jiva at www.jiva.co.uk

Important News

We're cutting down our use of Blogger and Blogspot, but you can still keep up with jiva news on our website.

Home page is: www.jiva.co.uk
News is at: www.jiva.co.uk/newsarc.htm

Thanks for dropping by...

Jimmy and Val (jiva)
www.jiva.co.uk/
www.myspace.com/jivauk
www.youtube.com/jivauk

23-Feb-10 Cramlington Folk Club

Keith, in decidedly jovial mood, got the night underway shortly after 8:00 pm with the opening verses of a humorous poem, setting the scene for yet another grand Cramlington night. There was the usual varied crop of residents and one new performer that we'd not seen before. We sang:

• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Best Friends (jiva)
• Louise (Paul Siebel)

It's quite something to have the Cramlington choir in full voice one moment and then having the room in rapt attentive silence the next. It's a smashing place to play - a testament to Keith & Audrey, residents, visitors and audience alike.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Cramlington Folk Club website

19-Feb-10 How cool is that

Imagine the scene... Friday night we're both on our PCs in the study and at 23:10 the telephone rings - it's Anthony John Clarke... He's playing his gig at Leigh Folk Club and has rung us from the stage! He quickly says "listen to this I'm going to play your 'One More Song'" and hands his mobile to his wife Julia to hold while he plays.

Well, we were gobsmacked - how thoughtful and outrageously cool is that! We listened, openmouthed as he sang and as the audience swelled every 'One more song to sing'. It was lovely and when he sang (his own words) 'I'm standing here all alone' the audience responded with  'Aaahh' and he followed with "And Jimmy and Val who wrote this song, they're listening on the telephone" we just couldn't believe our ears.

And we got a text message from a friend asking "Did you hear me singing?"

A lovely lovely end to the day for us, grinning from ear to ear.

 Links
jiva website

jiva MySpace
Anthony John Clarke

14-Feb-10 Bishop fm - live concert

We were the first guest on Terry Ferdinand's new Sunday live one hour concert series (no name for the show yet) - it's quite something, and indeed an honour, to be 'guinea pigs' for each new project that he dreams up.

We took along our Bose L1 sound system and plugged this straight into the studio desk to ensure the critical jiva balance providing our trademark gentle blend of acoustic guitars and vocal harmony. They also used the studio mics to capture the live room ambience in the mix. It sounded good to us in the studio - Gary and Terry were quite animated with thumbs up signs and scribbled messages on a mini whiteboard... at one point Gary wrote that all he needed was a sofa and a beer and he'd be made (it was a little difficult to concentrate on song lyrics while reading these messages).

We played:

• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• When (jiva)
• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Louise (Paul Siebel)
• Dream On (jiva)
• Yorkshire Romance (C J Rowe)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• Different Dreams (jiva)

It was an hour long programme - play a couple of songs, chat a bit, play a bit, have a jingle or two, play a bit more, and so on. And there was a live telephone call with Anthony John Clarke as well. Phew! The hour, as usual, just flew by - and before we knew it we had just over 4 minutes left and goodbyes to say and one more song to sing... no we didn't finish with that song - we finished with 'Different Dreams', the final flourish/strum being hit with less than a second to spare (how's that for timing).

Thanks for having us along Terry - we had a great time - and good luck for future shows.

 Links
jiva website

jiva MySpace
Terry Ferdinand MySpace
BishopFM

11-Feb-10 MIND Active

It's lovely to turn up and find everyone in their chairs ready and eagerly waiting for us to play. We were in the Reception area so there was a fair bit of movement from staff and visitors, but it didn't detract from a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon. Men were greatly outnumbered by women so they had a bit of a challenge for the men verus women in 'One More Song' so we declared it a draw!

We played:

• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• When (jiva)
• Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Louise (Paul Siebel)
• Dream On (jiva)
• Yorkshire Romance (CJ Rowe)
• Passin Thru (Randy Scruggs and Johnny Cash)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

After an hour's performance we had a cup of tea and a chat with residents and staffand there were lots of positive comments and requests for us to come back soon. We left them a copy of our 'Best Friends' CD so they can practice the words and sing along even more at our next visit.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website

08-Feb-10 Nanci Griffith at The Sage Gateshead

Although we both enjoy listening to our Nanci Griffith CDs neither of us had seen Nanci Griffith in concert, so we'd been looking forward for some time to a night out at the Sage. The evening got underway prompt at 19:30 with the support act - singer/songwriter Edwina Hayes. She's making quite a name for herself...someone to definitely watch out for.

There was a short break and then it was time for Nanci Griffith. She had two members of the Blue Moon Orchestra with her, a guitarist and drummer/percussionist, and began with the John Prine song, 'Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness'. Before too long she did 'Love At The Five And Dime' (a song oh hers that's not only in our own repertoire but also on our 'Best Friends' CD).

There were lots of good songs, and Nanci and the boys performed in a very laid back and relaxed style, enhanced by the good work done by the soundman who ensured clarity at a comfortable volume. We can't remember all the titles of the songs, but it was a smashing evening and we had a great time. The evening just seemed to whizz by.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Nanci Griffith website

07-Feb-10 Guisborough Folk Club

First visit this year - bad weather had kept us away in January.

Not quite as busy as some nights we have been to, but there was the usual friendly welcome from performers and audience.

We were on in the first half and, like everyone else, got two songs. We did Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith) and Louise (Paul Siebel).

Customary beer break and raffle selling followed before the night got underway again with performers who had not got on in the first half and then with repeat of some performers. We didn't get on again (shame), but we did win a prize in the raffle!

As we were putting our guitars back in their cases at the end of the night we received lots of lovely comments from performers and audience alike... and more still as we loaded our stuff into the car for the 60 mile journey home.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Guisborough Folk Club website

06-Feb-10 Comrades Club, Whitley Bay

We'd not been to one of John Jeffrey's acoustic/folk nights since October 2009, so were pleased to be back in familiar surroundings among comrades in the local music scene. Although these nights did start as purely acoustic (ie no PA), Gerry Beldon has provided such gear for a few evenings now, and it looks set to continue in this vein. That's fine with us as long as (like the Comrades Club acoustic nights) it continues to be used to lift/enhance the sound slightly - we definitely don't like things too loud... apart from spoiling the ambience it can permanently damage the hearing of audience and artists alike.

OK - rant over...

John and Fraser got the first half started with 2 songs, accompanying their vocals with 6 and 12-string guitars. Then we had a solo performer doing a Ralph McTell song followed by Simon and Garfunkel's boxer. There were 3 banjos in the room and, in a somewhat strange  running order, John decided to have all the banjo players perform their 2 songs immediately after each other. We didn't catch the name of the first guy, but the second and third were our good friends Doug Wood and Maurice Baker. Gerry finished the first half with 3 songs.

Then, after a short break, John asked us to start the second half with a 20 to 25 minute slot. This evening we had planned to do numbers with us both playing 6-string guitars so we performed:

• Love At The Five & Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Best Friends (jiva)
• Dream On (jiva)
• Louise (Paul Siebel)

John and Fraser got up again to do 2 more songs, then John sang a solo a capella number before inviting Gerry back for another 3 songs before Few Broth finished the night in fine style with mostly Geordie songs that had people singing along with gusto.

Thanks for the invite, John... we can't make the next one, but will hopefully get to the one after that.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace

02-Feb-20 MIND Active

We arrived in good time to find the room set up and ready - the residents were just finishing their lunch and we were told they would be along soon. We were playing in the 'cinema room' so called because they have a pull down screen, projector and a Wii!

We had plenty of time to set up the gear before the residents came in. Today they were all women. We played the usual two sets of five songs in each with a small break in the middle for re-tune and gargle. We played:

• Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Yorkshire Romance (CJ Rowe)
• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• When (jiva)
• Dream On (jiva)
• Best Friends (jiva)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

One particular resident was over the moon with us - she gave us both a kiss and a cuddle! It was a lovely afternoon.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website

27-Jan-10 Acoustic Wednesday Beamish Mary

This is a new club - or rather an old club rising phoenix-like from the ashes. It was started anew at the beginning of the year by Steve (the Bass player with the trio Fool's Gold) and this was our first visit under the new management. We have been to the Beamish Mary before when there was a club run by John Brindle and before that by Rita Mawson.

The separate music room has been 'done up' - the bar has been removed and a small stage built in the corner. It's an acoustic set up (ie no instruments plugged in) though Steve has a PA and mikes up the instruments and voices which made for a very natural sound - the ambience being further supplemented with a basic lighting rig (very close and bright for the performers).

There was quite a good turn out with about a dozen performers, and it was good to catch up with Andy and Cath (Acoustica) who sang two songs new to us.

It was two each round the room which took us to 10:00 pm and then one each to get around again. Some people had gone home so the last act got to finish with two more songs and then Fool's Gold rounded off the night with a song.

We sang

• Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Best Friends (jiva)
• Different Dreams (jiva)

There were varied styles and quite a few performers we had not seen before. It was a grand night - we'll be back. Well done Steve!

 Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Stephen Wilson MySpace

21-Jan-10 MIND Active

Quick change of venue for today's outing for MIND Active. The home we were due to play in was 'out of bounds' with sickness. But some quick re-arranging had us booked in to play at a different home... our first visit there for nearly a year.

We arrived in good time and got our gear set up and were ready to play. We played the usual two sets of five songs in each with a small break in the middle for re-tune and gargle. We played:

• Love At The Five And Dime (Nanci Griffith)
• Two Old Friends (Chris Simpson)
• Yorkshire Romance (CJ Rowe)
• Back Home To You (Allan Taylor)
• When (jiva)
• Dream On (jiva)
• Best Friends (jiva)
• Different Dreams (jiva)
• Some Way Home (jiva)
• One More Song (jiva)

There was some lovely joining in from the residents and the whole hour was relaxed and cosy.

All too soon it was time to head home again leaving some smiling residents and taking some happy memories and good wishes with us.

 Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
MINDActive website

20-Jan-10 Comrades Folk 'n Local

We'd been invited along to the Comrades Club in Whitley Bay by John Jeffrey (he runs the occasional Saturday folk acoustic music nights there). The 'entertainment' for the evening was a group called Folk 'n Local... We'd not heard of them before and didn't know what to expect, so we headed off just to chill out and have an evening off from our own music and PCs and recording and designing etc.

Folk 'n Local are a 4-piece who sing Geordie traditional/fun/music hall type songs and some stuff from the 50s through to 70s pop era too with the odd modern pop song thrown in for good measure. Instrumentation was guitars, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, Northumbrian pipes and even a drinks tray acting as a makeshift tambourine.

There was a canny buffet at half time and we managed to have a natter with Few Broth too.

Thanks for the invite, John.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace

20-Jan-10 Recording Stewart Shackleton

Stewart is a resident of Cramlington Folk Club. He asked if we could help him as he would like to record some of his songs for a CD. We agreed 'terms and conditions' and he duly turned up at the allotted time. After a bit of chat and chinwag he got straight down to it. Three hours later, two cups of tea each and a biscuit and ten songs recorded! Phew!

Now begins the work of listening and tweaking and adding a little bit of this and a little bit of that jiva magic then we'll be sending an initial mix for Stewart to listen to. 

Watch this space for developments...

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
jiva design website

19-Jan-10 Foggy Furze Folk Club

The awful snowy weather has really taken it's toll on jiva outings... only our second time out playing so far this year found us at the Foggy Furze in Hartlepool. The club is run by Ian and Kay D'eath and on non-guest nights is run on a singaround basis.

It's was fairly a quiet night but a fair mix with guitars, mandolin, accordion, harmonica and a cappella singing as well.

We were asked to start the night and began with the title track from our recent CD release 'Best Friends' (jiva) and followed this with 'Yorkshire Romance' (CJ Rowe) and then it was around the room with everyone else doing two at a time as well.

By 10:00 pm we stopped for a swift beer break before going round the room again. This time we sang our own 'Some Way Home' and 'One More Song'.

There was time at the end of the night for two more songs from jiva and we sang two more self-penned numbers, 'Different Dreams' and 'When'.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Foggy Furze website

19-Jan-10 Anthony John Clarke songbook 'An Acquaintance' 50 Songs

In October 2009 when Anthony John Clarke was the guest at Cramlington Folk Club he came to stay with us for a couple of days and we were surprised, but delighted and thrilled, when he asked if we could design a songbook for him... oh, and he'd like it done by the end of 2009 if possible! We said yes, no problem, we'd love to!

Anthony John worked through the songs providing lyric sheets, chord shapes and photographs. We got all the photos (some paper and some electronic) onto our computer system, painstakingly drew every chord box and formatted the lyrics into a consistent format. Then we assembled the songs into alphabetical order and inserted the chord shapes for each song.

As the initial drafts were emailed and edited it became obvious that we needed to spend a day or two together to confirm and finalise the chords, choose from the assembled gallery of photographs and add that personal touch from Anthony John himself. So towards the end of November Anthony John came up north again and we all worked very hard to ensure that we got as much done as humanly possible... The book was now starting to take shape and the excitement and anticipation was starting to grow.

During the following week we managed to fit in listening to every one of the songs on CD, ensuring that the lyrics were word-for-word in the book. Then it was back to the chords, and trying out the final lyrics with the tunings and chords and confirming capo positions. Additionally, there were new photos needed, some old photos to be improved/doctored, and cover design to be finalised... All this while we were preparing for our Netherton guest spot and CD launch followed 3 days later by our Croxdale Folk Club Guest spot!

Then the draft was hand-delivered to the printer for a proof print - nothing more to be done except wait... the proof version came out with some concerns over greyscale picture quality and so we frantically re-examined all our work to date, went over every possible setting with a fine-tooth comb, braved the snow to drive to a couple of print shops to try a few things out, came back home, checked, re-checked, got some higher resolution photos, and still found no difference from the original on our own equipment.

After a tormented and exhausting week-end we got in touch with the printers and were somewhat exasperated but very relieved to find that the problem had been at their end, and that our submitted work was fine! Ah well, the time had also been usefully spent in going through the printed proof very thoroughly and we and Anthony John came up with a few tweaks before submitting the final version for the production run.

So, with a lot of hard work by all concerned, we had everything drafted, proofed, tweaked and with the printers before their Christmas break - everything that we could do was 'done'... but the printers wouldn't be able to complete the order until some time in January.

We're pleased to report that the book is now published and about to hit the streets!

148 pages, 50 songs with chords and 'twiddly bits', photographs, quotes etc., it's a great book and A5 wiro bound so you can open it up and lay it flat while learning to play his songs.

A must buy for any Anthony John Clarke fan.

Oh yes, we are thrilled to bits that Anthony John has included our very own 'One More Song' in the songbook... he now includes it in his live set too! Wowee!!

Links
jiva website
jiva design website
jiva MySpace
Anthony John Clarke website

12-Jan-10 Cramlington Folk Club

After a longer than usual Christmas and New Year break we were pleased to head off to Cramlington Folk Club for a singers night. Apart from the snow and ice making travel difficult (with many clubs having to cancel their evenings) we had suffered a slight setback ourselves... while making hardware changes to a PC Jimmy cut his right hand index finger. Even after a fortnight it hadn't fully healed, but we decided that we just had to get on with things and get back to playing!

As always Keith got the night underway shortly after 8:00 pm, and there was a good crop of performers including acts that we had either not seen before (Fools Gold) and who were new to Cramlington (John Jeffrey). We were on fairly late in the first half and played 'Back Home To You' (Allan Taylor) and 'Different Dreams' (jiva), both of which had the Cramlington Choir in full swing.

There was quite an array of instruments - multiple guitars (including parlour guitars and a twin-neck 6 and 12 string Ovation), two banjos, mandolin, two double basses and harmonica.

It was a night of varied styles and genres... another grand Cramlington night.

Links
jiva website
jiva MySpace
Cramlington Folk Club website