Coventry Music Museum curator Pete Chambers BEM writes for the Observer.
The 2-Tone Village charity event
THE 2-Tone Village is the place to be on the weekend of July 22 and 23 as it hosts the exciting annual Cefovid Fundraiser, giving children in Uganda the chance to go to school and it’s something the village has supported for many years.
This year sees Gary Denis on Saturday and Ska’rnaby Street on Sunday, the whole event will be broadcast live by Boot Boy Radio and there will be a scooter group’s ride in on Sunday.
There will be food, drink, shops, tombola and so much more including the music museum. At £5-a-day, it’s going to be the best cash you can spend for a great event and an amazing cause, stalls from 11am.
Mississippi Smith
With a new disc entitled The Westway EP, Mr Smith adds to an already impressive body of work.
It’s evident he’s more artist and less muso, each note, each instrument is finely tuned for major impact.
Nothing is ever wasted, a work ethic that reminds me of a certain Peter Gabriel.
Even his voice has a unique timbre to it, try listening with headphones and it’s captivating.
All tracks are written and recorded and mixed at his home in his spare room, just outside Atherstone.
The track listings are: ‘Westway’, ‘Almost Unbelievable’, ‘The Clouds Were Just Blow-up Balloons’ and ‘Start Again’.
Stylusboy back with a new EP
Steve Jones AKA Stylusboy is back with a new long anticipated EP, and as always you know it’s going to be pretty special when it comes from such a stalwart of the local scene.
‘Back in the Day’ is a collection of beautiful songs inspired by amazing people from Coventry.
In a project funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, Steve worked with Good Neighbours, a Coventry-based charity which supports lonely and isolated older people by linking them with volunteer befrienders.
Steve met six of these older people to hear about their lives and listen to their personal stories, which he then used as the inspiration for new songs.
From a courageous Second World War airman shot down over enemy lines, to a wonderful lady who arrived in the UK from Jamaica to see snow for the first time and a kind-hearted woman who had tea with Queen Elizabeth II, all the songs tell the tales of these inspiring Coventry people.
The EP was recorded in Stylusboy’s own home studio, The Truffle Room, where he played all the instruments – electric and acoustic guitars, bass and electronic beats and synths.
Critically acclaimed America singer-songwriter Alva Leigh contributes harmonies, as well as rising folk star Lauren South adding violin on two tracks.
Back in the Day is released on Tortoise Recordings via AWAL on all major digital platforms and on handmade CD next Friday, July 28, 2023.
Dr Golding
Many congratulations to my good friend Lynval Golding of The Specials who has just been awarded an honorary degree from Coventry University. More about this in my next column.
