9 posts from November 2007

The BBC are calling for aspiring songwriters or groups with the potential to write a number one song. If you’re genuinely looking for a career in songwriting and are working on material which will appeal to a mainstream audience, they want to hear from you.

60 finalists will be invited to attend a two day master class where they will get information on the business, technology and the craft of songwriting from industry professionals.

Four winners chosen from the master class will be given a once-in-a lifetime opportunity to be mentored and work on original material with chart-topping songwriters.

The competition is limited to just one entry per person or group and songs should not exceed three minutes in length.

It will have some advice from award winning songwriter Sacha Skarbek, who co-wrote the worldwide no.1 hit 'You're Beautiful' with James Blunt and will be one of the mentors on the Radio 2 New Songwriters scheme

Deadline: 3rd December 2007

For further information click here

Eli c1973

Eli developed out of the Mick Green Blues Band. I'm not clear on the exact development although I

was a round the band from 1970 to the mid 70's.

The main protagonists were Mick Green (guitar vocals / Tony (Mojo) Morgan on bass and I think Simon Lovegrove on drums and Ant Callaghan on vocals and percussion and Johnny Adams on guitar and vocals. Simon / Ant and Johnny soon moved on to form Fission.

There were several permutations of this band over a short period of time. At one stage, In 1971 they reformed for a brief period as Railroad / later as Raine Chantre (excuse my French as they say). Probably others too. They did a version of the Midnight Special.

Mostly playing blues material, standard and original songs, sometimes with harmonica. They Coventry pub venues such as the Navigation, Hand in Heart.

Trev Teasdel and Don't Talk Wet c 1973/4
By 1972, I was beginning to play floor spots in folk clubs and the Umbrella with a bunch of unusual songs. By 1973 I often played in between sets of Fission or the derivatives of the Mick Green Green Blues band - venues such as the Navigation, Hand in Heart and later in at Streetpress gigs in Birmingham.

I was basically solo but I was often joined by members of Fission Johnny Adams (acoustic guitar), Simon Lovegrove (Percussion), Ant Callaghan (percussion and backing vocals), Mick Green (harmonica) / guitar) - or various combinations depending on the gig. Often we would jam in the city centre, or the Cathedral grounds - sometimes with just Johnny Adams (later of Squad). Later in 1974 / 5 it would be with Phil Knapper (guitar / vocals) (older brother of Stu Knapper of Riot Act) and Andy Cairns (who played in an early Jazz rock outfit with Horace Panter c 1975). At one folk club it was with Trilogy's Row Brewster on bongos with his Latin rhythms. At the Hobo Workshop it was with Johnny Alderson or Colin Cripps on some occasions. All loose and impromptu - not a fixed band.

The name came from a line in one of Dave 'Byron' Reed's poems. So if I was going to be joined by any the musicians - I'd call us Trev Teasdel and Don't Talk Wet. It was mentioned on the Broadgate Gnome music site 2003, Godiva Rocks 2004 and in Hobo magazine (1973)

Hobo Ad 1973 Issue 2
"Wanted for Don't Talk Wet
Trev, writer of songs, requires musicians- flutes, guitars, mandolins, violins - anything interesting."

At the start of Hobo magazine John Bargeant AKA Bo of Rougestar promotions began to represent me. He made available his PA with reverb and provided stylaphone accompaniment (the kind Bowie used on Space oddity) and took me in a taxi to gigs in Birmingham. He put an ad in the first issue of Hobo. In second edition small ads I advertised for  musicians, flute, mandolin, guitar - anything interesting. However the work of Hobo took over and although I continued to write and perform, much of my energy went into promoting local bands and artists in Coventry and developing the Hobo Workshop venue. Bo left to become the sound engineer with Khayyam on their European tour. Through Hobo, I also did a bit of recording in the home studio of Sasp'rilla c 1974 on an Akai Reel to Reel. I don't have any of the recordings.

Undeterred Trevor answered an advert in  Melody Maker advertising for

songwriters for Album material. Their office was located in Greek St. (where many of the famous folkies had played - Bert Jansch etc.). I went down by train with my jumbo Eko Guitar on my back and one of those seventies style mono cassette players with a bunch of songs recorded The sound was awful, full of tape hiss. The guy nonetheless sat through some of them and loved the lyrics. He advised me to get a band behind me to do the songs and then return and suggested I listen to the charts (at that time full of bubblegum bands!). I was more into albums at that stage - the charts was full of pap as far as I was concerned. Although there were a attempts at forming a band - one with Bob Rhodes and Colin Armstrong at the Hobo Workshop, one with Andy Cairns and Phil Knapper and a later one one with Andy Cairns and Selecter's roadie / van driver who played bass in 1980 can't remember his name off hand - there was a female singer too - a Pentangle style band around my songs but with a cover of Cruel Sister, but nothing held together and I was kept busy with Hobo and the workshop.

On the Move to Teesside in 1980 I met up with Steve Gillgallon and Stephen Ingledew and we formed what I called

Trev and the Collective Unconcious. This again was a loose arrangement but with a more concentrated effort of working on my songs. Although I played solo we rarely played live mostly worked on my songs and recorded various versions on  cassette and later on a four track portastudio (some of which feature on My my Space and will be included on the forthcoming Songs From the Coventry Underground on the Gnome label. In fact most of the recordings on that album come from the Coventry days, with some being later recorded on Teesside in the 80's.

My main thrust was a songwriter rather than band member. Early in the seventies before I played guitar, I wanted be a kind of Pete Sinfield to a band. I wrote stuff for some of Mojo Morgan's various bands and indeed Mojo put music to an early song of mine - The Elusive Metallic Idol. Pete Waterman put music to an earlier version of A Lotta Rain is Fallin' and teamed me up with Coconut Mat / Martin Barter. Later, on learning guitar I went down the singer songwriter road for a while.

My song writing was prolific in many styles, never aiming to be consciously

commercial but my creativity began to spill out in diverse forms from the mid seventies, playing the roles of Editor, organiser of venues, promoter, performing poet, festival organiser, creative writing tutor, creative and educational development worker and more recently digital archivist. The songs on the new album some of the many form the Coventry Underground days, recorded mostly on cassette (reprocessed through software) and a few on portastudio. There are stories about the Coventry music scene behind many of them. They are often first draft and informal recordings (warts and all). Not the kind that most people would put out I guess but I like the rough 'bootleg' feel to it in contrast with the current digital perfection and voicecodas etc.

Trev's sites are Trev on My Space  or Songs of Trev Teasdel (Vox) or on Gnome Fest (developing) Trev on Gnome Fest

Some of these songs are on the album but not Somemower AKA Down Our Street and the Medieval Rock practise run here with Andy Cairns.

Don't Pick a Flower c1971

I can't tell you a lot about this duo except that it was based around the work of Singer songwriter John Leopold who had been involved with various poetry and folk events at the Coventry Arts Umbrella in the very early 70's and although John often played in the Umbrella coffee bar as conversation raged on every subject - often to the wee hours, there's not much more to say except that around 1971 they played at the Umbrella Poetryand folk nights with a full presentation in May 1971. They performed both contemporary folk and their own songs. I seem to remember being impressed with their sound and their songs.

John Leopold had performed with the Umbrella Poets in the 1970 presentation of Geoff Pegg's Knotted Sheets (launch of his poetry chapbook for Outposts) at the Belgrade Theatre. He performed one of his songs called Dinosaurs Lament. I seem to think John play at other venues with the Umbrella poets during this period as well as folk clubs.

A short bio of John Leopold exists in the Knotted Sheets programme that reads -

John Leopold
The writer of the other song, Dinosaurs Lament. A talented songwriter and guitarist who takes personal preference to the 12-string variety. His songs are apart from anything produced by other writers and they use some excellent chord sequences.

All a bit vague now but if anyone can elaborate on John or Don't Pick a Flower - please do so! Roger Williamson played the next week's Poetry and Folk.

THE EARLY DAYS -1955 TO 1969
For some of the Coventry musicians viewing this blog, their memories of the Coventry Arts Umbrella (better known as the Umbrella Club) stem from it's location at the bottom of Queen Victoria Rd. in the late 60's / early 70's before the building was condemned and, after moving around for a while, settled at the Charterhouse off the London Rd.

The Arts Umbrella played an important role in the development of the Coventry music scene (and indeed in the development of the rest of the arts in Coventry) being the nearest thing Coventry had to a full blown Arts Centre or even an Arts Lab (popular in London and Birmingham.

The Coventry Arts Umbrella was founded in 1955 and it's early base was at 97 Little Park Street (Opposite Kirby House) which I think puts it on the grounds in front of what are now the Education Offices. (Next to the Bird in Hand and the other side of The George Inn). The above picture shows the frontage and there are various picture of the inside of the original Umbrella in the Coventry Archives. Some of the pictures show quite a tasteful interior and very early ones show pictures of the Goons who opened the Umbrella - a young Spike Milligan, Harry Secombe and Peter Sellers. Musically Jazz and Classical music were the early focus with the Umbrella developing the earliest traditional folk club in Coventry in the

mid 60's which ran until 1969 when it was replaced by various regular Folk and poetry events. The Umbrella Magazine was an early project featuring Phillip Larkin's essay on his Poem I Remember I Remember called Not the Place's Fault. (Umbrella Magazine Vol 1 No3 Summer 1959). An essay he wasn't keen to have re-published. According to the biography p 50 / 501 Larkin said "I have rather a mental block about "Not the Place's Fault". In construction it is written as a kind of commentary on the original poem, but this does not come through and in consequence it  seems rather rambling. In addition, I think I said just a little more about myself than I really want known. These are reasons why I should prefer it to remain in obscurity" he told Blake Morrison. Later he told Montheith "in some curious way that (essay) exposes more of me than I want exposed, although heaven knows there is nothing scandalous in it." His biographer goes on to say "He was a candidly emotional and autobiographical writer who always disguised his self-revelations or passed them off as general truths. He was notorious for insisting that our mums and dads fuck up up, yet virtually denied the existence of his own childhood. If he had opened Required Writing with Not the Place's Fault it would have raised false expectations about the essays which followed. Whether addressing himself or others, these cleverly play concealment against confession. They show the readers round the rooms of his mind without opening any secret compartments."

In terms of lectures E.M. Forster was well known speaker. Here are extracts that give a picture of the early days of the Umbrella Club......

Who Initiated the Umbrella?
"Coventry Arts Umbrella Club opened on Oct 10th 1955 at 97, Little Park St. (pictured above). Members of Coventry City Architects Department and members of the Midland Theatre Co were largely responsible for initiating the  Umbrella club."

Aims of the Coventry Arts Umbrella Club -
To provide a congenial meeting place for those interested in  artistic and cultural activities and in the pursuance of...thus it promotes lectures, discussions, exhibitions, recitals and similar. The name 'Umbrella' is intended to suggest the wide range of activities covered by the club.

Outline of the functions and Structure of Coventry Arts Umbrella Ltd.
"The Association is established to promote, maintain, improve and advance education and assist in the promotion, maintenance, improvement therein. Shall be of charitable nature and in particular, so far as such objectives may be charitable, to raise the artistic taste of Coventry and to promote, encourage and increase the appreciation and understanding of the arts generally and Dramatic Art, Musical Art, Literary Arts and Visual Arts in particular.

The advisory committee in the early days consisted of The Right Rev - the Lord Bishop of Coventry. Alderman Mrs Pearl Hyde. Mr A.G. Ling FRIBA Coventry City Architect. Lord Leigh. Sir Stanley Harley (Coventry Gauge and Tool Ltd. Mr P.S. Randell (Courtalds)

The club initially had 200 members comprising of students, secretaries, engineers, technologists, Clerks,nurses, Civil Servants, architects, journalists, artists, shop assistants, housewives.

97, Little Park St. Comprised a Lounge (used for lectures and recitals) A Foyer - Exhibition room, music room, cloak room, office and kitchen. The building was demolished to allow for redevelopment.

The first Chair of the Umbrella was Anthony John - later of the BBC - later Dr A,. (H) Marshall and Terry Watson was Vice Chair at this stage later to be Chair.

Reply to Criticism
"We can offer a reply to the criticism which tends to be levelled at an expanding industrial town like Coventry - that it's heartless and that there is nothing to do and that it is a 'Cultural desert' . Our reply, based on observation and the deep satisfaction which many intelligent young people have found in using the club and how newcomers to Coventry have said how they have not felt at home in the city until they began to use Umbrella club."

COMPULSORY PURCHASE ORDER
On 3rd April 1961 the Coventry Arts Umbrella received a Compulsory Purchase Order with notice to quit their premises at 97, Little Park St. by the 30th June 196 after 5 years of residence at that address. The Umbrella claimed, in response, that  the Umbrella had established a "unique position as a cultural and social centre, especially for young people who are over youth club age and for whom we provide a service of a kind not to be found elsewhere in the city. It's cultural magazine is subscribed to by the Library of Congress USA and New York Public Library etc."

The Umbrella was rehoused at 18, Queen Victoria Rd. until once again in 1972 they had to move after a 10 year residency this time.

In terms of programme the Umbrella while at Little Park St. organised a series of Cultural Weeks each year as follows -
American Week - 1957
Russian Week   - 1958
Norwegian Week -1959

In May 1958 they hosted a production of Webster's White Devil in St. Mary's Hall.

Some of the distinguished speakers included -
EM Forster, Sir Stuart Wilson, Prof. Marvin Felheim, Prof. Nevil Coghill, Aaron Copland, Richard Arnell, Brian Priestman, Sir Eugene Goossens.

The Umbrella magazine is covered in another post on here with some new additions.

The early programme on the move to Queen Victoria Rd. included (up to 1968) Jazz, music , Bridge, art and design and Drama. jazz was particularly strong at the umbrella.

Folk at the Umbrella. The Umbrella pioneered the earliest form of folk club in Coventry - leading to the creation of other folk clubs in the city from 1965 as outlined in some of Pete Willow's folk history articles on here.

Folk had been a part of the Umbrella programme since about 1963. Examples -
April 1963 saw a "recital of folksong presented by Barry Skinner"
1965 - Folk Records session
Jan 1966 saw "a group of folksingers led by Barry Skinner performing in the club on Monday evenings for Jan to July 1966

In Jan 1967
Although live folk music seems to have been happening at the Umbrella since 1963, a 1967 programme claimed -
"Folk Tues 26th Jan 8.30pm. At last live folk music in the club. Now your chance to hear again those wonderful old songs you learnt on your Granny's knee - arranged by Roy Mitchell."
But a look through earlier programmes shows that 1967 wasn't the first time for folk by a long chalk!

In 1968 - June 1967 - the programme advertised  "Folk - Roy Mitchell Group.

In Oct 1969 when I joined the Umbrella - there was a well established traditional folk club on a Saturday night at the Umbrella. no alcohol involved at the Umbrella - the coffee bar provided hot dogs and and coffee or tea only.

More Posts on the Umbrella if you check the Hobo Index under Umbrella. Some of the posts are currently being added in to though.

Hot off the press from Pete Chambers (Author of Godiva Rocks / The Two Tone Trail / The Beatles - Sent From Coventry and Godiva Rocked to a Backbeat)

As part of the on-going campaign to celebrate Coventry's wonderful history, on-going story and the people who have contributed so much to the city, nominations are now being requested from local people as to who will be the first 10 names to be unveiled next May.

 

Each of the final 10 people chosen will have their names set into the flooring in Priory Place in the form of Hollywood-style star. The walk of fame idea originally came from Pete Chambers, local music historian and a city ambassador.

 

Peter Walters, Chair of the Walk of Fame Group, said:

 

"This is all about celebrating our fantastic city and the many inspirational people who have contributed so much to Coventry's reputation and profile as a world-class city. I, and the group, believe we should do more of this type of celebration because we really have a strong host of potential nominees.

 

We want as many local people as possible to get involved, vote for their own choice for the Walk of Fame so the final names will be representative of the city's feelings."

 

To start the ball rolling, an initial list of 25 names has been put forward by the group reflecting different aspects of city life. The 25 names include here are only suggestions, people may want to nominate anyone who they feel fits the criteria.

 

Councillor Tim Sawdon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Libraries, added:

 

"Now we have identified the venue for the plaques, it is exciting to be able to start the ball rolling as to who will make the Walk of Fame. I'm sure we will have a lot of nominations and votes between now and the unveiling, with persuasive arguments on all sides as to why their own choice should be in.

 

We want as many people as possible to get on board and start sending their nominations in, which they can do in a variety of ways. I look forward to seeing who is put forward."

 

People can vote in a variety of ways; either by completing and returning the nomination form in their local paper, dropping the form into any city library or registering their nomination via the city council's website at www.coventry.gov.uk

The criteria for the Walk of Fame is:

"Coventry's Walk of Fame will celebrate citizens who have brought the city recognition at national or international level. Recipients don't necessarily have to have been Coventry-born, but must have a strong connection with the city."

Once all nominations are in, the Walk of Fame committee will create a shortlist of 20 names, which will go back out to the public to vote on. From this, the committee will announce the first 10 names to be inducted into Coventry's Walk of Fame.

To get things started a list of 25 names has been compiled by the committee but people can vote for anyone that fits the criteria.

List of Walk of Fame nominees:

Pearl Hyde (city councillor and Lord Mayor)

A prominent city councillor who made a name for herself in the city and beyond during the war as an efficient and inspirational food organiser during the Coventry blitz and its aftermath. Later a high profile and much-loved Lord Mayor.

The Specials (Ska band)

Chart-topping band, who cleverly fused ska and punk to create the iconic Two Tone sound. Giving birth to bands like The Selecter, Madness and The Beat.

Pete Waterman OBE (Producer and Musical Entrepreneur and former DJ)

With Mike Stock and Matt Aitken Pete formed the most successful production/ songwriting partnership of all time, launching the career of superstar Kylie Minogue amongst others.

Dame Ellen Terry GBE (Actress)

Despite her sometime-troubled personal life, Ellen Terry, remains the finest actress of the Victorian era.

Mo Mowlam (Politician and former Coundon Court pupil)

Mo Mowlam famously became Secretary of State for Northern Ireland at the time of the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

Dick Crossman OBE (Politician and Writer)

He entered Parliament in 1945 as the MP for Coventry East. Becoming Leader of the House in 1966, working his way to Secretary of State for Health and Social Security two years later. Often outspoken, he was a true Working Class Hero.

Jimmy Hill OBE (Footballer/ Manager/ Presenter)

Jimmy has done it all, a player, manager, chairman and commentator. He also reinvented the Sky Blues winning them promotion to Division One.

Tom Mann (Trade Unionist)

Tom was acclaimed as the greatest labour agitator and orator of his time. He was President of the Dockers Union in 1891. He was imprisoned during the National Hunger March in London in 1932.

John Sillett (Footballer/Manager)

The very affable ‘Snoz', a former City player who led the Sky Blues to FA Cup glory in 1987 as team coach.

Sir William Lyons (Father of Jaguar Cars)

It was the incredible vision of William Lyon’s that created not just another automobile, but a true Coventry motoring icon-the magnificent Jaguar motorcar.

Philip Larkin CH CBE (Poet)

Famous for his insightful poetry like “This Be The Verse”, and "Annus Mirabilis". He was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for poetry; he would famously refuse the post of Poet Laureate.

George Curtis (Footballer/Manager)

‘Mr Sky Blue’, made 534 full appearances for the city (many as Captain). He was half the management team (along with John Sillett) that would see the FA Cup go to Coventry for the first time.

Dr Cuthbert Bardsley CBE DD (Coventry Bishop)

Cuthbert Killick Norman Bardsley became Bishop of Coventry in 1956. Known as a great orator with the common touch. He was the first Bishop to become a President of a football club (Coventry City Football Club, of course).

David Duckham MBE (Internationl Rugby Union player)

One of Coventry’s finest rugby players. As an England winger, he was affectionately knows as ‘Dai’ to the Welsch supporters, as he apparently, “played like a Welshman”. Hence the title of his autobiography “Dai for England”.

Neil Back MBE (Internationl Rugby Union player)

Neil has been a member of 3 Triple Crowns teams, 2 Grand Slam teams, 2 Six Nations teams, 2 Heineken Cup teams, one Five Nations team, and of course one glorious Rugby World Cup winning team.

Dave Moorcroft OBE (Athlete/ Broadcaster)

Dave won gold for the 1500 meters in 1978 at the Edmonton Commonwealth Games, and gold again in 1982 for the 500 meters at the Brisbane Commonwealth Games. He later became a TV presenter and the Chief Executive of UK Athletics till 2006.

Sir Frank Whittle,OM,KBE,FRS (Inventor of jet propulsion)

This Earlsdon born genius saw the future of flight and created jet propulsion; he was eventually knighted for his pioneering work.

Clive Owen (Actor)

From Kersley to RADA, Shakespeare to Chancer and on to King Arthur and Hollywood. There is no stopping Coventry’s highest profile actor, except when he missed out on the role as 007.

Marlon Devonish MBE (Olympics 4x100m relay gold medallist)

Marlon, along with Jason Gardener, Darren Campbell and Mark Lewis-Francis, set the track alight at the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics when they won gold for the 4x100 m relay.

Lady Godiva (Historic figure)

Godiva or Godgifu, Coventry’s number one Lady. It matters little if this Anglo-Saxon noblewoman ever did her famous ride. Either way she has become synonymous with protest and fair play, putting Coventry well and truly on the map.

James Starley (Father of the bicycle industry)

Starley moved to Coventry at the age of 27, and revolutionised the cycle (velocipede) industry. Four years before his death, he also invented the revolutionary ‘differential’.

Panjabi MC (DJ/Producer)

Panjabi MC or Rajinder Rai, a chief pioneer responsible for popularising Asian-based Bhangra music in the UK. His track Mundian To Bach Ke (Beware of Boys), catapulted him to global fame.

Sir Nigel Hawthorne (Actor)

He shot to public attention in 1980 with his BAFTA winning characterisation of the manipulative Sir Humphrey Appleby in TV’s “Yes Minister”. Another BAFTA followed (and Oscar nomination) for his stunning work in the film “The Madness of King George”.

Billie Whitelaw CBE (Actress)

One of the industry's most enduring actresses. Winning BAFTA’s for her roles in films like The Omen, The Krays and Jane Eyre. Billie continues to work, and was recently in the cult flick “Hot Fuzz”.

Sir Henry Parkes (Father of the Australian Federation)

He travelled to Australia via assisted passage, and became a force in publishing, then politics. Becoming premier on five occasions and the man who created the mechanics for a federal government for Australia.

 

These two vids are from Dave Cooper's My Space for the innovative Coventry Folk band of the late 60's early 70's - Dando Shaft.

They are taken from last ever gig in 1993 at the Coventry Whitefriars gig.
There are various posts on here about Dando Shaft for those of you who don't remember them.
Some of the members went on to play with Bert Jansch and Dave Swarbrick.

First is Sometimes - from their last ever gig (after a reunion) at Whitefriars, Coventry 1993

Lynval Golding of The Specials and Fun Boy Three was one of the judges.

Plans are moving ahead for the Proposed Coventry Music Exhibition at the Herbert Museum and Art Gallery in Coventry, set for 2009 ( the anniversary of Two Tone).

(See the other  posts on the Coventry Music museum / Exhibition for the background Here)

Pete Chambers - (described by Pete Waterman as the 'Ambassador of Coventry Music') has added a new idea to the proposals for the Coventry Music Exhibition.

In his own words Pete says -

JERRY DAMMERS DIORAMA

"One idea is the idea of a mock-up of Jerry Dammers flat (actually just a one wall diorama). This was effectively Two Tone HQ 1979-1980. I think it would work as a centre-piece to any Specials/Two Tone exhibit. The museum already has hand written lyrics and other items that could be included in this diorama. I have photographs of the whole room to base designs on.

Other bi-product stars of the Coventry music scene include Chuck Berry, who famously recorded My Ding-A-ling at Coventry's Locarno. As a point of trivia, when Chuck was hitting number one in The USA, Lieutenant Pigeon were number one in the UK. This meant both number one's either side of the pond, were recorded in Coventry, can't see that happening ever again.

As we also touched on; Reggae star Lee Sratch Perry recorded the Grammy award winning album at Roger Lomas's studio in Coventry. Roger Lomas remains the only Cov musician to win a Grammy.

The Clash and the Sex Pistols both played on the same bill at Coventry's Lanch (Cov Uni), 48 hours before the famous Filth & Fury headlines provoked by Bill Grundy infamous interview with the Pistols. It was effectively the last gig they would perform before the tabloid press went critical mass over punk rock and its "evil" followers."

Regards all
Pete Chambers

Other proposals
30th Anniversary of Two Tone 2009 - Possible Celebrations - Possible reformed Selecter Concert
2009 also marks the 30th Anniversary of Two Tone and Neol Davies has been exploring the possibility of a Selecter Reunion gig (with the original members) to Celebrate. We have suggested to him that that might be a good way to launch the Coventry Music Exhibition, perhaps as the culmination of a week long Celebration of Coventry music past and present in general and Two Tone in particular. The concert could be recorded and filmed for a live album and DVD. However it's only an idea at this stage and we don't know yet if the rest of Selecter are up for it and if it is feasible as far as the museum is concerned. However it is an exciting prospect and Neol would clearly like to see a Celebration of one of Coventry's finest moments. By way of market research - would people still turn out for a Selecter gig 30 years on. We think the answer is a Big Yes - but what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below. These comments may help towards securing funding for the Exhibition and the proposed concert / Celebrations.