Caught in a Spell review

Old readers of this blog will recall a character I worked with called Mr T. We have both since moved departments and buildings but last week I caught up with T and I gave him our  CD  to listen to ...Now two Yules ago T slated our single release Days of Winter he told us some home truths that hurt at the time but it was T at his most brutally honest. A Music afficianado he has been around the block a few times and has a great musical taste be it a little to Jazz in my opinion .The bloke knows what is what so I was surprised to get this unprompted review that I'd like to share......

T wrote.......

Bazza, I've listened to the whole cd twice since i got home. You should all be proud of what you have accomplished. It's meant to be MY album review so if you're not happy with it don't publish it(?) but feel free to to do with it what you wish.



Cheers T



Caught In a Spell Review


Have you ever had that Susan Boyle moment? You know what I mean, that moment when you see or hear something that you weren’t quite expecting and it makes your jaw drop and your conscience and mind, kind of goes into a spasm, not quite comprehending what’s going on.
Well I had my moment this afternoon on the M25 between the M40 and Heathrow whilst I was listening to the opening song, The Park, on Spriggan Mist’s new cd Caught in a Spell. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a complete nubie to the Spriggan, hey I was there (in spirit) at their inception and heard the inaugural songs, warts and all. But I haven’t listened to them for a long time.
No what I mean is I couldn’t get my head around how far they have come. The album exudes warmth and love and at times good old joie de vivre (take a bow Spriggan Dance). I had to keep reminding myself that the members of the band are not professional musicians and so much the better. For crying out loud they even have a six and nine year old making guest appearances!
The music comes from the heart and not the wallet.
The Park with it’s brooding atmosphere draws you in and entices the listener to behold the magical world of a faraway place inhabited by ‘ Faery’ folk and their ilk, before grabbing you by the short and curlies… the rest of you has to follow!
Earth Calling, dear old Earth Calling emits flavours of the East fused with the medieval troubadour sound embellished by 21st century artistry, again magical. Indigo Child, probably my favourite track. I once poured scorn on the vocals. I still stand by the criticism, but wow what a transformation , now the vocals sound warm, confident and strong, no longer a wannabe Maria Muldaur ( remember her). This girl can sing.
Faery Queen, melts the heart, a touch of genius to include Brianna’s vocal. Spriggan Dance closely follows Indigo Child as one of my favourites, played as tightly as any headlining band you care to mention. It made me smile and if I hadn’t been in the car I’d have grabbed the first woman I came across by the hand and led her a merry dance (or at least I’d have thought about it).


Overall a terrific first album and this coming from a jazz head. I have 10,349 tracks on my ipod it’s just gone up to 10,358. The band nestle between Special EFX and Spyro Gyra (Morning Dance anybody?).


If I have one criticism it would be that I never got a signed copy!
I’ll be dropping a fiver into the cancer collection box tomorrow in lieu of payment.


Mr T.

thanks T much appreciated

Strike a Pose

So dearest fans how are you all today?......good? What both of you? Fantastic! So here I am writing another exciting episode in the life and times of a bass player. It is my first day off today which means it’s my Saturday even though it is Thursday to the rest of the world! And my world is a wonderful place.....the children are off on their hollies and I am sitting awaiting the dress rehearsal of Brianna (aged 5 and 348 days old’s) one girl dancing show in our back room.....sound brought to you by her older brother aged 9!!!


So we have given Mother dearest the day off from her usual child care duties so she’ll be off down the common room of her detention centre aka old people’s sheltered accommodation where she will be playing cards with her green hatless peak , cigar out the side of her mouth and mountains of chips.........smothered in HP sauce of course!!!!!

So tonight I’m providing low end for the band at The Blue Anchor Folk club. In West Byfleet. The question is ....what do I wear.....toying with doing the whole Kilt thing....Dave reckons it won’t go down well (good job really cos that would be embarrassing) can’t just go in jeans ...wouldn’t be right not very Spriggan Mist.

So what about the Spriggan mobile I hear you say? Yes the sprig mobile is now sporting a new Kenwood.....I can make cakes on the go now .........seriously it charges me IPod and everything. Ok it cuts out going over big bumps and sometimes I have to turn the ignition on and off to get it to go on but it is in keeping with the character of the van!! Still awaiting some graphics from the Dark Marge for the side.....and a sticker saying

“ No musicians are left in this vehicle overnight”

Could you imagine how awful?

“Where’s Andy?”

“ Oh we had our van screwed last night ...stole our percussionist”

Then the endless trawling of the pawn shops for him...I said Pawn not Porn!!!!!!!

So an old friend from work who has since moved offices contacted me he is big into photography now and wants to add Spriggan Mist to his portfolio... ..Now his work is phenomenal his name is Glyn Dewis and he has some great ideas involving smoke bombs and ruins.....(ruins as in buildings not us) Anyway see his work here      http://www.glyndewis.com/
Dave was showing some resistance but as long as he is “understated” he’ll be happy.

Now I really should be doing some bass work but my neighbour works nights and am a bit reluctant to make too much noise having done loads of night work myself. I actually miss nights that wonderful feeling as you are driving home of ....Bed! The drivers of the cars all around you have that look of “oh my god another early morning ..Work boring work.....” and then you are going to slip into your sack all snug......until some idiot fires up his bass amp that is!!!!!!