Songwriter's Cafe 2014

Paul Murphy's Songwriter's Cafe has returned this year after a break in 2013. I went along on Thursday and if it is possible it's better than ever. The performance space has been renovated meaning there is more room for the audience. Walking down the garden towards the tree house you are flanked by glittering lights and delicately carved wooden walls. Crossing the bridge over the little stream feels like entering a special world of music, an idyll of talent and calm hidden in the back garden of this house in suburbia. Before the show everyone mills about just outside the tree house around the open fire. It was lovely to see some familiar faces and find out what they are up to. 

On the bill on Thursday were three acts I've heard a lot about but never seen before; The Cadbury Sisters, The Old Dance School and Andy Oliveri as well as two new discoveries Tom Daly and Cal Doonican. 

Host and legend Paul Murphy kicked the night off with a performance of a very lovely song and then introduced Tom. After some surprise that Tom didn't appear upside down through the roof wearing speedos (just me??) I enjoyed his soulful tunes and banter. Next up was Cal Doonican (namesakes are funny things aren't they?) who performed a set of funny and thoughtful social commentary songs that went down wonderfully with the crowd. 

Andy Oliveri was next with his beautiful guitar playing and lovely voice, gorgeous folky tunes settling gently on the room as the fire crackled away in the corner. The Old Dance School, all six of them, were next to cram onto the not huge performance space. Their set was made up of impressively arranged songs and they made being in a band look like lots of fun. 

The Cadbury Sisters closed the night with the sort of harmonies that are surely only possible for siblings to achieve. I'm a sucker for great harmonies but the Cadburys don't rest on their laurels they also have great songs and arrange those vocals in really interesting ways.They explained how much has changed since their first appearance at the tree house a few years ago and that it was quite emotional to be back. They have the feel of a band of the cusp of taking a huge step up (recent gigs include a set in Hyde Park for Radio 2) and it felt quite special to be sharing this little bit of the journey with them. 

Songwriter's Cafe continues every Thursday in October, you can listen in via Paul Murphy's website

Songwriter's Cafe 2012

It's a very exciting time of year when I hear that Songwriter's Cafe is on it's way back. The 2012 season kicks off on the 3rd May and runs every Thursday night until 26th July.

"Songwriter’s Café (SWC) runs its summer season from The Treehouse which is situated in the garden of a private house in suburban Birmingham. As such it is not a commercial or public event and audience members (limit 40 seated) come by invitation only."

I was luckily enough to perform during the 2011 season and can verify that it is one of the best places to enjoy fabulous music, whether in person or via the "narrow cast" that goes out live on the internet.

To find out more about Songwriter's Cafe head over to the website of it's wonderful host Paul Murphy where you will find plenty of information and a rather fine radio documentary by another legend, Robin Valk.

Songwriters and Bohemians

As expected it was a joy to be invited along to Songwriter's Cafe on Thursday. It's a thrill to be there just soaking up the atmosphere let alone getting to perform.

Our host Paul Murphy started the evening off with two of his beautifully evocative songs then I performed a twenty minute set made up of songs from Twenty Two plus three as yet unreleased tracks. Here's some clips of my set




Next up was The Celturian an "Acoustic warrior with fretting behaviour" who for my money is one of the best acoustic guitar players around Birmingham, or anywhere. He was joined on vocals by Fay Goodman and together they delivered a moving and tender performance.

Things took an international turn when Brazilian Luiz Gabriel Lopez performed, joined for much of his set by the fabulous Tabla player Mendi Singh. This was one of those occasions when a performance just grabbed the energy of the room and went...somewhere. Hard to describe. Seek Luiz out if you can, I believe he's only in the UK for a short time.

It was great to chat to Luiz after the show, in his excellent English he was very encouraging and seems to be something of a kindred spirit.



The final act was Andy Wickett who is a Birmingham legend due to his musical history and associations. Andy's set was a great end to the evenings music. His heartfelt singing and guitar style were complemented by his easy and humours stage presence.

Paul Murphy finished the night with two excellent stories and then it was time for everyone to wend their ways.

Songwriter's Cafe happens every Thursday evening before an invited audience whilst people from around the world listen in on line from Paul's website. Definitely one of the best gigs around, both to perform at and watch/listen.

Saturday found me teaching guitar in the morning, briefly playing guitar for Louise Kilbride at Simmerdown Festival in Handsworth Park and then performing at Bohemia Restaurant in Selly Oak. Bohemia is a lovely small restaurant run by dedicated and friendly staff who are hugely supportive of local acoustic and jazz musicians. It's a great place to play and feels like two gigs in one. First off you're basically background music while everyone orders and enjoys their meals, then once the desert and drink flows it gets a bit more like a "normal" gig with singing along etc. It was very cool to chat to people afterwards about music (and their food!)

Songwriter's Cafe, BCR FM

On Thursday night I was thrilled to hear my track Very Own Way on Big City Radio 89.1fm. They have an unsigned show every Thursday night from 7pm. Many thanks to presenter Phil Docker and the rest of the team.

I heard it having just got into the car on the way to play guitar for Louise Kilbride at Songwriter's Cafe hosted by the wonderful songwriter Paul Murphy. Described on Paul's website as a "weekly live radio show from a microvenue under the treehouse" this gig was brilliant and it's impossible to do it justice on here (especially as I'd stupidly left my camera at home.)

Basically Paul hosts the evening before an invited audience and at the same time the whole thing is broadcast on the Internet via Paul's website and Rhubarb Radio. From time to time the team manning the Internet side of things share what those listening on line are saying, and in return they get name checked and cheered for by everyone in the room.

The acts performing were all superb. It was very cool to see some familiar faces among the performers; David Timothy who runs the wonderful Free Love Club at The Yardbird (I'm there on July 3rd) performed a very touching set of honest and witty tracks in his trade mark finger picking style. Kevin Frankie Williams with Dave Smith who are both regulars at The Crossroads Blues Club (I'm there on June 16th) finished the evening with excellent original blues songs that went everywhere from emotional and tragic to joys and hysterical.

An act I hadn't come across before were Layla Tutt and The Good Lads, a three piece who made an incredible, inimitable sound featuring all kinds of unusual and very cool instruments.

Paul Murphy began the night with three beautiful, poetic tracks that illustrated how much he deserves the respect and affection this little community of music lovers showed him.

It was my first exposure to Songwriter's Cafe and apparently I've really been missing out on an important bit of local music history as it's be going through various guises and venues since 1996 (see the website for more info)

A great event, I hope to return.