Al 's songs have been produced by Diz McMullen who no longer smears himself in fishoil.
Influences
Col Birch, radiohead, Van der graff generator, The Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Hank Williams, Dixie Chicks, Lyle Lovett, Kate Bush, XTC, Steve Earle, Noel Coward, Ron Sexsmith, Randy Newman, Tom Waits, Rufus Wainwright, Stephen Bishop, Leon Redbone, Eels, The Clash, James Taylor, Neil Young, The Band, Al Jarreau, Bill Withers, The Beatles, Charles Aznavour, Dr Feelgood, Earth wind and Fire, Tom Lehrer, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Spinal Tap, Thin Lizzy, Burlesque, Elvis, George Melly, Laurel and Hardy, British Music hall, Gilbert O'sullivan, Gilbert and Sullivan, Mott the Hoople, Ken Heague, Bob Marley, Ian Dury and the Blockheads, Wild Weekend, the Pop Group, the birthday party, Barbara Paulus, Roger McGough, Spike Milligan.
In a recent interview with Music and Cheese monthly (the bible for ukulele players who work in the milk products industry) Al revealed a little known influence on his work. This was washboard svengali Cody Shuttlephut who was a major musical figure in the 1970s (primarily 1972, March 26th to April 3rd). Shuttlephut's seminal work "Crabfoot mama stole my jellyroll soup" which consisted of 16 sonically challenging hours of psychedelic washboard, brought Shuttlephut worldwide attention. When he was arrested and sent to prison in 1973 for cutting his toe nails whilst driving without a seat belt, Shuttlephut wrote his famous four song trilogy consisting of; "Can't count, won't count", "Burnt my lips on your stew", "You make a double chin look hot" and "Shaved my knees for you, ragtime boogie" (later covered by King Crimson). Al took the five finger thimble shuffle from the middle eight of "Burnt my lips on your stew" inverted it and wrote "I know how to Float" as his homage to Shuttlephut. Shuttlephut died in 1997 in an horrific cheese rolling event in Somerset and consequently never heard Al's musical tribute.
Happy New Year (a bit late I know... sorry!) Cheers for your friendship in 2008. All the best for 09. As always, let me know if I can help you out with any leaflets, flyers or posters to promote your gigs. If you place an order, just mention that you're one of my Myspace friends and I'll knock 15 quid off the cost. Hope I can help you out sometime. Take care, Tom. Check out my website to find out more about leaflet printing, flyer printing and poster printing.
I just visited again and played I Know How to Float - after a sterling recommendation from I Am Not The Beatles dot com directed me here again. Good lord but I love that song I do. Home in a few weeks for three weeks this time and wouldn't mind a pint, mate. Are you going to Magazine? Happy new year to all of you and all of yours from the bible belt. x
Hello Al Joe's Musical Circus will be at the Hand & Heart on Derby Road every Wednesday from 11 June. If you are visiting Nottingham we would love you to play for us. x
HOWDY-DOODLEY-DO-COCK-A-DOODLE LET'S WAKE THE DEAD...
Welcome to the Thingumajigs' virtual sphere of friendship and thanks for the add. We're glad you appreciate our music.
Drop beats, not bombs. Make music, not wars. Drink tea, not monkey urine. Thingumajigs is a good time band so always remember to get thingumajiggywithit - YEAH!
Allo... if you're at Bestival come say allo...
Claire and the Fella's, Tom Fry (Double Bass), Fergus Gerrand (Percussion) :
On Stage : 8pm
Stage : The Bandstand
Friday 7th.
Isle of wight..
claire x
