Introducing Stu: who will be joining me for Shindig, Bath Fringe and – hopefully -Glastonbury this year. It’s a Shaw thing he’ll be on the money…
Rapport
Over the past year or so, I’ve had the great pleasure of working with – and getting to know – the incomparable Stuart Shaw. Stu plays bass with the Andy Burden Band and Made by Martians, with both of whom I’m on drums. It’s important for drummers and bassists to have a good rapport. And, with Stu, this was established very quickly. With the latter outfit this is particular useful, since everything we do is semi-improvised (catch us this Friday at The Ram in Widcombe if you want to check us out).
But – like all good musicians – Stu doesn’t confine his talents to one instrument. When accompanying break-through country/rock singer Rhiannon Paige, Stu also doubles as guitarist. So, when I discovered that my regular partner-in-crime, Rob Whale, was unavailable for this year’s tour-opener at Shindig Festival, I invited Stu to join me on guitar and bass. The beauty of this is that you lucky people can get to see both together for a special Fringe outing of ‘Love & Hope‘ at The Bell on May 28th (8pm).
Inclusive and Immersive
One of the joys of putting these shows together is the opportunity of connecting fabulous players who might otherwise never meet. And connection is a central theme of the evening. During these trying times, it’s more important than ever that we remain open to one another. Singing and dancing together aren’t frivolous activities. They are essential to spiritual well-being and social cohesion.
So, we are counting on you to come and get involved. As with all of my fringe shows, this will be an inclusive and immersive experience. But not one that will make you uncomfortable (it’s possible that line was crossed in previous outings). This time, we feel it’s important to provide a joyous and uplifting diversion. Not to say it will be lightweight. The songs won’t shy away from pressing matters of the day. But they will offer an underlying message of love and hope.
Free Your Mind
It’s particularly apt to have Stu onboard for this. In a previous life, he was ‘something big in the city’. There, he worked for ‘the man’ and, ultimately, made himself miserable. Like so many, Stu had been lured into a world of shiny promises. Which really only served to make him part of a self-feeding machine. To a greater or lesser extent, we are all slaves to that system. A system that isn’t broken but is, rather, ill-conceived.
But we needn’t be trapped. Like Stu, we can choose not to play the game. It takes courage and sacrifice but we are all capable of both. “So free your mind / Let go your soul” (to quote a song you’ve not yet heard). And the best way I know of to do that is through music. To quote the same song “Tonight we dance, tonight we sing / No matter what the dawn may bring.”
I think we can all get onside with that. Don’t you?
