Justine Watson - Coventry Singer-songwriter

Justine Watson - who goes out as Justine is a talented singer and songwriter who has also done so much to promote the Coventry acoustic scene in recent years.

On periodic visits back to Coventry in 2009 / 2010, I ventured along to her acoustic nights at the Golden Cross and later the Escape Bar in the old Fire Station  I was impressed with her organisation and M/C skills, encouraging a diverse range of  Coventry acoustic acts. I'm not sure if she is still running it but the last venue for her acoustic nights was at the Tin Angel - Taylor John's House.

Here's Justine in action at the Escape Bar


From her website -
"Spine chilling, hysterical, moving and emotional performances are what everyone has come to expect from Justine's gigs. Apart from her amazing yet vulnerable vocal quality, Justine's lyrics are auto- biographical, blunt and to the point; inspired by the everyday mundane such as pushing the pram and dodging wheelie bins.
Acoustic music has always been at the heart of Justine's world enabling her to express personally the mood in every song.

A gig from Justine is as intimate as a whispering in your ear.
"In the space of three songs she can take you from cutting reality to hilarious absurdity past every emotion in-between. Add to that an amazing flair for some brilliant guitar work and you have a real star in the making"
Phil Garvey - Whitfest

This is an early youtube from Justine

https://justinewatson.bandcamp.com/album/acoustic-nerve

Acoustic Nerve by Justine Watson

1.	Forgive Me 03:31		buy track
	2.	Edgwick Road 04:50
	3.	Far Far Away (from Edgwick Road) 02:19
	4.	Making Love to You is like withdrawing money from a cashpoint machine (radio edit) 02:25

credits

released June 1, 2002

All lyrics written by Justine.
Vocals and acoustic guitar by Justine. Features guest artist Joe O'Donnell on fiddle.
Tracks 1 & 4 Produced by Gus at Far Heath Studios, Guilsborough, Northamptonshire
Tracks 2 & 3 Produced by Matt Waddell at Pride Rock Recording Studios, Harbury, Warwickshire
Track 2 Bass guitar by Matt Waddell

This explains a little bit more of Justine's background - from her website


"I decided to do an acoustic EP for several reasons; I wanted the songs to be as they are live; not busy or complicated, just raw and real. I wanted to reclaim my songs from the Fat Rhino sound. Don't get me wrong, I loved Fat Rhino, but sometimes the production took away from the delicacy of the songs. I wanted to make my own decision about what should go on the EP. Having had debates in the past with band members over what is commercially viable and what isn't, I just picked some favourites with a varied feel. Money is always an issue and as I was funding this project myself I couldn't afford to pay session musicians. Joe O'Donnell was an exception, I can't tell you how delighted I was to work with him.I don't need to tell you in great detail what the tracks on are about (it might de-personalise them) but briefly; Track 1 Forgive Me, is about the indulgence in feeling sorry for oneself. Track 2, Edgwick Road, I lived here for three years, it's about gossip and how people view their neighbours, it's about pride, wanting to do well for yourselves....with a bit of cheese topping! Track 3, Far Far Away (from Edgwick Road), is just daydreaming. (I wrote this years ago in Edinburgh, I was inspired by this beautiful city....another story, but it seemed fitting). Track 4 Making Love to You is like withdrawing money from a cashpoint machine. Do I need to go on?

I met Joe at the 1999 Brinklow Folk Festival which I stumbled onto by chance not choice (I was always fearful of being labeled "Folk" but that was when I was chasing a commercial record deal, now I don't really care how people label my music, I just hope that they like it). I was asked by Ray Jenkins of Shakala could they borrow my PA, "Yeah sure", "and you can do a warm up slot for us to?" Of course I would want to do a warm up set for them (for nothing) they are great musicians!

At these folk festivals you always get an appreciative audience, in fact it threw me a bit because I was so used to playing in pubs and restaurants where everybody ignores you until they are half-cut and then they want you to be a Karaoke machine! So I was playing to a small intense audience, they were very polite which unnerved me, did they like me? I couldn't tell. I felt pretty wooden, and my mate said to me after, "well I guess you're not used to playing in a library" So this is where I met Joe who kindly squeeze a tenner into my hand for a drink after my set."

And from  23.12.12
Chocolate and Champagne
Justine and Liz Ralls are heading into the studio soon to record an EP. The working title is Chocolate and Champagne. It will feature a track by the same title along with other previously unreleased material such as 'Motherhood Blues'. The forthcoming EP will heavily feature trumpeter Liz Ralls, with a guest appearance from locally acclaimed singer songwriter Wes Finch on bass guitar.
Watch this space for news on this release.

Cliff Hands - Singer Songwriter

Cliff Hands is yet another of the contemporary singer songwriters from Coventry.

This is from the Coventry Telegraph 2008 -
"
'Chippy' makes his dream CD; NEW RELEASE: Talented dad's first album goes on sale in Coventry.
By Sinead Keller

CARPENTER Cliff Hands has swopped his tools for a guitar to record his first album.

The 46-year-old, of Sadler Road, Whitmore Park, Coventry, has written and performed all 10 tracks on the CD, called Crawling from the Woodwork. Although he played in bands when he was younger, it was always his dream to produce an album of his own work.

Father-of-four Cliff said: "Most of the songs have been written over the last two years, but one or two are a bit older than that.
"Although I have been busy with work and family commitments, I never gave up playing and would always be strumming and writing.
"But then a couple of years ago I stumbled across the Tin Angel live music venue in Spon Street and the people I met there inspired me to start up seriously again.
"Meeting other local singer/songwriters really spurred me on to do my own stuff and I am really grateful for their support."
Cliff performed with bands in Coventry in the 80s and early 90s. There were The Major Five, who later became The Ramrods, and The Wildhearts, who appeared on a compilation album of Coventry bands called 16 Days.

He was excited when he got the chance to produce his own record at a fellow artist's small studio in Coventry. Cliff, who says his influences are Bob Dylan, Tom Waits and Neil Young, plays acoustic guitar and harmonica on all the songs.

He said: "Although it is homemade, it's a well produced album, which was really fun to do because there was no pressure or expectations.
"The songs are all about social issues, but they aren't too political, more just observations and my outlook on life. They are based around the lyrics and all tell a story.
"It was hard work to get back into it again but now it's full steam ahead and I've got some more songs in the pipeline."

Cliff says his family, wife Veronica, 43, and four children, Peter, 22, Keith, 19, Alan, 16 and Christina, 14, have all been very supportive. He will be performing at the Tin Angel on February 23 with local bands the Honeytrap and the Treehorns.

The album is available to buy from the Tin Angel and from Liquid Bar, in City Arcade. Or phone Cliff on 07990 535433. Check out a sample of some of the tracks at www.myspace.com/cliffhands

From http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'Chippy'+makes+his+dream+CD%3B+NEW+RELEASE%3A+Talented+dad's+first+album...-a0174269407

Rob Halligan - Contemporary Singer Songwriter

Rob Halligan is a current Coventry based singer songwriter who plays all over the country and abroad.

Rob Halligan at Writers Cafe Stockton 2007
Photo by Brian Stubley

His website - 

http://www.robhalligan.co.uk/wp/bio/

https://robhalligan.co.uk/main/

You can hear some of his songs on the player.

"Described by the BBC as “Bruce Springsteen having English tea with Billy Bragg” and by Paul Gambaccini as “someone who writes very powerful songs”, Rob Halligan is an award winning recording artist and songwriter.

His 2009 album Best Thing That’s Happened was nominated Contemporary Album Of The Year and the follow up, The Perils the Grace and The Way received rave reviews and BBC Radio 2 airplay. In 2011 he appeared on BBC1 and Radio 2, ITV’s Daybreak and a list of local radio stations.

Halligan’s influences range from the Clash and Billy Brag to John Mayer and Steve Earle and this is evident in the edgy, radio friendly style he has developed.

After the release of his songbook and CD The Tales of Seven Guitars, 2012 sees his forth studio album,Another Fine Mess, (recorded with Graeme Duffin and Sandy Jones of Wet Wet Wet), hit the shelves. The first single fro the album, “Hope” was released as a download single in June 2012 and immediately attracted radio play. Written after Rob visited Ethiopia, “Hope” has been part of a fund-raising drive that has already raised over £5000.

Robs song writing reflects events in his life from his experiences living on the streets to loosing his father in the

Rob Halligan & Gareth Davies Jones at the Writers cafe Stockton
Photo Brian Stubley

terrorist events of 9/11. There is a heartfelt honesty rarely found in popular music today and Halligan delivers with a passion time after time.

Originally from the south coast of England, Rob now lives in the midlands. He tours as a solo artist across the UK and has played in America, Canada, Hong Kong and Europe. He also sings with 1980’s hit makers After The Fire."

Rob Halligan, as a Christian, dedicates a lot of his time, energy and music into causes that he believes in, such as this trip to Bangladesh - on this site you can read his diary of the trip to raise money - http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Rob_Halligan_Vivid_memories_of_the_singer_songwriters_trip_to_Bangladesh/37632/p1/

Here's a taster " Driving through Dhaka was in itself an experience. I've seen pictures of rickshaws and tuk-tuks but to see armies of them taking on the might of motorized city life is an awe-inspiring site. There are little or no driving rules it seems with cars hanging u-turns in the most bizarre places and without warning. There are few road signs and if there were traffic lights I didn't notice, even from my grandstand view between the driver and front passenger"

Tragically Rob lost his father in the Twin Towers - but what a powerful tribute song / video he produced from it - touches of  U2

Rob Halligan with Gareth Davies- Jones

There are many more tracks on youtube and Rob's site.

Photo Brian Stubley

Coventry Gigs 1960 to Present: Dave Swarbrick - The Fiddler from Fairport

Coventry Gigs 1960 to Present: Dave Swarbrick - The Fiddler from Fairport: 
Click this link to visit another part of the Hobo sites. Pete Clemons has written a great article for the

Coventry Telegraph on Dave Swarbrick (of Fairport Convention) who lives in Coventry. Dave played with the Ian Campbell Folk group, and Whippersnapper with Dando Shaft's Martin Jenkins.

Barricades Rise

Barricades Rise are another current largely acoustic duo from Coventry that I really like.

Their website is http://www.barricadesrise.co.uk/

"Performing with intense energy and delivering their unique
raspy, rugged and dark vocals" BBC C&W

Barricades Rise -
"create vibrant musical fire and brimstone with only two acoustic guitars and bongos on their new album You and Your Adored. Coventry's distinguished musical heritage is not all the past - the city is once again ablaze with musical talent and Barricades Rise bring drama, soul and dynamics to the acoustic arena.

They just do not sound like your average acoustic due! The sound grabs your attention from the first bar and holds it with dynamic interweaves of vocal grit and harmony and the rhythms build and rage and fade and build again. It is at once a professional sound, full of energy and integrity that would hold its own against electric bands.

These two lads have definite talent and drive and add a distinctive sound to the range of music that is spilling out of the city these days." Trev Teasdel - Hobo Magazine

Barricades Rise are a two piece acoustic act hailing from Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK that formed in December 2007. They have been compared to the likes of Turin Brakes, Starsailor, Puressence and Elbow. Jonathan’s voice rips through each track with a passion and power that is rarely heard with today’s front men, whilst Michael's guitar playing is the perfect match and with over ten years of playing together they compliment each other flawlessly.

From their website -
" With over 15 years together honing their musical partnership, Barricades Rise AKA Jonathan Coates and Michael McEntee have mastered the art of sounding like a 9-piece band encased in 2 acoustic guitars and vocals, taking the over-ripe Acoustic folk scene and turning it on it's head.

They infuse each song, each performance with that life-affirming partnership they have, effortlessly gliding from glorious harmonies to stomping, head-banging riffs. Forever involving the audience in their gigs they feel it's the most vital part of being in a band.

Michael - "It's great going to a gig and hearing new music, but if the person on stage doesn't want to have a chat and interact with the audience, they're missing a trick."

After going through several different musical incarnations, Jonathan, lead vocals and Michael, lead guitar fell on the acoustic scene by accident.
Jonathan - "Previously we played in a 5-piece indie band but it was so much easier just the two of us playing together. We played a few open mics and instantly fell in love with it"

The rock-driven energy of their previous band was carried through to the acoustic stage, and this is what the audience absorbed. At most gigs the pair leave the stage covered in sweat and minus a few guitar strings. Since hitting the acoustic scene they have supported Roddy Woomble (Idlewild), Get Cape, Wear Cape, Fly, Gabriella Cilmi and more.

In 2012 Barricades Rise signed to one of the biggest Independent record labels in the USA, Spectra Records and their new album 'All I Have Is Here' is to be released in Spring 2013.

Discography

You and Your Adored (2009) - CD Sold Out, Download only
No Love Lost EP (2010) - Download Only
All I Have Is Here (Spectra Records release, 2013) - Release Date TBC

Their albums are available on Bandcamp - Here http://barricadesrise.bandcamp.com/

More videos on their youtube channel - http://www.youtube.com/user/BarricadesRise?feature=watch

Kristy Gallacher - Coventry Singer Songwriter

Kristy Gallacher

Kristy Gallacher is one of the new Coventry singer songwriters / acoustic players who has forged a successful solo career both on the Coventry acoustic circuit and around the country, supporting some amazing and sometimes high profile artists, like Eric Clapton.

http://www.kristygallacher.com/biog.html

Biography (From her Website)
"Kristy Gallacher is a guitarist, poet and songwriter from Coventry, England. Being somewhat disillusioned and fiercely independent, in 2008 at the age of 21, Kristy decided to join the D.I.Y ethos. She formed her own independent record label Broken Player Records (www.brokenplayerrecords.com), signed herself and has been self sufficient ever since. Each subsequent release has been on the label. A prolific songwriter, she is continually songwriting her way through life and regularly tours on the acoustic circuit to audiences across the UK. With a strong live presence of carefully crafted songs and exciting fresh guitar work Kristy continues to grow and expand her loyal fan base.

In addition to her own shows she has supported Ed Sheeran, Micheal Chapman, Scott Matthews, Glenn Tilbrook (Squeeze), Mr Big, I Am Kloot's John Bramwell, Miles and Erica (Wonderstuff) Mark Morriss (Bluetones) and Nerina Pallot. Kristy has just finished recording her second full album called 'Spinning Plates' which is due for release on 31st March 2012. The title track of Kristy’ s 2008 debut album ‘Emotional Gun’ has been selected for the British Library Project which achieves significant new music.

In May 2010 Kristy won the LG Arena's singer/songwriter competition and played before Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and John Mayer on separate nights at the LG Arena in Birmingham. Subsequent to the competition win, she was invited back to the LG Arena's Forum live to play before Elton John, Paul Weller & Roxette.

2009 saw Kristy's first live CD. It was recorded (by Nova Music) at the historic Troubadour, Earls Court, London. She also has formal musical training with a degree in Music Composition gained at Coventry University.

.......................

Reviews

"Channelled an amazingly tender singing voice, Kristy Gallacher songs of bitter-sweet heartbreak stand her out as one of the best singer songwriters in London." - Troubadour - Earls Court, London

"KRISTY GALLACHER - A solo singer/ songwriter from Coventry who's silky tones compliment her magical songs to produce an artist who is surely set for big things. You may hear some likeness to KT Tunstall or Suzanne Vega but we think even with these big name sound-a-likes she stands out as an individually talented and classy act." - TML - London

“Mixing accomplished finger-picking guitar skills with vocals that manage to sound both fragile and defiant, Kristy is a storyteller with a poet’s heart.” - Emma O’ Sullivan - Electric Banana

"She plays like Bert Jansch and sings like a cooler version of KT Tunstall." - Icarus Club, London

“Each song feels like poetry set to music, the difficult mixture of rhymes, half rhymes and internal rhymes being pulled off to perfection but never feeling overplayed or twee.” Frankie Brittain - Back Street Indie

"Kristy Gallacher has 'it' a genuine, heartfelt ability to play and sing her own original material in her own ‘voice’ with the simple accompaniment of her own guitar playing. That’s what ‘it’ is about and excuse me but she does it to perfection." Paul Villiers - Americana UK

"Kristy Gallacher has a fantastic voice and a fantastic collection of songs - all bruised, streetwise defiance. Singing in a voice like crushed petals she managed to do what the very best songwriters do - let you glimpse her soul and see yourself reflected in its surface." The Bomb Factory

"A talented young singer songwriter - Kristy Gallacher. Her songs all tell an evocative and heartfelt story with great wit, ingenuity and rhythm. I was truly blown away with them and the new full band versions on her album are astounding." Trev Teasdel - Hobo - Coventry Music On-Line music magazine.

Kristy's Albums - You can buy them from her store - http://www.kristygallacher.com/store.html

Spinning Plates Album (2012)

Price £7.99 (p&p £1.00)

1) Quicksand
2) Spinning Plates
3) Beautiful Bouquet
4) Bad Luck
5) Fending off the Frost
6) Clones
7) Annie Said
8) Cut and Run
9) Until Then

Emotional Gun Album (2008)
Price £7.00 (p&p £0.99)

1) Intro

2) Emotional gun
3) I'm gonna
4) Do it
5) Don't look down
6) Anticipation
7) This is war
8) Plan b
9) Broken record player
10) Lets move on
11) First stone
12) No way back
13) Whole
14) Outro

And her EP -

EP 4 (2011)
Price £4.00 (p&p£0.99)

1) Take
2) Long Way Round
3) Picking up the Pieces
4) Too Close to Home

Kristy's Tour Guide http://www.kristygallacher.com/gigs.html

.......................................................................................

Nuneaton Tribune reviewer Emma Ray says -
"Gallacher really is the real deal, and in the intimate setting of Warwick Arts Centre’s studio theatre, she holds the audience in the palm of her hand. Key to her ability to wow her audience is three-fold – she’s got one hell of a voice, her songs are top drawer, and she knows how to connect." Emma concludes that Kristy deserves to be top of a record company's 'must sign'. Praise indeed for the upcoming 23 year old Coventry singer. 

Also in 2009, Wayne Spencer did a review of Kristy's gig Warwick Arts Centre for the original Hobo - Coventry Music Archive site - Here

Kristy was on with Seasick Steve and Ben Calvert. Wayne concluded " At the end of the show the audience definitely wanted more. The encore of This Party Is Over was the perfect ending to the night, and Kristy and the band left with smiles on their faces and on ours, and with loud applause ringing around the Studio space."

Trev Teasdel's Interview with KRISTY GALLACHER - July 2008

Kristy, you seem to be highly regarded and popular on the Cov Scene but how did you get started -

what inspired to give it a go?
I just love playing and playing a few open mics at the age of 16 seemed to lead from gig to gig and I haven't really stopped since. Having just turned 22 I'm enjoying it more now!

You have a great guitar style or rather styles. How did that develop, what were your influences?
I think just playing in general will shape and develop your own style. I learnt with Clive Layton a truly brilliant Coventry musician for 7 or so years, teaching me songs I love and different techniques. In the last year or so I have been playing with Dave Bennett a fantastic and well respected ragtime player based in Coventry. Dave has had me listening to Mississippi John Hurt, Reverend Gary Davis, Joan Baez just to name a few and i have enjoyed experimenting mixing them all and playing in a completely different style out of my comfort zone.

You have a distinctive songwriting style, as if the listener is privy to an interesting but private conversation, or even the recipient  It kind of draws you in and involves you in the song. Tell us about how that developed, the influences etc.
From the Music I enjoy listening to, Tori Amos, Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega they all have very distinctive writing styles and certain 'tricks' that pop up from song to song. It's quite a natural development for me, i don't think you can force that type of writing because everyone's style is different and if it is forced it doesn't sound natural and therefor untrue. I write from the heart from things i have experienced or have witnessed.

You have a folk style delivery in your live performances but on your new album - Emotional Gun - I noticed a developing jazz ballad style delivery that was full of potential. Is that a conscious direction or influence?
The Jazz style tracks on the album were all written in the same time period where i was listening to a lot of Madeleine Peyroux and Diana Krall at the time learning their songs and this was reflected in my writings at the time.

You've obviously worked hard on your live performances, how hard has it been to get regular gigs and build up your reputation, and does yet extend outside the Coventry area?
Like I said before I have been very fortunate and one gig seems to lead to another, venues in the area are constantly changing and am very thankful for the support that has built up in the West Midlands area of people coming to gigs. I am branching out further though and have a gig at the Regal Rooms, Hammersmith, London on the 29th August.

What would make a difference now, both in terms of the Coventry scene and in career opportunities for your music?
I have just graduated from a Music Composition Degree at Coventry University and am now set up as a full time Professional Musician so in career terms I am very fortunate to be able to do what i love doing. I am also a promoter in Coventry and have two weekly nights, one at the Earlsdon Cottage and one at the Tuns  The Coventry scene has been very kind and supportive to me and by putting nights on in the city I hope to be giving a little back.

..................

Music Box (Rob and Colin Armstrong & Pip) - Songs of Sunshine

MUSIC BOX - Songs of Sunshine

Music Box - Line up
Rob Armstrong - Six, Twelve String Guitars, Vocals
Colin Armstrong - Six String, Electric Guitar, Vocals
Pip - Glockenspiel, Recorder, Organ, Percussion, Vocals

The album was released on the Westward label in 1972 and the tracks were - 

http://therockasteria.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/music-box-songs-of-sunshine-1972-uk.html

Tracks

1. Songs Of Sunshine - 4:18
2. Caillavie - 3:53
3. Harmonium Joe - 3:21
4. Leezie Lindsey (Traditional arr. by Rob Armstrong) - 5:29
5. Calico Shoeshine Boy - 2:45
6. The Happy King - 4:58
7. The Magic Cloak - 2:34
8. Seaside Sunshine (Colin Armstrong) - 2:58
9. Tom Thumbs Blues (Bob Dylan) - 6:34
10.Downstairs On The Floor - 3:24
All titles by Rob Armstrong unless as else stated.

http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2002/03/14/penguin-puts-smile-on-singers-faces-92746-11701012/

Music Box were a Coventry folk threesome consisting of some of the top Coventry folk singers of the time. I first saw them at the Plough club (London Road Coventry in 1971) and in 1972 they made the Songs of Sunshine album. I tried to book them for the Umbrella Club before it closed down and got to know Colin Armstrong pretty well. Colin was a good supporter of Hobo Magazine and Workshop and played at the Holyhead Youth Centre gigs in 1974.

About the album 

http://therockasteria.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/music-box-songs-of-sunshine-1972-uk.html

An extract from the above site says - "Here is an album about a more intimate, predominantly acoustic music. Flutes, chimes, and gentle organ sounds. It spins tales of faraway lands, sand, sea, castles, kings, queens and even Peter Pan.
Bet you thought only Donovan made 'em like that? Songs of Sunshine is incense & innocence, folk rock 'n' flowers! Well played, tastily arranged... and overlooked. "

Rob Armstrong

"Rob Armstrong, the leader of the group, became a renowned luthier after the short-lived Music Box project." Before Music Box, Rob had played with Rod Felton in the New Modern Idiot Grunt Band.

As luthier has made guitars and other instruments for the likes of Bert Jansch and George Harrison and many more. There will be a full article on this blog about Rob Armstrong later on.

Here is a picture of Rob Armstrong with Bert Jansch with an Armstrong guitar!

Colin Armstrong

http://coventryfolkclubs.blogspot.co.uk/2011/09/colin-armstrong-coventry-singer.html

The above post (also on this site) is about Colin Armstrong. Although it may sound like it, Colin and Rob weren't related. "Colin was not Coventry born, the Scottish accent is a prime giveaway" says Pete Chambers in the Coventry Telegraph  http://cv5.coventrytelegraph.net/2008/10/colin-armstrong-opens-a-new-ch.html

He goes on to tell us " "I was at a party one night; I got drunk and banged my old Gibson guitar off the wall. Someone suggested I take it to Rob Armstrong who made and repaired guitars. We ended up having jam sessions and the music seemed to spark, so I joined as singer/guitarist in the band Music Box with Rob."

The album has now made it on to CD and even download with even American and Japanese sites selling it!

Colin went solo after music Box folded.

Pip - "Pip, a young lady who played glockenspiel, recorder and keyboard."

Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2002/03/14/penguin-puts-smile-on-singers-faces-92746-11701012/#ixzz2LMOaP8Fw

..................

Rob Armstrong recalled in the Coventry Telegraph - 

"We called ourselves Music Box, and found quite a following among local folk-music lovers. Songs of Sunshine was our first disc. One of the pieces was composed by Colin and entitled Seaside Sunshine, I had written the title song and there were Scottish songs and a Bob Dylan number. We recorded it on a Saturday afternoon at a house in Cheadle Hulme (Greater Manchester). Rob and Colin, owner of Armstrong's Collectables, in Earlsdon, played as Music Box on the local folk circuit for nearly two years, performing at the Belgrade Studio and Lanchester Arts Festival, as well as several pubs."

They met up after an eight-year absence to talk about their highly sought-after record, listed in the Penguin Price Guide for Record and CD Collectors. Guitar maker Rob, of Stratford Street, Stoke, said: "I was shocked to find it in the Penguin list in the first place, never mind the price. Most of the discs listed in an international record catalogue are valued at a mere tenner but Coventry-produced Songs of Sunshine has soared to a phenomenal £125 !"Read More http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/2002/03/14/penguin-puts-smile-on-singers-faces-92746-11701012/#ixzz2LMPtCMYU