creweroots blog

Its been a while, but creweroots is back!!!

2009-09-07T22:34:00.001+01:00

After several months away for the festival season creweroots is back, all showered, clean and happy to see normal toilets once again.

Next up for us at creweroots is George Borowski.

For the uninitiated out there, this is the famous ‘Guitar George’ (the very same one that Dire Straits sang about...

‘check out Guitar George, he knows all the chords’. He is the happiest, most optimistic guy we’ve ever met, he plays with the heart of a life-long rock n roller and every show is a classic. Amongst his fans he has glowing recommendations from the likes of Teenage Fanclub, Lemmy, Pixies, Ian Hunter, Doves, Sad Cafe and Meat Loaf! That range just about sums up George’s huge appeal.

‘George has an uncanny ability to straddle the divide and deliver a message to all camps’ – Terry Christian

‘It has been a privilege for me to have known and worked with George Borowski for the last ten years’ – Norman Blake (Teenage Fanclub)

‘I have never seen a rock n roll performer so completely connected with what he was doing onstage’ – Frank Black (Pixies)

An interesting summary of George’s career can be found at www.georgeborowski.co.uk/index1.html but this is a night for just turning up, leaving all preconceptions at the door and witnessing a legendary performer playing his first ever show in Crewe.

The gig takes place on the 23rd of September at SquareOne.

So, that’s it for now. We’ll send more information out about the rest of the upcoming gigs (some of which you know about from the last update) in a couple of weeks.

Looking forward to seeing you all again at George’s gig.

creweroots is Glastonbury

2009-06-19T12:29:00.002+01:00

Well were all off to Glastonbury next week to roll around in the mud (well hopefully not if the sun's shining).

There are loads of artists playing Glastonbury that have humbled us with appearances at creweroots ranging from Attila The Stockbroker and Michael Weston-King to Miles Hunt in the Wonderstuff. Make sure you check them all out with coverage of the festival on the TV and various websites.

See you all soon!

Quick update

2009-06-19T12:26:00.003+01:00

Thanks to everyone who turned out for Otis Gibbs; what a great night out that was. We had no idea that they would have rebuilt and decorated the room (for the benefit of those who didn’t make it – we had a brand new beautifully decorated room that was completed only two hours before Otis was due to play). I don’t think we’ve ever seen any artist shift so many CDs, T-shirts and posters at the end of a set before so that was testament to the quality of his performance. Although the room was full for the concert (even with the new extra capacity) Otis was an expensive night to put on for us but we still managed to break even on the night so thanks again for having faith...

So, as we announced last time... there’s a final gig before the summer and it is:

Alana Levandoski‏
Wednesday 1st July – The Horseshoe
£8 in advance, £9 on the door

Alana Levandoski is a singer-songwriter from Manitoba. Her second album has just been released and she will be over here for playing festival shows during July. This gig follows in the new creweroots tradition of Otis Gibbs – she’s travelling down from Scotland on the day to perform for us:

“Alana is truly gifted in penning exquisite songs, like poetry set to music. Her songs are very visual as she paints pictures with words describing Canada’s wide open spaces in such songs as the wonderful ‘Prairie Sun’ with descriptive lyrics: ‘And a prairie town has the heart of a working’ horse/Gotta have your hands in the dirt to stay on course.’

With such craft on display at times I was reminded of a young Nanci Griffith... A strong second follow up album is guaranteed.
Alana also performed several covers from artists who have influenced her career.

'Jesus Gonna Be Here' (Tom Waits), ‘Juanita’ (Gram Parsons), ‘Sing A Sad Song’ (Merle Haggard), a superb rendition of Steve Earle’s ‘Goodbye’ plus a nod to 61-year-old former Winnipegger Neil Young singing his classic ‘Helpless.’

At last year’s Canada Day Celebration host and David ‘Kid’ Jensen said: ‘Remember the name Alana Levandoski as you’re going to hear a lot more from this talented lady.’ I certainly echo those sentiments and I look forward to following the tapestry of songs and albums she plans to weave on her musical journey.” Andy Cole, Maverick Magazine. April 2007

You can see her video for “Jezebel’s Ringin’” at www.alanalevandoski.com/media.htm and you’ll start to see why we’re starting to get excited at the prospect of this gig. There’s another film (at the same address) of her playing the Canada Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square with Ron Sexsmith. By a fabulous coincidence, Canada Day falls on July 1st, the day of Alana’s creweroots gig! You can also hear some songs streamed live at www.myspace.com/alanalevandoski. She’s clearly got that rockin’ country-roots feel about her work but there’s also hints of Joni Mitchell, Carrie Rodriguez, Emmylou Harris and Ryan Adams (amongst several others in there) – should make for a genuinely interesting night. If you want tickets just let us know through the usual channels.

We’ve got more bookings for gigs starting again in September that we’ll announce soon but for now we’ll just tempt you with the news that one of the gigs at the end of the year will be our first ever ‘return’ booking and it will be the only artist (big clue) who received a spontaneous standing ovation from the entire crowd after their last performance). Now we KNOW you can’t wait for that one...

Happy Days,

Richard and Russell

creweroots website updated

2009-05-26T23:15:00.003+01:00

The creweroots website has now been updated with images and videos of the great Otis Gibbs from last weeks gig at The Horse Shoe.

Check it out at www.creweroots.co.uk

Here's a video to give you a taste!

Otis Gibbs tomorrow

2009-05-18T21:53:00.003+01:00

Hey all, don't forget Otis Gibbs comes to the Horse Shoe tomorrow night.

There's set to be a good turn out with tickets sold already but don't worry if you've not hot your tickets yet, there will be plenty on the door! Make sure you get yourself down there.

For more information check www.creweroots.co.uk

See you there!

creweroots ahead of the game again...

2009-05-09T21:26:00.003+01:00

Just thought you'd like to know that Otis Gibbs made 'Top Ten Gigs of the Week' in today's Independent. Admittedly, it's for the start of his tour and refers to his date in Exeter but hey, we're taking this as another victory! Looking forward to his date for us (neatly inserted between Glasgow and London). Still can't believe he's coming to the Horseshoe... feels like another Matt Andersen moment about to happen...

See you all on the 19th.

Alana Levandoski to play creweroots

2009-05-04T17:42:00.003+01:00

Alana Levandoski is a singer-songwriter from Manitoba (how come all these brilliant Canadians have turned up recently?). She was named as ‘the 'it girl' of Canadian roots music this year’ by CBC (whatever that means... but I’m sure Richard will explain it). One music-historian wrote that ‘Alana Levandoski's name is dropped in the most exclusive music circles as the next major singer/songwriter to emerge from Manitoba’. Alana’s second album has just been released and she will be over here for some festival shows. If this gig comes off (and it’s more than likely), it will be the last night of her British tour so that’s something of a coup too.

"Alana is part of an emerging generation of new artists who are reflecting the range of influences that make Canadian music so exciting, from the brilliant free-form collective Broken Social Scene, to the authentic Country twang of Corb Lund," – Bob Harris, 2006

You can see her video for “Jezebel’s Ringin’” at www.alanalevandoski.com/media.htm and you’ll start to see why we’re starting to get excited at the prospect of this gig. There’s another film (at the same address) of her playing the Canada Day celebrations in Trafalgar Square with Ron Sexsmith.

You can find more info on the gig at the creweroots website

A Bit More About Otis!

2009-05-01T20:11:00.003+01:00

Here's Otis Gibbs biography taken from his website just to wet your apatite. Roll on gig night!

"Otis Gibbs is a man in search of an honest experience. Some people refer to him as a folk artist, but that is a simplistic way to describe a man who has planted over 7,000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, been strip-searched by dirty cops in Detroit, and has an FBI file. Otis has played everywhere from labour rallies in Wisconsin, to anti-war protests in Texas, Austria and the Czech Republic, Feed & Seed Stores in the Midwestern U.S. and in countless, theatres, festivals, bars and living rooms. Much of his work concentrates on the world that is ignored by pop culture. Sometimes forgotten, obsolete or simply marginalized, it is a world that doesn’t fit into a twenty-second sound bite or a White House talking point. Otis has spent the last fifteen years travelling across America and abroad documenting this world, and has a story to share about each stop along the way.

Otis grew up in the rural town of Wanamaker, Indiana. He first stepped on stage at the age of four, when he sang Jimmie Rodgers’ “Waiting for a Train” at a neighbourhood honky tonk. While his parents worked countless hours trying to make ends meet, Otis was often in his uncle’s care. Not accustomed to parenthood, the uncle was sometimes bored, so the two would frequent bars, where Otis sang for tip money (which meant more booze for his uncle). Otis was hooked, and would often ask if they could go back and sing some more songs. The answer, “Only if you promise to never tell your parents.”

Otis started working when he was in high school. He stacked concrete blocks, flipped burgers, drove an ice cream truck, pumped gas, and did countless other crummy jobs. After discovering writers like Edward Abbey, Henry Miller and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, he started questioning what he was doing with his life. He was tired of working jobs that didn’t stimulate, or interest him in the least. So, in his own words, he decided to just “drop out.” Over the next four years, Gibbs earned and lived off less than $3,000 a year and had never been happier. He got rid of his car and shared apartments with artists, musicians and radicals (often living with 5 to 10 people). He also took advantage of the free time and wrote hundreds of songs. Otis sacrificed many of the comforts most of us take for granted, so that he could live a creative life.

The next few years were spent touring and releasing four indie records. The most notable being “49th and Melancholy,” (a stripped-down acoustic record, that was recorded to two-track reel-to-reel in a friend’s laundry room). There was also “Once I Dreamed of Christmas,” a collection of songs he’d written “for people who don’t like Christmas.”

In 2004, his critically acclaimed, “One Day Our Whispers” was released. It was an unpopular time to speak truth to power, but the album’s optimism and anti-war undertones resonated deeply with people who felt uncomfortable with the direction America was heading. Though songs like “I Wanna Change It,” “Thirty-three” and “Ours is the Time” have been described as protest songs, Otis prefers to call them “love songs for young radicals.” “The Peoples Day” was later included in a Wall Street Journal list compiled by Billy Bragg of the “Top Five Songs with Something to Say.” This placed Gibbs in the company of Bob Dylan, The Clash, Sam Cooke, and Chuck Berry.

His latest album, “Grandpa Walked a Picketline,” is a glimpse inside of an America that you don’t see on the evening news, but it is the America most of us see at our doorsteps. The album showcases Otis’ ability to breathe life into the characters of his songs. One such example is “Caroline.” The song tells the story of a woman who married too young. She finds herself stuck in an abusive relationship and secretly fears that her children will suffer the same fate. The populist anthem, “Everyday People” shines a light on the struggles our grandparents endured in the workplace. As the line in the song suggests, their generation’s willingness to take a stand, “made things better for you and me.” “Preacher Steve” is certain to ruffle some feathers, but a closer listen will reveal that the only people who should be offended by the song are those cynical clergymen who prey on fear for profit. This album is a reminder that Otis, above all else, is a damn fine songwriter. “Grandpa Walked a Picketline” was produced and mixed by Chris Stamey, engineered by legendary Motown engineer, Bob Olhsson, and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee with an impressive list of players including, Al Perkins, Don Dixon, Tim Easton and Will Rigby.

Otis currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee with his long time girlfriend, Amy Lashley, their dog and two cats. Recently, he’s been examining ways of using bird feeding as a form of civil disobedience.

Not Long To Go Now

2009-04-30T21:59:00.006+01:00

Well it seems an age in coming but the long Easter break is almost over for creweroots.

Otis Gibbs will be swinging his way to the Horse Shoe on Tuesday the 19th May 2009.

Here's a little from Russ:

"Where do we start with Otis Gibbs? Originally from Indiana and now from Nashville, Tennessee, here’s a man who has planted over 7,000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, been strip-searched by cops in Detroit, and has an FBI file. He’s our kinda guy. If you want a good read you can head to ‘The Travels and Tribulations of Otis Gibbs’ at http://www.otisgibbs.com where you can see videos streamed live and hear about a dozen of his songs (we’re playing his new album ‘Grandpa Walked a Picketline’ to death at the moment…).

As we write this update, Otis stands at number 5 in the Americana Radio Chart (USA) AHEAD of the new Ryan Adams album! The Wall Street Journal recently published ‘Five Songs with Something to Say’ – Otis was included alongside Bob Dylan, the Clash, Sam Cooke and Chuck Berry. This is a compulsory night out! No excuses!"

We'll bring you more on Otis soon!

Matt Andersen Update...

2009-03-23T19:48:00.002Z

Just a quick one...

Matt Andersen's manager got in touch today to say that he's in session tonight on Paul Jones' show on BBC Radio 2 between 7pm and 8pm. The session was recorded in February when he was over here and when he played for us (brilliantly) at the Horseshoe.

For more information click here

Or just tune in and crank it up! If you miss it don't worry too much, the sessions are usually archived and you will be able to pick it up at a later date.

Grahame Rhodes Reviews Johnny Dickinson

2009-03-16T22:42:00.010Z

A review has popped in the Chester Chronicle and bluesinthenorthwest.com written by Grahame Rhodes (writer of the latter site) of the Johnny Dickinson gig at SquareOne.

Here is the article:

"It’s always a pleasure to get to a new venue, so it was a treat to check out again the superb Johnny Dickinson, appearing in Crewe for the very first time, organised by the CreweRoots guys in the intimate surroundings of Square One – with the Wednesday night gig attracting a healthy turnout to see this fine musician – playing his 12th gig in just 13 nights!

The amiable son of Northumberland – the fishing town of Amble to be precise – is a quite mesmerising live performer, being a virtuoso guitarist, all acoustic on this occasion, and also possessing a lovely voice – and his diverse choice of material covers many bases, with a lot of blues, traditional British music, and touches of World Music from around the globe.

Two 45-minute sets probably featured more covers than his own songs – but his covers take songs into all directions, sometimes almost unrecognisable, and he is certainly never shy of taking a chance musically. The first set contained a couple of fine blues – the opening “Ain’t No Way To Get Along” from Rev. Robert Wilkins, and probably better known as “Prodigal Son”; with the lovely rolling “Train Station Blues” by the legendary T-Bone Walker.

He showed his extraordinary guitar skills on a couple of traditional tunes – “The Cuckoo” and a song he recorded on his “Old Castles & Kings” release, “Black Jack Davy”, which he said probably was passed between Ireland, Scotland and American, called different things. The first set concluded with another highlight, a lovely take on Mississippi Fred McDowell’s “You Got To Move” - most famously covered by The Rolling Stones.

He confessed to being a fan of the late, great Nat King Cole from his trio days, and we got “Route 66” delivered in his style, before a lovely medley of “Nature Boy” and the timeless “Summertime” – breathtaking stuff indeed. It was back to traditional music on “Jock O Hazeldene”, with words by Sir Walter Scott, and music arranged by Dickinson himself.

This most enjoyable night ended with his unique cover of John Fogerty’s “Bad Moon Rising”, the Creedence hit given a real overhaul; with a richly deserved encore seeing some quite stunning slide guitar on Blind Willie Johnson’s “Dark Was The Night (Cold Was The Ground)” – again, simply brilliant!

Well done to the CreweRoots people for attracting an artiste of such calibre to the town – and the good news is that he returns to the area in September to play Telford’s Warehouse in Chester."

GRAHAME RHODES

You can view both sites with the reviews on by clicking on the links at the top of this post!

roots website updated

2009-03-16T22:29:00.003Z

The creweroots website has been updated with new photographs and videos from the Johnny Dickinson gig at SquareOne.

Check it out at www.creweroots.co.uk

See you all soon!

Just back from Johnny Dickinson...

2009-03-11T23:32:00.003Z

...and here's a taster photo to wet your appetite for more!

Make sure you check the main creweroots site over the next few days for all of the photos and some videos of the gig. We will also bring you more updates through this site (creweroots blog) and while we are at it lets have a plug for our myspace page and facebook group too!

Happy browsing!

creweroots in the Chronicle

2009-03-11T12:08:00.007Z

creweroots have made a half page spread in the Crewe Chronicle (out today) with information about the Johnny Dickinson gig!

Woohoo!

See you all at SquareOne tonight!

Only 10 more sleeps...

2009-03-01T19:00:00.002Z

Until we get to see Johnny Dickinson in SquareOne. Tickets will be available on the door so there's no excuse!

For a taster you can listen to Johnny in the YouTube video link below.

See you all there!

Check out the creweroots videos

2009-02-19T19:29:00.003Z

Take a peek at the main creweroots site to have a look at some of the videos from out past gigs including the latest Matt Andersen show. There are photographs and even a Miles Hunt creweroots wallpaper to download on there.

Don't forget to add us as a friend on MySpace too www.myspace.com/crewerootsuk while your at it!

See you soon!

creweroots does MySpace

2009-02-16T21:04:00.003Z

We've set up a new MySpace page for all of you high tech enough to be on there. We're still figuring it all out for now though so bare with us!

You can add us as a friend on there to keep up to date with new gig dates and listen to a few tunes too!

Come and join the creweroots revolution, the more the merrier!

http://www.myspace.com/crewerootsuk

Otis Gibbs performing in May

2009-02-15T10:19:00.004Z

Where do we start with Otis Gibbs? Originally from Indiana and now from Nashville, Tennessee, here’s a man who has planted over 7,000 trees, slept in hobo jungles, walked with nomadic shepherds in the Carpathian Mountains, been strip-searched by cops in Detroit, and has an FBI file. He’s our kinda guy. If you want a good read you can head to ‘The Travels and Tribulations of Otis Gibbs’ here where you can see videos streamed live and hear about a dozen of his songs (we’re playing his new album ‘Grandpa Walked a Picketline’ to death at the moment…).

As we write this update, Otis stands at number 5 in the Americana Radio Chart (USA) AHEAD of the new Ryan Adams album! The Wall Street Journal recently published ‘Five Songs with Something to Say’ – Otis was included alongside Bob Dylan, the Clash, Sam Cooke and Chuck Berry. This is a compulsory night out! No excuses!

The gig will take place at the horse shoe on the 19th of May, tickets on sale now!

Johnny Dickinson is next up

2009-02-12T23:34:00.003Z

Next up for creweroots is Johnny Dickinson. The gig will take place on the 11th of March at SquareOne.

Here's some info from the creweroots site:

As you already know, it took us a year to get Johnny Dickinson booked in at creweroots. We’ve seen him play several times and we know this is going to be a great night.

Johnny has played the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London, (he’s playing the Royal Philharmonic Hall in Liverpool on this upcoming tour), he’s worked and toured with legends like the late John Martyn, Loudon Wainwright and Jan Akkerman, (personal heroes like Kelly Joe Phelps), and the mighty John Renbourne said:

"I'd go a long way to listen to Johnny Dickinson. You hear a lot of good influences in his music but the result is something special. For me his playing really hits the spot."

If you haven’t been there already, click here – have a listen to ‘Beach Road’, ‘Into the Deep’ and ‘Ocean Blues’. Within 24 hours of this creweroots date appearing on Johnny’s website we were already answering emails requesting tickets (six months in advance!). We’re back to Square One for this gig and we’re sure this will be one of those names that will crop up in the ‘what was the best creweroots night ever?’ conversations that we seem to be having every other weekend over a pint of Stella…

roots website updated

2009-02-12T23:23:00.003Z

The creweroots website has been updated with new photographs and videos from last nights great performance from Matt Andersen.

There's also some information about the gig were putting on in May!

Check it out at www.creweroots.co.uk

Just back from the Matt Andersen gig...

2009-02-11T23:41:00.001Z

... and what a great night it was. I was truly impressed by everything that this guy did, and so was everybody else in the horse shoe! The first creweroots gig to get a standing ovation at the end.

Who needs to watch England?

Keep checking the website and blog for updates on everything rooty and for images and videos from the Matt Andersen gig.

Oh lordy... we're famous!

2009-02-10T22:28:00.000Z

More exciting news to be revealed later this week about our new post - Easter signings for creweroots but, in the meantime, just try this for size...

Almost choked on my oatcakes this morning when I was reading the paper. Guess who is number one 'Gig of the Week' in the Independent today? Matt Andersen at creweroots on Wednesday at the Horseshoe! We might be completely ignored in the local press but the national papers are now recommending our gigs!

Someone in this massive organisation must be making some pretty cool bookings on the quiet... can't imagine who.

Thanks again to Dave the webmeister for all his hard work on the site - there's a really natty links page now to to take you straight to loads of webpages for previous artists where you can hear lots of free streamed music. There are also films and photos from our gigs at Square One, hopefully we'll get around to putting a Jackie Leven tune live from the Horse shoe up there soon too. You know the address it's waiting for you.

Anyway, if you still haven't managed to catch up with Matt's new album now's your chance to see the guy live and buy it on the night. If you want a ticket they are £8 in advance, £10 on the night (feel like we should be charging double now we're famous / legitimate / nationally recognised...). It will be great to see y'all again, details as ever on the website, just get in touch and let us know if you're coming.

Happy days

Matt Andersen comes to creweroots

2009-02-10T22:08:00.000Z

Matt Andersen is playing in the horse shoe tomorrow, here's a little bit about him...

Matt’s manager contacted us looking for some dates in the new year and I admit I replied that I’d never heard of him. His manager sent a CD through the post and I was intrigued and hooked in equal measures. His new album sounds like an incredible mix of Van Morrison, John Lee Hooker, Paul Weller and Eric Clapton… Have a listen to half a dozen songs streamed here and check out ‘Working man Blues’, ‘Something Inbetween’ and ‘Have You Got The Blues?’ and see what we mean.

The Canadian Telegraph-Journal wrote of Matt’s new album:

"The album finds a great groove right away, with this solid, classic band providing a brilliant backing for Andersen's country-infused blues. It's timeless in its tales and impeccable in its playing. Shuffles, slide licks, tasty picking and full background vocals pillow Andersen's sweet singing."

This should be remarkable show – everyone who enjoyed Dai Thomas last year should turn out for this one. Still can't believe we’ve got the guy coming over from Canada and he’s playing Crewe…

Check out Miles Hunt & Martin Stephenson videos

2009-02-10T21:36:00.000Z

Have a look at the official creweroots website to see some videos from our Miles Hunt and Martin Stephenson gigs.

Here's a taster of Mission Drive by Miles Hunt and Erica Nockalls

Hopefully we'll get loads more videos from the artists coming up over the next few months!

Welcome to the creweroots blog

2009-02-10T21:04:00.002Z

Hello everyone and welcome to the new creweroots blog.

We intend to run this site hand in hand with our main site www.creweroots.co.uk to bring you the latest news and information regarding the gigs that we put on.

This blog is currently under construction but should be working 100% over the next few weeks!