunrise this morning; and the faint sunrise there was had a distant view of Mordor look to it. That didn't matter mind, a fancy sunrise would have been nice, though it was simply being up on the Tor marking Beltane sunrise for the first time since 2019, that was the prize. I've been seeing in the Beltane Sun on Glastonbury Tor for over 30 years, and after an abstinence, it felt wonderful to be celebrating the turning of the wheel of the year up on the hill amongst the gathered; 'up on the hill is where you find us, yeah, up on the hill that shit is timeless', Fun Loving Criminals. The setting, the familiar sounds of the Morris, familiar faces in the crowd, and the familiar words communally spoken in May Day rite, it certainly felt timeless to me. Beltane blessings y'all /|\ What ever seeds you're now sowing, more power to your elbow.

Magical mendips

Well, it would be rude to be at Glastonbury and not visit the Mendips, it would be like visiting Glastonbury and not visiting Burns the Bakers...unheard of. And anyway, what better way after a lovely dawn ceremony to continue celebrate Beltane and spring than a walk in natures majesty. Cheddar Gorge has been cleared since last we visited of 'invasive' flora, opening up new views and a clearer look at the ruggedness of its limestone faces. Exhilarating walking, and it's only 0830!

Beltane

It must be 28 or 29 years since I first made my way to Glastonbury Tor to celebrate Beltane, since when it's become a regular pilgrimage; other than two years I missed, one when I was unwell and the other foot and mouth, when the majority of the country was off limits. You never know what the weather Gods have in store for you at Beltane, I think over the years we've stood up on the Tor in most weather conditions, some good, and some not so. This morning was one of the former, in fact it was one of the best, bloody marvellous, it was. As I climbed the Tor a full moon still hung in the clear sky, a good omen I thought. About a 150 people gathered on the Tor, all sorts of people, from all over the place, a mixed of languages and accents, all here to welcome in the sun. Rollo, arch-druid of the Glastonbury Order was here to celebrate 30 years of the order, and their first Beltane on the Tor. Rollo's ceremonies were the first druid gatherings we attended, they always had a certain character and never failed to raise a smile, so I have happy to be here to celebrate with them. As is the way, there was an explanation of the day, some um's and er's, ceremony, communal chanting, some more um's and er's (druids love a bit of confusion), there was a song, a call and response poem, a hand fasting and more than anything, smiles. Three cheers to Beltane and the sun broke cover, to the sound of whooping, horns, drums, and this morning a Scottish piper, magical, it was a most splendid sunrise. As the sun rose higher various Morris danced before the sun, while the Green Man pointed the way forward. Fantastic. Beltane Blessings y'all, may the seeds you sow find fertile ground.

Sentient @ The King Arthur, Glastonbury 29.10.2016

It's kinda like Déjà vu, man, back at the King Arthur to watch Sentient, but then not so. Yeah, the King Arthur's the same, a public house/venue par excellence, populated with friendly, funny and vibrant staff and punters (more of that later).  Such are the frequency of our visits for gigs, it's taken on a very comfortable homely feel. But Sentient, man, Sentient! They may have been the same four fellows up there on the stage, four musical giants of boundless talent and originality, but each time we see them they bring something new to the party. A tweak here, a nudge into a new direction there, a familiar sound forged anew. What I'm trying to say is, each time we see Sentient they just keep getting better. How the fuck do you consistently improve on what appears perfection? All I know is that they do! For those who don't know, Sentient are: Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a purveyor of many musical flavours, although he's probably best known for his work with Here and Now and Planet Gong, his glissando and noodling skills are both instantly recognizable and outstanding. Bass is provided by the legendary Mike Howlett, possibly most famously of Gong, although he has many more strings to his bow. When it comes to great bass players look no further, Mike's passion and skill on bass (to my mind) are hard to beat. On drums is the magnificent Steve Cassidy notably of Planet Gong and currently Here and Now. Steve's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers. Finally on keyboards and synth, Mr twiddly knobbery himself Joie Hinton. You'll know Joie from Ozric Tentacles, Eat Static and currently Here and Now, and, man, does he know his trippy noises. Yeah, I think you've guessed it, Sentient are a kind of counter culture super group.

The room was packed (and, why wouldn't it be!) when Steffe and Joie took to the stage and together began to create some wondrous sounds. Steffe's glissando was bliss, as was his noodling, top shelf stuff and then something new as Steffe played this guitar in a style I'd not heard him play before, fast clean rock shred licks on a jazzy tip (or some such), far out!  All the time Joie, leaning into the keys was watching for cues, smiling, twiddling and tweaking, forming textures for Steffe's guitar to glide across. Way good, man. It's amazing what wonderful musical textures and soundscapes a guitar and keyboards in the hands of great musicians can create (for another great guitar/keyboard combo check out Music of the Andys.) Steffe and Joie played two tracks, both really really nice.  Now Steve and Mike took to the stage to join them, and of course the sound took on new dimensions and directions. The tracks (whether they're 'tracks' or rather the framework for improvisation) appeared to have a stronger funky jazz flavour to them this time around (maybe Mike Howletts influence). I'm not complaining, mind, you gotta love the funk. The sound was rich and deeply layered, inspiration being drawn from diverse musical wells. As well as the funk and jazz elements, there's a dub, space rock, psych feel, as well as the unmistakable echo you hear in a Gong family band. It was bloody beautiful, man, the magic flowed! I love Steffe's guitar style, so natural, he makes it look like a meditation, it's pure guitar poetry, and he looks like he's loving every minute of it, feeling every note. Throughout both sets his glissando and noodling was flawless. Joie was on good form tonight too, his twiddling and tweaking consistently hitting the spot, adding some fantastic synth textures and forms to the mix, which are always welcome. As for Steve's drumming, what a very understated drummer, looking calm and relaxed whilst maintaining a solid unfaltering groove, dropping in great accents and embellishments, as and when. He drove the tracks along. Even when he's going like the clappers, he looks decidedly pedestrian, boss drummer for sure. And then there was Mike Howlett, bass player of behemothic talent and standing.  What a musician, man, his funky bass licks and riffs were something else, with a consistency which was amazing. You couldn't help but stare in awe at his style and presence, faultless bass on every number, the bass flowing through him. I said it last time; the Howlett/Cassidy combination gives Sentient a rhythm section beyond compassion, and that was only re-enforced this evenings performance. I loved the glances the band throw each other, how good a musician you must have to be to improvise and freestyle to such a standard as these fellows achieve. Justifiably, the end of each track was met with loud and sustained applause, the audience were fucking loving it, it was a good audience too, as I previously mentioned, the room was packed. Then there was then a break for refreshments. I noticed a couple of musicians in the audience this evening, Andy Roger of Music of the Andys and Here and Now, and Cary Grace, whose fantastic new release 'The Uffculme Variations' (review to follow) features Steffe (it's an earworm of an album). At the end of the intermission Steve took to the stage and performed some nice solo drumming for us, before the band joined him and they were off again. The second set continued along similar lines to the first, there was a nice reggae-ish number, a rich feast of psychedelic rock flavours with thick layers of jazziness, and plenty of funky flavours too. The band were laying down some seriously sumptuous musical vibes. It was all just so good, man, such a tight sound and yet so free flowing. The band looked to be enjoying it (always nice), and the audience certainly were, most people were up dancing and everybody was certainly having a damn fine time. The evening finished off with a reworking of an old school Here and Now track, and the crowd loved it.  What a spectacular performance, stellar stuff!

Life can be shit sometimes, man, unrelenting heaviness can drag your spirit down; it's nights like this, that help keep that black dog muzzled. The energy from these evenings resonates far beyond the gig itself. I think Abba hit the nail on the head with, '(music) who can live without it. I ask in all honesty, what would life be?'. Word! The power of a good gig to raise and renew ones spirits cannot, and should not, be underestimated. I am truly grateful for the music. And yeah, I referenced Abba, so what! And the 'Arthur', well, as always it was a joy, every box ticked and many stars awarded. The sound guy was on top form again, you wouldn't believe the sound quality for such a small venue, clean and clear, bravo that dude! Now, if you've read any of my reviews of previous King Arthur gigs you'll know we always meet lovely friendly characters. Tonight whilst sitting in the comfy sofas towards the back of the pub, we spied a familiar face (usually we never seem to meet the same people twice). It was sweet Annie (literally from Frome) from our last visit, she was completely bewildered as to who we were, though after chatting a while I think the mists cleared. We recounted our last encounter, and remarked she was more together this time, to which she replied 'Annie, similar, yet not the same'. You've got to laugh. It was lovely to see Annie, you can't beat nice people, especially in to today's world.

Anyways, another top night was had, for which I give big love and thanks to all involved. If you've not seen Sentient or visited the King Arthur, you really need to rectify that.

Glastonbury Wild Hunt 2016

A few photos from Glastonbury's Wild Hunt. A great day with groovy people, in a vibrant town that knows how put on an event. It all appears so natural. Avalon really is a magical place.

Sentinet @ the King Arthur 13.8.2016

Fucking astounding! I could just leave it at that, a two word review of last nights Sentient gig at the King Arthur. I could maybe add a couple more exclamation marks, for emphasis. But, as powerful and succinct as that may be, it would just be too lazy and Sentient deserve more... much more ( also, I'm rarely succinct).

I've seen Sentient a few times now, all wondrous, though tonight’s manifestation was imbued with added excitement, as there were new band members on-board. Gone was bass luminary Subs, now that position was taken by the legendary (really, legendary isn't a good enough adjective) Mike Howlett on bass.  When it comes to great bass players Howlett is right up there, his passion and skill shine through brightly, he doesn't just play bass, it flows through him and it shows. Also, Tanya Horn wasn't on drums this evening (although was in the house), that position was filled by the equally magnificent Steve Cassidy. Though a friend who saw Sentient perform Kozfest said they both played, which sounds way cool. Cassidy's drumming is clean and powerful, able to drive and maintain the most rhythmic of numbers.  That wizard of twiddly knobbery Joie Hinton maintained his position at the controls of keyboards and synth. And of course there is Steffe Sharpstrings on guitar. Steffe's a legend, as are his glissando and noodling skills, both instantly recognizable.

As has become commonplace with decent gigs these days, two sets were played of about an hour each, with a small break in-between. What we were served this evening was a tasty feast of, what appeared, improvisational pieces, made up from a myriad of beautifully blended styles and influences, all delivered masterfully. There were psych, dub, space rock and jazz flavours to name few. There was less glissando and more noodling from Steffe this evenings sets that previous gigs, and can the man noodle...yes, and some! Steffe deftly threaded magical paths through the bands improvised sound-scapes, his performance an experience as much spiritual as musical. Mr Howlett was a conduit to the place where bass is born, the bass lines fair burst out of him, as if he were a shaman with the power to birth them. Which he must be, it's the only explanation. Both Steffe and Mr Howlett morphed into space goats at several points, so powerful were the musical vibrations. Well, it's impossible not to. Occasionally Joie, smiling mischievously, would lean over his keyboards towards the audience as if judging just the best moment to lay some mind melting extreme synth twiddling on us. Of course he nailed it every time. Throughout, with steadfast resolve, Steve Cassidy beat the skins, never dropping a beat and making it look effortless (which clearly drumming can't be). What a fantastic drummer, man. The addition of the Howlett/Cassidy combination was something else! (Have mentioned how bloody marvellous a bassist Mike Howlett is?) They certainly elevated Sentients rhythm section to new heady heights (not that the previous Subs/Horn combination wasn't right up there too). Last night we were spoilt, what a performance!

I don't think my descriptions ever do performances real justice, though I can honestly say, I was fair blown away this evening, smiling slack jawed at the wonder of it all. When magic's created it's undeniable, and magic certainly filled the back room of the 'Arthur' last night, and, the audience loved it. Everybody was blissed out, man. One by one they took to the dance floor to swivel, frug and throw shapes, while the end of each track was met with rapturous applause. There were also a couple of notable musicians in the audience last night. Gregory Curvey of The Luck of Eden Hall whose latest album 'The acceleration of time' is a great listen. And, Cary Grace who'll be performing at the King Arthur in September and is well worth catching live. The 'Arthur' was a delight as usual, what a top venue with lovely staff and friendly regulars, and the sound, again, top notch...bravo sound guy. If there was a recording of last nights gig, I'd love to see that available, nudge nudge, wink wink. 

All in all a splendid evening, although I do have one complaint, not about the venue nor the band. But people. Where the fuck were you? Yeah, there was a good turn out, and yeah, we all thoroughly enjoyed it, but the 'Arthur' should have been overflowing, the calibre of musician and quality of music on offer. For a fiver too! My fear is we either 'support them or lose them', and our lives would be diminished by the latter. Whether it's lack of publicity or apathy, it's not good enough. We need innovative and original bands and the local venues for them to perform.  Where ever you are, if you get the chance, support them.

Cheddar Gorgous

Visiting Cheddar Gorge today was a last minute addition to the days itinerary, so I didn't arrive at the Gorge until mid afternoon. I wasted no time and not being one to always adhere to paths, scrambled up through the rock strewn trees which still cling to some of the lower parts of the gorge. I climbed up through the humid stands until I emerged atop the gorge looking down into its meandering rocky chasm. Wow. I've been here many times, and every time I feel the same...wow. I made my way along the lip of the gorge, periodically braving a snatched glimpse over its vertical faces. I don't mind admitting heights are not easy for me and at times I was gripped by terror. But the views, not only of the gorge, but of the surrounding Mendip Hills and Levels beyond were stunning.  I continued to follow the gorge until just before Jacobs Ladder, then turned and headed out along the Mendips.  The Sun was now beginning to slowly sink and mists started forming over the Levels, adding an air of mystery to the landscape as it hung over the hills (which rise from the Levels here and there) like a veil. This was new to me, I'd only walked about the gorge on past rambles. From what I saw today, there's plenty of exploring to be done in them there hills. By the time I got back down into the gorge there was less than an hour to sunset and the gorge was eerily quiet. The sort of quiet you really notice.  What a lovely walk, and all the better for its spontaneity.