I've just updated the gig list (Posted Feb so scroll down the page a bit). You have the complete list of CONFIRMED gigs for 2009. There will be others. MSB practiced Wed night which means that the three new songs (Cindy Lou, The Old Dog & The Unforgiving Man ) are shaping up nicely. We've also done some rather tasteful tweaks to a few of the regular numbers too. We hope you'll like them. Great article about yours truly in April's edition of Maverick too. Onwards and upwards,
Mutter
Thursday, 19 March 2009
Sunday, 15 March 2009
Album Review Rock and Reel magazine Jan/Feb 2009
Riding A Hurricane. Star rating 3/5.
Planting his flag firmly in the territory somewhere between Richard Thompson and Eric Bibb, Mutter Slater returns with a collection of a dozen new songs delivered in his warm blues voice in an organic-feeling acoustic setting. Opening track 'Excuse Me Ma'am' sets rhe tone - Mutter's urgent, yet intimate vocal delivery over his percussive rhythm guitar, a double (sic) bass and unadorned drums - and this groove continues throughout Riding A Hurricane.
By about the fourth song, however, the lack of anything beyond the basic instruments begins to pall a little. Although the songs themselves are of a very high quality and Slater's voice is served well by the aural backdrop, I found myself craving a dash of trumpet counter-melody or an occasional harmonica fill to add some piquancy, some flavour.
When Mutter treats us to some breathy flute, on the coda to the title track, and bassist Chris Lonergan adds subtle bottleneck to 'Triumph Bonneville', they provide some sheen to the production that would be welcome elsewhere. All in all though it's an admirable return to Slater's blues roots. David Innes.
Planting his flag firmly in the territory somewhere between Richard Thompson and Eric Bibb, Mutter Slater returns with a collection of a dozen new songs delivered in his warm blues voice in an organic-feeling acoustic setting. Opening track 'Excuse Me Ma'am' sets rhe tone - Mutter's urgent, yet intimate vocal delivery over his percussive rhythm guitar, a double (sic) bass and unadorned drums - and this groove continues throughout Riding A Hurricane.
By about the fourth song, however, the lack of anything beyond the basic instruments begins to pall a little. Although the songs themselves are of a very high quality and Slater's voice is served well by the aural backdrop, I found myself craving a dash of trumpet counter-melody or an occasional harmonica fill to add some piquancy, some flavour.
When Mutter treats us to some breathy flute, on the coda to the title track, and bassist Chris Lonergan adds subtle bottleneck to 'Triumph Bonneville', they provide some sheen to the production that would be welcome elsewhere. All in all though it's an admirable return to Slater's blues roots. David Innes.
The latest ...
Hello,
MSB gigged in Yeovil last night. A slendid hostelry called The Quicksilver Mail (mein host Pete Lambden). Ady was in Germany mit Ben Waters so Dan Wheeler of Bridport more than ably deputised in his stead. Like most pubs these days the attendance was not as it once was - a fanfare here for the publicans around Britain who continue to support live music in the face of bitter and austere circumstances - but those who did turn out were most attentive and encouraging. MSB are not a covers band which tends to go against the grain with a lot of punters but Pete's pub gave us the benefit of the doubt and came along for the ride.
The newer numbers are gradually bedding in (Cindy Lou, The Old Dog, The Unforgiving Man) and go down as well as the comparatively familiar older songs. We have enough fresh material in the set now for another album. When the time comes to record it we should know them inside out.
The son of an old, old friend of mine (John Martin - no not that one!)sent me a photo of me in my first ever band the other day. A dewy eyed 14/15 year old cupping a blues harp and looking rather sharp (What happened?). I will try and get it posted sometime soon.
Mutter
MSB gigged in Yeovil last night. A slendid hostelry called The Quicksilver Mail (mein host Pete Lambden). Ady was in Germany mit Ben Waters so Dan Wheeler of Bridport more than ably deputised in his stead. Like most pubs these days the attendance was not as it once was - a fanfare here for the publicans around Britain who continue to support live music in the face of bitter and austere circumstances - but those who did turn out were most attentive and encouraging. MSB are not a covers band which tends to go against the grain with a lot of punters but Pete's pub gave us the benefit of the doubt and came along for the ride.
The newer numbers are gradually bedding in (Cindy Lou, The Old Dog, The Unforgiving Man) and go down as well as the comparatively familiar older songs. We have enough fresh material in the set now for another album. When the time comes to record it we should know them inside out.
The son of an old, old friend of mine (John Martin - no not that one!)sent me a photo of me in my first ever band the other day. A dewy eyed 14/15 year old cupping a blues harp and looking rather sharp (What happened?). I will try and get it posted sometime soon.
Mutter
Sunday, 1 March 2009
Album Review from Maverick magazine Feb 2009
Riding a Hurricane (Star rating 4/4)
The man in the bowler hat rocks back.
Powerfully understated album of acoustic rock from an unlikely source - Mutter Slater, the genial,bowler-hatted flute player from (now reformed) 1970s folk-rockers Stackridge,with production by the once angry young man Billy Bragg. Here Mutter drops his trademark cheery farmboy vocals in favour of a darker,deeper,hugely individual (and unrecognisable) growl. At times it's sad,at others it turns into something like a curious bass yodel,but it's always powerful.
Mutter also,apart from a couple of moments,drops his flute in favour of some decent guitar picking,sometimes bluesy,sometimes Dobro like. He's backed by a simple bass/drum set-up,the sort of snappy bouncy rhythm you'd expect from a rockabilly band. The result is a hypnotic backdrop over which Mutter's vocals dart and leap. It might be a three-piece band, and it might be acoustic, but it's not like anything you've heard before with the production making the most of the simple instrumentation.
All the songs are Mutter compositions,and are first rate,and far from straight forward,with not an ordinary number amongst them. It's hard to pick out the best...there's the plaintive yet saucy 'Excuse Me Ma'am',the singalong 'Last Train From Heartache',and the desolate 'I'm Holding Your Picture' and 'Strangers In One Room'. And the title track is a six minute epic of darkness and light.
It's a world away from Stackridge,but each track works with a dreamy insistence. Excellent innovative stuff which cries out to be heard live. Nick Dalton.
The man in the bowler hat rocks back.
Powerfully understated album of acoustic rock from an unlikely source - Mutter Slater, the genial,bowler-hatted flute player from (now reformed) 1970s folk-rockers Stackridge,with production by the once angry young man Billy Bragg. Here Mutter drops his trademark cheery farmboy vocals in favour of a darker,deeper,hugely individual (and unrecognisable) growl. At times it's sad,at others it turns into something like a curious bass yodel,but it's always powerful.
Mutter also,apart from a couple of moments,drops his flute in favour of some decent guitar picking,sometimes bluesy,sometimes Dobro like. He's backed by a simple bass/drum set-up,the sort of snappy bouncy rhythm you'd expect from a rockabilly band. The result is a hypnotic backdrop over which Mutter's vocals dart and leap. It might be a three-piece band, and it might be acoustic, but it's not like anything you've heard before with the production making the most of the simple instrumentation.
All the songs are Mutter compositions,and are first rate,and far from straight forward,with not an ordinary number amongst them. It's hard to pick out the best...there's the plaintive yet saucy 'Excuse Me Ma'am',the singalong 'Last Train From Heartache',and the desolate 'I'm Holding Your Picture' and 'Strangers In One Room'. And the title track is a six minute epic of darkness and light.
It's a world away from Stackridge,but each track works with a dreamy insistence. Excellent innovative stuff which cries out to be heard live. Nick Dalton.
Tuesday, 24 February 2009
An Album Review from www.eMusic.com
Riding a Hurricane - This is a real gem of an album, an absolute diamond. Produced by Billy Bragg (respect, respect) who clearly knows great songwriting talent when he sees it. Mutter Slater, the superb showman, singer and flautist of the great British rock enigma that is Stackridge, takes us on a wonderful journey of discovery and surprise here. Wistful, poignant and emotional songs - all backed up by awesomely powerful singing from Mutter and a razor-tight, stripped-down backing band. From the title track to 'I'm Holding Your Picture' and 'Strangers In One Room' this is moving music. Classic stuff. Bring on more.
Monday, 23 February 2009
February 2009 and I've woken up.
Hello,
I've cracked the blog code and got in here so I'll be short and precise before the cyber world tumbles round my ears.
Gigs lined up thus far for this year -
Sat March 14th MSB @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Wed April 1st Stackridge @ Robin 2, Bilston, nr Wolverhampton
Fri April 3rd Stackridge @ Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham
Sat April 4th Stackridge @ The Rydall Arms, New Milton, Hants
Fri April 10th MSB @ The Rock Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare
Sat April 11th MSB @ The Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth 9pm
Sat April 18th Stackridge @ The Bury Met, Bury
Wed April 22nd Stackridge @ The Globe, Cardiff
Thu April 23rd Stackridge @ The Cluny, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Fri April 24th Stackridge @ The Ferry, Glasgow
Sat April 25th Stackridge @ Athlones, St Andrews
Fri May 1st MSB @ The Ropemakers, Bridport 9.30pm
Sun May 3rd MSB @ Royal Portland Arms, Portland 3pm
Fri May 22nd Stackridge @ Crewe
Sat May 23rd Stackridge @ The Boardwalk, Sheffield
Sat June 6th MSB @ The Hope & Anchor, Bridport 9.30pm (Mutter's Birthday Gig!)
Sat June 20th MSB @ The Best of Dorset Festival, Nr Dorchester
Fri Sept 11th Mutter & Friends @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Sat Oct 3rd Stackridge @ Ipswich
Fri Oct 15th Stackridge @ Tivoli, Wimborne
Sat Nov 7th Stackridge @ St David's Hall, South Petherton.
Sat Nov 14th MSB @ Sailor's Return, Weymouth 9pm
Sun Nov 15th MSB @ The Red Lion, High St, Stevenage.
Mon Nov 16th MSB @ The Bull's Head, Barnes
Sat Dec 19th MSB @ The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (sharing bill with Jon Amor)
I think that will do for now as far as gigs are concerned. There will be more to be inserted and added as time lopes on.
As far as MSB are concerned there have been some complimentary album and gig reviews in Maverick and Rock and Reel magazines and there is to be an article in the next edition of Maverick too. I've been writing some new material some of which has made it into the set. We rehearse as much as we can to keep it tight for the night. Aaron(my son) and I have been demoing some alternative arrangements of a couple of new songs. We hope to have them available as free mp3 downloads when Aaron has sufficient spare time - he's busy finishing his own recording (EP out in April and album to follow on Universal)
Sorry again at being a slouch at this stuff. See you around,
Mutter
Stackridge have been hard at it in the studio.'A Victory For Common sense' the new album should be out on Helium records in April/May.
I've cracked the blog code and got in here so I'll be short and precise before the cyber world tumbles round my ears.
Gigs lined up thus far for this year -
Sat March 14th MSB @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Wed April 1st Stackridge @ Robin 2, Bilston, nr Wolverhampton
Fri April 3rd Stackridge @ Bacon Theatre, Cheltenham
Sat April 4th Stackridge @ The Rydall Arms, New Milton, Hants
Fri April 10th MSB @ The Rock Gardens, Weston-Super-Mare
Sat April 11th MSB @ The Old Ship, Upwey, Weymouth 9pm
Sat April 18th Stackridge @ The Bury Met, Bury
Wed April 22nd Stackridge @ The Globe, Cardiff
Thu April 23rd Stackridge @ The Cluny, Newcastle-on-Tyne
Fri April 24th Stackridge @ The Ferry, Glasgow
Sat April 25th Stackridge @ Athlones, St Andrews
Fri May 1st MSB @ The Ropemakers, Bridport 9.30pm
Sun May 3rd MSB @ Royal Portland Arms, Portland 3pm
Fri May 22nd Stackridge @ Crewe
Sat May 23rd Stackridge @ The Boardwalk, Sheffield
Sat June 6th MSB @ The Hope & Anchor, Bridport 9.30pm (Mutter's Birthday Gig!)
Sat June 20th MSB @ The Best of Dorset Festival, Nr Dorchester
Fri Sept 11th Mutter & Friends @ The Quicksilver Mail, Yeovil 9pm
Sat Oct 3rd Stackridge @ Ipswich
Fri Oct 15th Stackridge @ Tivoli, Wimborne
Sat Nov 7th Stackridge @ St David's Hall, South Petherton.
Sat Nov 14th MSB @ Sailor's Return, Weymouth 9pm
Sun Nov 15th MSB @ The Red Lion, High St, Stevenage.
Mon Nov 16th MSB @ The Bull's Head, Barnes
Sat Dec 19th MSB @ The Exchange, Sturminster Newton (sharing bill with Jon Amor)
I think that will do for now as far as gigs are concerned. There will be more to be inserted and added as time lopes on.
As far as MSB are concerned there have been some complimentary album and gig reviews in Maverick and Rock and Reel magazines and there is to be an article in the next edition of Maverick too. I've been writing some new material some of which has made it into the set. We rehearse as much as we can to keep it tight for the night. Aaron(my son) and I have been demoing some alternative arrangements of a couple of new songs. We hope to have them available as free mp3 downloads when Aaron has sufficient spare time - he's busy finishing his own recording (EP out in April and album to follow on Universal)
Sorry again at being a slouch at this stuff. See you around,
Mutter
Stackridge have been hard at it in the studio.'A Victory For Common sense' the new album should be out on Helium records in April/May.
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