Thursday, 24 November 2011
Tuesday, 12 July 2011
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
Starshine..Strawberry Fools Live 15MAY2010
Monday, 24 May 2010
Strawberry Fools...Deadly Nightshade
Live in Aldermaston Village Hall, UK, 14MAY10. Video by Pete Bradley, sound direct from desk by Dick Greener, mix by Ralph Tonge, video edit/conversion/re-sync by Les Cotton
Sunday, 23 May 2010
The Flower and the Young Man...Live Video
Video by Pete Bradley, sound multitrack from the sound desk, mixed by Dick Greener...video sync by Les Cotton
Tuesday, 18 May 2010
Strawberry Fools World Tour reviews
The Strawberry Fools at the Hythe Centre Staines – You talk of me with acid rain
..a Review by Nigel The Badgeman
Sadly I was only able to make this show and not the one the night before at which apparently all sort of microphone drooping and other shenanigans happened.
A band on the wagon, sworn to no Bacardi until it was all over, I rather suspect there may have been just a little ad libbing on that front, as a few cans of liquid refreshment were cast to the floor inside a bin upon arrival.
Onto the night, or last night as it is now, and a goodly gathering of friends, musicians and spiders witnessed some fine playing which kept us entertained all night long.
Claridge fronted the band (most of the time) hardly dressed in his vibrant grass snake green but resplendent in what could be termed his royal gardening attire, forestry green and invisible within a forest, or stalking for a dear. He certainly cut a dash with his bongos between his legs.
To the left, Rand “he” “Pete the Fool” tinkled away on the old ivories like he was a Wakeman in waiting,. If the truth is known, it probably wasn’t ivory, more like plastic or bakelite, although as no chemical testing was allowed on the night, it may have been either. Pete was wearing the designer t-shirt emblazoned with the Fools logo (available from Foolish enterprises at £8 ) His mug also appeared a few times on the interactive screen used as a backdrop as sponsor of tonight’s event. Next time a BT directory, or is it yellow pages drops through your door, be thankful, you helped the show, remember the Fools and look up their number.
In the midst sat the “Dick”, being a Saturday night I imagine there were many plaudits coming the way of a Dick way right across the country. Vocalist , guitarist and yes…historian par excellence about all things like the development of the western world, but majoring on lecturing everyone on the history of tonight’s songs and their place in the history of Strawbs albums. “Let the worrying start”, if any of it filters out
Sitting to the left of centre, but to me on the right where the Prince is normally seen, was the King of the lead guitar Ralph the “Tongo” Fool. Studious interpretations and little tinkles were very much in evidence through the sets, enhanced by the use of ebow and slide in very special places. Very special places indeed and the excellent inserted additions made those special places, special.
Finally, there was Les the Fool Cotton, bassist and interpreter of gadgets. How I loved the bits where the bass shone through and thumped me square and fairly in the ear. But that is not the full story, a quick change – of position ! saw Les swap places with the green cross dresser taking the lead for Starshine…OK there may have been no Angel wine, but the voice rang out sweetly.
A goodly gathering, oh I have said that once, spread from far and wide across the globe and UK, indeed fans had even travelled from Holland for this special weekend, although Roy Hill trumped that as he had a fan that had flown… OK, really got them them bussed in from Germany which is a little further, just to show who is le boss.
While seasons change… yes well
Why seasons change we were treated to two exhibitions of this line at the very start as the band found their groove and then flowed seamlessly from classic to classic, except of course for the little history lessons in between.
Some great interpretations of songs and the harmonies were absolutely spot on. When you were a child, you probably didn’t know the Fools, but if not, tonight by this second number you certainly did. This is no foolish operation, even if in name, certainly not in their playing.
It was good to hear so many tunes that don’t usually get a live airing and as I never copied down a set list, I‘ll leave that to another compiler or the historian in residence.
Whilst a Strawberry fool or two may have been the main attraction tonight, we should not forget the support of Wychwood or the undoubted talents of Mr Roy Hill who had the audience, both new and old switching between laughter and intensity of songs… in the split of second….in much less time than it takes to do the atom. What a coop.. Baa !
I picked up a copy of the Fools first CD release – Antiques and Cheerios. When I said “picked up” , I would have done, but the security around the merchandise was so tight, ever seen the size of their bouncers ?? never got my fingers any where near it. …nor me … so I went along and bought one.
Got to thank the Fools for the drinks and e mail check on the cover and also the free advertising, but if you think your e –mails are indecipherable you should see the ones Mr. Hill sometimes gets after my Friday night on the cider.
Ever the glutton for punishment I thought I would listen on the way home. As if an evening the company of Fools wasn’t enough, I was all set up for that little extra. A very fine album it is too, with one or two or three or four originals. The only complaint I have is that it is so long, by the time I turned into my drive it was still playing.
So the answer would be to either slow down a bit or throw it out of the window before I get back. Certainly not the latter, it’s available,…… again from Foolish enterprises (£7 – plus or minus postage, I have no idea on that ) and well worth my recommended investment. It may become a classic….no, it will become a classic.
When is the Best of the Fools compilation coming out ?
Nigel The Badgeman
..a Review by Nigel The Badgeman
Sadly I was only able to make this show and not the one the night before at which apparently all sort of microphone drooping and other shenanigans happened.
A band on the wagon, sworn to no Bacardi until it was all over, I rather suspect there may have been just a little ad libbing on that front, as a few cans of liquid refreshment were cast to the floor inside a bin upon arrival.
Onto the night, or last night as it is now, and a goodly gathering of friends, musicians and spiders witnessed some fine playing which kept us entertained all night long.
Claridge fronted the band (most of the time) hardly dressed in his vibrant grass snake green but resplendent in what could be termed his royal gardening attire, forestry green and invisible within a forest, or stalking for a dear. He certainly cut a dash with his bongos between his legs.
To the left, Rand “he” “Pete the Fool” tinkled away on the old ivories like he was a Wakeman in waiting,. If the truth is known, it probably wasn’t ivory, more like plastic or bakelite, although as no chemical testing was allowed on the night, it may have been either. Pete was wearing the designer t-shirt emblazoned with the Fools logo (available from Foolish enterprises at £8 ) His mug also appeared a few times on the interactive screen used as a backdrop as sponsor of tonight’s event. Next time a BT directory, or is it yellow pages drops through your door, be thankful, you helped the show, remember the Fools and look up their number.
In the midst sat the “Dick”, being a Saturday night I imagine there were many plaudits coming the way of a Dick way right across the country. Vocalist , guitarist and yes…historian par excellence about all things like the development of the western world, but majoring on lecturing everyone on the history of tonight’s songs and their place in the history of Strawbs albums. “Let the worrying start”, if any of it filters out
Sitting to the left of centre, but to me on the right where the Prince is normally seen, was the King of the lead guitar Ralph the “Tongo” Fool. Studious interpretations and little tinkles were very much in evidence through the sets, enhanced by the use of ebow and slide in very special places. Very special places indeed and the excellent inserted additions made those special places, special.
Finally, there was Les the Fool Cotton, bassist and interpreter of gadgets. How I loved the bits where the bass shone through and thumped me square and fairly in the ear. But that is not the full story, a quick change – of position ! saw Les swap places with the green cross dresser taking the lead for Starshine…OK there may have been no Angel wine, but the voice rang out sweetly.
Starshine from Les Cotton on Vimeo.
A goodly gathering, oh I have said that once, spread from far and wide across the globe and UK, indeed fans had even travelled from Holland for this special weekend, although Roy Hill trumped that as he had a fan that had flown… OK, really got them them bussed in from Germany which is a little further, just to show who is le boss.
While seasons change… yes well
Why seasons change we were treated to two exhibitions of this line at the very start as the band found their groove and then flowed seamlessly from classic to classic, except of course for the little history lessons in between.
Some great interpretations of songs and the harmonies were absolutely spot on. When you were a child, you probably didn’t know the Fools, but if not, tonight by this second number you certainly did. This is no foolish operation, even if in name, certainly not in their playing.
It was good to hear so many tunes that don’t usually get a live airing and as I never copied down a set list, I‘ll leave that to another compiler or the historian in residence.
Whilst a Strawberry fool or two may have been the main attraction tonight, we should not forget the support of Wychwood or the undoubted talents of Mr Roy Hill who had the audience, both new and old switching between laughter and intensity of songs… in the split of second….in much less time than it takes to do the atom. What a coop.. Baa !
I picked up a copy of the Fools first CD release – Antiques and Cheerios. When I said “picked up” , I would have done, but the security around the merchandise was so tight, ever seen the size of their bouncers ?? never got my fingers any where near it. …nor me … so I went along and bought one.
Got to thank the Fools for the drinks and e mail check on the cover and also the free advertising, but if you think your e –mails are indecipherable you should see the ones Mr. Hill sometimes gets after my Friday night on the cider.
Ever the glutton for punishment I thought I would listen on the way home. As if an evening the company of Fools wasn’t enough, I was all set up for that little extra. A very fine album it is too, with one or two or three or four originals. The only complaint I have is that it is so long, by the time I turned into my drive it was still playing.
So the answer would be to either slow down a bit or throw it out of the window before I get back. Certainly not the latter, it’s available,…… again from Foolish enterprises (£7 – plus or minus postage, I have no idea on that ) and well worth my recommended investment. It may become a classic….no, it will become a classic.
When is the Best of the Fools compilation coming out ?
Nigel The Badgeman
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
STRAWBERRY FOOLS - LIVE AT LAST
14 MAY, ALDERMASTON VILLAGE HALL, THE STREET, ALDERMASTON, BERKSHIRE RG7 4LW
15 MAY, THE HYTHE CENTRE, THORPE ROAD, STAINES, MIDDLESEX. TW18 3HD
The Strawberry Fools are a Strawbs tribute band featuring:
# David Claridge - guitar, dulcimer, percussion, vcls
# Les Cotton - bass, guitar, vcls
# Dick Greener - guitar, percussion, vcls
# Pete Rand - keyboards
# Ralph Tonge - guitar, ebow, vcls
They made their live debut as guest at the Strawbs Christmas Party in 2008, by kind invitation of Dave Cousins, and were to have played a slot at the Strawbs 40th anniversary celebrations in 2009 but had to pull out owing to family illness. This and the following night's show at The Hythe Centre, Staines, Middlesex are their two first full-scale shows, and they'll draw on the rich vein of Strawbs music, often selecting material that is some way off the beaten track. Selections for this show are likely to include: "Fingertips", "Tell Me What You See In Me", "When You Were A Child", "The Golden Salamander", "The Flower And The Young Man" and many more.
Doors 7.00pm, show 8.00pm
ALDERMASTON - No bar - BYOB - Bring Your Own Bottles (handy pub just down the road)
HYTHE CENTRE - Licensed Bar
Tickets: £8.00 - NB Tickets must be purchased ahead of both the shows.
Info and Tickets HERE
Saturday, 2 January 2010
New Solo CD availble here...Northern Slums to Western Dreams
My debut solo album, "Northern Slums to Western Dreams", is now available.
Recorded in my Home Studio in Lancashire, UK, between 2003 and 2009, its something I've always wanted to do. Lots of hours involved, but all great fun. Note that nearly all the tracks are different, superior versions to those on the website player...I went back to the original multi-track recordings and totally remixed them over a two week period in December 2009.
Here's the Video Promo -
The full 15 track album is available as a high quality mp3 Download, complete with full artwork and sleeve notes, for £4.50. You can pay with any Credit Card securely by clicking the BUY NOW button below. Download link will be sent straight away....
Here's the Video Promo -
One Of Those Days from Les Cotton on Vimeo.
The full 15 track album is available as a high quality mp3 Download, complete with full artwork and sleeve notes, for £4.50. You can pay with any Credit Card securely by clicking the BUY NOW button below. Download link will be sent straight away....
thanks,
Les
Monday, 23 November 2009
2010 Animal Calendar from Artwork
Beautiful ringbound 2010 Calendar featuring images of animals from original pencil drawings by
Sue Cotton
Reproduced on quality matt paper stock
Sue Cotton
Reproduced on quality matt paper stock
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Discovering Turner's Lakeland by Stanley Warburton
Stanley kindly gave me a name credit on the sleeve of this book (I assisted him with tech stuff during production..)
The edition is almost exhausted, and so, if you want a copy, contact the author immediately -
22 Coronation Road
Lytham St Annes
Lancashire
FY8 1BH
(tel: 01253 735563)
Stan, in his 93rd year, bases this on a lifetime’s admiration of Turner and the Lakes. An artist and former chairman of the Northern Branch of the Turner Society, he was the author of Turner and Revd. Dr. Whitaker (Towneley Hall Art Gallery, Burnley, 1982).
The edition is almost exhausted, and so, if you want a copy, contact the author immediately -
22 Coronation Road
Lytham St Annes
Lancashire
FY8 1BH
(tel: 01253 735563)
Stan, in his 93rd year, bases this on a lifetime’s admiration of Turner and the Lakes. An artist and former chairman of the Northern Branch of the Turner Society, he was the author of Turner and Revd. Dr. Whitaker (Towneley Hall Art Gallery, Burnley, 1982).
Fylde Gallery, Haven Road, Lytham
Thursday 16th February - Sunday 25th March 2012:
'An Art Refined'
A stunning exhibition by the Lancashire nonagenarian artist Stanley Warburton - a wonderful collection of oils and watercolours by this talented artist and one time friend of L.S.Lowry. A must for all Lancastrians who are interested in their heritage.
Thursday 16th February - Sunday 25th March 2012:
'An Art Refined'
A stunning exhibition by the Lancashire nonagenarian artist Stanley Warburton - a wonderful collection of oils and watercolours by this talented artist and one time friend of L.S.Lowry. A must for all Lancastrians who are interested in their heritage.
Tuesday, 4 August 2009
Witchwood badges...buy them here
Witchwood
is a Discussion and news about British Folk/Rock group
Strawbs
The Witchwood Badge pictured here
is now available worldwide through Paypal
You do not need a Paypal account to use this service
Prices including postage and packing are shown below and this depends on where you live. For single orders Please click on one of the three buttons according to your country of residence and then follow the steps, to order your badge
Additional badges (up to 5 ) with your order are charged at UK £2.00.each and no additional packing or postage from that detailed in the buttons
If you require between 2 and 6 badges,rather than use the buttons please contact via -
http://www.myspace.com/nigelthebadge
stating your requirements
UK Purchaser
£2.50 including post and packaging
CLICK BELOW
Euro zone purchaser
£3.50 including post and packaging
CLICK BELOW
Worldwide purchaser including USA and Canada
£4.50 including post and packaging
CLICK BELOW
Monday, 3 August 2009
Homecoming...the video
Homecoming from Les Cotton on Vimeo.
Bjorn says:Here is a song i wrote earlier this summer.Most of the pictures from Hestøysund/Helgeland in Norway.
Who did what -
Bjorn:
Electric & acoustic guitars
Les:
Jamstix Drums, Luxonic Bass program, Pianoteq Piano, Cakewalk SI Strings, Les Paul Lead Guitar via Toneport UX2 Dual Amp patch..also Mixing / Mastering
Peter:
Mellotron keys, Organ
...hope you enjoy
Bjorn, Les and Pete
Sunday, 2 August 2009
Strawbs...40th Anniversary Weekend
40th ANNIVERSARY
TWICKENHAM, 12/13 SEP 2009
THE LIVE ROOM, TWICKENHAM STADIUM
South Stand, Twickenham Stadium
Rugby Road, Twickenham TW1 1DZ
- Rick Wakeman & Dave Cousins
- Electric Strawbs – current line-up
- Electric Strawbs – Heartbreak Hill line-up (including Andy Richards and Tony Fernandez)
- Electric Strawbs – Blue Angel line-up (including Blue Weaver and Brian Willoughby)
- Acoustic Strawbs (with Sonia Kristina guesting)
- Blue Angel Orchestra
- Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby
- Cry No More
- Fire
- Zeus
- John Ford
- The Strawberry Fools
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
The band I play with, Strawberry Fools, home-recorded a cover version this weekend while in Newbury..its now in the Soundclick Top Ten, please give it a listen, we might make Number 1 yet :) see -
Song: Scarborough Fair
Page: Strawberry Fools
Strawberry Fools are: Dave Claridge, Les Cotton, Ralph Tonge, Dick Greener, Peter Rand
Instruments
Acoustic Guitar/Backing Vocals - Dave Claridge
Bass - Les Cotton
Keyboards - Peter Rand
Lead Vocals - Ralph Tonge/Dick Greener
Cheers,
Les
Friday, 19 June 2009
StoxDvds...get them here !
To watch a FREE Video Preview,
CLICK PLAY
CLICK PLAY
Filmed by me on full size VHS camcorder, almost complete Belle Vue meeting, May 1986...Bobby Ball appeared
Highlights also of a Sheffield 1987 meeting
..and some later 2004 footage of the Heritage cars from new Belle Vue
Highlights also of a Sheffield 1987 meeting
..and some later 2004 footage of the Heritage cars from new Belle Vue
Sunday, 14 June 2009
Saturday, 13 June 2009
Dishpointer...line up your Sat dish
Just choose your Satellite from the dropdown list, then enter your Postcode or town in the box below that -
Thursday, 4 June 2009
The lost Stereo LP...found !
My previous post A Journey into Stereophonic Sound tells of my first experience of Stereo heard via an old (mid '60s) Vinyl Demo LP. I'm pleased to say I now have that recording, you can hear it all in the Player below...click the Play button -
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Sharing a Multitrack project using Reaper
There's been some confusion about how to share a project amongst us using Reaper. I've come up with the method below.
Huge improvement in Filesize, 50mb instead of 500mb for a Project, with no perceivable quality drop...amazing.
====================================================
0. NEW DEFAULT PROJECT SETTINGS
File > Project Settings > Audio Settings > Audio format for new recordings:
Set to OGG VORBIS, and go with its defaults.
Click bottom right to SAVE AS DEFAULT PROJECT SETTINGS
1. EXPORTING A PROJECT
File > Consolidate/Export Tracks:
Ensure ENTIRE PROJECT is checked top left, choose CONSOLIDATE TO, and in the dropdown box, OGG VORBIS,
Leave at defaults (192khz etc).
In Output consolidated files to directory, click the Browse button, and choose or make a new Directory, maybe c:\audio\songname ... this will convert all individual tracks to OGG format, and also Save a reaper.rpp file, plus some peak files (not strictly needed, but OK to include).
Click the Process button.
2. ZIPPING & UPLOADING
To send on for mixing, close Reaper, and Browse to your directory c:\audio\songname ... highlight all the files there (Left-click once on 1st file, then hold down Shift key, and Left-click the Mouse on last file, all will be highlighted). Whilst they are ALL highlighted, Right-click once anywhere on the highlight, and choose SEND TO then COMPRESSED (zipped) FOLDER ... you will see the files being added to a ZIP file named like your files.
Go to -
www.sendspace.com
Click BROWSE there, find the ZIP file, click on it .. it appears in the box ready for Upload ... enter Recipients Email, tick box bottom left to agree terms, and click UPLOAD .... once done, a link is sent to the Recipient ready for Download, and also appears onscreen.
3. DOWNLOADING & IMPORTING A PROJECT
When Recipient has the File, he UnZips the contents to a Folder in his working Audio directory, then a simple left doubleclick on the SONGNAME.RPP file will load all tracks locally into his Reaper prog, maintaining all PAN / VOLUME etc settings, as seperate tracks.
All of the above also applies if you use the excellent FLAC format...just substitute FLAC in the dropdown menu instead of OGG ....filesize is roughly double that of OGG, but totally lossless.
================================================================
Hope this all makes sense ! As a Proof of Concept, here's my cover version of "Driver's Seat" project, play about with it as you wish, its at -
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ckf9ju
Huge improvement in Filesize, 50mb instead of 500mb for a Project, with no perceivable quality drop...amazing.
====================================================
0. NEW DEFAULT PROJECT SETTINGS
File > Project Settings > Audio Settings > Audio format for new recordings:
Set to OGG VORBIS, and go with its defaults.
Click bottom right to SAVE AS DEFAULT PROJECT SETTINGS
1. EXPORTING A PROJECT
File > Consolidate/Export Tracks:
Ensure ENTIRE PROJECT is checked top left, choose CONSOLIDATE TO, and in the dropdown box, OGG VORBIS,
Leave at defaults (192khz etc).
In Output consolidated files to directory, click the Browse button, and choose or make a new Directory, maybe c:\audio\songname ... this will convert all individual tracks to OGG format, and also Save a reaper.rpp file, plus some peak files (not strictly needed, but OK to include).
Click the Process button.
2. ZIPPING & UPLOADING
To send on for mixing, close Reaper, and Browse to your directory c:\audio\songname ... highlight all the files there (Left-click once on 1st file, then hold down Shift key, and Left-click the Mouse on last file, all will be highlighted). Whilst they are ALL highlighted, Right-click once anywhere on the highlight, and choose SEND TO then COMPRESSED (zipped) FOLDER ... you will see the files being added to a ZIP file named like your files.
Go to -
www.sendspace.com
Click BROWSE there, find the ZIP file, click on it .. it appears in the box ready for Upload ... enter Recipients Email, tick box bottom left to agree terms, and click UPLOAD .... once done, a link is sent to the Recipient ready for Download, and also appears onscreen.
3. DOWNLOADING & IMPORTING A PROJECT
When Recipient has the File, he UnZips the contents to a Folder in his working Audio directory, then a simple left doubleclick on the SONGNAME.RPP file will load all tracks locally into his Reaper prog, maintaining all PAN / VOLUME etc settings, as seperate tracks.
All of the above also applies if you use the excellent FLAC format...just substitute FLAC in the dropdown menu instead of OGG ....filesize is roughly double that of OGG, but totally lossless.
================================================================
Hope this all makes sense ! As a Proof of Concept, here's my cover version of "Driver's Seat" project, play about with it as you wish, its at -
http://www.sendspace.com/file/ckf9ju
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