The Black Feathers at the Brewery Blues- 15th May 2015

The Black Feathers

Viktoria Gustafsson-Dahill reviewed the latest Brewery Blues show, photos by Steve Fearn...

Acoustic folk tends to be overlooked by the average lover of music. Previous evenings of fluid jazz gave way to this imaginative and soul-invoking display of raw vocal talent put on by the Brewery Arts Centre. All were in wait for The Black Feathers, two locals who were featured on BBC Radio 2 after their debut EP ‘Strangers We Meet’ took off with supportive folk fans. Since then, the duo has toured the UK, Germany, and parts of the United States. 

Hattie Briggs

Ells and the Southern Wild opened first. The frontman -- who happened to be a woman – announced that she was nervous. I struggle to imagine a nervous musician being able to deliver as beautifully as this artist. Songs like ‘The Photographer and the Owl’ and ‘Gathering Storm’ exhausted what appeared to be an already well-worn acoustic guitar. The vocals were deliberately overpowering and righteous, shaking the wine cellar and adding to the homely, almost living room feel.

Hattie Briggs continued the beautiful melodies, partly by incorporating covers of famously tuneful songs like ‘Fields of Gold’ by Sting. The entirety of the room began to sway to the music permeating all those present. One could think we all possessed the same heart simultaneously beating with the music.

The Black Feathers intended to show us a little bit of everything to prove that their versatile vocals and heavy guitars could conquer every human feeling. There was an urge in their deliberate attempts to capture our hearts. Death and life were both expressed in the same sentence as if their harmonious existence stood as something that shouldn’t strike fear into our cores. 

Ells and the Southern Wild

At times the guitar was raw and I could feel the calluses being inflamed and intensified. They sang of strangers, close friends, the occasional lover or one to-be-loved. The room warmed to them in turn. The final performance was done off stage to further back that voice-powered trance of acoustic folk music.

Though I nearly froze on the walk home, the night proved to be something spectacular and boasted elements of blues, folk, and a hint of rock. Tears were shed and hands were clapped into numbness for the local talent of Cirencester and Stroud. Magic was created here and still resonates from the talent and music generated in fond memory of a simple country life left behind, and all for our enjoyment. I look forward to many more nights organised by the Brewery Blues and graciously put on by The Kings Head in this cosy venue.               

Jack's Coffee Shop Review: Lunchtime Getaway

A mezze outside of the med

 The popular Jack's Coffee Shop has an excellent array of lunchtime options, which one will suit you best?

Reasonable prices and quality products are a consumer delight that local cafe Jack’s obviously enjoys providing. Having a location in the pedestrian only Black Jack Street, you can get there easily from almost any part of town in a few minutes. Adjoining one of the main tourist attractions in town, the Corinium Museum, the relaxed and sophisticated surroundings offer a respite from a busy work day.

There are four seating areas in Jack’s. Whether reading a book or having a family meal, the locale is a broad church. When the weather is reasonable, outside seating allows a good space for sun catching and people watching. By the till lies an array of tables and if one isn’t feeling adventurous they might miss completely the high seating area perfect for writing or having a quick chat over a coffee. Further in there is yet another surprise, a sun room with skylights. In a way it has the feel of a biome at the Eden project. Warm and discreet, this area offers a door right into the museum.

The first thing one would notice when going into Jack’s is definitely the huge cakes. Feeling like I was a child again looking at enormous freshly baked goods, it was hard to stay on track and remember this was about lunch. Being vegetarian I was curious to see what was on offer. It turned out a large degree of variety was catered for. The mezze described on the blackboard sounded delightful and my friend was magnetised by the prospect of a ratatouille.

Is love the secret ingredient?

Considering the size of portions and preparation, in another location the same meals could easily fetch £15. Be that as it may, the meals were below £8 and out competed some restaurants for flavour. I found myself very full and content by my mezze, which despite having rather healthy ingredients tasted good enough to feel like a treat. My friend lavished praise on the bread accompanying her ratatouille. Being one of the few eateries in town she hadn’t previously visited, the delicious nature of her food led her to announce it would be the venue of choice when her parents came to stay. Generous servings of celeriac in the side salads gave us both a fresh feeling after eating.

Get bargain comics including vintage Star Wars editions whilst stocks last...

Take advantage of this unusual chance to get rare comics today and tomorrow (22-23rd April)...

 

Just a sample of the many Star Wars comics on sale, rare editions also in stock.

Other comics and books also available

If you’re a Star Wars fan or interested in other vintage comics, then you might find a rare or missing edition from your collection at the Corn Hall today and tomorrow. These comics are well below their usual RRP and offer great value, especially if the trailers for the forthcoming release have got you nostalgic!

Pop in to the Corn Hall by the market place for a bargain and find out what you’ve been missing from this dynamic offering.

Travel the World as an English Language Teacher for as little as £195 training...

Szekszard's famous wine museum.

Would you like to work abroad as an English teacher for as little as £195? Evan Burgess found out more.

Have you wondered what it would be like to work in a different field or find a profession where living abroad is a realistic option? How about studying two of those weeks in a highly regarded wine county?

Discover firsthand how to teach English where the occident and orient collide. In this Trinity College London course, you will find yourself studying for two out of five weeks in Hungary.   LT&D based in Witney run an Erasmus Plus partnered course that gives intensive training over 5 weeks. After that, the student is able to work as an English teacher all around the world, but also in the UK, where demand is steady for learning in the country.

A tribute to the grape in Tolna County

Osijek's Catholic church on a day trip

LT&D’s course runs for three weeks in Witney and two weeks in a town in southern Hungary called Szekszard. 1 and a ½ hours from Budapest and near the Serbian and Croatian borders, the town is an idyllic wine producing hotbed. In Hungary teaching candidates are given opportunities to work in a local classroom as a part of their observation process. This first hand opportunity is of great value in applying for work afterwards and forging bonds with the local teaching staff.

Budapest by Night

The course is currently operating with Erasmus Plus funding in alignment with the E.U, which allows the course fees to be drastically reduced. Flights to Hungary are included in the fee. Candidates ideally will have a degree and some familiarity with language, be it native or foreign. Grammar and phonetics are a part of the course that will quite likely develop new skills for the candidate. If accepted on the course it is best to do some reading up on these subjects to help prepare for the intense nature of study.

Art from Osijek in Croatia, just 80 miles from Szekszard

No need to fight over a slice with these pizzas

Usually there is time to take in the culture of Hungary whilst on location, be sure to enjoy the cheap and friendly nightlife. A good pizza can be as little as £5 in a stylish restaurant with a glass of wine in a night club can be as little as £1.50. Do not worry about cutting back too much when abroad and enjoy the intense but greatly developmental experience!

For more details contact LT&D:

phil@ltd-oxford.com or david@ltd-oxford.com

Address: Windrush Court, 56A High Street, Witney OX28 6ET

Telephone: 01993 708637

Brewery Jazz Review 27th March 2015 Kings Head Vaulted Cellar Lounge

Full of atmosphere.

Evan Burgess reviewed the new monthly Jazz night at The Kings Head

Something new began in a humble cellar right off the market place. With recent talk of underground tunnels going through the whole of the town centre, being down in the lounge let the public’s imagination run wild. The neat and polished bar was an idyllic locale for music. Jazz was the style that brought about 100 people into the well seated hall. Table service meant people didn’t have to get up every time they wanted drinks. They could instead enjoy the slick and smooth music coming from a band of well drilled professionals.

 

John Law sat behind his array of instruments. His piano and keyboards were beautifully ornamental over Will Harris’ fine double bass playing. Italian drummer Paolo Adamo displayed an uncanny ability to master all playing techniques needed to drive the intricate melodies along.

A show containing these three individuals would have been a draw, but bringing with him a bold melodic layer saxophonist Andy Sheppard took the role of figurehead for the diverse and evocative music. The music was often demure before swelling into an unexpected new realm. No better example of this was when the group merged into Nick Drake’s ‘Riverman”, a wonderfully haunting song from late 60s album Five Leaves Left. The instrumentation made the tune familiar yet distant until Sheppard’s melodies brought home the vocal line in a timbre as beautiful as the original voice.

The quality of the music was something Cirencester will look forward to as Brewery Jazz carries on alongside Brewery Blues into the coming year.

Be sure to check out the next show with Jake McMurchie on Friday 24 April, tickets can be reserved by ringing 01285 700900.