'Roly resolutely cranks down the volume in his characteristic style, has adapted the songs with sensitivity, wit and an unforced Blaydon dialect. He sheds new light on old tunes'.
Judith Murphy - Northern Review
Photo right - The Blaydon Aces - Roly Veitch (left) & James Birkett (right)
Our CD 'Gan Canny' was issued on 9th June 2012 complete with a potted history of Blaydon Races in the CD sleeve notes, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the song.
A few songs recorded in the past have new and quite different arrangements, including using the combination of guitar + tenor banjo on a few tracks. James and I worked jointly on the recordings (using the excellent AKG414 microphones) and my good friend Neil Harland (a consummate pro bass player and recording engineer) looked after the editing, mixing and mastering. Since its release many tracks from this CD have been played on Radio Tyneside, on Gary Hogg's Geordie Hour.
Running Order - - -
Wor Geordie’s lost his penker - trad
Sair Fyeld Hinny - trad **
When this aad hat was new - trad
Wherever ye gan you’re sure to find a Geordie - Thornton/J Robson
Bonny at Morn - trad *
Bobby Shaftoe - trad
Canny old Blaydon - R Veitch
Blaydon Races - G Ridley
Billy Boy - trad
Water of Tyne - trad *
The Lambton Worm - CM Leumane
Gan Canny - R Veitch
The row between the cages - T Armstrong
Big River - J Nail
Fog on the Tyne - A Hull
* JB Solo, ** RV Solo
The few songs also on earlier CDS are not duplicates. These are new and contrasting versions. For example, we've included a version of Blaydon Races on all three CDs but each version is quite different. Also, on this CD, 'Water of Tyne' and 'Bonny at Morn' are solo acoustic guitar instrumental pieces played beautifully by James (whereas on my other CDs they are vocals). 'Sair Fyeld Hinny' is just myself on guitar/vocal.
Click on soundbites to check out some samples - soundbites.
Review comment
The Blaydon Aces have come up a glorious celebration of Tyneside with a selection of songs synonymous with the region. Veitch’s vocals really draw you in (augmented by some sterling guitar and banjo work from the pair) and the familiar nature of some of the songs are given impetus by some original arrangements. For example, ‘Wor Geordie’s Lost His Penker’ has a lovely calypso feel. Tremendous stuff.
GM - 'The Crack' magazine, July 2012
This delightful cd couldn’t have been re-issued at a better time. The great Geordie anthem, George Ridley’s 'Blaydon Races' is one of the featured songs, and this Saturday, June 9, is the song’s 150th anniversary. There is expected to be music in Newcastle city centre and at Blaydon itself, in celebration. Then next Wednesday, June 13, you should get along to the Lit and Phil at 7.30pm to see Jim and Roly doing their stuff. Grab a CD then if you can, as I predict that these will go fast. The Blaydon Aces have given us a varied selection of mostly traditional Geordie songs, but with their own special take, including jazzy riffs, lovely guitar and banjo work, and Roly’s light-toned singing, which is relaxingly easy to listen to. And two of the songs are Roly originals – this man is a poet. So here is a quick rundown of what you will hear: 'Wor Geordie’s Lost His Penker' – I couldn’t believe it, a Latin version of this amusing song, it made me smile from ear to ear. 'Wherever Ye Gan, You’re Sure to Find a Geordie' also had a Latin feel, and a Jim Birkett guitar solo followed, the lullaby 'Bonnie At Morn', beautifully played with tenderness. Jim also did justice to 'Water of Tyne'. Roly sang and played solo guitar on 'Sair Fyeld Hinny', a moving song about getting older. Other traditional local material included 'Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny', 'When This Aad Hat Was New', 'Bobby Shaftoe', 'Billy Boy', 'The Lambton Worm', and 'The Row Between The Cages', featuring an original tune. 'Blaydon Races' itself rolled along with a smooth, fast accompaniment which sounded like a journey. The Roly originals were 'Canny Old Blaydon', a tribute to the buildings and sights of Blaydon which have now disappeared, and 'Gan Canny', a sort of feelgood love song wishing everyone well. The CD is nicely rounded off with contemporary material, Jimmy Nail’s 'Big River', which gives the history of the river Tyne; and Alan Hull’s tribute to the North East, 'Fog on the Tyne'. Just for good measure, the CD insert shows a photo of the Tyne Bridge and The Sage, and there is a history of the Blaydon Race itself. This music will certainly go down well in folk clubs and among many jazzers as well. But I predict that the general Geordie public will love this too. Any takers for a bet?
Ann Alex - BSH NE Music Blog, 7th June 2012
Comment
So enjoyed this CD,and an excellent review from Ann. I knew many of the tunes but not the words. Roly's voice is warm & soothing and these two fine musicians blend beautifully and sympathetically.
Liz, 16th June 2012
CONCERT REVIEW - by Russell Corbett for BSH Music Blog The Blaydon Aces @ St Mary’s Heritage Centre, Gateshead. September 13th 2012
Roly Veitch (vocals, guitar & banjo), James Birkett (guitar & banjo).
In the company of his friend, fellow guitarist James Birkett, Roly Veitch lovingly presents songs of the Geordie dialect – the well known and in some cases the long lost. A Blaydon Aces’ concert is a musical treat and an education into the bargain. Veitch took time to talk about each song and its composer, developing the social and political context of the material. Keelmen, pitmen and regular Geordie folk featured in tales of workers’ lives, loves and life’s occasional absurdities.
'Cullercoats Bay' (Jack Robson), 'The Row Between the Cages' (Tommy Armstrong) and 'Fog on the Tyne' (Alan Hull) were but three of many excellent tunes during two warm-hearted sets in St Mary’s Heritage Centre on the banks of the Tyne. The musician’s craft was evident in bossa and calypso arrangements of a couple of tunes; Eric Boswell’s 'I’ve Got a Little Whippet' and the traditional 'Wor Geordie’s Lost His Penker'.
The guitar playing was first class, the banjo playing wasn’t to be sniffed at and all in all it was a canny night infused with gentle Geordie humour.
The Blaydon Aces’ latest CD Gan Canny (check the blog to read Ann Alex’s review) is available at gigs and from www.rolyveitch.20m.com.
The duo’s next concert is on Saturday (15 September) in Ponteland. It will be a grand night but save yourself a journey - unless you have a ticket - it has SOLD OUT!
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