Big world for a little man

Ray will be playing quite a number of dates over the coming weeks. Currently he has the following gigs lined up:

• 2nd Nov………. The Boileroom, Guildford, 8pm (supporting Miles & Erica)
• 5th Nov……….. The Thunderbolt, Bristol – 8pm (supporting Miles & Erica)
• 12th Nov……… Coach & Horses, Gloucester – 9pm
• 18th Nov……… Gipsy Hill Tavern, London – 9pm (supporting Smoke Feathers)
• 3rd Feb (2012)..  Cafe Rene, Gloucester – 8.30pm (supporting Smoke Feathers)

Ray’s gig dates have just been updated and will be continually from now on – so keep an eye out for Dirty Ray coming to a town near you…

Yeh I know this was ages ago but I have been out of the country……….

Despite huge problems getting on to the site and lots of mud a good time was had by all. Tunes were played, songs were sung and a modest number of CDs sold. Re-united with old friends and made lots of new ones. Here are some photos taken by Leo Lyons over the weekend.

 
Dirty Ray ar Glasto 2011
 

Quick post to announce that Ray has a few gigs coming up starting with:

Saturday 18th June 2011 the Hollybush in Hay-on-Wye

and followed next Thursday, Friday, Sunday and we hope, Saturday at various stages at the Glastonbury Festival. We will be camped out in Green Futures so come and find us.

Only confirmed time we have so far is at the wonderful Tadpole Stage in the Green Futures Field on Friday at 7:30pm. This great little venue also features many other great bands over the weekend including Smoke Feathers, Ten Ton Tongue, Baka Beyond and Penny Black Remedy. Also highly recommended in the same field but on the Small World stage, late Saturday afternoon, are Cocos Lovers who have just recorded their new album in Paul Clifford‘s Muskie studio. Paul Clifford as well as being one third of the mighty Groanbox, also being the husband of the gorgeous Anne Hughes aka Lulu who featured in Dirty Ray’s Old Man in Young Man’s Shoes video. Oh what tangled webs we weave……. Leo

P.S. Just found out that Folkestone’s Tess is also playing the Tadpole on Thursday night at 11pm

An excellent night of music and joy at the Half Moon Putney last week. Following the success of the Shared album, Miles got together another fine bunch of musicians for Shared ll. Both Shared albums are available from IRL records and all good record stores. Shared ll was launched with a London gig featuring all the artists who appear on the album playing in various combinations – plus Dirty Ray. Ray does not appear on the second album but Miles & Erica have contributed a cover of the classic Immaculate Fools song – Immaculate Fools. Thes guys and gals are all fantastic in their own right and the album should definitely be in your collection.

Ray & Erica Nockalls

Format for the evening was two short sets from each of the musicians, either on their own or in combination. This produced some fantastic moments – especially Dan Donnelly’s guitar on Ray’s Bury Me Standing. Ian Prowse (Pele, Amsterdammed) charmed everyone with emotional bitter sweet songs and emotional bitter sweet and usually hilarious anecdotes. Dan Donnelly’s versatility and hooky songs were a treat and it was a great joy to see Jim-Bob up there with Miles and Erica delivering up poetry, old songs and reciting from his book. Miles & Erica displayed their outstanding musicianship and songwriting abilities – such warmth and skill is a rare thing. And what a treat to hear Erica sing too. Ray did not disappoint not only keeping the faithful happy but judging by the conversation on the smoking patio winning plenty of new fans too. Of course he was filthy as usual. I said he didn’t disappoint.

Ray & Dan Donelly

The finale saw all musicians back on stage for a joyous and heartfelt tribute to the recently departed Poly Styrene -first a great version of the Day the World Turned DayGlo and then Leonard Cohen’s So Long Marianne with everyone taking a verse on both songs. As Miles pointed out the last song was doubly appropriate as unbeknown to him when he picked the song, Marianne was Poly Styrene’ real name. This was a stunning night of great entertainment from a bunch of people who are not only excellent musicians and songwriters but also just drip with warmth for their audience. I swear they enjoyed it as much as we all did. It would be so good to see this ensemble take to the road for a tour. Logisitically maybe difficult but I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Leo

The Shared 2 album which also features Boo Hewardine, the Daughters, Damien Dempsey, Smoke Feathers and Brent Lee is available from here Shared 2

Ray with Erica and Ian Prowse giving it up for Poly

It would be marvellous to see you at one or more of the following gigs. And if you do come along, don’t forget to come and say hi

• Saturday 21st May: Mid Wales Music. Newtown. In the Cafe. 1pm-4:30pm.Sunday 22nd May: Open mic. Top House. Wall Heath. near Stourbridge. 9pm.
• Wednesday 25th May : Baskerville Hall, Clyro. Near Hay On Wye. 7:30 start. £7 entry including supper.
• Thursday May 26th : Shared 2 Concert. Half Moon, Putney, London. With Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls, Jim Bob, Ian Prowse, Dan Donnally.
• Sunday 29th May: Hay Festival ( Fringe) Fair on the Square. Hay On Wye. 12 noon to 6pm. With Pre Sleep Monologue,Brent Lee,Tim Parkes,Rob Dunsford, Baby Twin.
• Saturday 11th June. Roughbeats Festival. Clapham, North Yorkshire.
• Saturday 18th June. Hollybush Inn. Near Hay On Wye. 9pm.
• June 24th, 25th, 26th. Glastonbury Fayre. Tadpole Stage plus more ! ( I hope ).

I am opening for Miles Hunt & Erica Nockalls tonight at Cox’s Yard, Stratford up on Avon – though rather confusingly I am not mentioned on the website. But I will be there. Doors open 8:00pm

It would be lovely to see you all.

This is a lnk to some photos from the Half Moon Album launch. Was hoping to track down a live audio recording from the event to put behind it but haven’t so far. Anyone got one? If the song whets your appetite it’s from the album Big World for a Little Man – the full version and nine others songs too. Available from all good record shops and download too.   For Youtube the resolution is a bit compromised – both audio and video. If  anyone wants to see the High Res versions of any of the photos just shout.

Leo x

Dirty Ray at the Half Moon, September 2010

Update: Digital version NOW available. See links below

Digital release delayed until Sunday 19th September 2010

There’s a sort of lyrical beauty in that title do you not think? – though it translates as an annoying glitch. Bottom line is that through no fault of Ray’s nor Milo’s nor any of the good chaps and chapesses working on the album it won’t now be available as a download until Sunday (19th September). Sorry about that – they ( I am not sure who they are) cocked up.  It is out now as a CD though with a lovely sleeve and gorgeous little booklet (ahem – as Ray might say).

Here are the links if you want to pre-order the download version.

Buy from Play.com
Buy from HMV
Buy from 7Digital

Well summer seems to have gone by way too fast for me, as you get older that really does seem to be the case. I remember summers when I was a little boy being absolutely endless. Spent a lot of time this year shouting at and bossing musicians, strange bunch of people but as long as they deliver the goods and raise our spirits who gives a fuck. Farmer Phil’s Festival was great fun but hard work as usual.  All the bands and artists were sweethearts to a man/woman  – not one of them gave me any trouble. Thanks for that one and all.
I had a great gig at The Big Splash Festival in Newport on a very windy stage outside the Arts Centre right next to the river. I took my guitar out of its case and the case got blown right across the stage ! We’re talking windy here ! I was wearing a very nice shirt for the occasion too which nobody saw because I had to keep my coat on.I enjoyed the gig and was very well looked after by the crew and the audience were just lovely. A film crew turned up to film some of the gig and I was interviewed after. They’re going to send me a copy and I’ll put it up on here so you can all see it for yourselves.

Still enjoying Open Mic at The Bridges on a monday night. Still having some beautiful ‘moments’. I love it, you just never know what you’re going to get and there’s always a surprise or two. All welcome, come on down. It’s fun !

I’ve been rehearsing with Miles and Erica for my album launch at The Half moon in Putney on thursday – some of you got a preview at the Shared event at the Bridges . Got Tim Parkes on guitar and Mark Davies on percussion and Emma Davies on backing vocals. Sounding  just fabulous, got myself a lovely band, really looking forward to the gig.

Right my darlings, that’s almost all for now, hope to see some of you at forthcoming gigs. Come and say hello and give me a hug. x

Here a couple of links to video of me at the Deershed festival earlier this year.
Thanks a lot to Mark Davies – err no not that one, another one – for looking after me at Deershed and for letting us link to these clips. Both these songs are  from my new album Big World for a Little Man from all good record shops and Amazon – just in case you didn’t know.

Underneath the Cherry Tree
Bury Me Standing