Joseph Porter, Annie Hatcher, Steven Cooper and Jerry
Influences
An evening in the company of Joseph Porter, and his hard-beaten acoustic guitar has been compared to a cross between Private Eye, 1066 and all That and John Betjeman's coming out party.
Sounds Like
What does the band sound like? How long is a piece of string? With a catalogue of 130 original compositions to choose from, the band are able to adapt their set to suit their surroundings. With a whole range of both acoustic and electric songs, Blyth Power can settle comfortably into the tidy seated arena of an art centre and discuss matters on intimate terms, with precision and definition. Just as easily they can select a programme of up-tempo numbers to get the dancers tumbling over each other in a smelly rock-club basement, or reeling in a wet Marquee after a long day at the cider tent. Present to all humours and any occasion, ‘they change a visor swifter than a thought.’ There is no fixed set of songs. Each audience is presented with a tailor made selection that can vary from the gentle acoustic arpeggios of Burning Joan to the full-on punk rock assault of songs like Carlisle and Sometimes I Wonder. There is everything in between as well, and it is with a sly sense of mischief that the band will take delight in taunting the least folk-oriented crowd with the sound of accordions, or slipping in a raucous anthem to enliven the atmosphere of a balmy country fayre.
But overriding everything is the breadth and content of the lyrics, which Mr Porter claims are his first love, and his most cherished care. Irony and subtext mingle with plain-speaking and historical metaphor in brilliant tapestry of colour and irreverent speculation. Will Charles succeed to the throne? Will politicians ever keep their pants on? Why was Mary Tudor so uncouth as to burn total strangers, and will the legacy of sweat and boredom left in the desert by the Templar Knights be rekindled in the Kevlar helmets and SA80s of the modern armies bound for Baghdad? Anyone can make music, but not everyone can find the time to make every word count for a dozen, or to unravel the intricacies of human fallibility with a perception that rarely falls short of sympathetic.
With their twenty fifth anniversary fast approaching this year, Blyth Power remains one of the most original and innovative bands around. Formed in late 1983 by singer/drummer Joseph Porter, one of the prime features about the band is their all-consuming individuality. They have a strikingly identifiable and personalised sound built basically around Joseph’s epic songs, with their colourful personnel, exotic story-lines and crashing, impassioned choruses.
All merchandise can be purchased at The Blyth Shop
Hi , glad you’ve become our friends on myspace. If you haven’t already make sure you join us at www.wohomusic.net to see what we’re all about and we’ll help you shout about your music. If you want us to carry out a CD or gig review or hold an interview with you just let us know and if it cuts it we’ll even add the write ups as features on our homepage! We’ll also add a track or two of yours onto wohoradio if you like? We’re always looking for ways to help musicians promote themselves so let’s get our heads together and see what we can do . . . look forward to seeing you and hearing your tracks on wohomusic soon!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this folk-carol on myspace... Poem 230 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (see my blog for details): CHRISTMAS SUNG SIMPLY
As gospellers have said, Beneath signalling skies, On land dusty to tread, A trough in a stable Was the strawy first-bed Of a divine baby - The forgiving Godhead.
A season for new hope - There then and here now; The yuletide of goodwill - There then and here now.
In respect of this chance, Beneath bright or dark skies, Faith's the star that we glance Attending Christ's churches And trying to enhance, With singing and ritual, Our God-loving stance.
Body:
THE
organiser of a music festival once dubbed the Glastonbury of the North
has been arrested on suspicion of allowing drug use at the event: the
fact that Andy is being charged with something ultimately beyond his
control is, for lack of a better word, CRAZY!
Love your latest twitterings. How I've missed them. The better half's glazed over and moaning about "Jello Biafra and Belinda Carlisle voices" on the stereo again and "bloody history, trains and politics!"
Hi!! Whilst you be in stasis, i hope you might be able to answer my question:..... Do you intend to play in the soft south any time soon? I hope you're all ok!!
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Woefully behind on our correspondence, I'm afraid, but unless there's a statute of limitations on "thank-you" notes that I've not heard about, I'd guess it'd still be pertinent to express our appreciation to you for allowing us to sully The Ashes with our tawdry antics... Thanks also to Mr P for rocking my world with his wartime relic; I'd advise anyone to say "yes please" if he ever offers to show them what he's got in his pocket. What possible harm or misunderstanding could arise, eh? Keep it gangsta, CrackTown
Thanks for having me along at your fabulous weekend. It's always a honour and an absolute pleasure. Regarding taking Steven in, you're all always welcome. Thanks again and see you next time. Best wishes, Chris
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