|
contents | jazz | |||||||||||||
| John Ford Of Strawbs Does October Nyc Show Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist John Ford, who penned the Strawbs' 59 week Chart Topper, “Part Of The Union, ” a popular rock anthem on both sides of the Atlantic and 4 Gold and Platinum Record recipient for other popular hits with John Ford's other band projects will be performing at Long Island's largest Festival and Satalla in New York City this coming October. These shows will be in support of his new 2005 releases, “Backtracking” – a collection of redux of John Ford popular hits and Maxi-Single “New World” a 6 track EP which features “New World” written by Strawbs Dave Cousins; Procul Harum's “A Whiter Shade of Pale;” a Lennon-McCartney tune “Across The Universe and the first recorded version of “Part of the Union” in over 30 years; “Kissed By The Sun” and new song “You Can't Keep Me From Singing” both penned by John Ford. The EP also features a Donegan skiffle snippet of “Worried Man Blues.” Both albums released on Indie Label Whole Shot Records. On John Ford The dynamics and versatility of John Ford's musical talent run the gamut from the London Folk clubs to large scale international rock venues of the British Invasion of The 60s-70's-80s and now into the 21st Century touring and playing with music legends as Santana, Jimi Hendrix, Ritchie Blackmore, The Eagles, Frank Zappa, Marc Bolan/T. Rex, Blue Oyster Cult, ZZ Top, RUSH, REO Speedwagon, King Crimson, Lynyrd Skynrd, Billy Preston, Cat Stevens, Roy Harper, Dave Mason and more. Early music projects include The Five Proud Walkers, where John got his start. James Fenda & the Vulcans landed John Ford his first Major Label signing with EMI, also becoming known as a teenage heartthrob! Then onto Elmer Gantry’s Velvet Opera signing to Repertoire. Playing in bands of some notoriety, John's unusual percussive style of bass playing caught Strawbs leader Dave Cousin's eye during a performance at Dave's folk club in Hounslow and joined the Strawbs in May 1970. John Ford's influence with The Strawbs, primarily known as a Folk Rock group, shifted into a new direction in the Prog-Art Rock. Scene. John penned perennial favorites, "Heavy Disguise" and "Part of the Union, " The Strawbs biggest Chart Hit, included on the Album, released as a Single and spent 59 weeks on the album charts, rising to Top of the Pops fame, working with Bowie/T-Rex Producer, Tony Visconti on A&M. John Ford received three Gold Records and Platinum, to boot. A few years later, John Ford and Richard Hudson, formed Hudson-Ford, with Top 10 Pop Chart Hits, 'Pick Up The Pieces, ' along with "Burn Baby Burn" and "Floating In The Wind" also on A&M. 1979, hitting the Charts again, this time with The Monks, a punk project signed by EMI. Which came surprise hits, "Nice Legs Shame About The Face" and “Suspended Animation.” In contrast, JF also developed an alter ego in High Society with classic '30s style melodies, releasing a self-titled album in 1984. In 1986, John Ford relocated to the US and started working on his solo project and shows. John teamed up again with The Strawbs 30 Year Reunion Tour in 1998, performing as bass guitarist and vocalist, after a hiatus since the late 80s with the Strawbs, then again for the 2001 Strawbs UK Spring Tour. In between, in 1999, John played on Ritchie Blackmore's Blackmore's Night band and release “Under A Violet Moon, ” featured John in the beautiful "Wind in the Willows." January 2004, John Ford opened to a packed house for Dave Mason at a Long Island concert venue. July 2004, the STRAWBS SUMMER UK ELECTRIC TOUR in England, featured John on bass and vocals with the original UK electric lineup from the 70s, Highpoints of the tour included The 30th Trowbridge Pump Festival with The Strawbs, doing both the Electric and Acoustic line-ups, headlining for two nights to over 6, 000 fans. THE STRAWBS UK ELECTRIC TOUR performed to sold-out shows at venues ranging from richly, restored performing arts theatres to trendy hot spots, such as The Underworld in London and others throughout the UK. Aside from the dozens of recordings John's been on, some of his live performances can be viewed on DVD with “Strawbs Live In Tokyo '75 & GRAVE NEW WORLD - The Movie” and “The Complete Strawbs - Live at Chiswick House” and other Top of the Pops videos. Four solo albums of John Ford's own work:, “Love Is A Highway“ - 1998, “Heading For A High” - 2000, “Natural High” - 2002, "Backtracking" - 2005, with him performing virtually all vocals, instrumentation and producing the albums. Summer 2005 - “New World” Maxi-Single EP. Both feature redux of his classic hits, new originals and classic cover additions released on Indie Label, Whole Shot Records. Future releases for 2005 include “JOHN FORD: LIVE AT THE BOTTOM LINE, ” “What Ever Happened to Christmas?” – a collection of holiday songs, unreleased JF originals and ROCK 4 XMAS ALLSTARS COMP -includes JF''s rockin' version of “White Christmas, : along tracks from Cheap Trick, , Larry Hoppen (Orleans), Eddie Money and Ronnie Spector & more! write your comments about the article :: © 2005 Jazz News :: home page |