Deembe Music

Category: Music

  • ‘Valerie’ – Zutons original V Amy Winehouse Cover?

    ‘Valerie’ – Zutons original V Amy Winehouse Cover?

    Having chosen to sing ‘Valerie’, from the function band choice list, at the second Sing Pop gig I had to then make a further choice between singing a cover of the Zuton’s original or the Amy Winehouse cover.

    Although I very much like what Any and Mark Ronson did with the song, giving it that Motown like beat, I still prefer and chose to sing the Zuton’s original.

    Maybe my choice was influenced by a watching / listening to a male singer vs a female singer. Perhaps it was the tempo? I suspect though it was the earnest feel of the original contrasted with the vocal gymnastics of Amy’s version.

    [yop_poll id=”2″]

  • Sing Pop – Final Rehearsals

    Sing Pop – Final Rehearsals

    On Monday evening this adventure took the Sing Pop Students to the Creative Dance Centre in Brighouse.

    We rehearsed our backing vocals along with the basic choreography in the dance studio in front of the mirrors. You need a sense of humour for this challenge!



    On Thursday evening we returned to Heath URC in Halifax for the last time for the Sing Pop final rehearsal. Laura had delivered her lessons in the Lounge and in the Community Hall of this large church building. With just three of the six students at the final rehearsal in the large hall it seemed odd but we soon filled it with sound!

    Traveling back to the Heath area this past year has felt quite strange. So close to where my choral singing adventure with CSI:Halifax got started and lasted over 7 years, a short distance down Free School Lane at the Heath Campus.

    It has been a fun and challenging experience, learning new skills / techniques and refreshing others learnt earlier with Olivia Hyde. I would readily continue with Sing Pop were it not for the travelling from Holmfirth and wanting to pursue other musical activities.

    This Autumn Laura is taking the Sing Pop tuition to The Lookout in Sowerby Bridge. I’m sure it will be a brilliant experience for both new and continuing students.

    https://www.lmorrellmusic.co.uk/workshop

  • showcase Preparations

    showcase Preparations

    With the Soul Choir events now concluded till Autumn I can now turn full attention to the forthcoming Sing Pop showcase appearance on Sunday 20th July. 

    We are returning to excellent music venue, The Blind Pig at Sowerby Bridge, that hosted our first Sing Pop showcase back in December 2024.


    In the coming week we have two more rehearsals, one paying attention to backing vocals and basic choreography and then a final sing through / troubleshooting.  For the backing vocals choreography we’re going to use a mirrored room at the Creative Dance Centre’s studios in Brighouse.

    I think that lots-of-laughs are guaranteed!

    Looking forward to this challenge and then using some of the vocal skills gained to help me complete recording some of my original songs over winter 2025.

  • Ripon Set Cancelled

    Ripon Set Cancelled

    Sadly we didn’t get to perform our set at The Ripon Theatre Festival due to a vehicle breakdown impacting our choral leader.

    All was not lost though as there were some good performances by Yorkshire Voices, The Rock Choir and Ripon Youth Theatre to enjoy. My wife and I also took the opportunity to explore Ripon, take a look at Cathedral’s interior and then take a picnic lunch in the park.

    Those members that performed at The Honley Show had performed the set comprising:

    1. Son of a Preacher Man

    2. Stop in the Name of Love

    3. You to Me Are Everything

    4. Is This Love?

    5. Be My Baby

    6. The Night

    7. Tainted Love

    Today’s event brought the season to a close for me but I’m already excited upon hearing news of planned Autumn events!

  • Two Rehearsals and a Festival

    Two Rehearsals and a Festival

    Preparation for next month’s Sing Pop ‘On The Mic’ at The Blind Pig, Sowerby Bridge continue at Heath URC this week, sandwiched between a Soul Choir Rehearsal and then a Soul Choir Performance as part of the Ripon Theatre Festival  https://www.ripontheatrefestival.org/event/soul-choir/



  • Pop Choir

    Pop Choir

    Today I travel back to Halifax to sing with Laura Morrell, but not for a Sing Pop session.

    Laura is currently is studying for an MA in Vocal Pedagogy. She is also reparing to launch a new Pop Choir in Halifax this Autumn. So today’s event joined up her twin objectives and provided me with yet another little adventure. Laura was testing some teaching approaches, teaching us, using a special arrangement of James Bay’s ‘Hold Back The River in three parts (SAB),

  • Jet Guitar setup Revisited

    The new Jet Guitar plays very well but the tuning wasn’t as stable as I initially felt.  I felt I was getting slippage on the top two strings and noted that the tuner post windings were very short indeed compared to my PRS.   So I decided to change the strings from the included 9 gauge to my normal Elixr XL 10 gauge, lubricate the nut and saddle and to use my normal winding regime at the the tuners.


    Having changed the strings to this slightly heavier gauge I noted that the floating tremolo bridge was lifted at the end quite dramatically so I also adjusted the tremolo spring tension to return it to the original position.

    After checking the action and neck relief I concluded nothing further was needed for now so I went through several iterations of string stretching and tuning adjustment. I seem to have a much more stable guitar with a more familiar feel and will now let things settle down before checking again.

  • Out of order Revisited

    One of my musical aims for Autumn / Winter 2025 is to finally do a full recording including vocals of my original song ‘Out Of Order‘.

    The song was written in 2017, inspired by my late sister Michelle’s battle with cancer, performed live twice (poorly), once as a duo and once solo.

    To-date I have only recorded the instrumental version. So today I re-visited the guitar introduction, that I now plan to vary slightly, as I start to prepare for re-recording later in the year.

    Since 2017 I have continued developing as a guitarist. I recently bought my Jet JS400 which comes with a tremolo arm, a new experience for me. Some kind advice on usage came from Kirklees Guitar School‘s James and George after sharing my video of the intro with them. James also suggested looking at the use of Vibrato, especially for phrase end notes, so I shall investigate that too.

  • Sing Pop – Backing Vocals

    Sing Pop – Backing Vocals

    At Sing Pop work continues on preparing for our July showcase event. We will each be singing covers of four songs, two as lead and two providing backing vocals:

    1. Our own solo choice from the ‘functions band’ list ~ for me the original version of Valerie by the The Zutons;


    2. A requested song from fellow students ~ for me that’s I’m a Believer as performed by The Monkees but written be Neil Diamond. For this song I’m joined by my lovely backing singers to form, for one performance only, Deembe and The Chimpettes!😁 ;


    3. Backing vocals 1 ~ Young Hearts Run Free by Candi Staton, a soul classic that is also features in The Soul Choir repertoire;


    4. Backing vocals 2 ~ The already overblown and funny cover of Wonderwall by Mike Flowers Pops given added Sing Pop attitude to boost the stereotype beyond a cliché!


    I won’t reveal the other students song choices other than the above two, where I’m contributing to the backing.

    We’re now rehearsing these and other songs both as lead and backing singers. With the backing singer role comes the challenge of learning some basic movements … awkward!

    If standing at the mic alone doesn’t deliver enough of an out-of-comfort zone adrenaline kick then doing it with choreographed synchronised moves will deliver an overdose!  Think Gladys Night and The Pips or Diana Ross and The Supremes!

  • Guitar Setup

    Guitar Setup

    Having plugged the new Jet JS400  guitar into the amp I noticed the string buzz which led me down the rabbit hole of truss rod adjustment to increase the neck relief.   Having watched a couple of videos I set about trying to achieve a 2mm gap at the 7th fret of the 6th string (low E) by adjusting the rod with a Capo on the first fret and holding down at the 17th  (the body) fret and inserting a feeler gauge over the fret.  After a coupe of small adjustments the gap was set and when retuned the buzz had gone.


    With this success in place I turned my attention to the PRS SE 245 where I needed to decrease the neck relief a little to bring it in line with PRS recommendations.

    Perhaps I shall venture into action / intonation checking & adjustment soon too!

  • Light Music…

    PRS SE 245
    Peavey Raptor I

    Jet JS-400

    When I started learning guitar I never imagined that one day the key criteria for a new instrument would be its weight. Well that time has arrived. In order to keep playing and learning I need to be able to overcome the effects of aging. My neck, back and hands all struggle at times with the weight of my PRS SE 245. It’s a great guitar, I love playing it but it is really heavy, like most Les Paul related styles.

    I have relied upon on old Peavey Raptor to provide a lighter alternative. My son left that budget, paint splatted, guitar behind when he moved out. When the nut failed over the 6th string I took that string off and re-tuned the guitar to Open G and used it to learn some Keith Richard’s (Rolling Stones) and Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge) progressions. Sadly this further failed with first fret fretboard delamintion and wasn’t worth repairing.

    So I have purchased a new guitar, with weight and low cost being as high on my list of requirements as the instruments look and souuds. I chose a Jet JS-400 model to regain that ‘strat’ like experience on a budget. This has turned out to be a brilliant choice, Jet guitars are an absolute bargain!

  • Sing Pop – On The Mic

    Sing Pop – On The Mic

    Sing Pop Student Showcase


    The arrival of the flyer for our second performance makes the event feel even closer and us thinking that much remains to be worked upon.

    I’m now feeling that another few weeks will make the lyrics feel secure and hopefully most of the performance notes will have been addressed for my two songs.

    There are also two songs to familiarise with that I’m providing backing vocals for. Candi Staton’s ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ is quite well known as this is another Soul Choir song. The Mike Flowers Pops version of the Oasis song ‘Wonderwall’ less so. These songs come with the added challenge of including some (basic) choreography for the backing vocalists.

    Looking forward to returning to The Blind Pig, a smashing little music bar that made us amateurs feel very welcome last December.

  • Learning Lyrics

    The Drifter

    Learning lyrics is always something that I find challenging. What seems to work for me is approaching the learning in varied ways; singing along alone jsut doesn’t work for me. Currently I am learning four songs and for each I am adopting a learning by doing (active learning) approach that includes;

    • listening and writing out by hand – then look up lyrics online and correct;
    • singing whilst playing along on guitar;
    • sing along to varied YouTube performances including covers;
    • breaking into chunks whilst singing along to backing tracks paying attention to dynamics, vowels and note length
    • transcribing / transposing (if applicable) when changing key to match my Bass register. Then paying attention to pitch.

    Currently applying this approach to Ray Pollard’s ‘The Drifter’, a new Soul Choir song but also one that I noted when learning ‘The Night’ sung by Darrel Smith at the Northern Soul Proms performance at the Royal Alber Hall

  • HCS Voices Workshop

    HCS Voices Workshop

    Free Singing Workshop


    HCS Voices are hosting a singing workshop in June. Although I no longer sing with HCS Voices I had some great times and good experiences whilst singing with them. The workshops were especially good experiences with expert vocal coaching.

    https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/hcs-voices

    HCS Voices say …

    Discover the joy of singing at our free workshop! 🎶

    HCS Voices, supported by the Stada Community Catalyst Fund, invites you to an exciting singing workshop. Whether you’re an experienced singer or just love to hum along in the shower, this event is for anyone aged 18 and over across Kirklees—especially for those who might feel isolated or excluded.

    Why Join Us?

    Experience the uplifting power of singing together.

    Improve your mental and physical wellbeing.

    Find encouragement to join a local choir.

    No need to read music or have prior singing experience

    🎤 What’s in Store?

    Led by our inspiring music director, Laura Bailie, and supported by expert professional vocal coaching, you’ll experience the joy of singing alongside members of HCS Voices. Together, we’ll create an uplifting musical experience.

    🗓️Event Details:

    Date: Sunday, 8 June

    Time: 2pm to 5pm

    Venue:

    Moldgreen URC

    Old Wakefield Rd,

    Moldgreen,

    Huddersfield,

    West Yorkshire

    HD5 8AA

    🌟 Free to Attend! Pre-registration is required at: ticketsource.co.uk/hcs-voices

    Come and join us to celebrate the joy of music and the power of community. Together, let’s raise our voices and create something extraordinary! 🎵

    Supported by the Stada Community Catalyst Fund.

  • Ripon Theatre Festival

    Ripon Theatre Festival

    Ripon Cathederal

    Soul Choir on Tour!

    After the first concert of 2025 at Marsden Cuckoo Festival the Soul Choir are set to sing at Honley Show in June and then take the Soul vibes to North Yorkshire in July with an appearance at Ripon Theatre Festival.

    I’m really looking forward to singing outdoors again, it has been quite some time.

    Soul Choir
  • Marsden Cuckoo Festival

    Marsden Cuckoo Festival

    The Soul Choir performed in St Bartholomew’s Church as part of the annual Marsden Cuckoo Festival, held to celebrate the arrival of Spring.

    We had a nine song soul set for our 40 minute slot but the audience wanted more so we performed two encores.

  • I’m a Believer

    I’m a Believer

    The Mona Lisa Twins Cover The Monkees ‘I’m a Believer
    Learning the Guitar and Vocals

    I had already begun work on the intended target of my Guitar Tone exercise, my cover of The Monkees ~ ‘I’m a Believer’. I have been using the Justin Sandercoe video lesson and Kirklees Guitar School‘s video / PDF, which had recently been shared with spooky serendipity!

    With the guitar and vocal practice of the song I’ve also been transcribing an arrangement of the song, to match the Paris Music commercial backing track that I obtained for a forthcoming Sing Pop student showcase performance in July.

    For the guitar I’m using a Capo on the 5th fret to transpose the arrangement from the Key of C to F. Dropping two semitones and singing in my bass register makes the high notes at the bottom of the treble clef just about achievable if my voice is warmed up. The transcription is being progressed in Musescore Studio.


    This exercise again exposed me to the Mixolydian mode, given the presence in key of F of that lovely crunchy Eb. I have been aware of modes for some time but never really explored them. In this case I decided to familiarise with the F Mixolydian scale whilst transcribing the song in that key.


    Whilst learning a new song I seek Youtube live performances of it, including covers, to help get the feel. This often leads to discovering gems on YouTube like the brilliant live cover by The Mona Lisa twins in the renowned Cavern Club, Liverpool. It was viewing this video, and a live performance by The Monkees, that led to the related investigation of Vox AC30 like guitar tones over the Easter holiday too.

  • open Learn Music Theory

    open Learn Music Theory

    In 2017 I completed the Open Learn course ‘An Introduction to Music Theory’. This course covered core concepts as found in ABRSM grades 1 to 3. I found this really helpful when reading sheet music with the CSI:Halifax Community Choir.

    Recently I decided to check back for further bite size learning opportunities and discovered more short courses were available so I enrolled for the Discovering Music: The Blues course.

    I can readily recommend these interesting short courses. I understand that they draw materials from the Open University’s regular modules that underpin certificate / diploma and degree courses of study.

    I shall certainly be enrolling for some of the others too!

  • Marsden Cuckoo Festival

    Marsden Cuckoo Festival

    Looking forward to my third gig with the Soul Choir on Saturday 26th April when we will perform a ten or more song set at St Bartholomew’s Church as part of the Marsden Cuckoo Festival.

    It’s going to be huge with over 70 singers delivering soul / reggae classics from artists like Tina Turner, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Otis Reading and Aretha Franklin.

    A personal and Soul Choir Northern Soul favourite, ‘The Night’ (Original by Franki Valli & The Four Seasons), gets a surprise inclusion in the programme as we welcome our new Soul Sisters and Brothers from Wakefield Soul Choir. This was one of the two songs that I performed solo at The Blind Pig back in December at a Sing Pop student showcase event.

  • Guitar Tone

    Guitar Tone

    PRS SE 245
    Blackstar Core ID10
    Blackstar Patch
    Zoom G3Xn Effects Pedal

    Over the Easter Weekend I have been experimenting with guitar tone, inspired by learning The Monkees (Neil Diamond) song ‘I’m a Believer’.

    I was looking for early British clean sounds for use in practice and future recording. I tried three approaches:

    • Using stock / community patches for my Blackstar ID Core 10 amplifier
    • Using my Zoom G3Xn multi-effects pedal with a bespoke effect.
    • Using Cockos Reaper DAW with Toontrack EZMix3 Guitar Presets


    As I had not used patches for quite some time I first took the opportunity to apply updates to the Blackstar Architect software (the amps firmware was up-to-date) and the Zoom G3Xn firmware.


    That done I tested several Blackstar patches and then settled on a community patch that modeled a Britsh Amp with tape delay and spring reverb.

    I then moved on to creating a bespoke patch for the Zoom G3Xn effects pedal. As I had only previously created one patch from new I used that as a template and again created a patch that modeled a VOX AC30 with EL84 tubes like amp coupled with 2 * 12 Cabinet, Tape Delay and Spring Reverb. I tested this via the Blackstar Amp with its effects switched off and also via direct input to the PC and out to my studio monitors.

    I then moved on to explore the Toontrack EZMix3 plugin in the Cockos Reaper DAW. Here it was a case of choosing effects / stacking effects and adjusting parameters.

    The EZMix sound that I liked the best was ‘Thin Twin Amp Ambience’ but there was a rich set of tones that could easily have fulfilled the role.

    In conclusion I chose the Zoom G3Xn patch as my favourite and will use this to practice the song and if I do record a cover version with Guitar then I will use this.

  • Music on the Go!

    When we visit our static caravan I sometimes make use of the poorer days to squeeze in some practice, either learning piano or practicing songs.

    We have a small portable Roland Go Piano in the spare bedroom for our practice and fun.

    For Piano learning I’m using John Thompsons’s Adult Beginners Course but progress is very slow as I’m prioritising other activities, especially Guitar & Vocals.

    This week though I was just playing the chords for The Monkees – ‘I’m a Believer’, in my revised key of F (Mixylodian), to help memorise the song.

    I rarely sing at the caravan, to spare the neighbours, except when we are alone.

  • Swollen Ranks, big Sound!

    Swollen Ranks, big Sound!

    This weeks session attracted members over from the Slaithwaite group, as Dan couldn’t run that scheduled session as he was swanning off to London, being a rock star in a recording studio.🤘😁

    The full hall produced a glorious sound as we progressed through the set-list for the forthcoming concert.

    As usual, lots of good songs, good humour and good company. It really is a worthy social event in itself.

    We ended with a pretty good rendition of Gloria Jones / Soft Cell’s Tainted Love from memory, although I did cheat and sneakily viewed the lyrics on the Smartphone.

    No Candi Staton, ‘Young Hearts Run Free’ at Soul Choir this week, (not on the set-list). Will be singing backing vocals for that with the Sing Pop group this summer. It really helps when rehearsing the same song for two performances ~ I like a two for one!