Review from reporter, Elliot Grimes of the Basingstoke Observer
They may be a tribute band, but Blue Onyx sure know what they are doing. Moody blues’s classics such as “Gypsy” and “The Actor” were played with passion and a unique flare at times. The wide selection of song styles kept the audience transfixed until the end, along with extremely zealous members, one of which was using her flute to play guitar and the drums.
Despite having a band of seven, including a flautist and a keyboardist, the band kept a tight set of which the Moody Blues would be proud of.
With such a hard act to follow, Kindred Spirit would have their work cut out. It was not long, however, until it was obvious that this was a band who enjoyed every second of being on stage. They were playing in front of those who appreciate their music and are as passionate about it as the members themselves. Long instrumentals allowed both flautist and violinist to show off their hidden talents. The introduction of a saxophone in a selection of songs was an interesting change.
“Songs of Dragons” and “the Devil” were something very special and a brilliant example of Folk Rock at its best. The bassist coped extremely well playing his double necked bass, bringing another air of individuality to the band. A well deserved round of applause from the audience allowed the band to sneak back on stage, and, accompanied by the members of Blue Onyx, play through one last song. After thanking the crowd, it is brought to everyone’s attention that they will be playing in the not too distant future. Maybe an event worth checking out for those looking for a relaxing evening of live music? Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Sunbury Arts Centre, March 29th '08 Annie, Mike, Gavin, Alan and Elaine at Brentford Festival, September 2nd '07 Annie, Mike, Sim, Alan and Elaine at Weyfest, September 1st '07 Annie, Mike, Sim and Elaine at Basingstoke Live Festival, July 8th '07 Annie, Mike, Gavin and Elaine at Ambient Picnic Festival, July 8th '07 Annie, Joey, Gavin and Elaine at Kingston Green Fair, May 28th '07 Full band at Richmond May Fair, May 12th '07 Full band at the Cavern Liverpool, Nov 11th '06 Annie, Sim and Elaine at the Cavern Liverpool, 30th June 2006.
At "Yellow Umbrella Day", 24th September 2006 At "Silfest", Imperial College Festival, 24th June 2006 At Kingston Green Fair, 29th May 2006 At Richmond May Fair, 13th May 2006 At The Beacon Court Tavern with The Dean Howard Band, 21st April 2006 At Central Studio, Basingstoke, 2005Review by Martin Harold "Hi Elaine, just had to drop you a line. Just come back from your Gig at Central Studios, Basingstoke and was knocked out, just Brilliant...It was the best Gig I have been to in a while and I go to a lot. You remind me of Blackmores Night with a bit of Curved Air thrown in. Great songs (Ace songwriter) Brilliant Musicians. Sim, where has he been all this time, I was never too keen on Violins...till now, he was amazing, change my mind completely on the instrument, sort of Jimi Hendrix of the Violin. Some great work from Annie as well, loved the Sax and Flute, Rhythm team were spot on as well. I cannot say enough how much I enjoyed it ... Thanks again Martin." At Grayshott Jambouree, Hampshire, 2005 At Farnham Carnival, Surrey, 2005 At the Coach and Horses, Isleworth, Middx, 2005 At Richmond May Fair, 2002
Mystic Journey Show
The Mystic Journey show was created by Elaine Samuels back in 2002 and is a magical experience combining the ancient and compelling art of storytelling with Celtic harp, performed by the wonderful France Ellul, and our own "celtic rock" songs performed by a six-piece Kindred Spirit band line-up. The show tells the story of the Green Man and how he helps mankind to save a planet on the verge of ecological disaster.
More about The Mystic Journey
Elaine with Gavin, Annie, Mike and Alan play as the completely live, electrifying band, Kindred Spirit; featuring Elaine's beautiful vocals, powerful songs and guitar playing, Annie's brilliant flute and sax playing plus lovely harmony vocals, Gavin's incredible violin playing, Mike's driving bass guitar playing and Alan's expert drumming.
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Kindred Spirit are renowned for their stunning takes on some classic tracks and will take your breath away with an incredible version of Bob Dylans, All Along The Watchtower. The stunning nature of the treatment of these tracks is due to the hauntingly beautiful and deeply emotional voice of Elaine enhanced by the extraordinary flute playing of Annie Parker in combination with the phenomenal violin playing of Gavin Jones.
Kindred Spirit at Brentford Festival Sept 2007
Add to My Profile | More Videos Singer / songwriter / guitarist, Elaine Samuels began singing in folk clubs at the age of just 14 and is known on the folk / acoustic circuit as a powerful solo performer, having performed at folk clubs and festivals the length of the country and having been featured on radio and television a number of times.
Elaine began evolving Kindred Spirit back in the 90s and, as a duo with first violin player Jane Eldridge, Kindred Spirit were booked at Glastonbury and Guildford Folk and Blues festivals, to name a few. The current five-piece band line-up first began performing after the dawn of the new millennium and are fast building up an enthusiastic following. See Elaine's own My Space site (below)
for all her songwriter projects
as well as her solo / duo / trio gigs
(only band gigs are listed on this page)Annie Parker trained classically to a very high level on the flute, which she also teaches. Like Sim, she puts her instruments through effects pedals creating some very interesting sound-scapes and her sheer technical ability and dexterity, combined with a talent for improvisation produces thrilling instrumental solos.
Annie is a very talented musician with a natural ear for harmony and improvisation. Her bright style and enthusiasm was not wasted on the audience. You probably noticed us all lifting and swaying with her when Annie pipped the high notes! Ray Cawte
Annie posing with her saxGavin Jones joined Kindred Spirit in June 2006, to share gigs with Sim, since Sim wanted to significantly reduce the number of live gigs he was doing (due to a big increase in his teaching work and desire to spend more time with his wife and son). Gavin is another extraordinary violin player with a very high level of classical training (even private lessons at the Yehudi Menhuin School) and plenty of practice improvising with jazz and blues musicians. Gavin has invested in an electric violin and effects board, since joining the band, and is fast becoming an expert purveyor of the scorching, electrifying violin sound. Gavin performing liveSim Jones is a phenominal and manic electric violin player. Heard (at a duo gig with Elaine) in 2005 by Ian Gillan of Deep Purple Ian was so gob-smacked by Sims playing that he immediately recorded some of Sims electric violin solos for his DVD project, Gillans Inn, being released April 2006. In March 2006, Ian invited Sim to perform with him and friends at the Albert Hall for the Tommy Vance, Teenage Cancer Trust night. Ian Gillan said of Sim,
I've been in this business for forty years and I've heard everything but tonight I've heard something completely new." Sim performing live at the Albert Hall with Ian Gillan and friends including ace electric guitarist Dean HowardMike Hislop joined Kindred Spirit in January 2007, to take over main bass playing from Joey and Chris. Mike is an experienced bass player, playing Hohner 'Jack' fretless as well as 4 string fretted bass guitars and having a double-headed, fretless/fretted, custom built behemoth. Mike originally studied bass trombone and has played in a number of bands. Mike posing with his 4-string bassAlan Barwise joined Kindred Spirit in May 2007, to take over main drumming from Russell, who wanted to put more energy into his function band. Alan has played most types of music including jazz, rock, folk and blues and has played with many bands including the Sutherland Brothers and Clayson and the Argonauts to name but a few. Alan uses Gretsch drums and Zildjian cymbals as well as a range of percussion.
Alan playing his first KS gig at Richmond May Fair
Richmond May Fair Images 2007
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Another very special feature of the Kindred Spirit band is the musical interplay between lead instrumentalists Gavin and Annie. Not only do they produce beautiful solos and foot stomping jigs and reels but they are superb at on the spot improvisations and fly into thrilling musical duels live on stage.
Albums and Downloads
Kindred Spirit currently have 6 band albums available.
You can buy albums and get to some digital downloads via this link:-
Kindred Spirit Albums / Downloads
The tracks you can hear on this My Space page are from the albums:-
In The Doghouse
The Watchers
Metamorphosis - now available to buy
"Tanglefoot" Ceilidh Band
Elaine, Sim and Annie also play with caller and bass player Pete Eiseman-Renyard to form one line-up version of the barn dance band, "Tanglefoot". See the "Tanglefoot" My Space site from the friends list below.
Booking "Kindred Spirit" AND "Tanglefoot"
This could be a very attractive option for event organisers of festivals and the like, since you would virtually get "two" excellent bands for "one" on cost!
Live Music UK Pub Guide
Kindred Spirit have started a guide to pubs in the UK, where they have played, or are currently playing, which feature live music.
The guide gives images of the pubs (where we have managed to get them), lists the type of beer and other drinks available, lists any special features (like car park, food, recreational facilities etc.) and give links to the pubs own web sites where available. The pubs tend to be west and south west of London which is the area Kindred Spirit most often play in.
Check out the Pub Guide
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Hello everybody, I'm looking forward to play 3 really nice gigs in the UK this week! This mini-tour will bring us to the Stables in Milton Kaynes, the County and Station pub in Matlock Bath and Town Hall Arts Centre in Selby. Looking forward to meet you all! :-))) Cheers, Agnes
Peace Sunday, June 5, 1982, Rose Bowl, no nukes - nuclear disarmament - stop nuclear madness concert - NYC - Central Park - June 12, 1982, 1,000,000 person march and rally for Nuclear Freeze. Photography and presentation by Curtis Rainbow. 'Give Peace a Chance' music by Achim Schultz. Inspiration by Yoko Ono. Dedicated to John Lennon.
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..?
CHECK OUT MY NEW SLIDE VIDEO FOR "IM FEELIN YA" PLUS CHECK OUT THE "PROM QUEEN REMIX" WITH LIL WAYNE FEAT YOURS TRULY BOTH PRODUCED BY T.CHARLES. TO ALL DJS THAT WOULD LIKE A COPY OF MY SINGLE SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. TO FANS THAT WOULD LIKE TO HELP PROMOTE ME YOU CAN PUT ME ON YOUR TOP FRIENDS LIST, PUT MY SINGLE ON YOUR PAGE, OR PUT PICS OF ME ON YOUR PAGE. PLUS FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AT WWW.TWITTER.COM/LILBABYTCP.
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After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 2 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): WALKABOUT WITH MY PEN
Once drove an old sedan, up north, From a place in Sydney to Cairns; Then to Kuranda I went forth, By train, to look without set plans.
I browsed through the trendy market, With fresh fruits of tropical kind; Walked to the creek through lush thicket - Nature’s hand giving peace of mind.
I dined in a scenic cafe; Then, outside, as I wrote for yen, Some passing Kooris called-out: “Hey, You go walkabout with your pen.”
Request or question, I don’t know - Assured voices, elderly men. That’s now several years ago, And I’ve seen the world - with my pen.
HI THERE, GREETINGS FROM NORWAY AND THANX 4 THE ADD. ITS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED, NICE TUNES, GREAT MUSIC. TAKE CARE AND KEEP ROCKIN... SOUTHERN OUTLAWS...NORWAY...
If you have walked in the heart of the Greenwood and have bathed in the light of its living force remember what you have felt; and whenever you pass a tree whether it stands alone in a wilderness of human making or in the depth of woodland, give a moment of your time to listen to its voice. For in many parts of the land the trees are dying only the hearts that know something of the true wisdom can save them. (Anon)
Time to welcome in the Summer, health and happiness.
Si usted ha paseado por el centro del bosque verde y se ha bañado en la luz de su fuerza viva recuerde lo que usted ha sentido; y siempre que usted pase al lado de un árbol si está parado solamente en un yermo de fabricación humana o en la profundidad del bosque, dé un momento de su tiempo para escuchar su voz. Porque en muchas partes de la tierra los árboles se están muriendo solamente los corazones que tengan algo de la sabiduría verdadera pueden salvarlos. (Anón)
The Mystic Journey show was created by Elaine Samuels back in 2002 and is a magical experience combining the ancient and compelling art of storytelling with Celtic harp, performed by the wonderful France Ellul, and our own "celtic rock" songs performed by a six-piece Kindred Spirit band line-up. The show tells the story of the Green Man and how he helps mankind to save a planet on the verge of ecological disaster.
The guide gives images of the pubs (where we have managed to get them), lists the type of beer and other drinks available, lists any special features (like car park, food, recreational facilities etc.) and give links to the pubs own web sites where available. The pubs tend to be west and south west of London which is the area Kindred Spirit most often play in.
