(1st half) Tom, Michele and OMITF

At the Green Note

Hello folks, I hope you’re all enjoying the (slight) improvement in the weather (obvs those of you tuning in from the southern hemisphere I hope you’re all glad to have some cooler stuff after all that pesky nice weather?).

You may be pleased to know that this post is a lot less ready and a lot more listeny than the usual fare on these pages (I should probably have waited until the end before typing that)…

I’m taking you back a few weeks to the show we played at The Green Note in London with the great Tom Heyman and the also great Michele Stodart.

A week earlier Henry Maddy and I played the Songwriters Fest in Bath organised by Matt Owens. That was the first of these “in the round” type nights I’ve ever played. That show was played out in a huge hall with lots of echo and literally in the round in that the audience was in a circle around the musicians who were also in a circle facing inwards (around some monitors which for some reason were not turned on). The Green note gig a week later was an all together more intimate affair. Tom, Michele and I sat next to each other on the Green Note Stage facing those in attendance under the low ceilings of that famous Camden haunt. Henry and Maddy joined but as the stage is quite small they sat just off to the side. As in Bath, because they’re so bloody good they were both able to play along with Tim and Michele without needing to know the music first.

I think The Green Note is the perfect place for this kind of show, in fact most kinds of show.

Who are Tom and Michele?

Tom Heyman

This was the first time I’d met Tom Heyman and I hope not the last. I’m pleased to say he is as nice a guy as they say he is. Tom has played with a lot of very cool people including Alejandro Escoverdo, Chuck Prophet and a particular fav of mine Hiss Golden Messenger - I can understand why anyone would want to work with him, he’s a cool guy, a great player and has engaging, clever songs. His voice is even better live than it is on his records. It’s always good when an artists latest work is their best and his latest; 24th Street Blues is.

Michele Stodart

You will know Michele from her mercury nominated band the Magic Numbers who have been all over the world playing their timeless indie tunes to packed crowds for the last 20 years. Some of you will also know that she is now firmly established as a singer songwriter in her own right. Michele has received many accolades for her fantastic new album Invitation and it won’t be long, if not already, before she is known more for her solo work than that of the band. Michele is also a super cool person to hang out with and we have been talking about playing songs together for over a year so it was very nice to finally do it. At one point she was even going to join OMITF - happily it’s all worked out nicely.

Ok not too wordy so far but about time I played you that music so here is the first half of the gig. I’ll mix the second half and post here soon.

the gig recording is below the line for paid subscribers for now and I’ll change over to free for all in 2 weeks. I‘ve changed the last few posts to free for all subscribers…