The Martin Harley Band get their 2009 activity under way with a UK venue tour in February and March. The hard-gigging trio kick off with a return to London’s Half Moon venue in Putney on Thursday February 12th, then leapfrog from town to town, playing many celebrated small venues until the end of March. Widely regarded as one of the finest live acoustic acts in the country, The Martin Harley Band look set to continue the momentum with which they finished 2008, with a Johnnie Walker session on Radio 2 and opening all of James Morrison’s UK dates in November.
The spring tour accompanies a re-release of some of Martin’s early material, along with re-mastered versions of live favourites and a few surprises, licensed to London indie label Villainous Records (www.villainousrecords.com). The band has recently had the rare honour of being granted permission to record several versions of the Tom Waits song “Chocolate Jesus”. The American songwriter is notoriously protective about his material, but as Charles Pateman owner of Villainous Records explains…” We approached Tom’s management and the people at Jalma Music, his publishers and sent them an MP3 to listen to. The arrangement is radically different from the original, with a gritty urban blues feel, and they really liked it and gave us the go-ahead”. This eponymous first album – Martin Harley (VRN0010) has a more stripped down “porch” feel to it and is perhaps a stronger showcase for Harley’s infamous weissenborn slide guitar style than last year’s offering “Grow Your Own”.
thanks for letting us share the stage with y'all at oceanfest yesterday fellas :) awesome set by your fine selves take it easy, hopefully catch you again soon Jim/ Hip Route
Great gig in Farnham last night, I heard you but couldn't get to the front to see you..maybe you should get one of those high stools like Dave Allen..goodnight, and may your God go with you... all the best, Steve Brookes
Hi Martin... you're such a talented guy..I've been lucky to find out about you and I'm happy to have been in Castel San pietro cause I had a chance to see your performance which has been incredible. I haven't really seen anyone playing like you for ages and people there were all crazy for you. It's just incredible the way you can play and sing and there's so much feeling in what you're doing... I really hope you'll be back in Italy soon otherwise I'll come to England to see you cause I think it's gonna be something really worth it... you're cool man...I forgot...I read about your trips and about your experiences all around the world and I'm a traveller too, you know... I appreciated that so much and I now understand why you're like this....travelling, meeting people,sharing other people' cultures makes us better people... much respect, Martin,you're one of the best ,if not the best one,.... kisses from Italy ciao......
You were great at the gig the other night :) Loved hearing the bands stuff, you got a great reaction too, I think you and the band should come do your own gig here in the near future ;) :) Hope you enjoyed it.
Its good to hear you found that old house of yours. I'm glad you liked my songs, it was good of you to say so. I'm sure we'll meet again sometime. Lets keep in touch. Yours Guinessandjamesonsally, Mean Uncle Ethan.
Hi martin, Superb gig at Dartmouth festival. Really enjoyed jamming with you guys at the afterhours private party in the Royal Hotel too! I thought for one minute your double bassist had put the headstock through the ceiling :)See you again sometime soon at a gig for some more top class blues!! cheers, johnny ;)
You guys were absolutely superb last night. I can't recall I time I've been so into a live performance, enjoyed the music SO much and just had such a damn good time.
Thank you, I can't wait until the next time I can come and see you!
