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| 31/01/2010 |
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I have recently been enlightened to the concept of house concerts. Apparently they originated in the US but are now gaining in popularity in the UK and Europe.
The idea is simple, the concerts generally take place in someone’s home or outside space, such as a garden or barn. The host invites a paying audience to see an artist(s) of there choice, perform in an intimate setting. You can usually take along your own food and refreshments, although some hosts are kind enough to provide some nibbles.
House concerts are a great way to see your favourite artists, perform, usually unplugged, just a few feet away, with no distractions. They are also a pleasure for the artist, who get to play their music to an attentive, appreciative audience.
I have recently joined a House Concerts network and am now available for bookings.
Please contact me for further information. |
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| 25/01/2010 - Live Performance Reviews |
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Bottleneck Blues Club, Rochester - ‘what a super night with Kris, a proper blues man, an endangered species these days. Why have we not seen him before?’
‘Kris Dollimore, you were not joking when you said that he was good. What a great talent and a terrific evenings entertainment.’
‘I came away from the gig with the same buzz that I had when I first saw Ben Andrews and later Watermelon Slim play at the club for the first time. I bought both his albums and have been playing them ever since.’
Shades Of Blues, St Albans - ‘Demonstrating his love for John Lee Hooker, he used all of his modern band skills and three different guitars to bring the blues alive, really showing how the blues underpins so many pop numbers as well as delivering a real foot tapping, sing along experience – indeed the girls were dancing in the foyer by the end.’
Dorset Blues Society - ‘It was a great night and certainly ranked with the best of more than a 100 we've staged since 1999.’
Scarborough Blues Club - ‘Kris's gig last night exceeded even my own high expectations. I was left with a warm glow after the gig and have been on a high ever since. I had a text from one of the audience this morning saying he thought it was one of the best gigs we had promoted so far. I can hardly disagree.’
The Rose & Crown, Charlbury - ‘Kris Dollimore is a fine finger-picker and has an excellent and very precise slide playing style. This, combined with a voice that is just perfect for the blues and the excellent sound quality gave us a wonderful night of music‘.
Moore Or Less Folk Club - ‘I've been wanting to book Kris at the club for ages, at last I got him there and believe me the wait was worth it. Never before have the audience come up to me and insisted that I book the artist again asap. He was just brilliant. If you like the blues then Kris is definitely the man to see, and I will be booking him again.’
The New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Essex - ‘It was my first chance to catch Kris live although I have been playing his CD a great deal and I was swept up in Kris’s magical performance which was, for me, probably the gig of the month and that in a month which has seen five quite superb gigs. If you get the chance to catch Kris live, do whatever you have to, to be there, you will not be disappointed.’
Bulls Head, Chelmarsh - Kris is a rare talent at the very top of the genre in which he plays. Kris has recently released his new album 'Now Was The Time' and this is your opportunity to buy one, it's superb! |
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| 07/07/2008 |
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| Live Review - Kris Dollimore - The New Crawdaddy Blues Club, Billericay, Essex |
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What a great evening we had last Thursday (29th May). One of the best acts we have had this year as Kris Dollimore made his debut appearance at the Club. Kris has a long and very fine pedigree and it showed in the superbly varied set he gave us. Ranging from wonderful covers of real old style blues from the likes of John Lee Hooker and many others to his own most individual original material and including several beautiful instrumentals, Kris demonstrated that he is not only a very good singer/songwriter but also a very fine guitarist. Kris was something of an unknown quantity to many of the audience and there was many a thud heard as chins hit the floor during his two sets which no-one wanted to finish and judging by his CD sales, most of the audience wanted to take him home. |
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It was my first chance to catch Kris live although I have been playing his CD a great deal and I was swept up in Kris’s magical performance which was, for me, probably the gig of the month and that in a month which has seen five quite superb gigs. If you get the chance to catch Kris live, do whatever you have to do to be there, you will not be disappointed. Just ask anyone who was at the Club on Thursday. |
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Regards
ASHWYN |
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| 24/04/2008 |
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Monday 14th April - BBC Radio2 - The Paul Jones Show
Kris is over the moon, to have had his first national radio play, on Radio 2’s Paul Jones show last Monday.
Paul played ‘The North Kent Post Industrial Hillstomp Blues’, written by Stuart Turner and featuring JimRiley on harp, off of Kris’s debut album ‘02/01/1978’.
Let’s hope this is the first of many occasions that Kris is heard on national radio. |
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| Thursday 24 April 2008 |
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| ODE TO KRIS DOLLIMORE |
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He's a bluesman, it pervades his very soul,
when playing God only knows where he goes. |
He's on a different level in some other space,
listen carefully, he'll take you to the same place. |
He's a bluesman through and through, true to his
idols Hooker, Waters, Leadbelly and Johnson too. |
He has the same passion and sadness in his voice
as he keeps alive the magic in their music of his choice. |
| He's a bluesman, like a missionary full of religious zeal. |
| He spreads the blues gospel with guitar and stamp of heel. |
A true disciple he sacrifices family life on the road,
the cross he bears for his music is a heavy load. |
| He's a bluesman, nothing else matters it's his vocation. |
| His rewards are the crowds cheers and a standing ovation. |
| Then it's the car and endless motorways on his own. |
| He wouldn't have it any other way he's a rollin' stone. |
He's a bluesman it pervades his very soul,
when playing, God only knows where he goes. |
He's on a different level in some other space,
listen carefully and he'll take you to the same place. |
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| Brian Mutton, Cornwall |
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| 31/03/2008 |
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| Full interview with Kris in Blues Matters Magazine |
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| Click image to see the scan. Thanks to Blues Matters for permission to reproduce |
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| 31/03/2008 |
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| Live review of Kris in Record Collector Magazine |
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| Click the cover to see the review |
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| Sunday 20 January 2008 |
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After getting over a Christmas full of colds and sick bugs, I am now looking forward to a busy new year.
You should be able to see me at many new venues, in many new places, including Leeds, Halifax, Shropshire, Linconshire, Brighton, Buckingham, Dudley and St Albans, to name but a few. I’m also looking forward to returning to some old favourites in 2008. |
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| Keep an eye on the website, as there are new dates being added all the time. |
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| February and March sees the return of the original Godfathers line up, in Spain, London and Greece. |
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Tickets are now on sale for The St Valentines Day Massacre gig at The Forum, London, on February 14th.
They are available online at www.ticketweb.co.uk. |
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| One of my New Year resolutions, is to do a monthly blog!!! Watch this space. |
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| 02/12/2007 |
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| A mention of Kris by Blues Live |
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| 02/12/2007 |
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| Live review of Kris performing at The Crumplehorn Inn, Polperro at Cornish Live Gig Review |
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| "... you won`t find better this side of the Mississippi!" |
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| Read the full review here at Cornish Live Gig Review |
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| 01/12/2007 |
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| Live review of Kris performing at The Rose and Crown, Charlbury at SchrodingersCat.com |
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| CharlieM writes ....... |
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| "a voice that is just perfect for the blues and the excellent sound quality gave us a wonderful night of music." |
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| Read the full review here at www.schrodingers-cat.com |
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| Tuesday 6th November 2007 |
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| It’s official now. Many will of you will have received an email informing you that the original line up of The Godfathers are reuniting for a one off show on 14th Feb 2008. Where has yet to be decided, and whether it remains a ‘one off’ is highly unlikely - some festivals and maybe a Xmas show! |
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| Anyway, it was inevitable I suppose. Peter swore black and blue to me that his singing career was over and never again did he want to tread the sticky boards and travel the rocky road. Finite. Kaput. Done and dusted. I didn’t believe him of course. When it’s in your blood, it’s in your blood there’s nothing you can do about it. You can’t keep a good singer/front man down. That’s the truth. |
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| I’m not a fan of reunions, reformations, tributes anything like that. In fact I was always vehemently against taking part in such an event; be it The Godfathers or The Major Setback Band! It’s always been my view that that was then and this is now; watching fat, bald old men trying recreate their youth I find rather sad. But, at least… we’re not fat. |
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| I think what changed my mind was the fact that I owe a lot to The Godfathers: we were five people swashbuckling our way through a world full yuppies and goths; we followed no-one and took orders from no-one, set our own standards and played the most vicious rock ‘n’ roll you’ve ever heard; it made me the man I am today… plus I thought there might be a few quid in it. And you never know, it might be good. |
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| Image by Duncan Munro |
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| Cynicism aside, I’m immensely proud of my time in The Godfathers; the records, the concerts etc… I think there’s a fear of moving backwards, like going back with an ex wife or girlfriend after so many years, it just doesn’t seem right. But, it also feels like I’ve come a full circle, which is weird but, in my mind, a good thing. It’s new experience. I don’t think I’ve ever made the trip of a ‘full circle’ before. It won’t be the same; bringing things back from the dead never are (Pet Cemetery!), but it’ll be different, it’ll be good I’m sure of that, because we’re still in uncharted territory and not quite sure what to expect. |
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| My biggest worry about all this is that it will swamp my career as solo artist. I’ve had a few emails all ready asking if I’ll be carrying on or making any more records. Many will assume that The Godfathers is my real Job and Kris Dollimore the blues musician is just a side line, a bit of fun. But you and I know that’s not the case, quite the reverse. I plan to release a new album early next year, hopefully just after the Valentines gig (how convenient). I’m gonna try also to get some new songs on the website, myspace as soon as poss. It’s all got a bit stale lately and I need to revamp a few things. In fact it’s this reunion lark that’s given me a kick up the arse to get things moving. It’s a golden opportunity to capitalise (I’m back in the Eighties) on something that could broaden my career. I should be grateful. |
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| Cheers |
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| Kris |
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| 08/07/2007 |
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| Live review of Kris performing at The Notting Hill Arts Club at music-news.com |
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| Simon Millar writes ..... |
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| "I’m a massive fan of Kris Dollimore. A mesmeric performance from a class act." |
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| Read the full review here at www.music-news.com |
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| Mon 4th June 2007 |
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| No major news, to speak of, concerning my music career anyway. But what has been exciting is that my wife and I have had another baby girl to add to our collection. Jemma Louise Dollimore was born Sat 7th April 2007. Everyone said we’ll have our work cut out, and they’re right. It’s been a bloody nightmare, not help by there being a ‘complication’ 3 weeks after my wife gave birth. I won’t go in to detail but it was scary to say the least. Good news is that we’ll doing as well as can be at present. Mustn’t grumble. |
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| All the way through this, of course, I’ve never been busier. It all comes at once. These things are meant to test us so I’m led to believe, and test me it did. Through this ‘testing’ period I probably played one of the best gigs of my life: promptly followed by one of the worst! I’ll resist naming the said events to avoid any disharmony between my loyal, and not so loyal employers. But for the most part the gigs have been going well. I still, more than ever, absolutely love what I do. It grows every day. It’s things like finally figuring out how to play Boogie Chillun’ by JLH. I’ve been messing around with that riff for years now, and although it always sounded ok, it never felt quite right. After downloading two great, live, John Lee albums(Alone 1&2); just him on his own, no band ; two different versions of the song; I was listening to it and I just felt the groove of it. I heard something I hadn’t heard before. I jumped up, picked up a guitar, and bingo! I nailed it. So satisfying. I love moments like, and that’s why I love what I do, ’cause I’m always finding something new. So every time I pick up a guitar, I sit there and play Boogie Chillun for about half hour. It’s such a great riff, so hypnotic, I could play it all day. Hat’s off to Hooker. |
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| Got some great gigs coming up, really looking forward to them, check out the gigs page. Be prepared for some prolonged JLH type riffage though, if you make it along. There’s a few other new things aswell, I’ve probably got enough for a new album. When that will be I don’t know, a rough plan would be Feb/Mar next year, but I’ll have to let you know on that one. I’d quite like to get something out a bit sooner, maybe an instrumental, live album?! I’ll keep you informed. Hats off to Hooker! Hmmmm, I like the sound of that. Excuse me for a while, I’m just gonna pick up a guitar… |
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| Kris |
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| 01/04/2007 |
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| Review for 02/01/1978 from Sleazegrinder.com |
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| Sleaze writes..... |
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| "Excellent stuff" |
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| Find the full review here at the bottom of the page ..... www.sleazegrinder.com |
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| 01/04/2007 |
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| Another review for 02/01/1978 from NetRhythms.co.uk |
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| David Blue writes .... |
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| " Inspired by the blues of John Lee Hooker, Mississippi Fred McDowell and Robert Johnson he has produced an album of highly original songs." |
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| Read the full review here ..... www.netrhythms.com |
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| Sat 17th March 2007 |
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| Got to get back into this blogging lark. Though I really don't know who reads this rubbish, but I suppose it looks like I'm 'bovverd'. Which I am of course. It's just the age old problem of time, never enough, or too much; at the moment it's never enough. |
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| For anyone who does read this, it's all going quite well. I'm getting a few gigs coming in, which is nice. Played a blinder the other night at The Oval Tavern in Croydon. Great venue, great people, hope to get another one there. All the new gigs should be up on the site soon. I also want to revamp the site somewhat, some additions and omissions, new pics, songs etc... I'm so glad there's some video footage of me doing what I currently do up there. I'm very proud of my past, but that was then and this is now, there's some more stuff if you go to the Youtube site, in case you didn't know. |
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| So, more blogging, great gigs and a revamped site are all the menu for the to distant future. Also, my wife and I are expecting our 2nd kiddy in April, so all good positive stuff. Not to mention that I'm itching to record my next album, it's practically all ready and waiting. Watch this space. Got a few side projects going on as well, that sound very interesting, will let you know as and when things develop. |
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It's not War and Peace I know, but it's a start. I'll try and get back into the habit of blogging the gigs again, it's just that... no more excuses.
Bye for now |
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| 24/02/2007 |
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| Another great review for 02/01/1978 from Rock 'n' Reel Magazine |
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| Gerry Ranson writes...... |
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| "02/01/1978 is an album that will resonate throughout the Uk blues scene for some years to come". |
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| Read the full piece here. |
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| 02/02/2007 |
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| Kris Dollimore live and CD review at BluesinLondon.com |
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| David Atkinson writes .... |
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| "All in all a distinctive and individual take on the blues". |
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| Read the full article here. |
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| 28/01/2007 |
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| Kris Dollimore Interview at music-news.com |
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| Paolo Gandolfi of Music-News has interviewed Kris about his career and his latest album....... |
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| "This has been coming since that photo! The album represents an accumulation of everything that has happened to me and everything I have done since that picture was taken" |
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| Read the full interview here |
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| 07/01/2007 |
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| 02/01/1978 reviewed in Blues Matters |
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| Kris has received yet another positive review for 02/01/1978 this time from Blues Matters magazine. |
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| Tim Aves writes ....... |
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| "This album is hard to fault.... it is beautifully recorded and sympathetically produced. In short it deserves to be a huge hit." |
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| The full review from the Christmas issue can be read here. |
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| 6th Jan 2007 |
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| It's always a struggle this time of year, though the worst is over. I can't really win with the Xmas thing: I dread it approaching, and I'm sad when it's over. I think there's something to be said for the 'sad' syndrome. It does make sense; cold, rain, grey, darkness. I actually enjoy it in autumn when the leaves start to turn, the days get shorter and the night closes in earlier and earlier. Though I think it's the change that I'm embracing, and also going back to something you haven't experienced for a while, something familiar. By the time Xmas arrives we're in the thick of it, and I've had enough. I want to feel the sun on my face, and wear t-shirts out and moan about how hot it is, and long for the winter. As I said, I can't bloody win. |
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| Contrary of how this blog might read, I am in quite a good mood; full of hope and expectation for the New Year. It usually does start to lift around this time, it helps that almost everyone else is feeling the same. Of course it doesn't last, I don't mean to be cynical, but it doesn't. But, hopefully it'll be enough to see me through to next year. |
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| As I said, I'm really quite positive about the year ahead. I'm looking forward to recording a new album, as much as I love, and so proud of 02/01/1978, I can't wait to get working the next one. I've got the songs, though I chop and change them all the time, and I've got a wealth of ideas. Hopefully Jim and Stuart will be up for it again - bring it on! |
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| I downloaded the album by Seasick Steve - Doghouse Music. It blew me away. I heard him on Andy Kershaws radio show, and on the Late Junction. Unfortunately I missed him on Jools Holland, but I heard he was amazing. It's just totally what I want to hear: filthy neanderthal blues, check it out. |
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| Looking forward to the gigs too. The Nags Head has been rescheduled for the Sat 20th Jan by the way. Really excited about the CD coming out on Cargo, it's such a relief knowing that people will be able to buy it shops. Not everyone is converted to buying online - yet, but that's another moan for another blog. |
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| All the best for the New Year. |
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| 07/12/2006 |
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| Kris has a 3 page interview in the latest issue of Guitar and Bass Magazine. In the interview he discusses his influences, his career and the tools of his trade. |
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| To view the piece as a PDF file click here, to download the file right click and select Save Target as .... |
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| Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader |
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| Thanks to Guitar and Bass Magazine for permission to reproduce this article. |
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| Sun 26th Nov 2006 |
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| Apologies for lack of blogging, no real excuses, though I was laid up with quite a severe bout of flu for most of last week. I did have the intention of blogging each and every gig, but I don't think that's gonna happen. The gigs have been going great by the way, though most have been marred in some way by a persistent cold that culminated in the above mentioned flu. All better now though - I hope. |
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| Starting to look forward to Xmas, I've always been a bit of a 'bah humbug' about Yuletide season, but as my little girl, Rosie, gets older (she's 3 in May) it just gets better and better. More expensive admittedly, but... whatyougonnado! |
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| I took her to see Jake and Bella from The Tweenies the other day, they were making a guest appearance at the local shopping center. It's just amazing how much these characters mean to kids, they were all in absolute awe. She met Santa for the first time today too, again overwhelmed with awe and fascination... Rosie was impressed too. ; ) |
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| I sometimes feel a bit uncomfortable, knowing that we're blatantly lying to our daughter. I'm sure it's an age old debate about whether to encourage children to believe in things that don't exist. I wonder if it's a purely selfish act of the parents, because it is such a wonderful feeling, and a sight to behold to see your childs (or any child) face when they meet Santa or The Tweenies. |
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| What load of old bollocks! It's a typical trait of mine to start analyzing anything that stirs an emotion. Father Xmas is real, The Tweenies and Bob The Builder too, they are to my Rosie and millions of other kids as well - you try telling them different! It's a shame they have to grow out of it, stop believing; but we have to have to grow up I suppose, we're almost forced to. I personally would rather not, some bits are alright. Take the good bits. The rest of the time I think I'd rather live life as a Rubber Dubber. |
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I started this blog with an apology, but I'm not gonna end with one, I almost did, but NO!
Free the child inside you. ( I am taking the piss... sort of).
I'll talk about the music next time. |
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| 08/11/2006 |
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| Peter Coyne writes... |
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| The official release date of '02/01/1978' is now set for 5th February 2007. This is because we have recently agreed and will shortly be signing, a distribution deal with Cargo Records, one of the biggest & best distributors of independent labels in the UK. |
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| So, from 5th February 2007 Cargo Records will distribute Kris Dollimore's '02/01/1978' album to all the best stores across the UK and the whole of Europe. If you prefer to digitally download '02/01/1978', it will also be made available from various sources. The retail price of '02/01/1978' in these record stores will be approximately £11.99. However, before and after the official release date through Cargo Records on 5th February 2007 you will still be able to purchase '02/01/1978' from the store on this site or from any of Kris' gigs for the bargain price of £10. |
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| Both Kris and I are very excited at the prospect of working with Cargo Records on the impending official release of '02/01/1978'. They were our absolute first choice of distributors and we firmly believe they will do an excellent job for all Kris Dollimore's single & album releases over the coming years. |
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| Kris will be releasing a strictly limited edition 7" vinyl single in mid-January - a track from '02/01/1978' coupled with 2 unreleased numbers. Kris will also be undertaking a UK tour in Jan/Feb 2007, followed by some select European dates in Feb/Mar 2007. |
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| The launch night for '02/01/1978' will be held at the 12 Bar Club, 26 Denmark Street, London, WC2 on Wednesday 7th February 2007. Admission is £6. Doors open 7:30 - 12 Bar open till 1:00. Kris will play two 45 minute sets of totally different material. Martyn Myers, our good friend from Bonanza & Resonance FM, will be guest DJ for the whole event. The 12 Bar is a great venue & it promises to be a cracking night of fantastic music, so book tickets early to avoid disappointment!! See www.12barclub.com and the gigs page for more details, closer to the date. |
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| 2007 looks all set to be an exciting & busy year for Kris. Thanks for your continued support. |
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| Peter Coyne - PC Management |
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| The Cockroach Club, Peterborough Sat 4th Nov |
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| Courtesy of The Surgens, The Cockroach Club, Peterborough. The same Surgens who have a 4 star review of their album in this months Mojo. A very cool club indeed, situated in the hull of an old barge moored on the river nene. |
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| I don't really know a lot about Peterborough, I actually know more about the Surgens. I now know more about The Nightingales than I do about Peterborough. The Nightingales being the headline band whom I was supporting. The name of the band rang distant bells when I heard I was supporting them, but I couldn't claim to know anything about them - I do now! |
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| Sat 4th was a fantastic night at The Cockroach, a night where you wouldn't want to be anywhere else, for me and a handful others anyway; for some they would rather be anywhere else, and made a swift exit to get there. |
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| I started my set, as usual, with Soul Of A Man. From the very first chord I struck, I knew it was gonna be a good one. Even though I hadn't soundchecked, I was using a borrowed amp, and it wasn't my usual p.a. system. Everything was in it's rightful place - it was a full moon, the stars were aligned and the mojo was out and about in full force working it's magic on musician and spectator alike. |
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| I played for about half hour, but I could've played all night. It was one of those gigs where you could do no wrong. No matter what I played, whether it was technically the right note or not, in tune or not, in time or not - it was always going to be right. |
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| The plan, before hand, was: do my set, watch a few numbers by The Nightingales, then bugger off home. But, The Nightingales completely enthralled me, so we stuck around and ended up watching their whole set. Rob, the singer, is one of the scariest human beings I've ever seen front a band. It's the typical thing, I was talking to him before the gig, and I wouldn't have had a clue he was gonna perform like that. On stage he's the sort of bloke you'd avoid like the plague at a party or something, 'cause he just has a volatile air about him, like he could go off any second - a beefy, 6 ft, pissed up bloke with cropped hair dancing like your dad. Truly entertaining. |
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| The best moment of the night though was when he was trying to get people to clap along, there was a few takers but not many, so he gave some bloke a fiver to join in. You had to be there, it was funny, believe me. |
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| So, I still don't know much about Peterborough, Pete's Dad lost £200 there during the war; Steve Butler, and ex Gills striker, played for Peterborough United and there's a great club there called the Cockroach - and The Surgens are from there, who have a 4 star review in this months Mojo, as do The Nightingales. Bastards! |
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| Bonanza at The Mucky Pup - Fri 27th Oct |
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| The Mucky Pup isn't a pub you'd casually stumble upon, you'd kinda have to know it was there. Tucked into the backstreets of Islington, you would definitely want to return, once discovered; especially on a Bonanza night, Martyn (Myers, Mr Bonanza), plays some great records. |
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| There was a bit of a scare when I first got there; the landlord showed me where he wanted me to play, and it was literally in a doorway. The DJ gear would've have to been moved, before and after I played, it would've been a complete nightmare. So, he showed me an alternative, through the mentioned doorway into the pool room. Move the pool table, a few of the punters and... Hey presto! I have a place to play. It wasn't as nice as the intended room, but I had plenty of space to set up and do my thing. |
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| I was due to play at about 9.30, after Martyn spun Tony Joe Whites' Polk Salad Annie. I started with what seems to be a regular opener lately: Blind Willie Johnsons' Soul Of A Man, then swiftly into my own The Enemy, and onwards and upwards from there. It was a great gig. I would have to say it's up there with one of my best. Loads of people turned up, who said there they were gonna turn up, which is always nice; and I think I made some new friends too. I can't ask for more than that. |
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| Thanks to all my mates who did make the effort to get along, it really is appreciated; and thanks also to all those who I didn't know for getting into my music. Hope to see you again. |
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| Resonance 104.4FM - Sun 22nd Oct |
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| My first live radio session as a solo artist. I've done live radio a ton of times with other bands or artists, but it's a bit different when you're on your own. Previously I would just skulk around in the background, trying to avoid getting spoken to by the presenter. The actual playing 'live' has never really bothered me, it's the being spoken to that I've never been that comfortable with. It went well though, I thought. |
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| I didn't realize quite how nervous I was, until I actually came to play. It felt like my fingers wouldn't work properly. I soon settled into it though, Martyn (the presenter) was a great help, being so laid back and making you feel at home. I really, really enjoyed, could played all afternoon. |
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| I thought the whole show was brilliant, he played some great records; some I've heard before, an others that I never heard. There was one by Johnny Cash about building the railroad or something, just him speaking and all these noises in the background, it sounded fantastic, never heard that one before. |
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| Really looking forward to playing The Mucky Pup, which is one Martyns Bonanza nights (check out the link in the news section). It's free to get in so if anyone can make it down, it's gonna be a good night I think. |
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| It all seems to be going well. Peter and I had a great day on Friday, two fantastic bits of news: I've now got a full time agent, to hopefully get me better gigs and good supports; and Cargo Records have said they'll distribute my CD in the UK and Europe. We was totally over the moon, as they were both our preferred choices for agent and distributor. This will all be in the news page at some point, but I thought I'd mention it here first. It's all looking good though. |
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| Enough for now, hopefully see you at The Mucky Pup. |
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| 18/10/2006 |
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| 02/01/1978 gets a short but sweet appraisal in Classic Rock Magazine |
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| "Former Godfathers' Wilko-in-waiting wunderkind showcases assertive urban blues chops honed while a sought-after, post-punk session player." |
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| 14/10/2006 |
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| I will be performing on the Bonanza radio show on Resonance 104.4 fm on Sunday 22 October between 12 Noon and 1:30pm. This will include a live set and question and answer session. |
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| I will also be appearing at the Bonanza Club at Bonanza@The Mucky Pup, London, N1 on 27 October at 9pm. |
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| Smugglers, Hastings - Sun 8th Oct 2006 |
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| I do love to be beside the seaside. I got there way to early, as I've never played this venue before, and wanted to give myself time in case of traffic, finding the venue etc... But I had a straight run down there, found it right away. |
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| So I thought I'd park up and take in a bit that sea air, and lovely it was to. I quite like Hastings, it's got a bit of a bad rep over the years, but there's a certain vibe to it. There's some fantastic old architecture along the sea front, and elsewhere in the 'Old Town' - really quite stunning. |
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| So to the gig. I took my time setting up, and sound checked everything - twice. When it was time to go on, I felt pretty confident that it was all gonna sound good and I'd hit 'em hard with Blind Willie Johnsons' Soul Of A Man. The first strike of the chord and there's a howl of feedback. 'kin nightmare, it completely throws you when something goes wrong on the first song, or any song for that matter. |
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| So I was twisting and turning, fiddling and fumbling trying to sort the sound out, which I eventually did. I don't know what happened, it just does sometimes. It's probably that I play a lot harder and louder when it comes to the real thing than I do in soundcheck. |
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It went on to be a right rockin' gig. I said before in my previous blog, that all I can ask for is for people to listen and appreciate what I do. A step up from that is for people to dance and have a good time to my music - and at Smugglers on Sunday they danced all night long. That's what Blues music should be about; it shouldn't be analyzed and dissected to figure out how, what and why so and so done this or that, it should be absorbed and enjoyed - and danced to.
I'm as guilty as any other Blues fan for getting to anal about stuff sometimes, so it's nice to be reminded about what it's really all about. |
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| Thanks Smugglers for a great night, hope to see you again soon. |
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| 06/10/2006 |
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| 02/01/1978 gets 5 stars at music-news.com |
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 - Paolo Gandolfi writes... |
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"For those who are seasoned followers of the blues, this selection of mainly original material, will grab, shake and enthrall you.
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Whilst record companies scrap for singer songwriter genius, it is only a matter of time before a blues artist comes to the fore. If it is down to pure talent and the songs, you may well be hearing a lot more of Kris Dollimore." |
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| To read the full review please click here |
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| Thanks to Paolo Gandolfi for the great review. |
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| Oranges Bar Cafe Ashford, Kent 5th Oct 2006 |
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| The drive down was awful. Heavy rain on a busy M20 in the dark. Horrible. Anyway, got there safe and sound, even if I did drive round the one way system three times. It was a good gig, made better by the fact that my old bandmate Chris Coyne came down to see me. Some of you may know that Chris is the brother of Peter Coyne, my manager. We were all in The Godfathers together many years ago. It was a really good night, the sound was good and the audience listened and appreciated my music. That's all I can ask for. some of the clubs/pubs I play they just want to bend as many lagers in as possible and ask me if I can play Angels by Robbie Williams. No I can't play fucking Angels by Robbie Williams, I say... thinking to myself. Well Oranges isn't like that, Stuart (the landlord) lets me get on with it and do my thing. Thanks to everyone who came to see me, and special thanks to Eddie and Remy for making the trip down, and of course to Peter and Chris. |
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| 01/10/2006 |
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| The official release date for my debut CD 02/01/1978 is: 1st Nov 2006. It’s been a long while coming, but it’s finally here. 28 years to be precise. 02/01/1978 was my 12th birthday when I got my first guitar and the picture on the cover was taken on that day. Please go to the Biography page for more details. You can purchase a copy in advance of this date at the store here on the site. |
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| This new website is also pretty big news, thanks to Nigel from Fruitbat Design for absolutely everything to do with the design of this site. A job well done, I’m sure everyone will agree. |
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| I also have a full time manager working with me, in the shape of Peter Coyne - PC management petercoyne@tiscali.co.uk . Some of you might recognize the name as Peter and I were in The Godfathers together (Peter was the singer). I sent him a CD a few months back, just to see what he thought. I called him, we got talking, he loved my CD, I said I need a manager, he said he’d do it. Simple as that. |
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| I couldn’t think of anyone better to do the job, I’ve always had nothing but respect for Pete, and to me, he’s more like a mentor than a manager. The results of him being at the helm are being felt already, this website being one of them. There’s many, many things in the pipeline at the moment, and I will let you know as soon as we’re 100% sure they’re gonna happen. Watch this space. |
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| The George Vaults - 26th Sep 2006 |
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| I think it's fair to say, that a good time was had by all. A great venue, some great musicians and poets all adds up to a great time. The talk at the end of the evening was, that we should definately do this again. My manager even suggested me playing a residency there, maybe once a month. Still keeping the open mic thing of course, for me that's what made it. Apologies to Bob(Collins); I would have loved to have listened to you all night, and I'm sure you would have willing, but I really had to get that PA packed up. Highlight for me was Stuart and I doing The North Kent Post Industrial Hillstomp Blues at a million miles an hour, and the fact that I couldn't remember any of the words. Still, we had fun. Thanks to everyone who came along, and to everyone who got up played, we'll hopefully do it again soon. |
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