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Jools update on 18/03/2008: Wow! This year is just flying by. I expected February to be the first quiet month of the year but things just kept on coming up. I played a few military gigs - they are always last minute things - and had great fun once again at the Officers Mess in Mansergh Barracks and broke my duck at the Nato Officers Mess in Sennelager. The Nato Officers Mess is quite a place to play... It's full of history and, by all accounts, hasn't changed much since it was used by the German Panzer Korps during the Second World War. I played for the Brigadier's dine in and there was a lot of surprise that what I played fitted in so well. Hey! I keep telling everyone that it works! So there was a fair amount of travelling in February and I also did the pubs again, playing a fairly quiet gig in Cologne. That was a surprise because it's usually very upbeat there. Still, the punters were nice and my mate Rich, another musician, turned up with Claudia as they celebrated his birthday. It's always nice when that happens. We had a good old sing song and they kept me busy until the early hours. Also, much to my surprise, when I sang the Rocky Road to Dublin there was a whole table of Germans who seemed to know every word! That hasn't happened before. So far this month I have had another gig in Cologne and that was back to normal. It was great to meet a group of Brits who sat directly in front of me and joined in with every single bar of every single song. Thanks guys... you made the night for me. I hope you enjoyed it in turn. Mel also came to that one and the poor darling was hoarse as hell by the end of the night as she also sang along to every song. I've also been busy at Mülheim and had the novel experience of people dancing to my sound check! As Marcel commented, the average age of the pub seemed to have dropped to something like 15 but they all knew Mad World and smooched to it. Other than that I have new piano students and a few more trumpet students now. But, at last, there are a couple of weeks off as Easter approaches. So, I'm off to Deidesheim for a short break. See you in April!
Jools update on 01/02/2008: January was quite a month in one way and another. Plenty of gigs to go round and a couple of Irish ones as well. It was really nice to be back in Elmpt playing for the Sgts Mess. This time I got to play before the dinner in the bar. My job, apparently, was to keep the wives happy whilst the official photograph was taken. This was quite a terrifying prospect to begin with but once we'd broken the ice, so to speak, the evening went swimmingly and I was able to play a nice selection of upbeat numbers to keep things bouncing along. Even some Oasis slipped in - She's Electric and Don't Look Back In Anger. That made a nice change for me too! Then there was the gig in Limericks. I'd been back in the UK and had arranged to teach the piano before the gig. First of all the car wouldn't budge - the engine started but it was like the axel had completely seized up. I'm no mechanic so I just rocked backwards and forwards for a bit until this almighty crunch seemed to release the axel. Great, I thought, until the engine started overheating as I drove over the bridge. I had no choice but to stop en route and call the ADAC. I had to cancel the piano lesson and thought I was also going to have to cancel the gig as the ADAC said they couldn't be with me sooner than 60 minutes. I waited until the guy came. Like I said, I'm no mechanic so I was mildly surprised when he found there was no water in the cooling system. There should have been - I had the car serviced at the end of November - but it was dry as the proverbial bone. So he filled it up. We got onto music and he chattered away for about 10 minutes about his Clavinova and the kind of music he likes to play. Nice chap but it was the wrong time for me. I raced to Limericks. Thank goodness it was a local gig. I bundled in through the door at about 7.15pm and raced to get everything set up. The gig itself was a really nice gig. I met "Paddy" (I'm still not convinced that's his real name!) from Düsseldorf and it was great to see how animated he got when I started the Irish songs. That was very rewarding. Then other people started joining in and it just kind of got better and better from there on. I was ready to stop about 11.15pm but the people wanted more! So we got onto 7 Drunken Nights and The Wild Rover which, of course, mutated into An Der Nordseeküste. All in all it was a great night but I got home and found there was nowhere to park. I parked outside the flat (illegally) on the pavement. Got up in the morning and found my wing mirror had been smashed off. As the basket who did this didn't leave their details I have to pay for it myself so that was the fee for the gig taken care of. I had a great night and it was great meeting Paddy and the gang but it was slightly marred also by the following piano lessons being cancelled due to illness. There's some kind of bug going around. Oh well, that's life I suppose. Swings and roundabouts. You will find me busking on the street some day soon if it carries on like this!
Jools update on 13/01/2008: Made my first appearance as Elton John last night. There is an English School in Mettmann called the English Learning Centre and they had an opening party where it seemed like a good publicity stunt to have Elton John as the special guest star. I had a great time and "Rock It Man" seemed to go down very well. Someone wanted my pants, apparently! It was a great opportunity to sing some of my favourite songs and the audience were very appreciative. Another highlight of the evening was the 'after hours' show. Once the party had died down I gave a little impromptu performance to Louise (the proprietor) and a select audience. We had a bit of fun with a few Irish songs and finally got onto Sweet Transvestite at around 12.30 on Sunday morning. Ho hum... the old ones are the best. Heavens knows what the neighbours thought! Thanks for the booking Louise, I hope your school (the English Learning Centre) does very well and I look forward to playing for you again.
Jools update on 06/01/2008: So it´s Happy New Year everyone and what a Christmas and New Year it´s been. I´ve been zooming up and down the country for the last six weeks or so and it doesn´t stop for a little while yet. I have, of course, been busy doing all those Christmas gigs. This year has been slightly different and, I have to say, slightly better. Instead of the usual background music I have been booked several times to play a bit of music before or during dinner and then (this is the good bit) I´ve been booked to play another set after dinner as the main entertainment. This has been great and reminds me of why I actually decided to become a musician in the first place. I have been able to use lots of noise and a light rig - the latter definitely gives the whole thing a real stage show feel and the more I do it the more I love it. I played in Mülheim an der Ruhr again on Friday night and after all the excitement of Christmas shows I felt quite naked! Luckily I have the opportunity to play with lights again this weekend as I´ll be appearing as Elton John at an English School in Mettmann. Having said that... the crowd at Mülheim on Friday were a really lovely group and I particularly enjoyed being able to sing a song for Ernest on his birthday. And a MASSIVE THANK YOU for the very appreciative response to the Irish songs I sang. It was also great to have so much demand for an encore. I asked: "Would you like something slow or something fast?" The response came very quickly back: "Something Irish!" And I thought you´d all had enough!!!! Still, I enjoyed singing The Wild Rover/An Der Nordseekuste! Will be back in March. See ya there! Other highlights? Heepen Mess when I played in a massive gymnasium in Bielefeld and became the MC for the evening - I enjoyed that! And a host of all the other Balls and Parties where I´ve played.
Jools update on 26/11/2007: Another busy weekend. I was up in Gütersloh this weekend for two gigs. The Sgts Mess on Friday and the Offrs Mess on Saturday, both at Mansergh Bks so that was very convenient! Friday was a full stag do so the music was quite subtle. I couldn't really tell how it was going down because at these Regimental Dinners it's a kind of rule that there's no response to the music. Afterwards, however, people seemed pleased and I got some really positive feedback so that was great. Then it was off to Bielefeld to kip at my favourite haunt, the Etap hotel. Hardly luxury but it serves its purpose. I spent the day on Saturday walking around the Burg and just reading. Then it was a Ladies Dinner Night in the evening so a bit more relaxed. It didn't take long for the diners to start clapping and then I felt quite at home and was able to let go a bit more. It's always so much easier when you get the feel for the mood. Everybody was very friendly and it was generally a good night - even better because I was able to hook up with my friend Darrell, the DJ. I watched in awe as he set up his rig and programmed his lights! By the time I left the ante room had become a nice little night club. Got home Sunday midday so all in all it was a fun weekend. Thanks everyone, particularly Sid and Rob who made me feel so welcome... I'll look forward to playing for you again.
Jools update on 21/11/2007: Must try to write on this a bit more regularaly! Well, what have I been up to this month? Quite a lot as it happens. The month started with a real merry go round of gigs being booked and then unbooked for 2 Nov until finally the Sgts Mess in Elmpt had me to play for their very intimate Ladies Night Dinner. There were only 29 people dining (I don't think I've ever played for a smaller dinner!) but it was a very good atmosphere. Good to be back in Elmpt after nearly a year. Then I was back in Mülheim an der Ruhr once again to play in the Jameson Irish Pub. That was a really good one - nice crowd who clapped and cheered heartily after every song and, unusually for this pub, they stayed until the bitter end. Murphy's Kleeblatt seems to have died a death and is no longer open, so that gig went down the pan. I've also been doing the rounds of charity gigs what with a Ready Steady Cook event at JHQ and a dinner to raise money for the Afghan Appeal Fund. More military gigs to come in November and December is looking pretty full. Will update as necessary. Currently practising like mad as I've had to wheel out all the old Christmas favourites - if you pass my flat at the moment you'll probably be treated to something like Mistletoe and Wine or A Winter's Tale. INCOMING.....!!!! By the way, some may be aware that I plan to start an Elton John tribute act in the New Year and I've got my first booking for that - nice to have a vote of confidence. Watch this space for further developments.
Jools update on 09/10/2007: The end of September was filled with wedding and pub gigs. The wedding ones are always a bit strange to me but I do enjoy singing Oh Happy Day with Noel. Otherwise I do my harmonies and accompany. Then it was straight onto Irish pubs and that was fun. A whole group of Hen Night girls turned up in Mülheim and they were a riot. Couldn't sing The Colour is Black but did a fine job of Wonderful Tonight which they all sang along with. Good crowd there this time so I was dead chuffed. More concertina playing recently and I've been in Southport for the last few days. The concertina came out for a bit of a sing song but purely for recreational use, you understand! Oh, and I was stopped by customs, yet again, going onto the ferry... Apparently I "fit the profile, sir"!
Jools update on 26/09/2007: Had the rare opportunity of being at a party as a guest this weekend. A good band called Kisum played upbeat party music and I found myself singing along to German Schläger!!! :-o Stuart has been trying to persuade me to learn a few so I might learn a couple of token songs. They're not bad for jumping around to. I found myself unexpectedly free because of a last minute cancellation at Murphy's Kleeblatt. For some reason they have decided to renovate throughout the whole of September. Oh well. There's no point in making a fuss. I've had a quiet week really because it's the school hols so no teaching, but I did play in Limericks in Krefeld last night. Really nice crowd who were very appreciative in a quiet sort of way. Managed to get my next booking for Limericks in September 2008! Never had one that far in advance before :-)
Jools update on 17/09/2007: Mad evening on Friday - I was in the Jameson Distillery Pub in Köln and the rugby was on. This meant I couldn't start playing until 11pm, which was a bit of a bore, but the pub was full of English and South African fans, which made for a great atmosphere! It was also the golf open so there was quite a mix. Thanks to a lovely bunch of girls from Manchester the evening was really lively and they danced the night away right in front of my piano. Thanks for the the duet, Belinda - I've never sung King of the Road quite like that! There were quite a few Ozzies in as well and they were trying to bribe me to play more. Trouble was it was already gone 2pm and loud music, neighbours and the police don't mix terribly well. Had to sing The Road to Amarillo and American Pie twice. Got about four hours sleep and then I had to be on the road again, to Heepen this time. I was playing after a dinner there. It was quite a late start (after midnight) so I played my sets through without breaks. There must have been something in the air this weekend because I also had a few people going crazy in front of the piano on Saturday as well. I particularly enjoyed the strange League of Gentlemen type dancing that was going on during It Must Be Love. Not sure where that came from but anyway, it was a great night.
Jools update on 12/09/2007: It's September and the season has started again in earnest - hooray! Did a couple of gigs last weekend, one pub gig in Mülheim an der Ruhr and a private function in Bonn at a place called Villa Spiritus. It was a fantastic setting overlooking the Rhine - rarely have I had the opportunity to play with such a view in such a grand house. I was tucked away in a little alcove thinking that nobody could actually hear me but at the end everyone seemed to think there was a good atmosphere created by the music. The only embarrassing thing to happen was that I was asked to announce that we could see fireworks over the Rhine from 10pm so we all trudged out to the terrace and sat there dutifully staring into the darkness. A couple of searchlights were drifting aimlessly backwards and forwards and one of the German guests joked that he was waiting for the anti-aircraft guns to start firing! Anyway, nothing happened so after about ten minutes we all just came back in and I carried on playing for a bit. Great food but I overdid it a bit. I spent most of Sunday recovering from two very late nights and, as you do whilst lying in bed, I mused on my next move in the music world. I think it will be in the Elton John tribute direction - already sourced a wig maker so watch this space.
Jools update on 29/08/2007: Had a ball playing for a garden party last night. These are quite funky events because although they're very formal, the setting is lovely, I get to play to a big group of people who respond to the music so well and it's really worthwhile because the music seems to help people relax a bit. PLUS... it's SO great to be appreciated so 'thank you' Sir David and Lady Caroline for booking me to play for you once again! It was so nice to have another opportunity to sing 'Every Step of the Way' again and I look forward to playing for an Afghan Appeal Fund fundraising event for you, as promised.
Jools update on 27/08/2007: Hey! Did one of the performances to parents today and it was great! Gold star for Karolin. Her father told me that since I mentioned the impromptu concert to him last week she has done nothing but practice... tee hee! Now I know the secret.
Jools update on 22/08/2007: Back to reality... I started teaching again today. As I was away for the first couple of weeks of the new school term my students had plenty of time to prepare for my return and had done lots and lots of practice - NOT! So although it was nice to see them again I had to pull out the stops and threaten a public performance (well... a session with their parents). Mentioned this TO the parents so the deadline has a bit of credence.
Jools update on 19/08/2007: So busy, so soon! And to have gigs in August is a massive improvement on last year. Friday night I played at Jameson Distillery Pub in Mülheim a. d. Ruhr and then on Saturday afternoon at the Emmaus Sommerfest. Friday was a little on the quiet side but it's one of my oldest gigs so I always like playing there and I was glad to be able to help Jesse with this short notice gig so soon after my return from holiday. Saturday was really fun. I wasn't expecting so many people to stay so late (I played from about 4.30pm for 90 minutes and the party started at 12pm) but you were all so appreciative and I thank you all for that. And not only that... you knew the words to most of my songs! Really nice meeting the French contingent. That was terrific. And thanks to Alex for organising all the sound etc. and Ellie for booking me. For those of you who don't know Emmaus, it's well worth getting to know more about this worthwhile cause.
Jools update on 16/08/2007: Well, even I have to take a holiday sometimes and I've been away in Scotland for a wee while. Apart from jumping off a 50 ft pole I also got to play my accordeon on the beach to a few people. Got back from my hols to a bit of bad news! The Pogs has handed all its music over to an agent - I'm not on the agent's books so that's the reason, I'm afraid, that the Pogs dates have disappeared from my site. It's a real shame because it's a nice venue and I was really looking forward to playing to that lovely crowd once again. Maybe if enough people ask when I'm playing next, Tom may see the error of his ways! Still, no sooner were these gigs cancelled than Jesse phoned from Mülheim a. d. Ruhr (Jameson Distillery Pub) and offered me a gig on Friday night. Thanks Jesse, you're a star :~)
Jools update on 02/08/2007: Wow, what a summer it's been so far! Thanks to everyone who has booked me and supported me through a very busy period. I've been James Bond, around the world in 80 days and seen several Elvis's in Vegas, to name but a few... It's been a frantic couple of months but fabulous to meet you all and play for your various functions and events. Footnote: I've now discovered how to put video onto the computer and added the Irish concertina (accordeon or "squeeze box", depending on your political preference!) to the portfolio of services on offer so watch out for video postings on YouTube. I've also found you can do a wicked version of American Pie on this humble little instrument so links will be posted on this site before too long. By the way, anyone interested in coming to the Emmaus Sommerfest, I probably won't be playing until about 4pm at the earliest but there's plenty of food so I won't be twiddling my thumbs :-o
Jools update on 08/07/2007: Did the 7/7/07 thing this weekend and played with Noel for one of the many weddings taking place this weekend but no funerals (thankfully it wasn't Four Weddings and a Funeral). Vielen Dank alle in Landhotel & Restaurant Venekotensee! Es war sehr nett so viele nette Leute zu treffen... :-) Und ich freue mich endlich U2 im Repertoire zu haben... Danke alle die am Sonntag mitgesungen haben und um die Beatles gebeten. Endlich hat jemand getanzt. Aber Herbert... die Lieder WAREN irisch!!!!
Jools update on 01/07/2007: Amongst other things this weekend I played for the Cpls up at 32 Engr Regt in Hohne. They were a great laugh and I found the hidden potential for Karaoke/Singalong towards the end of the evening! Shame so few managed to make it through to the end (at 3am!) but thanks to that hardcore we had a good time and I've never been plied with so much beer (or been asked "Sho whatelsh 'av you go' in yer locker?") - I've also never sung Sweet Caroline and American Pie so many times in one evening. Gaz', I promise I'll bring a song sheet for that one next time but I did enjoy our alternate lines approach! It was a great pleasure to meet the comedian, Jimmy Quinn (www.jimmyq.co.uk) and to chat about the 'business' with such a seasoned pro'. Also took the opportunity to visit Belsen next door - man... There are no words for it.
This weekend I have spoken to lads about being mortared in Iraq, I have met a survivor of Belsen concentration camp (what are the chances of that?) and I've spent time talking to a real professional who cracked me up when I watched him on telly a few years back and is every bit as funny today as he was then. What a weekend - I feel so lucky to spend my time in the company of such people. I LOVE THIS BUSINESS!
Jools update on 25/06/2007: Played for a big Summer Ball this weekend (in Rheindahlen) and it was great to let my hair down at one of these events (...if I actually had hair, that is). It was themed as Viva Las Vegas so we had Great Balls of Fire, Delilah, Hound Dog whilst people walked in and then I expected a quiet set, playing for the dinner. I was under strict instructions not to disturb the diners - no chance of that whilst RC is about! Within a few songs things were hotting up and by the end of my sets we had a nice dance floor thing happening with Daydream Believer. I was asked to play a Johnny Cash song about smoking... Anybody any ideas what it is? Thank you to the event organizers for booking me, thank you to everyone who sang along and danced. Thank you for a memorable night Rheindahlen - immer wieder gerne!
Jools update on 18/06/2007: Well, it was a good night on Saturday in Murphy's Kleeblatt. Thanks to everyone who came, especially Mel, Silke, Val, Stuart, Jens and Tom. And thanks to my new friends Michael and Christian... Drinks much appreciated... Michael, it just wouldn't have been the same without your 'moshing' and Christian, Against All Odds will be on the programme next time (22nd September in Murphy's Kleeblatt). It got a bit rowdy towards the end but I think it just added to the atmosphere. Good to see such a lively crowd pile in at 00.30 and so enthusiastically help with singing Angels, American Pie and numerous others! Mülheim an der Ruhr ROCKS!!!!
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