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Further Information: Max Watts tonight, pm if interested.

With the success of the last gig in October Rach and I are in discussion with another troubadour about a show in our backyard in the arvo of March 11 next year. I know it's a long way off but it's nice to get a feel for the interest level. It will be a paid show, not a party and the artist is not doing it for free. On the flipside, every cent of the entry cost goes direct to the performer, who has toured with names like Jeff Martin (Tea Party), Gomez, Harry Manx, Neil Murray, and Angus & Julia Stone among others. So, bring chairs, drinks and snacks if you like and settle in for an afternoon of great live music in our rustic backyard! Being a long weekend I think I'll fire up the barbie again like last time and everyone is welcome to hang around to singe some animal and/or plant products. It's very hard to describe how it feels to have someone who derives their entire livelihood from performing music playing for a group of mates in your own yard, with rosellas and kookaburras providing backing vocals. Rest assured, it's pretty cool!! For more info on what I reckon is a brilliant concept go to www.houseconcertsaustralia.com/ And info on Jeremiah www.jeremiahjohnson.com.au/ Also- bring wives/partners/mates/children too- the more the merrier!! The List- Elcamry Darthlaker (+1?) Chickenman Kensell Pdot +1 MattJTaylor +2 Lazz +1 Zippi +1.5 Willmax +3

After a slight muck up with dates (the artist having double booked himself!) we have changed this event to Saturday the 3rd of March. It will now be an evening show with a bbq beforehand for anyone interested in meeting, having a general yak etc. Here is the original blurb as apart from the date nothing else has changed- With the success of the last gig in October Rach and I are in discussion with another troubadour about a show in our backyard in the evening of March 3 next year. I know it's a long way off but it's nice to get a feel for the interest level. It will be a paid show, not a party and the artist is not doing it for free. On the flipside, every cent of the entry cost goes direct to the performer, who has toured with names like Jeff Martin (Tea Party), Gomez, Harry Manx, Neil Murray, and Angus & Julia Stone among others. So, bring chairs, drinks and snacks if you like and settle in for an afternoon of great live music in our rustic backyard! Being a Saturday I think I'll fire up the barbie again like last time and everyone is welcome to come along early, say 5ish to singe some animal and/or plant products. It's very hard to describe how it feels to have someone who derives their entire livelihood from performing music playing for a group of mates in your own yard, with rosellas and kookaburras providing backing vocals. Rest assured, it's pretty cool!! For more info on what I reckon is a brilliant concept go to www.houseconcertsaustralia.com/ And info on Jeremiah www.jeremiahjohnson.com.au/ Also- bring wives/partners/mates/children too- the more the merrier!! We have a gregarious 4yo daughter, a big yard and a trampoline. @elcamry @darthlaker @Chickenism @Kensell21 @pdot @mattjtaylor2809 @Lazz @zippi @Willmax The list of attendees below- Mr, Mrs and little Grizzly Willmax +3 Chickenism Darthlaker (+1) Elcamry Kensell Pdot (+1) MattJTaylor (+2) Lazz +1 Frankn +1 Possibles- Yamahaman (+1) Non SNA- 12

Annual Performing and visual arts festival in Emerald, VIC, starting this weekend. Lots of live music events across the week. The 'Women In Song' event on the Wednesday night is always a highlight. And while you're there, Michelle Chandler is performing afterwards at 'The Hive' just nearby. Others I would recommend: Funfest Main Stage. Sunday 8th April. Funfest Bluegrass Stage on the same day if you don't have a banjo allergy! Tidal Moon. Sunday 8th April 2018. 7:30pm. Emerald Community House Hall. Three Folks (Patrick Evan, Tom Bolton and Leigh Sloggett) Tuesday 10th April 2018. 7:30pm. Emerald Community House Hall. Caledonian Castaways. Thursday 12th April. 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Gem Theatre, Emerald VIC Jazz at Emersleigh Estate Winery (Kerri Simpson and Bob Sedergreen!!!). Friday 13th April 2018. 6:30pm. Emersleigh Estate Winery More listed in these links. http://www.pave.org.au/events/ http://www.pave.org.au/live-music/ http://www.pave.org.au/events/categories/music/ http://www.pave.org.au/ (scroll to the bottom of the page) In the interests of full disclosure: Yours truly will be appearing on the bluegrass stage on Sunday with other grey and follically challenged gentlemen. PAVE2018.pdf

Further information: Received these brand new LPs and played once and now for sale. Roxy: Tonight's the Night Live is a live album by Canadian musician Neil Young. The album is culled from live recordings made at the Roxy Theatre on the Sunset Strip in Los Angeles, shows that celebrated the club's opening as part of Neil Young Tonight's the Night Tour 1973. Neil Young and the backing band he called the Santa Monica Flyers played two sets a night on September 20, 21, and 22, 1973, shortly after the band had finished recording Tonight's the Night. Photos:

Despite being ancient, my ears are still irritated by any form of audible distortion because I have heard so much of it over the years. My hunt for perfection started in the 1950’s. Forums weren’t around so it was trial and error with my own DIY valve projects. In a new search for inexpensive accurate sound, I examined hundreds of user reviews for more than 12 months and ended up with a system of extraordinally compatible components, none of which I had auditioned. Because I had a small budget I opted for DIY where possible. DIY also allows you tweak to your heart’s content without having to replace full systems. My final ‘unauditioned’ system consists of a pair of VAF-DX Generation 4 towers built from a VAF kit for $1900. A 15 watt Son of Beast OTL valve amp and GG preamp for $2500, Rega Apollo-R CD player under $1000 and Thorens TD160 for $10 plus a Rega RB250 arm for $150 and a reasonable Ortofon 2M Blue MM cartridge. I have always enjoyed the sound of valves but I was looking for a valve DIY kit with high end performance, not warm sound. By chance I saw an article on ‘output transformerless’ amplifiers and tracked down the Transcendent Sound kits designed by Bruce Rozenblit in the USA. Reviewers around the world were raving about the silky, 3D transparency and separation plus complete lack of background noise in Bruce’s kits. The audio signature was explained as being cross between valve and solid state with enormous tight bass. But being a bit cynical I was expecting to be underwhelmed but willing to take a chance because this would be my LAST project. I ended up building a Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid 3 valve preamp and a 12 valve 15 watt Son of Beast power ’output transformerless’ power amplifier for under $2500 the pair inc. freight from the USA. The performance of this combination was a revelation. Despite expecting something special, the GG and SOB far exceeded anything I had ever heard before. Sure, I have heard louder amps, clinical sounding amps and ‘look at me’ amps but never one with so much resolution that was so involving, effortless never tiring and exciting. Forget about warm, fluffy valve sound. It has gone …vanished and replaced by real live performances! After upgrading some caps, rotary switch and pot in the preamp I kept all the cheap but adequate components that Bruce supplies with the kit to keep costs down. I no longer have the urge to improve the sound because I can’t detect any of those niggling little audible annoyances that MUST be fixed at any cost. I also researched and bought a few sets of the very inexpensive Bright Star isonode anti vibration feet, which work a treat under the valve preamp and my solid Rega Apollo-R CD player which I reckon is a bargain at under $1000. The reproduction from the Rega Apollo has put my Thorens/Ortophon turntable to shame on many occasions. Before getting the Rega, I was so disillusioned with CD’s that I was about to dump my whole collection and only play LP’s. Now I get enormous pleasure from both. Win Win! No longer do I care about ‘sound’ when Pink Floyd, Santana, Keb Mo and dozens of others perform live in my own living room. Absolutely no sound other than pure music …joy at last! I’ll just sit back and listen …until my next…maybe…nope, forget it, I’m cured. Despite being cured I MUST build another project. Not for better sound but to see if it is possible to achieve the same satisfaction with a valve preamp and solid state power amp. I am starting a Holton Precision Audio kit and have great expectations because of it's reviews plus it’s an Aussie product. As long as I just compare the musical performances I guess I can forgive myself, can't I?

Kimberley Wheeler Duo is the feature act at Selby Folk Club on Friday 7th April. I usually see Kim playing upright bass and sharing vocal duties in a couple of acoustic & bluegrass bands, but this appearance will highlight her talent as a singer/songwriter. Support act will be Cathy Dobson. http://selbyfolkclub.com.au/event/kimberley-wheeler/

Selby Folk Club Presents: Louie and the Pride March 3 @ 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm $12 - $15 http://selbyfolkclub.com.au/event/tba-3/

Performing And Visual arts in Emerald (PAVE) Festival 2017. Kicks off with the FunFest on Sunday 2nd April. Four music stages, international food court, market, exhibitions, kids activities, pop-up bar..... Family-friendly. http://www.pave.org.au/events/funfest-2017/ http://www.pave.org.au/live-music/ Heaps more music, theatre and arts events all week. http://www.pave.org.au/

Selby Folk Club this Friday night features David Hosking. Doors 7:30. Music starts at 8pm with Support acts. http://selbyfolkclub.com.au/event/david-hosking/

The Skylark Room in Upwey (VIC) is celebrating its 1st birthday with a weekend of events starting tonight. Snowy has brought this great little venue back to life over the last 12 months and music is the focus again. Burrinja Cultural Centre 351 Glenfern Rd. Upwey, Vic. https://www.facebook.com/events/125689984651412/?acontext={"action_history"%3A"[{\"surface\"%3A\"page\"%2C\"mechanism\"%3A\"page_upcoming_events_card\"%2C\"extra_data\"%3A[]}]"%2C"has_source"%3Atrue}

This is so subjective but I'm going to ask - What do you consider your best live recording? For me it has been the following (to date): 1/2 The Ramones - It's Alive 2/2 Ry Cooder and VM Bhatt - Meeting by the River.

On October 1 Rachel And I plan to host a touring artist for a very small afternoon performance at our home. Very relaxed, outdoor and room for maybe 30. Details are being fleshed out right now however I am keen to gauge interest in such an idea. There will be a ticket charge ($20, the entire amount going to the artist) via House Concerts Australia which seems a brilliant idea to me. More info on the concept at www.houseconcertsaustralia.com The performer is www.bartstenhouse.com Im hoping we can pull a decent crowd and help support some grass roots music. Let me know if you're keen!! Attendees- elcamry TonyM +1 MattJTaylor +1 FrankN +8 or so! Darthlaker plus about 12 non SNA folk.

SA, Adelaide Hills Just confirmed, the next instalment! Many of you will remember Little Wise from last years HiFi show, playing live in the lobby. Well, she has just released her second album and will be heading to Adelaide to play at our Adelaide Hills backyard, so lock it into your calendar! As always there will be a modest cover charge which goes 100% straight to Sophie. She will naturally have CDs and LPs available there as well. Bring partners, friends, children as well, all welcome. The cover charge applies only to adults. This will be a Sunday Session style, afternoon gig. "Little Wise, AKA songwriter Sophie Klein, invites you to come and celebrate her new album ‘Want it All’ as she tours around the country. Awarded a grant from Creative Victoria and backed by a stellar crowdfunding effort, Little Wise worked at The Aviary Studios with producers Fraser Montgomery and Nick Edin to create something authentic and full of soul. The resulting ten-track sophomore album traverses a classic pop-rock sonic landscape. It’s familiar yet it can’t be pinned down to a single source of influence. These songs are short, sharp, focused and refined. They bring immediacy, emotional affect and some unfettered joyous rock ‘n roll. SCENSTR have described the first single as sitting “somewhere between the growl of PJ Harvey and simmering tension of The Velvet Underground”. Don’t miss Little Wise, who will be turning heads and melting hearts live at Grizzly's Backyard Sessions on Sunday 24th November in support of ‘Want it All’. Owning the stage in a solo performance, Little Wise fuses Indie, Folk-Rock and vintage sounds with a good dose of Melbourne swagger." Listen here- https://littlewise.bandcamp.com/album/want-it-all