Norman Wisdom, Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Good Times...

High on Record Player Goodness, two lovely people.

It's been quite a year for The Record Player. From it's first faltering steps with the Tyneside Cinema, it's gently been oozing out across the region. Shows have taken place in the Dome at Spanish City, The Sage (I played a record at the Sage!) and The Baltic, with the recent foray with a different format, again at the splendid Tyneside Cinema  with the Punk Off! The one abiding thing that makes these evenings so worth while is just how sociable they are.

For many years I've worked, then dabbled, then worked in comedy. For me there are two major moments at a comedy gig. Post good gig goodness and post bad gig badness. The feeling of being on stage being just one step ahead of an audience, riding the laughter is sublime. Ditto the feeling being two steps behind and audience, but with added fear and self loathing.

Record Player evenings don't echo these events, what they do bring is that lovely shared experience, that joy in sound. It's one of the most sociable things I've ever done. It sweeps across the generations, all the divides, in fact I'm going to suggest it to the UN to help sort out global unrest, it's that good.
If everyone sat down to an evening of Fleetwood Mac's Rumours on the Gaza Strip there would be no more bother, I can assure you.

Fridays Punk Off was an interesting one - extending the format to 45's, spoken word and general messing about, after a faltering start it really took off, and the beauty of it is that the audience are as integral to the groove of the evening as the muppets are who run the show. It may have been the lateness of the hour, the drink and/or the music, but by 11.00 o'clock we had a room full of love. It was great.

Lady Annabel and an actual Punk Icon, Lady Pauline of Penetrationshire.

None of this would work if we attracted a bunch of cloth eared herberts, or groups of Stags and Hens. People come to listen and enjoy. I am eternally greatful to the RP 'Bromley Contingent'. These hardy souls who come along week in, week out, just for the crack - even if they don't like what's being played ('I have to say that I hated that, it was awful' Bruce Bax on Murder Ballads).
Then we have those who love a particular album, come along not knowing what expect and leave beaming.

Finally, none of this would have been possible without the help and assistance of Tyneside Cinema. They have been impeccable, kind and gracious in their generosity and support of what is basically a bloke playing records. Thankyou good Tyneside Cinema folk, you know who you are. Love.

Next year there will be a few news things to enjoy - in the planning stages - a Glam Slam! enjoying the fab glam sounds 71-75, audience curated album evenings and the Alternative Lindisfarne Gospels.

If you've an album you want to hear, think there's an audience for it, then please leave a comment or email therecordplayer@yahoo.co.uk

Ladies, Read Me Now

We need a lady. Sheena Revolta and I are holding an evening of Punk Rock finery on November 23 at the Tyneside Cinema. 

One of the sections of the show is called Punk Rock Icons, where carefully selected contributors tell of their Chosen One in three minutes or under. 

So far we have a top writer, a swinging duo, me and sheena and an actual real life Punk Rock icon. We need one more contributoress. 

If you're a lady and fancy your chances please tweet me with who you would represent and why. There's a pair of tickets and a drink in it. 

And a bloody good night out. Thankyou for your time.