Artist of the Week - Peter Bradley Adams

The artist of the week this week is "Peter Bradley Adams". Now as you might know I mentioned him in last weeks "Artist of the week" post, but what I didn't expect was to be contacted by Linda Baker from Mishara Music thanking me for mentioning him in a my blog. It was so unexpected as was the link to a free downloadable EP which you can download and share with your friends. I will post the link at the end of this post so can download it too.

I discovered Peter Bradley Adams and I have been listening to some of his songs for a few weeks. This is an opportunity to listen to more his music including his earlier albums. It is the sort of music that you just have to listen to when you hear it. So well crafted are the dusky vocals surrounded by guitars and female harmonies, it something you just can't ignore.

Peter Bradley Adams is an American singer and songwriter from Birmingham Alabama who started playing piano at the age of 6 and went on to get a Masters degree in Musical Composition. After finishing his education he worked as a freelance composer for film and television before forming the "Eastmountainsouth" in 2001 with Kat Maslich Bode. After this group split, after making just one album, he started out on a solo career and released his first album "Gather Up' (2006) that was recorded almost entirely in his apartment. His first album was followed by two more albums, "Leavetaking" (2008) and "Traces" (2009). Over the years he has won an number of awards and had some critical acclaim with the Wall Street Journal describing him as one the 21st century song writers who work is worth exploring.

As promised here is the link to the free EP "Peter Bradley Adams - Free EP"  I hope you enjoy your free tracks. You just have to download it and there no strings attached, you don't even have to give a e-mail or anything. There will be another band next week, but who? 

X-Factor - Act of the Week

Now, I can't do a run down of all the acts every weeks, there just isn't time, but I can give enough time to comment on who I think is the performer of the week and my reasons behind it, maybe with comments on the other acts. So here is my first for week one of the show.

This week it has to go to Aiden Grimshaw and his cover of the "Tears for Fear" song "Mad World" in the style of the "Gray Jules" version of the song used in the film Donnie Darko, which I recommend everyone should see. What stands out about it is the intensity in which he sang the song. He was totally lost the emotion of the song which he conveyed to perfection. Given it was the first week it just shows there is something special about Aiden. He is the one to watch at the moment.

X-Factor - First Impressions

As you will know I just love watching the X-Factor so with the first live shows I thought as an idea I would give my frist impressions on all of the acts on tonight s show:

So in the order they sung on tonight's show:

1. F.Y.D. - Bands - A good opening to the show although I didn't think they pulled off the rap very well, but then again the song was never meant to be a boy band song. Give them one thing at least they can dance. I would have liked to see them sing a different song.

2. Matt Cardle - Boys - Seemed a bit nervous when he first started but overcame them so well. He has a wonderful voice with lots of power and I think the song really suited him. He will be one of the ones to watch and should go a long way. Probably to the final. There is something very likable about him.

3. John Adeleye - Over 28's - Seemed weak when he started and rather ordinary although he did get better. There just didn't seem to be anything really special but maybe that was in the song choice. He was more like a very good club singer. If he carries on in this vein he will go out early.

4. Rebecca Ferguson - Girls - She looked very confident from the start but again there was something ordinary about her and the performance. Somehow it didn't grab you as a song. You can see the potential there and she has a great voice. It will be interesting to see how develops. 

5. Storm Lee - Over 28's - If anything he seemed over confident at the start. I'm not sure if his voice suited the song. It needed more power at times than he was able to give, however there was a lot of movement in the song that he pulled off really well. He is a real showman. Although he wants to make it all the way I don't think he has it in him. 

6.  Belle Amie - Bands - Very weak start. They didn't seem to know where they should come in. The start sound completely messed up. I'm not sure if they really got over it. They were very ordinary and like all the girl bands of recent years I can see them going early if they carry on how they started. They have a long way to go if they want to carry on in the show.

7. Cher Lloyd - Girls - I'm really not sure about this girls voice, it is very different but I'm not sure how strong it is in a conventional sense sometimes. She is however very different and the rap's she does are really good. There were clearly nerves at the start and it will be interesting to see how she grows as a performer as her confidence builds. She could be one to watch.

8. Diva Fever - Bands - Very camp but lots of fun. I thought they really were having fun themselves and they transfered that across to the audience very well. They performed well together and I think they might be more popular than you at first might expect. They might turn out to be a real surprise. 

9. Paije Richardson - Boys - He has a lovely voice and his performance felt like it had a lot emotion behind it. Wonderful song choice that was brought up to date with the arrangement. He really tried to work the audience. Still feel he needs more confidence but there is something is there, he just needs more work to get something special out of him, that is in there.

10. Katie Waissel - Girls - She sounded a bit off key at the start and very nervous. It was a very powerful song to pick for some ones first song on the show. Having said that when she does put open up her voice it is distinctive and by the end you could see that she has started to enjoy it. I think she needs more time to develop, the question is will the public give her the time on the show to do that.

11. Mary Bryne - Over 28's - Amazing voice and what a great song choice for that voice. it has a star quality and she really knows how to use it. The question is why has it taken her so long to end up on a show like this. She is a natural singer and so so good. Based on what she did tonight she will be the last of the Over 28's to leave the show. If it wasn't for her age I would say she would make the final with ease with that voice.

12. Nicolo Festa - Boys - the first impression was why was he singing a Lady Gaga song and that stuck with me thorough the whole performance. He has his own sound that is good, you can tell it is him singing but I'm not sure how good he really is. It was all very ordinary but there is time for him yet and he won't be leaving the show for a bit. 

13. One Direction - Groups - They made a much better start than I expected but the second singer let them down a bit. Saying that they do sound very good overall and the harmonies were spot on. They just need to seem to need more work and i think they could be the best of the bands by far. They support each other so well. Lets hope they stay in long enough to develop their full potential.

14. Wagner - Over 28's - He reminds me of something you would see at holiday camp or on a cruise ship. He is very different and very energetic but if he fits into a show like the X factor is debatable. He is more light entertainment than pop. Given that his performance was fun and he is such a show man and that is bound to keep him in for a while. Loved the Bongos. 

15. Aiden Grimshaw - Boys - What a wonderful song choice and so well performed, it gave me goosebumps when he started to sing. It really suited his distinctive voice and although he was nervous he used those nerves well. I think he really has something based on this performance. You could see and feel the emotion behind the song in his song. Incredible and I could watch it again and again. He is a possible winner and will go a long way.

16. Treyc Cohen - A good start and for a singer with a lovely voice. the song really suited her and gave he the chance to show what she can do. It allowed her to show her full range and the power that she has. She should do well and I'm glad she was given a chance to come back on the show because she is probably the best of the girls tonight and will continue to be so. Why she was picked the original three girls is unbelievable.

It will be interesting to look back at this post at the end of the show to see if I was right or if the acts proved me wrong. I really enjoying this years X-factor as I have every series since I started watching it properly with my family. It is just a shame they are not all with me tonight to watch the opening show with me. If you are watching the show I hope you are enjoying too...

Misty Friday

It was an slightly earlier start for everyone this morning. The car had gone into the garage to have parts and the supplier had sent the wrong parts and the car was still in Ashwell Motors. It turns out the correct parts were far more expensive than the ones they sent but because it was their mistake the supplier aren't going to charge the difference for the parts quoted. All the same it meant that Emily and myself had to get the bus into Oakham in the morning and we had to make sure we were there well in time.

With packed lunches made and breakfast eaten Emily and myself headed out into the day and what a misty day it was. From the school in Langham you couldn't see the roundabout down Burley Road. It was the second morning in a row that had started out this way but today it didn't look like the sun was going to burn through the mist like yesterday. As we waited for the Bus some school children were getting on a coach all dressed as refugees. Emily had a grand time talking to them as they passed she seemed to know nearly everyone of them. Unfortunately we had a long wait at the bus stop but it couldn't be helped given the weather I guess. The bus was late and so was Emily to school because of it. For me it just meant I had less time to kill in Oakham before I went to pick up Lucy.

I haven't really looked round Oakham for what seems a long time. I go to the supermarkets there but not really the other shops there, it just doesn't feel right especially in the morning. So it was odd to be there at that time of day. I thought about going for a pot of tea at the Castle Cottage tearooms but in the end I just looked around and looked in a few of the shops before heading off to wander round the Church, where I lite a candle to the ones I have loved and lost and it was off to the park. The park is so different on a misty morning, gone are the children full of joy to be replaced by the sound of the occasional crow calling it's mate in the distance. It seems a far cry from those lazy days of summer when it full of people enjoying the sun. All the same it was still very lovely just in a different way. 

Before too long I heard the bells of the church chime the quarter to the hour and I set off to get Lucy. Having no car wasn't going to stop me seeing Lucy, nothing would. Lucy, like Emily and Catherine, means the world to me as you might have gathered by now. There was a bit of confusion about the car seat, I missed something in a email when I replied last night, but that was soon sorted. I apologised for not seeing it and off we went. I was so pleased to see her and with her car seat in one hand and her hand in the other we set off to catch the bus home. 

I had never been on a bus with Lucy and I'm not sure how many buses she ever been on. I'm guessing not many. She seemed quite excited as we walked together. She was telling me all her news and what happening with her. I love they way she just chats away now. All to soon we were waiting together for the bus. Every time a bus arrived she wanted to get on it and asked if it is ours. This went on for sometime as four buses arrived before the number nineteen. When it did arrive on we hopped and we were soon heading home. She loved it and was soon peeping out of the windows as I held her saying when do we ring the bell. As she got off she said thank you to the driver and a waved him and the bus goodbye, It was so lovely when a lady that got off the bus commented on how sweet she was. I know that, but it nice to hear it from someone else too.

When we got home Lucy got on with playing between cuddles as always. She started on her tricycle in the family room riding it round and round and round. We put it in there the other day when we thought it might rain to keep it dry for her. Then it was off to the table for a while to do some drawing after she found some paper and a pencil sharpener. The only problem was we couldn't find a pencil and when I gave her a pen she tried to sharpen it. Thankfully I found one before the pen was ruined. There was a pencil down the side of one of the chairs. After doing some drawing we went to her room to play for a bit. Soon she was off in the toy cupboards finding all kinds of things to do. 

After lunch we headed out for a walk around the village. A few weeks ago we took George with us and she had a lovely time and we saw a pair of squirrels at the Church who George scared away. This time without George we thought we might get lucky and see them again but this time we hopped they wouldn't run away, but they were no where to be seen. We looked around the trees in the grave yard but nothing. Thankfully Lucy was not to disappointed and we headed inside the Church to have a look around. She loves it in there, especially the way the building makes her voice echo. She was soon putting the echo to the test. The Church itself was still all dressed up from the harvest festival, and although the flowers were past there best it was still looking lovely. Soon Lucy was piling the prayer cushions up on one of pews and making a tower out of them like they were building blocks. All to soon they came crashing down with fits of laugher from Lucy. Finally in the Church we went to play the panino, but for some reason it has disappeared which seems a shame especially if it is broken. She loves playing it. After the we finished in the Church we head down some of the village lanes looking at the houses and the birds that flew by before returning home. She was asking all kinds of questions.

When we got home I made a coffee before phoning the garage to find out about the car. As i talked to them the parts arrived and thankfully they said we could have it back soon. In the meantime Lucy spotted her bubble maker in the kitchen and I filled it with a soap solution and soon she was chasing around popping as many bubbles as she could with George's help before they both went off to play hiding seek as only George can in the long grass.

As the clock passed twenty past three Lucy asked about the girls for millionth time. She always asks where they are as soon as I pick up and again when ever there is a quieter moment in our play. This time I could say that Catherine will be home soon, and soon enough in through the door she came to big Lucy welcome before they went off to play. Emily meanwhile had called and she was heading to the bus station and she too would soon be home, however we were only going to see a fleeting glance of her as it turned out.

As it four approached it was time for Lucy's second bus trip of the day. This time it was off to Ashwell to pick up the car on the same bus Emily was coming home from school on. Lucy just about managed to give her a quick cuddle and a kiss as we got on the bus as I paid and Emily got off. Soon we were heading through the village and Lucy was looking out the window and amusing the other passengers with her chatter. She was in fine form. It doesn't take long to get to Ashwell and after a "thank you" for the bus driver and a wave. Soon we were waiting at the bus stop for the bus to leave so we could cross the road to the garage. 

Once at the garage we put her car seat back in the car and went off to collect the key. Pausing to look through the workshop window to look at the cars in the car and being repaired. She want to go in but I had to explain it not really a safe place to be if you are so small, but I did say we could go in the show room. Soon she was looking around the cars they had to sell there and I pointed to a soft top Mercedes and said that is what you need to buy Daddy when you grow up much to the amusement of the mechanic who came to give me the car key. It was well over forty five thousand pounds. Off we trotted to our car and we were soon heading home with new back brakes and free wheel bearings thanks to the mistake by the part suppliers. I must say I recommend Ashwell Motors to anyone.

When we goy home the house was full of noise. Charlie was here helping Emily clean her bedroom, well sort of helping. I think there was more fun going on at times than actually putting stuff away. All the same they had decided to tackle under the bed and they were determined to throw stuff away as they did it, which is always welcome. Emily and Catherine certainly have too much stuff in the room given they have a family room too. Meanwhile Catherine decided to play with Lucy in her room and stay out of the way. She hasn't been getting on too well with Charlie of late although a few months ago it was the other way round and she was Charlies best friend not Emily. 

With them all out of the way preparing dinner was a dream. I didn't have much time so not having little ones under my feet was a big bonus. We were meant to be having cottage pie but in the end there just wasn't the time to cook it in the oven. So it was mice, onions and carrots with mash potatoes and savoy cabbage. Thankfully the girls didn't mind too much and it made a change as we haven't had that in a long while. Nearly all of it was gone by the end of the meal and that is all that counts at the end of the day. 

There was fifteen minutes after dinner for Emily, Catherine and Lucy to play together. They made the most of their last minutes together as always before it was time for their cuddles, kisses and goodbyes. Lucy left the house eating her sweet and she had another sweet in her pocket for her sister Mary. When she got back to Oakham she gave me a kiss and a cuddle and she was gone until Tuesday when she comes to see us again.

With Lucy back at her mummies it was time to set off to take Emily and Catherine to meet their mum at McDonalds on the A1. It would be the frist time that we did the trip in the dark for ages and not something I was looking forward to. Normally I love driving at night normally but tonight was different for some reason. Maybe it is I that know the road to well or just didn't want them to leave. Whatever it was the drive seemed to drag and it felt like it took ages to get home tonight. I guess I can be thankful for one thing at least I didn't have to drive as much as I use to in the past.

It has been a lovely day and I really enjoyed my trips on the bus with Lucy. It was nice to do something new with her that I hadn't done before. It just a shame that she not here as much as I would like and that something that is taking a lot of getting use to, if I can get use to it. I love them all so much I just wish they could be together all the time, although I know it is unrealistic. What us adults do is shameful at times. I think modern life makes us give up to easily when we need to battle through. It is all part of the consumer society, it is why our parents did so much better than we do now at holding a family together. 

At least I can try and forget all about children for the weekend and enjoy the promised weather.

The Apprentice

Tonight see the start of the Apprentice on BBC One. The programme sets contestants grueling business tasks with the winner of the show getting a job working with Alan Sugar. Each week the contestants are put into to two teams, and a team leader is appointed. The two teams carry out a identical tasks and after the tasks are finished the teams go to the boardroom where the winning team is announced. The losing team then have to workout who is to blame for the losing the task and the team leader picks two people to return to the board room with them and face the music. Once in the boardroom they have to say why they should stay in the competition and why they shouldn't be fired. Finally Alan Sugar decides who is ultimately to blame and they are fired and they leave the programme.

It is a fascinating programme that is now in it's sixth series and one that I have been watching for quite a few years now and that I really enjoy. It is something that I have been looking forward to all year. Normally the show is on earlier in the year but with Alan Sugars connections with the Labour Party in recent years and the General Election in May the BBC decided to postpone the show until now. I can see the logic but I did miss it in the spring but I'm glad they didn't miss a year which I always thought might have been a possibility. It is one of the television  highlights of the year for me since I started watching it and always will be as long as the series continues.