Over the next week.. as one of the co-ordinators of Stony Live.. I'll be putting my few drunken pictures on this page. If you want a bigger image send me an email akpowell@btinternet.com. Want to be on the mailing list...do the same.
Please check www.stonylive.org for latest updates on the calendar. Please Check my other web for details about my bands. www.andypowell.org.uk
Thursday 13th June
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Mr Music Director Ant King |
Mr Martian Bob Bryant |
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No one would believe... That Dai Phillips was not Richard Burton
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No one would have believed That Dai wears Pyjamas.
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..and on guitar....Andy .........Fenton.. |
..and on guitar....Andy .........Bridgeman
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Andy, Ali and Ant |
The landlord congratulates the band... Ken Daniels theatre manager!!! |
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A seated audience in the Fox? |
The team that beat the Gremlins.. let alone the Martians.. (Ant is hidden behind the speakers) |
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Jazz Night School.. Dave King and many many friends. War of the Worlds was not the only thing on. (Photo Pete Jelf) |
Diary Thursday June 13th 2002
No one would have believed... that's how Richard Burton's haunting voice starts Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds. Well let me say no one would have believed that from this community such a professional show could be put on in a public bar of a traditional English pub. Let's not beat around the proverbial bush. These are your mates, neighbours, fellow musicians who through shear passion and belief have put a show on that Jeff Wayne would have been proud of.
But it nearly never happened. A story of legend now exists. Out of courtesy Ant contacted Jeff Waynes office, to invite him. However, his office told him that he would have to obtain a licence and a contract from Jeff Wayne to put the production on and that it was unlikely that this could be done in time.
I got an email from Ken Daniels.. !
Sub: stony live web URGENT URGENT
"Please take ALL and I mean ALL references to War of the Worlds off the StonyLive website immediately. We have hit a major snag. Will explain when I see you."
The plug was pulled.
Unknown to me at the same time. Ant and Ken were ringing local Radio and TV presenter "Big" George Webley a) because he is a mate and b) he had worked with Jeff Wayne in the past. (A half dozen other good willed musicians, were also trying to get through to George as well). They were lucky enough to get a communication through to Jeff himself. Jeff agree to meet them after George gave assurances that this was a "true" performance of his work.
I got an email from ken that said.
Sub: Urgently Cancel URGENT!!!!
"The guillotine blade has got caught on a piece of particularly stubborn piece of cotton."
So on the day of the performance Ant and Bob drove up to to see Jeff Wayne.. with a full wallet and a humble heart. Jeff was really friendly the paper work was done and they received tremendous encouragement from Jeff for the show. Jeff said "you mean you going to put my multi million pound production on in a pub..... You must be f*&^^&% mad!!!!.
Despite being out of pocket.. Ant and Bob's dream for three years launched into it's tumultuous story. Dai Phillips, playing the part of the Journalist, drove the story to spine chilling heights. Bob and Ant provided the main vocals and the powerful voice of Ali, from Unit 6, provided backing and lead on the beautiful song of No Nathaniel. With two Andies (Fenton and Bridgeman) on guitar and Ant playing the keyboard we had a faithful production to the original work from Jeff.
As a great fan of the original record. I found the two dimensional world of audio had successfully jumped into three dimensional extravaganza on stage. Thanks to Big George for helping it to happen. Big thanks should also go to Ken Daniels, for having the nerve and the trust in his friends, to shut his pub for the night to stage the production. I am actually very proud (I know its a sin) of the community we live in that can do things like this. The show runs again on Saturday.. but I am afraid if you have not got tickets, it is sold out.
Still its my turn tomorrow night. Come and see me at the Outlaws night at York house. I intend to seriously entertain.
Also there is a call for action for anybody wanting to busk on the High
Street on Saturday 15th. Just turn up put your name in a slot and
perform it’s that simple. It will be a good chance to see you. And I know the
England Denmark’s game on put there are plenty enough pubs in Stony for you to
see it.
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