An excellent book written by Gran Fan Mark Jones was published earlier this month and is recommended to all those interested in the Bristol folk scene of the the Sixties and Seventies.

Inside you’ll find

·       In-depth profiles of over 30 artists and coverage of many more.

·       Personal reminiscences from many of those on the scene.

·       34 pages of illustrations, including many previously unpublished photographs.

·       Histories of the numerous folk clubs and the two main local record labels.

·       A comprehensive discography listing more than 180 records.

·       A listing of CD re-issues and artists’ current websites.

In the late 1960s and early ‘70s, Bristol became nationally renowned for its powerhouse folk & blues scene, and was second only to London for the number and influence of its recorded artists. It’s an era still remembered with enormous nostalgia by those who participated, and is nigh legendary to those who came later.

Although focused on Bristol, Bristol Folk should be of great interest, not just to Bristolians, but to all fans of late 1960s and early 1970s British folk and blues music, not to mention that strange beast now known as ‘psych’ or ‘acid folk’, because many Bristol-based musicians became nationally-known and influential exponents of these various styles. Bristol, because of the national reputation of its folk scene, became a magnet for the brightest and best on the folk scene: established names such as Al Stewart, Stefan Grossman, the Incredible String Band and John Renbourn were enamoured of Bristol’s friendly folk scene and were frequent visitors to clubs, such as the Troubadour, where they were often given a run for their money by Bristol’s own resident musicians, many of whom went on to become national names themselves.

Bristol Folk, by music historian and discographer, Mark Jones, features painstakingly researched profiles of all the artists known to have recorded in and around Bristol’s vibrant folk scene in those two decades: from Ian Anderson’s country blues to the manic 1920s jug-based jazz of the Pigsty Hill Light Orchestra; from Adge Cutler & the Wurzels’ novelty rural folk to the sophisticated images of Shelagh McDonald; from the rustic rock of Stackridge to the finely-crafted ‘psych blues’ of Al Jones; from the magical ballads of Bob Stewart to ethereal pop hits by Sally Oldfield; from the inspired, original guitar work of Dave Evans to the ‘acid folk’ of Keith Christmas – and much more. These are discussed in the context of the wider music scene, with mention of the numerous and often vastly-popular groups and artists who either didn’t get to release records in their own right or had them issued outside of the years covered, from Canton Trig to the Deep Blues Band and many others.

Amongst those who contributed specially-written pieces – included in addition to their profiles – are Ian Anderson, Andy Leggett, Saydisc’s Gef Lucena, Rodney Matthews (yes, the world-famous fantasy artist started out designing LP sleeves and gig posters for Bristol’s folk set), Bob Stewart, Steve Tilston, Keith Warmington and Fred Wedlock, all of whose diverse careers either started in Bristol or were shaped by their time on Bristol’s folk scene.

The 34 pages of illustrations include photographs – many previously unpublished – promotional materials and memorabilia from the artists’ private collections and other archives to which the author had special access, plus over 80 record sleeves. Also included are cuttings from Bristol’s early 1970s arts and entertainments magazine, Preview, and Plastic Dog’s near-legendary Dogpress newsletter – one edition of which found itself being waved around at a Parliamentary hearing on obscenity!

For more information follow this link http://www.bristol-folk.co.uk/index.html Published November 2009, by Bristol Folk Publications, price £18.99 (+ shipping).

Drummer Steve Grice termed the band “punk metal” and pretty successful they were too. They played twice at the club, once on Tuesday 10th September 1985 when they shared the bill along with SWEET REVENGE. They toured Europe with MOTORHEAD and featured in punk and metal charts with both singles and albums. They were, some say, Bristol’s most successful slash/metal/punk band. Their second times at the club was a big affair prior to their trip to Germany supporting BLACK SABBATH. Al has just delved into the Granary archives and found the poster advertising the event whilst Gran Fan Tom Andrews discovered that he had photos taken on the night in his collection. Such memories!

The Christmas Granareunited extravaganza will be on Sunday 27th December and with the next day being a Bank Holiday there’s every reason to party party party!

Why not come along to Al Read’s next pop quiz at the Prom Music Bar. ‘Tis a gert laff !

GRANARY ON HTV LOOKBACK 2000

Back in 2000 HTV did a feature on the Granary with some interesting stuff about the buildings history as well as an interview with Al Read by Polly Lloyd about the rock years. You can watch it on You Tube using this link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5fSzQEF-Hs

Wherever you go, make sure you’re wearing a Granary T-Shirt. Here is rock guitarist Prashant wearing his.The location is Central Park, Sector 34, Noida (just outside Delhi) India. Watch out for Number Two in the series - where will the Granary T-shirt go next?

Phil Martin was a regular visitor to the club from 1982 through to the closure in 1988 and remembers the rock nights with DJ Adrian Coleman at the turntables. On Saturday 2nd February 1985 the group on stage were MAGNUM. That was the third out of the five appearances they made at the Granary. Phil took his camera along on the night and took the following pictures. Thanks for letting us see them Phil.Vocalist Bob Catley - are you in the crowd?

Bob Catley and Tony Clarkin

Bob Catley

A shot from the balcony

MAGNUM also used artist Rodney Matthews of Plastic Dog Graphics to design many of their album covers. Find out more about how Rodney started at the Granary and went on to international fame as a fantasy artist at

http://www.rodneymatthews.com

From the depths of the Granary Archives some long lost photographs have been unearthed showing the Club’s final DJ Adrian Coleman at work in the disco booth along with the much loved Granary DJ Glenn Daniel. Glenn tragically died from a heart attack several year ago. Glenn took over the disco when Al Read left in 1982 and it was Glenn, Adrian and DJ John Mason who looked after the rock on record through to the last night in 1988.

Glenn Daniel on the left, Adrian Coleman right. The posters advertised BANG WALLACE who played the club on Thursday 27th September 1984.

Adrian on another night with the “Granary Home of Rock” banner on display behind the band’s lighting rig.

Have a question filled night and prove you’re a smarty pants (are you smarty or are you pants?) and win prizes.

AL plays quizmaster at the PROM

Once every couple of months Al Read is the quizmaster at the Tuesday night pop quiz at the Prom music bar. It’s always a fun night out and I’m sure you’ll enjoy taking part. It’s just £1 each to enter and you can make up a team of up to 6. Identify the music clips, answer the music trivia questions and fill in the title or artist blanks on the quiz sheets. There are cash and goodie prizes (not only for the clever clogs but also for the team that comes last!).

GRANAREUNITED 15 (Fifteeny Meeny Miney Momentous)

Al and Ed invite you to the next Granary reunion evening on Sunday 30th August when original Granary DJs will spoil you with non-stop classic rock just like they did at the Granary Friday night rock discos back in the 70’s and 80’s. Our new home at the Golden Lion will be decorated with Granary memorabilia and both the Granary book and Granary T-shirts will be on sale at special sale prices. Admission is FREE and, as the next day is a Bank Holiday, you’ll have plenty of time to recover!