A Time of Change

The News page of this site has been enabled by Google's Blogger facility, updated by FTP, which Google are ceasing to support, so this sadly may be my last posting on this site in its current form. I have a myspace domain ( myspace.com/barryjonesphotography) which is currently just a skeleton, but if I cannot find a way to inexpensively transfer this site I will probably expand the myspace page as an alternative. I also have a music myspace domain (myspace.com/southboundatticband) Thanks for checking in. If you wish to contact me, please use either myspace page. It may be the end of an era, but it is also a time of change and renewal, and rather than end on a sad note, here is a picture of the latest addition to the family, Dylan Jones, an eight week old West Highland White Terrier. Best wishes, "And if it falls unto my lot that I should rise and you should not, then fill to me a Parting Glass, Good Night and Joy be with you all...." Barry

I will still be here, I have no thought of leaving...

January draws to a close, and very little to show for it. A visit to Celtic Connections in Glasgow to see The Swell Season, but just as a punter without photo access. Very good it was too, as indeed was the Benromach Single Malt which came along as a reminder of an earlier trip to Scotland, albeit a bit further north. The sad demise of the Southport Arts Centre now seems a distant memory and here is the second instalment of pictures from the Crosby Civic Centre. Dervish had also been to Celtic Connections and were admitting to being a bit worse for wear, although you wouldn't have known it. Photographic culprits this time are Cathy Jordan, Fiddler Tom Morrow and a monochrome Michael Holmes.Thanks for checking in.

Early December, all it did was rain...

Hopefully nobody recognises the lyric for the title of this blog seeing as it's part of an ongoing project of a song (ie not finished!)that I'm struggling to write (ie not very good!)but at least it's seasonal! The saying "As one door closes another one hits you in the face!" is thankfully inappropriate this month, because although The Southport Arts Centre breathes its last, well for a few years anyway, this month's selection come from The Crosby Civic Centre where some of the SAC's roster will be appearing. Thanks to John Sprackland, again, and to Helen Blackburn for their part in all this music photography malarkey. Drever, McCusker and Woomble rolled into town last night along with Heidi Talbot and Boo Hewerdine. John McCusker unfortunately spent the whole evening in the gloomy netherworld of the wings, but thankfully Roddy Woomble attracted the limelight, as it were, and this picture of him with Heidi Talbot in the background, is, in my humble opinion, a bit of a cracker. Heidi is with child rather than just getting chunky, as she herself pointed out, and it suited her well, as you can see here. Boo Hewerdine has "BOO" inlaid into his fretboard of his guitar (Cured my hiccups anyway!). Also pictured is Kris Drever, great guitarist and singer and nice guy as well( That's not to say the others aren't nice guys, just that Kris deserves a special mention). Last but not least is Dougal McGuire Jones(1998-2009) probably the best West Highland White Terrier that ever was! RIP.

And they wither with the wind, and they crumble in your hand

A melancholy title if ever there was one, inspired, literally, by the season, and, metaphorically, by the impending closure of the Southport Arts Centre. Frequent visitors to this site will be aware that for the last three years I have been In-house photographer at the Southport Arts Centre, and many of the fruits of that relationship have appeared here in all their glory. The last music session in the wonderfully atmospheric Studio took place last week with Michael McGoldrick and his band, so here is a picture of Michael on Uilleann pipes during a lively set. The last music show in the Arts Centre Theatre is set to be the return of John Williams and John Etheridge, so I have included the flyer for that gig as it features a photograph I took of them in May 2008 at the same venue. Nibs Van Der Spuy is the final contribution for this posting, pictured at an Americana UK house concert in Bold St, Liverpool, in October. Such was the size of the audience that Nibs was introduced to each person at the end; I have no doubt these gigs will become legendary, they deserve it. During October five framed A2 Barry Jones photographs with the common theme of Flamenco have been on display in the Cafe D'Art in Chapel Lane, Formby. They look rather nice I think, but then I would, and they share the space with some photos by one of my personal favourite photographers, Elliott Landy, which is the photographic equivalent of a support slot for Bruce Springsteen. I very much regret the closure of the Southport Arts Centre and would like to take the opportunity to thank all of my friends there, and especially Programme Manager John Sprackland for all the support and the memorable times. Live long and prosper! Thanks for checking in. Barry

September, I'll remember, a love once new has now grown old

The Simon and Garfunkel devotees amongst you will realise that I need to find a new inspiration for blog titles after this one as the lovely song April Come She Will only spanned the months of April to September. September always seems to have a distinct melancholy feel, especially in songs, usually signifying the end of summer and having fun. But for me it means the start of a usually busy Autumn season of picture taking. August was a quiet month, apart from the sound of the rain that is, so I've decided share my holiday snaps! The Lennon wall in the beautiful city of Prague appears to have been a significant place in the 1980's prior to the Velvet Revolution and the demise of Communism at the end of that decade, and has been a popular tourist attraction and inspiration for thousands ever since. Visit http://www.prague.net/john-lennon-wall for a potted history. The significance of John Lennon and The Beatles to the people of other countries never ceases to impress me and as a Liverpool person born and bred, I found the wall a very emotional experience. Ignoring the massive marketing and profiteering aspects of The Beatles empire it is heartening to see that the naive idealism of peace and love and freedom still lives on, and long may it continue, in a world where "meet the new boss, same as the old boss" seems to colour most changes of regime. The Lennon wall is close to the magnificent and overcrowded Gothic landmark, the Charles Bridge (shown), and then a picture of photographer Josef Sudek's memorial which just happened to be on the wall next to our hotel. The final picture is of Dave Hirst from the fine Liverpool band Misery Guts, performing in Exchange Street, Liverpool, as part of the Mathew Street Festival on Bank Holiday Monday. Only one picture from there as my own small protest against the proliferation of tribute bands which now dominate the event. Thanks for checking in. Barry

August, fly she must, the autumn winds blow chilly and cold

I'm not sure that they're autumn winds yet, but it's certainly gone cold again! The rain stopped for long enough for the Brouhaha street festival to take place in Hesketh Park, Southport, and once again it was the flamenco of Ballet Enteredanzas which provided the highlight, and this time there's a chap in the background so my impartiality isn't called into question!(As if!)Willie Eckerslike, the drummer from the Lancashire Hotpots gets the prize in the "smile of the month" competition, he certainly looks like he's enjoying himself. Chris Todd, guitar player with Belfast based, Afro-beat, jazz ensemble The Afresh has a very "Quiet Man" flat cap on, but gets very much upstaged by the costumes of Saharan band Etran Finatawa who always delight with their desert blues. Two Americana-UK house concerts this time, only because I missed one out last month! Again! This time John Wesley Harding and his chum, Chris Von Sneidern in June and, in July, the return of Jason Ringenberg, cow punk legend and considerate man (note he took his boots off so as not to make too much noise!One sock inside out as well! Rock and Roll!) And finally this month from Liverpool's Unity theatre, Edith Piaf and Marlene Dietrich. (That's two mentions for Edith Piaf in as many months, sophisticated or what!) Also newsworthy this month is that a new music shop has opened in Market Street, Southport. Quicksilver Music is run by Dave Thornley and has some of my framed photographed on display and available for purchase, as well as a stock of the Southbound Train EP featuring me and Ronnie Clark, The Southbound Attic Band, How good is that! Thanks again for checking in. Barry

July, she will fly, and give no warning....

Simon and Garfunkel fans will by now know what each of the monthly updates will be called, so I need to think up a surprise curve ball to keep you on your toes!Hm.... Anyway this month's selection includes the very talented Benny Gallagher who should really have been in last month's episode. Sorry Benny! Canadians Cara Luft and Hugh McMillan have been well worth seeing, on tour here for a week or so yet, and is it only me, but Rachel Harrington has a real look of Edith Piaf in her picture? Zak Borden was accompanying Rachel on her tour and is sporting a very fetching titfer, a man after my own heart! This year's Africa Oye festival in Liverpool seemed to be very successful and not only did I get a very nice, inexpensive thumb piano made out of half a coconut(a pre-electric stylophone!) but I was quite pleased with this photo of Daby Toure from Mauritania via Senegal and Paris, who was my highlight of the weekend. Long may the event continue, it seems to get better every year. Providing further, very welcome, cosmopolitan flavour, was the return visit to Southport of Seville's Jaleo Flamenco, two of the dancers are featured here along with a picture of guitarist El Ingles, leader of the troupe. I think I achieved "Duende" just taking pictures, if that's allowed! Thanks again for checking in, I know I say something similar each time, but please believe me I really mean it, and please don't hesitate to contact me via the er..contact page if there's any comments, observations, criticisms, witticisms or craic you want to share. Thanks again, Barry

June, she'll change her tune.

I was going to update the news page twice in May, but I had to wait so I could carry on with my theme of using the lyrics of "April Come She Will" for the headers. Fear not, after September I'll be able to update as much as I like, because the song only goes that far. Thinking about it, from a songwriter's perspective, after September, which is fairly limited, finding rhymes for October, November and December do present a challenge best avoided, and "sick and tired you've been hanging on me" (Pilot?) has already been used for January, although I'd back Paul Simon to improve on that particular effort if he ever decided to spoil a lovely song by extending it.
Anyway, to the updates! Paul Jones, veteran pop and blues man, very well preserved and sounding great, currently, amongst many other things, assuming George Melly's vacant role with The Digby Fairweather Half Dozen; Yann Falquet from Quebecois band Genticorum playing what is now called a "Jaw Harp" apparently, to avoid upsetting anybody; Neil Carr, saxophone player with Chris Bannister's band; and glamour this month provided by a very fine Liverpool singer Steph Woods, classy Norwegian singer songwriter Ragz on guitar and finally a snapshot of Eileen Rose and her band from a very enjoyable www.americana-uk.com house concert (don't let the upturned cardboard box drum fool you, they were great!) Thanks again for checking in, apologies to those using Mozilla Firefox if the pictures appear jumbled, I'll see what I can do about that. Check out my humble attempts at songwriting on www.myspace.com/southboundatticband and become a myspace friend, you'd be most welcome. Barry

May, she will stay, resting in my arms again.

I've quite surprised myself really, maintaining a regular update. I'm not able to measure site traffic at the moment, but I hope somebody has noticed the major increase in efficiency. It's just because I have so many pictures to share and they're not much use languishing on my computer, they go out of date so quickly, and I'm beginning to appreciate the colourful appearance of the page, so let's hope I continue to have photos that I want people to see. In no particular order, we have flame-haired blues wunderkind Lucy Zirins, just 16 years old, with her steel guitar, is a discovery by blues wizard Michael Messer, who favours a black cap, and is currently touring with flame-jacketed (sorry!) blues legend Louisiana Red(now that's a proper blues name. Aidan Curran, of the apparently, sadly, defunct Park Bench Social Club,his partner Eliza Carthy, site favourite, and the very fragrant Ruth Angell from the absolutely delightful Lark Rise to Candleford Band (can you tell I liked them a lot?)A handsome bunch I'm sure you will agree. My music gigs and photography gigs are beginning to clash a bit, but I think that's probably a good thing, but I will continue to update when I have something I think you'd like to see. Thanks again for checking in, please feel free to contact me via the er... contact page if you wish. Barry

April Come She Will

This month has already brought some much welcomed warmth and sunshine. Bringing even more warmth and sunshine were Robin Williamson and John Renbourn. The Incredible String Band and Pentangle were very influential bands for me in the late 60's (even though I was a mere child!)so it was a real pleasure to meet Robin and John before taking pictures of them on what is rumoured to be their last tour together, let's hope they change their minds about that. So here they are in all their glory, Robin as mystical as can be, on the harp, and John on the guitar, his playing style still as distinctive and tasteful as ever. And they said they liked my photographs adorning the Southport Arts Centre bar, which was kind of them, susceptible as I am to a bit of flattery! A real treat! Thanks for checking in, I appreciate you dropping by. Barry

Time Marches On

In a flurry of blog activity rarely seen, here comes an update just a month or so after the last. The reason as you will see is that I've been busy and if I don't display the fruits of my labours now all that effort will be lost, and that would never do. Folkport 2009, a one day festival at Southport Arts Centre in February had a rich seam of talent, young and old, to be mined, so here, in no particular order, are a flowery Anna Massie, a tonsorially challenged Fairport Convention veteran Dave Pegg, Ruth Notman at her keyboard, a fiddle-holding Anna Esslemont from the unpronouncable Uiscedewr and a whistle-blowing Sophy Blundell from Wheeler Street, not forgetting Man in Black from Show Of Hands, Phil Beer, squeezebox toting Jim Causley, Kathryn Tickell peeking out from behind her hair, Phil Cool pulling a face, Gwyneth Herbert looking wistful and a Pacific Road stage with Preston Reed in residence, and you have a decent month's work I reckon. These images are decent resolution, but if you use them elsewhere please credit me or this website, that's not unreasonable is it? Thanks again for visiting, please feel free to contact me via the contact page if you have any comments. Barry