I’ll be doing a gig at Chesterfield Folk Club, on November 11th. Doors at 7:30pm.

I enjoyed my gigs in 2015 and also the fundraisers, which were all successful in raising money. I’m hoping to continue with some more next year, so if you’re within about 100 miles of Shrewsbury and you have a venue (village hall, church, club etc) I can do a song night or I can do a “Glad to be Grey” show. Anyone needing a fundraiser?

Sometimes a book can be such a revelation that only clichés can do it justice – un-put-down-able, riveting, unique, tragic, triumphant… they all apply.

Dave Cartwright, Cliff Ward and I were all West Midland men who travelled parallel journeys in the 1970’s. We all secured recording contracts with big companies; we all acquired the soubriquet “singer-songwriter”; we all aimed high and hoped for the best. Clifford got the hit with “Gaye”, Dave and I failed to get one, and in those days that made all the difference. However, all three of us were chewed up and finally spat out by the London based music machine that demanded success above all things.

There were those who did succeed who had no scruple; success meant money and they would do anything to get it. We three couldn’t bring ourselves to think like that, being in thrall to words like integrity and art, and we all hated London and all that it stood for. Dave and I gigged and therefore built up an audience that supported us but Clifford hated live performance and relied solely on media appearances and royalties for his income. That was fine in the singer-songwriter period of the early to mid- seventies, but when tastes changed and heads turned towards punk and a younger generation, the door closed on opportunity for the literate, thoughtful performers.

Dave and I soldiered on, producing work we felt confident with and making a hard travelling living, dealing as best we could with the demons suggestively whispering “failure” into our ears; demons all too capable of destroying relationships as we battled frustration and angst, as did other song writing friends of ours who had made the same journey. Clifford too succumbed, which was bad enough, but then his body failed as he was diagnosed with the worst form of MS.

To use another cliché, the story is Shakespearean in its study of triumph and tragedy.

Dave brings all this before us, but what makes the book so special is that he interweaves his own story with Ward’s, now and then making comparisons with a searing honesty I can only admire.

He is also a very fine writer.

For anyone interested in that period of singer-songwriter ascendancy who has ever wondered how it was behind the scenes, it’s all here.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough. It’s available in paperback – go get it!

During the summer I gave an interview to Norman Wheatley for his radio programme Gentlefolk2.

Listen to the interview now (the interview is in Part 2)

It’s notable for a recording of Colin Scot’s version of Hey Sandy and for a memory I had buried, now revived by Bill Caddick… undoubtedly selective amnesia!

Spring approaches and I’m wondering if anybody would like a “Glad to be Grey” show April-October 2015? I’m happy to consider anything within 100 or so miles of Shrewsbury. Village hall, folk club, WI etc. Just email feedback@harveyandrews.com.

Audience feedback on “Glad to be Grey” gigs

Absolutely fantastic! I have not enjoyed an evening so much for years.

A superb evening’s entertainment.

We enjoyed your music and your take on life, it bought back some happy memories of our childhood, you made us laugh

The feedback I have received since the concert has been brilliant. People who had not heard of you before the concert, and only came because of the charity, have told me that if ever I do it again they would bring 6 or 8 more people. The fella across the road, came up to me the day after, and said how much he had enjoyed the concert. This, coming from a fella who can find fault with everything. He described you as a true entertainer.

Sad news today of the death of Jim McPhee.

Jim was my agent for many years and also ran the Red Lion club in Kings Heath Birmingham, where I had some of my best and most enjoyable gigs with always packed houses. Jim also looked after Vin Garbutt and Jake Thackray. He kept a welcoming open house for passing artists with his wife Jill and a better and more caring person I never met.

Wendy and I send our love to Jill and all of the family.

In response to demand at my Glad to be Grey gigs we’re releasing “Life!”

It’s a CD compilation of tracks from 6 albums issued over the last 25 years, a sort of “Greatest Hits”.

Order Life!

A photo-video for my cover of David Mallett‘s wonderful song, available on the new CD, Encore. Arrangement and accompaniment by Bruce Davies.

Well, here’s a surprise for you, and for me too. I didn’t think I’d record again but Wendy wouldn’t let it lie so I contacted my friend Bruce Davies in Scotland and asked if he would be willing to co-operate on a new CD.

We communicated via the internet with Bruce sending me his ideas and arrangements, and I was very quickly committed to the project because of the quality of his work.

Recorded at Red Barn Studios near Dundee, utilising the skills of some very fine musicians, I was able to relax and concentrate on my vocals and the whole week was a real pleasure.

So, here is Encore, 13 previously unrecorded compositions of mine plus one of my favourite David Mallet songs.

As I’m not gigging round the country anymore you can only buy this from my website. All copies will be signed. I hate to mention the coming December festivities, but the CD is just the right size for a stocking!

So, I sit surrounded by boxes, envelopes and stamps awaiting your orders. Wendy waits to see if her persistence is rewarded. Go on! You know you want to!

Buy Encore within the UK (£12)

Buy Encore in Europe
(£15 – includes £3 P&P)

Buy Encore in the rest of the world
(£16 – includes £4 P&P) 

Reviews and feedback

Read Netrhythms’ review of Encore

“My god what a beautiful album. I really think it’s one of your finest recordings! So many heartfelt, beautiful songs.”

“Simply wonderful!”

“Masterpiece.”

“Been listening to it all day, beautiful work as always!”

“I absolutely love it. I think it’s a masterpiece!”

“Great sound, fabulous musicians!”

“All of life in poetry and put to music. Genius.”

“A beautiful album with a perfect balance of songs.”

Related links

Click here to download lyrics and chords (PDF)

Here are my Autumn “Glad to be Grey” fundraiser gigs.

Saturday September 14th
Hargrave Church Hall (near Chester) CH3 7RN
Tickets: email dawn_lindsay@btinternet.com or call 01829 781 275
Various local charities will benefit

Saturday September 21st
The Cube, Albert Road North, Malvern WR14 2YF
Tickets: malli.wadge@btinternet.com
For Community Action Transport

Saturday October 5th
Eccleshall Community Centre, Staffs
Tickets: wilshaw@btinternet.com or cal 01785 859 389 or 01785 850 525
For Katherine House Hospice, Stafford

Saturday October 19th
Alstonfield Village Hall (Between Buxton and Ashbourne Peak national park) 7.30
Tickets: dave.littlehales@btinternet.com
For the Village Hall Fund.

I know many of you won’t be able to come to these gigs as you’re too far away. However, if you would like to participate in one way a donation to the Katherine House Hospice would be very much appreciated. My mother spent her final days in a hospice and it is a charity worthy of all our support. You can donate on line. Please tell them it is in support of my gig and we’ll announce the sum raised during the evening.