Keep right on....

To the end of the road.  And it was at the end of the road that the Desperates set up on Sunday 17th July 2016.  We were invited to play at the Totnes Canoe Festival again where we've played in various locations and various weathers.

This year the weather was fine - in fact the first day of a mini-heatwave that will probably constitute the best part of the summer this year.  And we were located more or less at the far end of the festival - only the wellie wangling was slightly beyond us.

As a result, the audience wasn't the biggest we've had but swelled to eight or so at times.  They valiantly supported us and even had a go at hula-hooping in time with the music.  As a river cruise boat approached, we thought we'd have some more appreciation for a few seconds.  And then the generator stopped.

Well, it's all part of life's rich tapestry.  While most of us sheltered from the sun in our teepee, Rich on alto sax stood out the front; truly dedicated to his art.

We must also thank Steve who played bass for us at this gig and the one at Bigbury golf course on the 24th June.  As our "outdoor bassist", he has stoically withstood a drafty, chilly outing on the golf club patio, and now a gig at the far end of a festival watched only by squirrels and wading birds.

Next time out for the Desperates is Sunday 4th September for a jazz lunch at the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock.  Our regular bassist Mick will return, and although our clarinet player has other commitments, we'll be joined by our favourite pianist, Pete. 

We're Still Here

Already half way through this year...we've had the longest day and the nights are drawing in.

What have we been up to?  We played for Jazz lunches at the Bedford Hotel, Tavistock on January 3rd and May 1st and then a short set at the Totnes Party in the Town.  This is a new event put on by the Dartington International Summer School and Festival.

Over 400 acts appeared at various venues throughout Totnes, and we were scheduled to be the last band of the evening at the Seven Stars hotel venue.  After watching the excellent acts before us, we went on with some trepidation, but the audience were very kind to us!  We greatly enjoyed it despite turning up for a only short set.  With the cheers ringing in his ears, one band member declared it the best gig we've done!

And on the 24th June on a blustery summer evening, we headed out to Bigbury Gold Course for a charity function organised by the Rotary Club.  As the day on which the results of the EH referendum were filling the airwaves, we'll no doubt remember this gig.

But while politics can divide people, the things we have in common can bring us together.  Music does just that.

Next up for us is the Jazz Lunch at the Bedford on 3rd July (booking required). And then the Totnes Canoe Festival on the 17th July.  Come and join us on Sunday afternoon at this fabulous event with canoe races and many stalls. We'll be playing from 15:15 and then a bit more after a short break beginning at 16.15.

Desperate New Year

We'd like to wish all our followers a happy new year, and we hope to see you at one of our outings.

So far this year, we are lined up to continue our Sunday Jazz Lunch performances at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock.  The first one was on Sunday the 3rd of January, and we'll be back on the first Sunday of the month, every other month until the end of the year.  The dates are:

Sunday 1 May

Sunday 3 July

Sunday 4 September

Sunday 6 November

We shall also be back at the Totnes Canoe Festival on the Sunday 7th July.

Titanium Tessa

It was a desperate end to the year for one of our band members!  Tessa, our vocalist and flute player, had a nasty horse-riding accident in December and managed to break all sorts of bits of herself.

Thankfully, a pioneering procedure at Plymouth NHS Trust bolted her ribs back together and - thanks to the medics and her determination she was able to join us on Sunday to play the flute - and even managed a couple of songs.

So it wasn't a heavy new year's eve that resulted in her being seated on Sunday, and we have no doubt that by our next gig, she'll be bopping away like her old self.

Oh, and the horse was fine.  And congratulations to me for not saddling you with lots of horse related puns.  Doh!

Seven Year Hitch

It seems like yesterday, but Desperate Measures has been playing now for seven years, with only a few changes of line-up along the way.

Looking back over 2015, one of the most significant changes was that two of our members - who met through the band - decided to get married!  Even more significantly, they decided to move on from Desperate Measures to pursue other musical interests!  

However, Geoff (who used to play keyboard for us) and Felicity (baritone sax) remain good friends of the band and we wished them well at their ceremony in St Germans.

The deed is done

Last weekend we played our last Sunday jazz lunch for this year at the Bedford Hotel in Tavistock. But fear not, they have asked us back for next year and we are planned to play six dates as follows:

Sunday 3 January
Sunday 6 March
Sunday 1 May
Sunday 3 July
Sunday 4 September
Sunday 6 November

We hope to see you there!

We have one more possible gig  this year in Exeter - watch the web site for details.

And Happy Christmas!

Dart arts

Totnes, twinned with Narnia, houses the South Hams alternative community, and it was there that the Desperate magical mystery tour ventured on July 12th 2015.  

While most English folk are rolling cheeses downhill and dancing around with bells on their ankles, in Totnes they race dragons.

This has to be accompanied by sideshows, live music, and stalls selling exotic food.  Members of the band were seen to be frequenting these establishments before ducking under their umbrellas to feast on never-ending pancakes and Bertie Botts' every flavour beans.

There was even a stall manned by a Potter but we didn't dare ask to see his scar.

While we awaited our turn, a local wizard entertained young elves in the little marquee that was to become our venue in the damp conditions.  The wizard however was rather tardy and the band members became impatient to begin, so Richard was despatched to place the Oculus Malum on the offending wizard. However, the grated cheese from a consumed delicacy had coated his spectacles and the spell did not work.  

The problem was solved by Debbie who, by showing her charms, frightened the wizard away.  Well, it is a rather awesome bracelet.

We soon began to play. Then the wizard avenged himself by placing a machina frigoris charm on our generator which plunged us into silence.  However, our own master wizard Mick swiftly took out his wand.

Despite the gasps of women present, he used his essentia ignis spell and we were soon under way.

A good day.

International Tour

A brief mention must be made here of the Desperates international debut in Brittany, France.  Several band members, both current and old (or should that be old and current?), travelled across the channel to the home of our previouis drummer, Jeremy.

There they played with local musicians and generally made merry.  Here's a couple of their pictures.

Une fete de la musique

Une fete des aliments

Well, it's been a while, hasn't it.  But before we go on, we'd like to wish you a happy new year!

Sometimes, inspiration can be lacking.

Goodbye 2014

But since last November when the last entry was made the Desperates haven't performed that much. Expected gigs over Christmas didn't materialise and we all had our own celebrations in one way or another.

We did one last gig at the end of November in the New Continental Hotel for a charity gathering, but that was it until last week, when we visited the Bedford Hotel for the first of this year's jazz lunches. Now, we're not sure yet about future jazz lunches there because the hotel has a busy calendar, but keep an eye on our web site Dates page for news.

Overall it was a very good year - although we didn't quite reach the number of gigs we played in 2013 -that was 19 - last year was 18 if we include all the spin off small combo performances.

New year - new band!

Over Christmas a couple of band members decided that their commitments meant that they had to leave the Desperates for now.  So we say thank you to Geoff and Felicity for all their help and playing and hope to see them again soon.

We know one or two helpful folk who deputise for us from time to time but will be looking for a permanent new member or two.  In particular we need a pianist.  I will avoid the well-worn jokes which those of you with broad minds would have heard, but while thinking about it, I came across this little strip cartoon which tickled me, so I'm sharing it here.

Apologies for that.

Music

If you were at the Bedford on Sunday 1st February you might remember some of the tunes in medley below.  Please remember that this was a live performance and also not a studio quality recording!

See you at the next one.

Brittany Speared

There was a rumour among musicians at one time that Brian Ferry's controversial son Otis would marry Brittany Spears.  But she decided against it because she didn't want to be called Brittany Ferry.

Regular readers of this blog would by now be expecting a report of the DM's planned visit to Brittany.  Unfortunately the planned jam session with un groupe francais could not be achieved because our venue with our previous drummer was not available.  So le voyage has been postponed, perhaps until next spring.

Your intrepid guitarist however - who had arranged to combine his trip with a visit to relatives was still able to go...

Mist appointments - DM guitarist in Bordeaux, forlornly clutching music pad.

Mmmm...macaroons!  In Quimper

St Emilion in the sunshine

Back in the UK, the DM's played gigs at the Bedford Hotel on 5th October and 2nd November with their usual aplomb.  Next event will be a charity event in Plymouth which is a private function - and the Desperate Measures will be back at the Bedford in February 2014.

As some comepensation for the missing Brittany trip a substantial proportion of the Desperates gathered in the wilds of Devon for a bit of a French themed party.

Du vin....

Du fromage!

We enjoyed some boeuf borgignon, pommes dauphinois, tarte tatin, charlotte pudding, French wine, French cheeses and excellent company.  Sadly missed our bassist Mick and drummer John however, but maybe we can do the real thing next year.

Speaking of musicians rumours about mariages, years ago there was also one that jazz musician Ben Castle, son of famous Roy Castle would marry Beyonce.  But then she would have been Beyonce Castle.  (You have to say it out loud....).