MY TOP FIVE ALBUMS BY LOCAL ACTS
1. CAMEL FOOT RAIDERS - "LAZY DAYS"
Something of a local super group fronted by two of the most distinctive singers this side of Tom Waits - Martin Pender and Toni Vines. As I said back in May 2005 this stands alongside Toni's best work with The Mean Red Spiders although it's a far cry from the 12 bar shuffles that helped make that band so popular. The Camel Foot Raiders turn their hands to country rock, reggae and rock'n'roll and hats off to Steve Mann of Backwater Records and Pat at Gemini for bottling their live sound in the studio.
2. FUZZFACE - "ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET?"
Hammond organ driven rock and pop harking back to The Small Faces at times but still relevant 40 years on. The strength of the songs, sung with soul by Adrian Johnson, puts this outfit well ahead of most the opposition. There's a CD/DVD single up and coming and if that's along the same lines as this excellent album of originals then Matt Simpkins and the gang can look forward to another good year.
3. HOMEBREW - "CONSCIENCE CALL"
A blues-based acoustic trio to be reckoned with. Singer Nolan Wiltz's ability on stage has never been in doubt but for me up until this release he'd never really done the business in the studio. His heartfelt vocals have never sounded better. Working alongside guitarists of the calibre of Mark Stuart and Mark Robinson have clearly helped Nolan fulfil his promise. If he was doing this in his native Louisiana he'd be a huge star on the blues scene in the deep south.
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4. BLIND POETS - "INTO TOMORROW"
This very nearly didn't make it into this Top Five simply because it arrived on my desk only days before the deadline for this page. This is the group's third album and takes the band to new heights. With Jon Lowe and Graham Welham now on board The Blind Poets have a bigger and better sound. Their trademark harmonies remain but Jim Rowbotham and Gary Keeble's song writing has clearly benefited from having extra input on the performance side. Some bands lose their way by the time a third album has to be made but not this lot.
5. JOHN WARD - "COMMON GROUND"
This is Lowestoft-based John's fourth album and just like a fine wine he gets better with age. His songs and playing have plenty of bite still and his lyrics can make you laugh and cry. Very much immersed in the folk tradition John is one of Suffolk's greatest singer songwriters. I don't for the life of me know why he isn't a bigger name on the national folk scene. An album as good as this ought to put that right but I shouldn't think the wise Mr.Ward is holding his breath!
MY FIVE FAVOURITE LOCAL GIGS
1. R.E.M. - Portman Road Football Ground, Ipswich Friday 8th July
I offer no apologies for making this my number one. Michael Stipe and company have been a world class act for longer than I care to remember and put on the sort of show that most other groups can only dream of. It was impossible to fault their performance which included hit after hit. Some stadium acts go through the motions but not R.E.M.
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2. JAMES BLUNT - Ipswich Regent 14th October
What a year for this former soldier. At the time of writing his "Back To Bedlam" album is about to notch up two million sales in the UK alone. His return to Ipswich (he'd been in town the previous year warming up for Elton John) sold out within days of tickets going on sale. He likes to keep things simple on stage. There were a few moments of humour between numbers but for the most part he let his songs do the talking. His superb band didn't put a foot wrong as we heard every song on the CD plus a couple of new ones.
3. HANK WANGFORD and the LOST COWBOYS Manor Ballroom, Ipswich 28th January
Another night to savour from those Peppery boys. Hank has long been one of the great characters on the British music scene. His unique take on his beloved country music always makes for a great night. His Lost Cowboys were right on the button. Guitarist Martin Belmont and rhythm guitar Reg Meuross would not have been out of place in a Tennessee honky tonk band. At the end of the night everyone in the audience left with a smile on their face and that's what it's all about.
4. MATT SCHOFIELD TRIO - Manor Ballroom, Ipswich 17th April
I try not to include gigs I've been involved with but I have to make an exception for this young man. Every year BBC Radio Suffolk gets together with the Ipswich Jazz Club to record a visiting artist and for our latest collaboration we chose one of the hottest properties on the jazz and blues scene. Matt's an exceptional guitarist and the icing on the cake was some of the best Hammond organ playing I've ever heard. That came from Jonny Henderson and with drummer extraordinaire Evan Jenkins also on top form there's little wonder that the same show at London's Jazz Cafe a few nights later has just come out on CD.
5. MIDGE URE - New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich 20th November
Music nights at The Wolsey are all too rare which is strange when you consider what a great venue it is for those who prefer to sit down to listen to their live music. Its intimacy and good acoustics provided an ideal setting for an acoustic evening with the co-founder of Band Aid. Midge immediately struck a great rapport with the sell-out crowd and treated us all to music from all stages of his hugely successful career. He finished with "Do They Know It's Christmas?" It really would have been rude not to.
Reading about the above gigs you could be forgiven for thinking I don't venture very far for my music. Nothing could be further from the truth. Nanci Griffith's show at the Cambridge Corn Exchange, Houston bluesman Hamilton Loomis's visit to Billericay and Sarah Jane Morris's latest appearance at Boxford were other highlights but this time round my home town hosted my five favourites.
Stephen Foster presents BBC Radio Suffolk's Drivetime programme. Each weekday from 4pm Foz presents the very best music and brings you all the day's news and sport as well as regular travel bulletins. Every evening after 6 you can hear the very best in classic rock, blues, folk, jazz and many other genres. There's also comprehensive coverage of the local music scene including sessions by local bands and singer/songwriters.
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