Special Guest Songwriter Aaron Yorke
Aaron is a deeply gifted songwriter who wears his heart on his sleeve.
Very influenced by artists like David Gray and Tom Baxter, his latest album "Taking The Time To Heal" is a mature collection of songs about the human condition. Aaron has the rare ability to share the intimate moments of his life with his audience, through this sharing experience he leads you through some difficult soul searching songs. The process is a rewarding experience for the listener as you come away with a feeling of kinship, that here is someone here who can put into words what you are feeling, who can express a certain moment in your life through his music.
In our conversation at the Midlands Arts Centre on the occasion of his album release, we talk about songwriting, promotion, autism and home recording. Plus from gig Aaron performs When A Relationship Ends and Have You Felt Beautiful Lately. Aaron also has a myspace page.
 

Music from:
Freddie Stevenson - Chinese
Mr D & The Honky Tonks - Coming Or Going
Kelly Lee Evans - Let's Call A Truce Tonight

Poetry from
Niall O'Sullivan - Hard Is The Journey & Broccoli

Music from:
Dawn Crusade - Dufus
Petunia - Shauna Burns
Magic Lantern - Women And Children
Taking The Time To Heal - Aaron Yorke
One On The Floor - Syngularity feat Thevi Olin
The Dusty Old Freight Train - Stephen Cohen

Poetry from
Cynthia French performs Chocolate , Pocket Rocket
 

Special Studio Guest Paul Murpy

This weeks podcast is given over entirely to my special guest Paul Murphy, a singer and songwriter who has been writing and performing over the past four decades. He was born in Belfast and came to England in 1966 as a 16 year-old-with just a guitar and a handful of songs.

From the beginning he was determined to write songs that had integrity and drew on real experience. During those formative early years on the road he hung out with the likes of Lemmy from Motorhead and Van Morrison.

Paul has called Birmingham home for over 30 years and has been a vocal supporter of songwriting and live music in his adopted city. In 1996 he established SongwritersCafe, which for several years provided a valuable showcase for up and coming artists as well as featuring turns from more established acts such as Ocean Colour Scene who invited Paul to support them on an Irish tour.

Until recently Paul has focused almost exclusively on live, intimate performances that allow for his huge capacity for spontaneity. 'On the spot' songs have long been a hallmark of his gigs. So also is spoken word, poetry or talking blues. He says: "The thing with live performance is that like theatre it's in the moment, unique, unchangeable and for a procrastinator like me that is huge liberation."

In this interview Paul talks about his full and varied career in music, from his beginnings in Ireland, coming to England in 66, performing at the Marquee Club, developing his songwriting / poetry skills, setting up the now famous Songwriters Cafe in Birmingham to his present live work, including raucous guest slots with gypsy and klezmer influenced 14 piece band The Destroyers. Paul has recently been working on recording four decades worth of original songs. Here he performs new songs College Square & Hometown, as well as spoken pieces Shoplifters Talking Blues & Dark Road.

You can find more information about Paul at http://www.myspace.com/paulmurphysings & at C21Vox
You can also view a video of Paul performing with the Destroyers on Halloween at Google Video

Another excellent batch of songs and poetry. From the intimate evocative nay mystical sounds of Marissa Nadler to the world beats of Alain Nkossi Konda and the positive vibes of poetry from Celestial Dancer. All this plus one of my teenage musical heros Howard Jones who has just made a song available on the podsafe music network...

Music from:
Alice Peacock - Different From The Rest
Marybeth D'Amico - Leaving
Alain Nkossi Konda - Mokili
Yikes McGee - Coup D'etat
Marissa Nadler - Under An Old Umbrella
Howard Jones - Building Your Own Future
 
Poetry from:
Celestial Dancer with Premonition & Going Home