Blog

If you wish to book Claire for your event, please contact her agent at Red Records.

Sun 11 May 2008 - 07:37
I was lucky enough to be back on BBC Radio Manchester as part of an early morning chat show again last Friday. It was an interesting affair. My fellow guests included a retired headteacher and a PR consultant. We discussed a variety of topical issues ranging from chef Gordon Ramsey's idea that his peer group should be 'banned' if they don't use fruit and veg that's in season in their restaurants (I almost agree with him - we need to consider the environmental consequences of what we're eating but the thought of masses of sprouts and cabbage isn't that eco-friendly from my postion!) to an NHS pilot scheme that requests we complete a card should we not require medical assistance should we need resuscitating in the event of an accident. My line on it was it seemed like another cut in the NHS and what a way to reduce service provision!It's also been a week for a million and one (okay slight exaggeration) lovely people asking for money from me by way of sponsorship. All worthy causes. many of which I believe should receive government funding from our taxes. Apologies to those who haven't received a cheque from me but with so many withdrawals from my account the bank was beginning to think there was a run on the funds of another financial institution in the UK!

Next weekend I'm away gigging in Brighton - if the weather stays sunny I might extend it into a bit of a holiday! I hope your week ahead is a bright one. Love Claire

Sun 11 May 2008 - 07:37
I was lucky enough to be back on BBC Radio Manchester as part of an early morning chat show again last Friday. It was an interesting affair. My fellow guests included a retired headteacher and a PR consultant. We discussed a variety of topical issues ranging from chef Gordon Ramsey's idea that his peer group should be 'banned' if they don't use fruit and veg that's in season in their restaurants (I almost agree with him - we need to consider the environmental consequences of what we're eating but the thought of masses of sprouts and cabbage isn't that eco-friendly from my postion!) to an NHS pilot scheme that requests we complete a card if we don't want to be resuscitated in the event of an accident. My line on it was it seemed like another cut in the NHS and what a way to reduce service provision!

It's also been a week for a million and one (okay slight exaggeration) lovely people asking for money from me by way of sponsorship. All worthy causes. many of which I believe should receive government funding from our taxes. Apologies to those who haven't received a cheque from me but with so many withdrawals from my account the bank was beginning to think there was a run on the funds of another financial institution in the UK!

Next weekend I'm away gigging in Brighton - if the weather stays sunny I might extend it into a bit of a holiday! I hope your week ahead is a bright one. Love Claire

Mon 05 May 2008 - 12:32
I heard on the radio this week that 50% of the world's population have never heard a ringtone. I mentioned this at a gig and the audience, almost as one, decided those people were the lucky ones! The things we take for granted hey? The said gig on the Wirral was a fine affair - along with my set there were some excellent wordsmiths plying their trade too. It's amazing where the imagination takes you.

Our local elections in the UK gave the national government a good drubbing - hardly surprising with the way they've been (mis)managing things. I got a postal vote as I couldn't venture to the Polling Station on the day as I was away performing. It was a bit of a rigmarole - but I couldn't have done it without phoning for it first - hope they didn't mind the ringtone! Have a good week, Love Claire (and Happy Birthday to my one and only!)

Mon 28 April 2008 - 08:12
Today in the freezing rain of Manchester I was privileged to perform at a Workers Memorial Day event in the city centre. Amid the speeches from MPs and trade unionists there were the heartfelt stories from relatives who still fight for justice for those they've loved and lost through workplace accidents or the wanton failure of bosses to implement proper health and safety measures. It was, as last year, moving and inspirational. Huge thanks to Eddie who, with his trusty umbrella, endeavoured to keep me dry while I was playing - it took me back to my busking days although I'm not sure I played outside on days like this - I'm still drying out!

I've been mixing a bit with trade unionists recently. Last Thursday I took to the streets to march in solidarity with striking teachers and other public servants. There were 1000s on the march and I met with some people I hadn't seen for years and a fair few from a gig I did last week. It's little short of a disgrace that teachers are pushed into such action by a Labour government (a Labour government no less) and the discontent was palpable. There would, of course, be plenty of money in the coffers had we not embarked on an illegal war - yes, I know I bang on about it blog after blog.

And then, to make matters worse, Britain's 'rich list' gets published yesterday and we find that the rich are getting richer - didn't come as much of a surprise I must say. This self same issue came up when, with fellow guests Vince and Ivan, I was on Andy Crane's BBC Radio show yesterday at The Lowry in Salford. I couldn't help myself - I had a rant about it! The show was fabulous even though you could be forgiven in thinking there was a jack-in-the-box in the foyer as I kept going from one mic to another. All great fun. Thanks to the Beeb team of Andy, Emma, Becky and Gaydon and all of you who stopped and listened to the songs I played in between the radio banter.

I hope you have a safe week ahead. Love, Claire

Mon 21 April 2008 - 09:38
Last night was the 20th Anniversary of The Legendary Manchester Busker and we all packed into Matt and Phred's in Manchester to celebrate it! 16 acts tumbling on and off stage at the speed of light, a sparkling atmosphere and packed to the gills. A complete joy to meet up with so many old friends who gave some cracking performances and to co-compere with promoter Chris was, once again, a pleasure. Nice one CC - I think it was every inch the night you worked for and hopefully all your dreams came true! Thanks to John who put in a sterling performance on whistle with me. One of the highlights for me didn't come from the stage though. I met up again with a guy who was in a show I was musical director for at Oldham Theatre Workshop. I remember him as being a top musician and I'm glad to hear that when he's not working the bar he's out and about performing. So pleased you said 'hello' Chris.

Earlir in the week I was on ManchesterRadioOnline (who also recorded and filmed last night's event) to help promote the Busker. Presenter Paul Ripley has a fine style and it was a joy to be on his programme. Also last week I had a trip over to Liverpool to play at a Hope Not Hate (a campaign to celebrate diversity and to tackle the lies peddled by the BNP) event with Alun Parry and his band. Regular blog readers (and I keep on meeting you!) will know we did a gig in Manchester together last year and he's a bustling songwriter. On the bill also was Tayo Aluko who performs a one-man show about Paul Robeson. He performed an extract from it and powerful stuff it was too.

Closer to home I ended the week with a gig in Levenshulme, which was a bit of a mix of making up a song on the spot and creating the best band of the week!

And finally, I'm back on the beeb! Next Sunday morning I'm helping review the papers and playing a few tunes on Andy Crane's Radio Manchester show. It's an OB from The Lowry, in Salford Quays, so I guess you can always come and have a butchers (a Lancashire term for having a look!) if you're passing by between noon and 2pm. Maybe see you there.

If you are Manchester-based there's a rally in the town centre next Thursday to protest about the paltry public sector pay increase (well, a pay cut in real terms!). You might want to show your support for our public servants and particularly teachers who will be out on strike for the day. I do a lot of songwriting/recording sessions with young people in schools and from my experience teachers deserve every penny they get and then some!

One last thing - I did something today that I have never done before and sowed some carrot seeds. Will keep you posted on their development!!?

Have a great week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 13 April 2008 - 08:27
It seemed to rain and rain and rain last week with a few hailstones thrown in for good measure. Fortunately, the clouds lifted and the sun came out in the shape of Ann Wilson's book launch in Barrow-in-Furness. Ann had asked me to perform at the event a few weeks back. She is a generous-spirited soul and, with her mate Kay, picked me up from my motel before the gig to take me for a walk on a nearby beach (passing a ewe and her lamb by the side of the road on the way). It was picture postcard stuff as we wondered over the dappled beach and looked out over sun-drenched Lakeland hills. It was a lovely way to start an evening that was brimming with entertainment. Ann is a wordsmith of the highest calibre and her audience is warm and discerning and very kind to me. A complete joy from start to finish. Good luck with the book Ann - a bestseller if ever there was one.

Next Thursday I'm performing in Liverpool with Alun Parry. He performed (with his band) at a gig in Manchester with me last year and has kindly asked me over to his stomping ground to play at a 'Hope Not Hate' concert - a campaign that has been initiated by a national UK newspaper. Hopefully the sentiment will start to filter though as we reach another anniversary of the humanitarian disastor that is Darfur.

There's a few gigs on for me at the minute and next Sunday is the 20th Anniversay of the Manchester Busker. I'll be playing a couple of tunes (with the other 15 acts!!) and being the co-compere with its promoter Chris Coope. All the other Busker events of yesteryear were awesome - I'm sure this one will be too. Have a safe week, Love Claire

Sun 06 April 2008 - 08:04
As I mentioned last week there was an event to celebrate the life of Ruth Frow (who co-founded the Working Class Movement Library) yesterday at Salford University and 100s of people attended. There were speeches from family and friends and comrades and warm tributes from members of the audience. I was in the fine company of Aidan Jolly and Bernie Murphy singing a couple of songs that the organisers believed Ruth would have enjoyed. What was so inspiring about the whole tribute was how one life can affect so many others in such a positive way - awesome.

Next Thursday I'm performing in Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria at Ann the Poet's book launch (see Diary Dates). She's a fabulous writer so check her out. Safe travels wherever you roam this week. Love Claire

Sun 30 March 2008 - 07:03
Sound Women, at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield, last Friday turned out to be a fabulous night with a wonderful audience. Thanks to Mary and birthday girl Maureen for performing with me, and to guests O'Donnell and Bird for an ace set and the wonderful Ann the Poet for trekking over from Cumbria to do the gig. I'm told she had a bit of a hairy journey back home but am glad to hear she's now safe and sound. I'm supporting her Book Launch in Barrow-in-Furness on 10th April (details on the Live Page(DATES) and, having seen her perform, consider it to be a privilege.

It's also an honour to be asked to perform (with Bernie Murphy and Aidan Jolly) at a celebration of the life of Ruth Frow, co-founder of the Working Class Movement Library in Salford (see previous blogs) at Peel Hall at Salford University next Saturday. There have been tributes aplenty to her already in all sections of the media, and it promises to be an inspirational event. It starts at 2pm and I'm sure you'd be welcome. In the meantime have a safe and peaceful week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 23 March 2008 - 10:50
Well that was a week and a half that just flew by. I got a call (out of the blue - again!) to go on a topical chat show on BBC Radio Manchester which was great fun I have to say and I'm pleased to get an invitation for a return visit to the station in May.

After the show I rushed to the Miles Platting area of Manchester to host the launch of a CD I'd been working on over the last few months with some groups in the area about the issue of respect. The participants were a fabulous bunch who came to the celebration and applauded each other as the Lord Mayor distributed the newly pressed CDs. Thanks to all the workers as well who put up with me disrupting their sessions as we embarked on making brilliant music and recording it on the mobile studio - you were top.

Next Friday (28th) I'm back hosting the SOUND WOMEN promotion at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield (see 'Live' page for details). As always it would be brilliant to see you.

In the meantime I hope you're having a Happy Easter should this be a time you celebrate. It's usually a time of sunshine and flowers here in the UK at least but you can't see the blooms for the snow! Safe travels and safe week ahead. Love, Claire

Sun 16 March 2008 - 06:51
My whole week has been spent mixing other people's CD tracks so I hardly had a minute to hear about the Vatican suggesting we should have a few more sins added to the 10 Commandments list. As you might have gathered from previous blogs I'm no fan of greedy, rich people but did find it surprising that the hugely wealthy Roman Catholic Church didn't seem to connect with the irony of it all. God knows what Jesus would have made of it all. Whatever your religion (or none) I hope you have a safe week ahead, Love Claire.

Sun 09 March 2008 - 09:40
Last week was International Women's Week (Happy International Women's Day for yesterday by the way) and a very busy and rewarding time for me. It started with a gig at Rochdale Town Hall (thank you one and all) and ended at Manchester Town Hall, respective homes of local democracy - which is interesting as it's 90 years since women in the UK got suffrage (well, partly at least!).

After starting the week at Rochdale, I was asked to lead a debate about politics on Tuesday in Manchester. I am often told that 'politics' is boring, which is a bit of a shame as so many of the songs I write refer to them! I think when people say it they're often referring to party politics and governments that seem far removed from 'the people'. As you can see from the rants on these blog pages I find politics fascinating and so was the debate I facilitated, with a diverse group of women, at the LGBT Centre. The night was inspiring (for me at least), humorous, challenging and stimulating. Big thanks to Amelia and all of you who entered into the creative side of the proceedings so whole-heartedly.

My week continued with a return visit to the BBC in Manchester, where I was asked to take part in their version of 'Desert Island Discs'. They call it 'Mrs Manchester', but kindly referred to me as 'Ms Manchester', to suit my feminist leanings! I got to choose some of my favourite tracks and they asked me to play one of my own songs and talk for an hour about my life and times. Half way through the interview I discovered that I'd met the presenter, Diana Luke, before - about a decade ago, when she was presenting the afternoon show on the BBC in London. My time on Wednesday's show raced by, and it was a great laugh too. Thanks for asking me onto it - it was an honour.

The following day I facilitated a song writing session at the Pankhurst Centre (birthplace of the Women's Social and Political Union and, literally, the home of the Pankhursts'). 90 years since (some) women got the vote in the UK and yet there's still so much women need to say. You were all great..

Thanks to all of you who packed out the M19 Bar for the launch gig of Manchester's Irish Festival on Friday night. Massive thanks to Maureen, Mary and John who played with me and cheers too to Odi and Steve for playing support. Particular thanks to those of you who bought the 'Who's Looking After Levenshulme?' CD, which was on sale on the night. All monies are going towards the campaign so well done. It was also a pleasant surprise to see photographer Phil again - he had trailed around the suburbs of Manchester with me snapping away for the local press when the song got its first 'live' outing last October.

Then, after an interview on a community radio station with the excellent Andrew Edwards, the final event of the week was at Manchester Town Hall on Saturday where I was compere and performing on the main stage. The occasion finished with a panel discussion that I facilitated, which covered a host of topics from forced marriages to sexual orientation. Phew! After a week like this I recognise it's a diverse working life I have!!!

I hope you have a safe week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 02 March 2008 - 07:55
Out of the blue I've been asked to go on BBC Radio Manchester this week to do an hour long 'Desert Island Discs' kind of programme. It's on Wednesday 5th March from 11pm-midnight - give it a listen if you can and I'll help put you sleep! For me this week is dominated by International Women's Week events - from radio to gigs to song writing workshops with even a couple of debates thrown into the mix! So it's good, at this time, to be celebrating one woman's triumph over adversity. Over the last year or so I've played several benefit gigs for the anti-deportation campaign of Florence and her son, Michael (you'll find them mentioned in previous blogs). I'm indebted to Lisa for informing me that they've now won the right to stay. There were times when you could have been forgiven for thinking that there could be a less welcome outcome for this struggle but battling on has had its just rewards - so well done to all of you who led and supported the campaign.

Talking of 'battling on' (prepare for tenuous link) we have been bombarded in the UK with the news that Prince Harry has returned from his clandestine deployment in Afghanistan after his cover was blown by foreign press. We're told our own media had relinquished 'the freedom of the press' for security reasons. I have found myself almost seduced by the reporting - a Royal at last 'earning' a medal rather than just adding one to the rows that adorn their uniformed regal chests at state occasions and then I remembered we're at war and a very unpleasant one it is too. 100s and 100s of Afghan civilians have been killed, scores of military personnel have lost their lives (and where are the camera crews when the body bags are flown home?) and what's changing in Afghanistan other than the poor are getting poorer and opium production has increased? A sure fire disaster it seems to me and not something to be celebrated. Rant over - and here's me trying to get you to come to gigs this week!!!!

Have a great week ahead.and if you can make it to one of the performances it'll be lovely to see you. Be safe. Love Claire

Sun 24 February 2008 - 09:13
So much to do, so little time to write blogs... but we're back!! First off 'Hold Hands' had an outing on Australian radio this week, which was very good to hear. I wrote the song by way of protest about Section 28, which was a nasty piece of homophobic legislation passed by the British parliament 20 years ago - thankfully it's been repealed. Talking of protest songs there is now a recorded version of 'Who's Looking After Levenshulme' available. All proceeds from sales will go to The Friends of Levenshulme campaign to highlight the need for public investment in this little neighbourhood of Manchester.

Last week the news channels reported that revolutionary leader Fidel Castro had stepped down from power in Cuba. President Bush was quick off the mark to wish Cubans the same liberties that are experienced by great freedom-loving democracies such as America. With the notorious US base, Guantanamo Bay, literally on their doorstep they must be overjoyed at the prospect!!

Lots of gigs have been added to the 'Live' page so check them out - oh, and belated thanks to the Chester posse who were at the Women's Space fundraiser a week or so back and were very generous with their marking as they took on the 'X Factor' judges role during my set - you had to be there! I promised I'd mention them and there you have it.

I hope you have a fine week ahead, Love Claire

Sun 10 February 2008 - 10:05
Last week started well when I received a letter from Warren Lakin. We hadn't been in touch for years, and it was great to hear from him. Warren was the late great Linda Smith's partner and is touring a show at the moment that includes many of her comedy sketches. You can get details from www.lindasmithcomedy.co.uk. He set up Popular Productions in the '90s and I was lucky enough to be on their books. I performed numerous gigs with Linda and learnt a great deal on the way. One thing I discovered was that no two gigs are ever the same. This week I did two, including a fabulous 70 minute set at Swinton Folk Club, which was a huge buzz. A lovely audience, some top musicians (thanks John) and the time just flew by. There was some great music and loads of laughter - which for me is what a gig's all about. Thanks one and all for making it so special.

Last night's gig was very different - it was in a church for starters - great acoustics, top sound (nice one Steve) and an array of acts. I was last on and time was limited so my set was somewhat shorter than the Swinton gig - still had a laugh though! Waiting to go on I found time to consider comments attributed to the Archbishop of Canterbury this week regarding the place religion should play in our society. His gist was, that in order to make society more inclusive religion, in certain circumstances, would be right to operate within its own laws (eg allowing the catholic church to forbid gay couples to adopt if it fit in with their ethos or the use of sharia law). On a number of fronts it seems a bit rich to me. For starters, we have a mass of non-elected bishops in The House of Lords at the minute helping to create statute so religion (or one of them at least) already has an undue influence on law and secondly, man-made interpretation of faith doesn't seem to be all that inclusive to me in any case. Respecting religious freedom is one thing but having it determine what we all can and cannot do is another. Discuss!

But while I'm on the topic of religion I'll mention one saint - to the one I love, who makes my life better because you share it with me, Happy Valentines Day! (and this isn't instead of a card!)

Have a loving and safe week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 03 February 2008 - 07:22
To all you regular blog readers, I apologise for missing last week's rant. It's all been pretty busy around here but I still found time to watch snowdrops and crocus come out in many a garden, only for them to think better of it once the arctic winds took hold - here in NW England at least.

I mentioned in my last blog that I was doing an interview on Channel M TV Breakfast Show on Friday, to plug the 20th Anniversary Fun Box gig. I was supposed to be doing it with Chris Coope, the promoter, but he was otherwise indisposed so the station kindly filled up the space talking about the last time I was on and the Levenshulme protest song. Going on TV at 7.30 in the morning and trying to look your best seem polar opposites to me. Luckily there were some American footballers on before my spot, bulked up in all their gear so that their shoulders looked to be the length of the M6.. so I didn't appear too out of place! Singing at dawn is always a bit of a daunting experience, though - thankfully the vocal cords did the business.

The Fun Box gig was last night in The Castle, a famous old pub in Manchester. Some great songwriters and poets did their thing and me with Mary and (guest band member for the night) Robin Sunflower did our bit too. Thanks guys. Oh, and the crash barrier was very useful by the way - no one managed to storm the stage!

Tomorrow night (Monday) I'm back guesting at the Swinton Folk club. The club's been going for a couple of decades and includes all sorts of acoustic music. There's usually space for people to do a couple of songs themselves, so do come along. When I performed at the Q Inn a couple of weeks back there was a prodigious army of musicians. As the guest I got to play for the first 45 minutes (with host Robin Sunflower, no less) and then finished the night with a short set. As I set off on the first song I found a fiddle, a trombone, guitars, mouth organ and all instruments in between joining in and that's how it was for the rest of the night! Generous and fabulous.

I'm a Manchester United supporter (although, needless to say, I'm no fan of the corporate direction the club's taken), which is something I normally keep to myself but I was brought up only a few miles from the ground and used to go to matches when I was a child. So it seems fitting to be raising a glass on Wednesday on the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, not only for the Busby Babes who were lost that day, but for all 23 victims. You may want to raise a glass too.

Have a safe week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 20 January 2008 - 04:13
Back on the box! As part of the 20th Anniversary of The Manchester Fun Box I'm making a return visit to Channel M's Breakfast Show with Chris Coope on 1st February. Check it out! We'll be on about 8am.

Now there are those who may say that television is a bit old hat and that the way forward is through the internet and no doubt the debate will continue for a good while yet. The internet's got a lot of things going for it - see I'm on it at this very minute! Mind you, I was pleased to read Tom Hodgkinson's article in The Guardian last week about why he doesn't go on any internet social networking sites. His analysis of the ownership of Facebook was excellent...so my boycott continues.

My first gig of the year is at The Q Inn in Stalybridge tomorrow (Monday - see 'dates' on the Live page for more info). I'm back there with the brilliant Robin Sunflower. It doesn't cost a penny to get in and the beer is excellent. There's usually space should you want to come along and play a tune or two. Hope to see you there.

Have a great week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 13 January 2008 - 05:36
Last Friday I heard the sad news that Ruth Frow had died. She was co-founder of the Working Class Movement Library (WCML), which is based in Salford. I only met her a handful of times and she always came across as she was, passionate and forthright. Diminutive in stature but absolutely huge in character. Quite simply a massive loss for all who fight for justice, peace and freedom in the world. She's left an enormous legacy in the Library though. Should you ever visit (it's on The Crescent in Salford) you'll see what I mean.

On a completely different note I also discovered yesterday that today is the Ukranian New Year. So if you're having celebrations, enjoy and raise a glass to Ruth. Have a good week ahead, Love Claire

Sun 06 January 2008 - 05:38
So time to put the tinsel away for another year. Christmas seemed to come and go in the blink of an eye and now the January winds begin to bite (here in the UK at least). Our greedy energy companies have also got their teeth into us as oil reaches $100 a barrel (press reports here led us to believe it was widespread trading at this level, but the stockmarket analyst I listened to on BBC Radio 4 said it was only one barrel - who do you believe?!). No matter, it's of no consequence to those with an eye on a quick buck. I'm all for taking care of finite resources - which is one reason why they shouldn't be in the hands of those who don't know how to use them properly - but putting energy prices up to line the pockets of shareholders is no answer. The speed of the price hike is almost Olympian. That's profiteers for you.

This news is small change, I should imagine, to all those who have been displaced by violence in Africa - as if the continent hasn't got enough problems! But if the world is to survive in decent shape for future generations we really do need to take care of it, and each other, a bit better. I daresay I'll continue in the new year as I've started it - ranting but hey!

On a lighter note belated high fives to all of you who booked me for gigs (and songwriting workshops) and who bought albums and came to gigs in 2007 - hope to see you again in 2008. There's loads of personal thanks and if you meander through the blogs of last year you'll see who you are. I'm pleased to say there's a number of gigs booked in for the next few months (with more awaiting confirmation) and SOUND WOMEN will be back at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in March and June - check Dates on Live Page for more details.

Hope you have a great year ahead. Love Claire

Sun 23 December 2007 - 02:23
It's always lovely to start Chrismas on a high and the last two gigs of the year have certainly helped. HUGE thanks to all those who came to the SOLD OUT Bolton Octagon gig (and sorry to any of you who missed out on tickets) - you were a fantastic audience, each and everyone of you. Particular thanks to Geraldine who came all the way from Leicester - how fabulous are you? And to all of you who hadn't seen me perform since the release of Rocking the Boat (18 years ago!) - really great to see you again. Loads of you commented on how brilliant the sound was, so big high fives to techie Andy and to all the lovely staff at the theatre. Glad so many of you got your stocking filler albums too! Cheers to band members Maureen, Mary and John - I couldn't have done it without you... And good on Damien Maddison as well for being our guest slot - you did a top job.

The following night I was performing at the Red Records Sound Women promotion at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield. Another top audience bought tickets and came along - Natalie coming all the way from London was a top surprise. And to those of you who travelled on a freezing, foggy night from Leeds, Wakefield, Hull and all places in between what can I say but you are an excellent bunch. Big ups for Secrets Out and the Deep C Divas who performed on the night too.

Performance-wise that's me done for 2007 although Andrew Edwards informs me that I'm included in his 'best of 2007' round-up on his Artbeat show on ALL FM 96.9 on 30th December - nice one Andrew!

Merry Christmas to all of you - hope you have a peaceful one. Love Claire xx

Tue 18 December 2007 - 10:17
Arggh! The blog's missed it's Sunday slot again... I just have to put it down to being a bit busy plus there's Christmas and that brings on a few deadlines for recording projects I've been working on. I took time out today, though, to go to a Carol Concert for the homeless in Manchester. In many ways it was really uplifting, however it was particularly poignant as those who led the service reminded us how the poor still suffer in Bethlehem - and contend with an occupying force to boot. What a shame the world hasn't moved on in 2000 years, don't you think?

The Christmas spirit has been dropping through my letter box and I've received a number of cards from people I haven't seen for years saying that they're CM blog readers and wishing me well. I return the good wishes and will google you all to see what you're up to!

We're told tickets are selling really well for the Bolton Octagon gig on Thursday (20th) so I look forward to seeing you there. Or in Huddersfield at the Lawrence Batley Theatre on Friday.

Have a great week, be safe. Love Claire

Sun 09 December 2007 - 06:49
Wythenshawe FM Radio (97.2) in the south of Manchester are producing a week-long series of programmes about domestic abuse. They've asked me on the show tomorrow (Monday) and again on Friday to sing a couple of songs that I was commissioned to write a few years ago about the subject (and which can be heard on the album 'Slow Riot'). Full marks to the station for bringing such an important subject to the fore. There's a vigil to remember those affected by the horrors of domestic violence in the Peace Gardens in St Peter's Square at 4.30pm tomorrow - worth attending, if you're around.

My last two gigs of the year are coming up. On Thursday 20th December I'm playing with the band, and have the marvellous Damien Maddison as a guest, at the BNT in the Octagon Theatre in Bolton. Tickets (£9/£7) are available from the Box Office on 01204 520661. The following day I'm scooting over to Huddersfield to perform again at the Lawrence Batley Theatre - another Sound Women promotion, with Secrets Out and the Deep C Divas. Tickets are £7/£5 and available from the theatre's box office on 01484 430528. There'll be plenty of festive freebies and some serious fun at both events - be great to see you there!!

Hope your week ahead is a safe one. Love Claire

Sun 02 December 2007 - 12:58
It was lovely to read Mike Newman's column in The Morning Star last week when he referred to me as 'one of our leading radical singer-songwriters' - very kind of him to say so. I was performing some of my 'radical' tunes last night at the Manchester Busker event. What a truly brilliant experience. Well done Chris and birthday boy Damien for bringing all of us together again... a stunning, ego-less night brimming with excellent songwriters and a top audience to boot... packed so close I could have hugged them from where I was performing!

The audience were a bit further away the previous night when I was playing at a benefit for Nicaragua. They seemed like miles away (okay slight exaggeration!) across the dance floor, which always makes an intimate acoustic set a little harder to achieve! But hey, they raised £1000 I'm informed - well done. I also met some great characters. Not least a teacher who introduced herself and reminded me that I had worked with her class many years back to perform a percussion piece at a carnival (percussion? Claire Mooney? I know!). I remember I'd suggested at one workshop that the kids rehearse in the playground, as they'd be marching along when they played for real. However, they were so keen that they set off at a pace - and we then spent the rest of the morning herding them back in from every nook and cranny!

Next Saturday I'm back performing with some of the guys who performed at last nights event... if it's half as good it will be great - come on down! Have a great week ahead, Love Claire

Sun 25 November 2007 - 06:02
Today is the international day against violence towards women and children - sad but true that we have to mark it but we strive for a kinder world. Last week I perfomed at a couple of events that, amongst other things, were looking at the issues of provision (housing, health, education, etc) for those leaving abusive, violent relationships. I was asked to play 'Hitting Home'(a song that I was commissioned to write a few years ago). There is something incredibly moving that takes place when women come together, from many different backgrounds, to offer solutions for a better future. All power to you.

Yesterday, my partner and I marched, with 100s of others, in support of Karen Reissman (see previous blogs) in the centre of Manchester. The predictable Manc weather didn't let us down and we got a good soaking from time to time. The Christmas shoppers were somewhat bemused as we passed them but we live in hope of a fair and just resolution to a case that shouldn't have seen a nurse sacked in the first place!

Thanks to all of you who donned your scarves and winter coats to come out to see me (and Mary) at Otley Folk Club on Wednesday. We kept up to date on the England footie score throughout... The impromptu band that got up to join us were stunning - I hope I can play with you again sometime.

Have a great week, Love Claire xx

Sun 18 November 2007 - 09:14
The Karen Reissman meeting last week was packed out with supporters, including those who are out on strike with her, all demanding her reinstatement (see last week's blog). Such solidarity is very impressive. Over 300 of us applauded the right to free speech in the work place, for union representation and justice for those who take a stand. There's a march in Manchester next Saturday (24th) to encouarge more to support the action. Good luck, Karen.

Next Wednesday (21st) I'm the guest at Otley Folk Club in Yorkshire (Mary's playing the gig with me too). It's a lovely club with some great organisers and I hope to see you down there - that is if you're not watching the England football team!! No doubt the score will be mentioned periodically throughout the set, so you can still come down and join us! Hope you have a great week, Love Claire

Tue 13 November 2007 - 05:37
The Raise Your Banners Festival of Political Song in Bradford was brilliant... huge thanks to Rob, Molly, Alan and all the organisers who were about the most friendly people I've worked for in a long time. I was sharing the bill with Roy Bailey (inspirational), Alistair Hulett (and Phil) (great songs from over the border and what shoes!), the wonderful voice of David Ferrard and Scarlet Heights - (laid-back band you just can't stop tapping your feet to!). The audience were lovely. One of the great aspects of the festival is that there are plenty of choirs raising their voices for justice and freedom and all things in between so when they turn up to a gig and sing along with the chorus of one of your songs you get these stunning four part harmonies... if I could pack them in my guitar case and take them with me to every gig I would.

Voices need to raised in protest of the sacking of community mental health nurse, Karen Reissman. It appears she has been sacked because she spoke out against cuts in the NHS. As her union has said this is Britain not Burma and if we can't criticise what we believe is wrong then what's happened to free speech? There's a rally in support of her re-instatement at the Mechanics on Princess St, Manchester tomorrow (Weds) at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

I was at the Mechanics last week when I was performing at a NWTUC event that was organised to encourage more women to participate in their union. From where I was standing I think they'll get their voices heard before too long!

Tickets (Box Office 01204 520661) are now available for a gig I'm doing at the Bolton Octagon on 20th December - there'll be loads of festive give-aways, so book early for Christmas!

Have a great week, Love Claire

Sun 04 November 2007 - 02:47
Now which do you want first? The good or the bad news? Okay here's the good news. Last Friday's gig at M19 was packed to the gills... thanks to all of you who pre-booked tickets, to the Friends of Levenshulme crew, to those who came at 7pm (as the start time publicised in the Levenshulme Festival brochure said) when it didn't start until 8.30 but still stayed the whole night and to the new faces in the audience. You were marvellous. Mary, Maureen and John were on great form in the band, as was Alun Parry who started the night - and even let me tech his sound check! Alun and his band are well worth seeing - great musicians and lovely people to boot - so check out where they're playing at www.parrysongs.co.uk... really good to hear lyrics that mean something. Hopefully we'll do a gig together in Liverpool in the new year which would be wonderful.

I met loads of the audience (who were very complimentary about the night - cheers) yesterday at the public meeting initiated by the Friends of Levenshulme to question our MP and the Leader of the City Council (LoCC) about 'Who's looking after Levenshulme?' since our Community Centre has been closed, as has the supermarket and there's enough rubble around the area to allow strangers to mistake the place for a bombsite! So here's the bad news - prepare for a rant!

Hundreds of us crammed into a local church - yes, we know it's not the ideal place to hold a meeting for a population as rich in diversity as Levenshulme's but hey, we had to hold it there because we haven't got a community centre!! And, as our MP kindly reminded us, the old one got demolished because it wasn't fit for purpose!

The MP and the LoCC spent half the meeting telling us (and sadly neither are great orators) how much they do for us and how much the Labour Party has done while in government and this after the MP (who was chairing the meeting) said he would not tolerate any party political speeches! They 'told us' how much politicians wanted to listen to the people... but they didn't!! Only a handful of people were 'picked' to speak, when they did they didn't really get any answers. Basically, we were told a consultation on the strategic regeneration of the area would take place in due course... though we weren't told when, where, how...

We were then informed that the meeting was over, despite there being six of us who had been waiting 15 minutes to speak, whilst listening to the MP bleat on! Without being called, I went to the mic in any case and told him he wasn't giving the people a chance to speak. To which I was told "Madam (I ask you!), stand away from the microphone otherwise you'll be asked to leave". I thought my head would blow off with anger! Now, both the MP and LoCC are knights of the realm (and don't get me started on that one) but 'ye oldie worldy patronising doff your cap to your betters' attitude I thought was a thing of the past - sadly they don't seem to agree with me. And they wonder why people don't vote these days! I come from and live in Manchester, home of the Pankhursts and the suffragette movement... and for the first time in my life I really did wonder why I bother to go to the ballot box if this is the condescending rubbish we have to put up with from our elected representatives. At the beginning of the meeting the MP had held aloft some of the correspondence he'd got from his disillusioned constituents and said he'd be happy for us to contact him and "make my life a misery" - be careful what you wish for I say.

Despite the disappointing response, the campaign will go on for better facilities in the area... everybody I spoke to as they came away from the meeting was furious with the lack of respect the politicians had for our concerns. Power to the people! Talking of which, the Raise Your Banners Festival of Political Song takes place the whole of next weekend in Bradford. I'm performing on Saturday night - be great to see you there.

Happy Diwali. Have a great week ahead, Love Claire

Thu 01 November 2007 - 05:35
I know, I know - the 'weekly' blog is getting to be a bit wayward. Will get back into good habits soon!! I'm still recovering from a great weekend in York. What a lovely crowd it was that turned up to the YLAF Outdoor Concert in the city centre last Sunday. I was hosting the stage as well as playing a few tunes (with Mary on bass) as well. Sista Slap, Secret's Out, Helen Sandler and the Deep C Divas all did cracking sets too. Thanks so much for your warmth (especially as 100s of you were in the cold for nearly 2 hours!) and sorry you then had to queue to buy CDs! Particular thanks to the guy who came over to buy 'Good as You' and said how much the words of the song meant to him. So many of you were very generous in your comments - I really appreciated it. It's a team effort and all the security staff, techs, Gus (production) and volunteers galore helped its success - HUGE thanks.

My next gig is tomorrow (2nd Nov) with Mary and Maureen performing with me and support from Alun Parry. I'm at the M19 in Levenshulme - hope to see you there. Enjoy what's left of the week, Love Claire

Mon 22 October 2007 - 07:44
I was fortunate enough to be invited to the opening of 'Fragile State' an art exhibition of Kosovan artists organised by Manchester Aid to Kosovo (MaK) at Stockport Art Gallery in the North West of England last Thursday. Not only was it brilliantly curated (by the wonderful James Walmsley) the art was stunning and illustrated the strength of humanity in the face of war and conflict. It also showed how art can tell huge stories with a stroke of the pen. If you're in the area it's well worth checking out.

I hope you'll also check out the concert in York city centre next Sunday morning (don't forget the clocks!) as part of YLAF. I'll be performing with some great acts and it's free! If you're there come and say 'hello'. Have a great week, Love Claire

Sun 14 October 2007 - 07:23
Last Wednesday I ended up back on Channel MTV. I was asked to perform some of 'Who's Looking after Levenshulme?' on the Breakfast Show which meant a very early start as I needed to be at the studio by 7.15 am. Live TV is an interesting world. Cameras move around as if they are in a ballet all of their own, contributors are ordered on and off the sofa so often it makes you dizzy - it feels a bit like playing chess without actually seeing who your opponent is! It was a particularly friendly atmosphere and the coffee on tap was a welcome addition. Thanks to Byron, Joe, sound man Dave and all the crew.
The Levvie song (and last week's gig) continues to attract a wealth of comments from people I meet in the area. People seem to be more vocal (at the least the ones I seem to speak to!) about what needs to be done to improve things...we live in hope.

Hopefully I'll see you at the gig I'm doing at the M19 Bar with some of the Moving House Band (and singer-songwriter Alun Parry) on 2nd November as part of the Levenshulme Festival. Tickets are only £3.00 and can be obtained by writing to us at redrecords@clairemooney.co.uk
Have a safe week, Love Claire.

Sun 07 October 2007 - 07:35
I'm often told that protest songs are a complete waste of time, that they've never changed anything and never will. It's remarkable then that the little ditty I've written about the area in which I live, highlighting the need for better facilities (I mentioned last week that the press have christened it 'The Levenshulme Blues', but officially it's 'Who's Looking After Levenshulme'!) has caused such a stir. Last week I sang part of it on BBC Radio Manchester, then again down the phone as part of an interview for the Manchester Evening News (who then plastered their pavement boards with the tag 'LEVENSHULME PROTEST SONG BLASTS NEGLECT' to publicise the article in Saturday's paper!), had a press photographer take my photo at various sites around the area and then had a number of people tell me off, because they think I'm criticising the place and that no good will come of it. And all this before I'd sung the whole song to anyone other than my nearest and dearest and my next door neighbour who'd suggested I write it in the first place!
To clarify, I wrote the song because I feel strongly that the area I love living in is losing itself due to a lack of care and attention. It's in need of some TLC from all quarters.
I hope that message was heard loud and clear at the Friends of Levenshulme gig last night, when the song got it's complete airing (twice, actually, as it got it's own encore!). It certainly got people talking about what they'd like to see in the locality. The event was packed with locals, and I really appreciated your participation in the song. Will it change anything? Well, if the response last night was anything to go by, you never know - time will tell. Heh, what a great name for a song - check out 'Good As You'!

Hope you have a great week ahead. Love, Claire

Mon 01 October 2007 - 08:08
The world of protest songs has come a little closer to home. Way back in May, I demonstrated with members of my community outside Manchester Town Hall about the (lack of) facilities in our neighbourhood - this under the banner 'Who's looking after Levenshulme?' My next door neighbour, who's big in the campaign, suggested I write a song about it, which I finally got round to doing. It's due to be premiered on 6th October at a 'Friends of Levenshulme' social event. The local press were interested enough to interview me about it last week. I let them know it was work in progress (although now complete) and that they could quote some of the lyrics I sent them. As it turned out, I read ALL the lyrics of what they re-christened 'The Levenshulme Blues' in the paper at the weekend! Unfortunately, given the premiere is still a week away, I wasn't able to perform the song when I appeared on Andrew Edwards 'Artbeat' radio show yesterday on ALL FM, but I gave 'Kindness of Strangers' an airing, and had a great time with an excellent radio presenter. And now I find that BBC Radio Manchester want an interview and a showcase of some of the song this Thursday, as well!

A fabulous community spirit was on hand on Saturday. An awesome sunset welcomed a Lantern Parade to Chorlton Water Park. 100's of people took part, holding aloft an array of exceptional lanterns that they'd made - they glistened and sparkled as dusk settled, it was magical - they almost outshone the stars. I was compere on the music stage and had the pleasure of starting the night with a performance of 'Ordinary Rebel' that included an impromptu drumming accompaniment from The Singh Crew - a couple of 12 year olds (I reckon!) who I failed to get the names of but who played brilliantly - thanks guys!

Hope to see you at the Friends of Levenshulme social on Saturday - should be fun! Have a safe week. Love, Claire

Sun 23 September 2007 - 07:25
Am I missing something? Banks make billions of pounds worth of profits and give chairmen (are there any chairwomen?!), directors and chief execs a monetary amount of bonus in a year that most don't earn in a lifetime, right? So why are they so inept and why do they have ordinary people panicking about their savings? Last week's run on the Northern Rock (in the UK) and the need for the Bank of England bail-out really made a mockery of such a system. What's the point of having such private (capitalist) institutions if they have to come running to the government (ie us as taxpayers) whenever they make a mistake? I only ask!! Rant over (ish)...

Huge thanks to those of you who came to the Sound Women gig in Huddersfield (the first one outside Manchester). You were a lovely crowd (bring your friends to the next one in December!). Thanks to Jess Gardham, Jessie and Rachel Jury for appearing on the night. Thanks too to Mary for performing with me ...we really appreciated the encore!

The past called round last week - there's a revival of 'The Manchester Busker' planned for later in the year, and I've been asked to get involved. Chris Coope and Damien Brehony devised the first shows, which helped to catapult Steve Coogan and others to fame and fortune in the early '90's. The night's were an eclectic mix of talent - music, comedy and poetry - at various theatre venues in Greater Manchester. I was lucky enough to be one of the original performers and I remember the gigs being warm, ego-less events. At one gig, I was the compere and had the pleasure of introducing Screaming Lord Sutch from the Monster Raving Looney Party, performing with his band ...never to be forgotten! I hope the forthcoming reunion is as much fun!

Hope you have a safe week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 16 September 2007 - 08:12
On 21st September this year (like last year) there is the Peace One Day event. It's a number of events actually - all aiming to promote peace. I'll be performing at the Cellar Bar at the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield at a Sound Women gig (come on down - also playing is Jess Gardham and poet, Rachel Jury) and, no doubt, will be including some of my anti-war material. Well done to all those who protested against the tragedy of Darfur in London today as well - peace will come - sooner rather than later would be best though! Hope your week is a safe one, Love Claire.

Sun 09 September 2007 - 08:10
Well, the power of the protest song eh? No sooner have I sent the 'Good as You' album (which includes the track 'Stop the War') to Downing Street than British troops start to pull out of Basra in Iraq. Can it all be coincidence?! I know, I know - but every little helps!! Maybe the surge in anti-war public opinion has finally pushed the change of policy? It's clear the war hasn't stopped (certainly the killing hasn't) but hopefully the British government will soon accept that an enormous mistake was made, that cost countless lives and billions of pounds (that could have been put to good use) has been wasted and now it's time to stop meddling. I wait in hope. But when I discover that Gordon Brown openly admits he admires Margaret Thatcher...well the mind boggles!

During last week I was asked to perform at a couple of events in the weeks ahead. One is the Lantern Festival at Chorlton Water Park at the end of September which is free, has a number of bands on the bill and is open to everyone - so come on down. And while I'm plugging gigs...I've heard that Ian (a brill bloke) who played percussion at some of the 'Good as You' dates is performing with his band, Moore Marriott, at the BNT at Bolton Octagon on 5th October at 7.30pm. The night's are usually a sell out (I was lucky to perform at one of them!) and worth checking out. Have a good week ahead, Love Claire

Sun 02 September 2007 - 05:08
This week I was interviewed for a couple of radio stations - one in Bradford and one in Manchester. The BCB studio in the centre of Bradford was fit to burst with guests and presenters and was a good humoured affair. Thanks to Dave who invited me on the show and to Georgina who interviewed me and reminded me of a particular gig I did in the city many moons back. Good to see you again. (I'll be back in Bradford in November for the 'Raise Your Banners' Festival of Political Song which has a fine rosta of acts included in its programme). The other show was closer to home and included a 'live' performance of 'Good as You' as well as a debate with fellow guests Andrew and John about the LGBT 'community'. It comes in different shapes and sizes and is as diverse as any other, is my take on it all. Big thanks to Andrew Edwards who presented the show and has a style all of his own. Looking forward to coming onto your ALL FM programme at the end of the month, Andrew - thanks for asking (and for your feedback).

The 'Good as You' album got a review in The Salford Star magazine. One of the songs off the album 'One Step Forward' was inspired by the people I met and what I witnessed while running a couple of music projects in the area. The magazine is quite stunning and pulls no punches. It is written for and by Salfordians so the content all relates to the city. It's just had its first birthday and goes from strength to strength. Check it out at www.salfordstar.com. Hope your week ahead is a good one, Love Claire

Mon 27 August 2007 - 07:18
I have been in a bit of a daze since attending Anthony H Wilson's funeral last Monday. What a send-off! The church doors were closed to the press so who am I to disclose any details of the service? What I can say is that it was a moving, poignant, humorous and, occasionally, irreverent tribute to a man who helped to shape the cultural heart of my home town...looks like heaven's going to be in for an interesting time!

Afterwards we gathered in a nearby bar to raise a glass to Tony. Some of the mourners were from the Manchester music circuit of yesteryear (most of us are still performing!) and we reminisced - which seems to come with the territory at funerals. One greeting was 'Hello Claire Mooney. You were the only feminist I ever liked!' Lovely to see you again Mark and glad to see you're thriving.

I took my brand of feminist song writing to Women's Space at Manchester Pride yesterday and had a top time. Thanks to Mo and Mary for playing the gig with me. And yes, Gemma and Shelley, I will perform at your civil ceremony - whenever it may be!

I've been asked on to a couple of radio stations next week (thanks very much) to talk about the 'Good as You' album and wotnot (a Lancashire term for all sorts of things). They are both pre-records - one goes out on Weds on Gaydio and another on 2nd September on BCB in Bradford. Both are available online...check out the 'Live' Page. I hope you have a great week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 19 August 2007 - 06:07
16th August is the anniversary of the Peterloo Massacre. This event took place in Manchester in 1819 when 1000s of people gathered to protest for universal suffrage (among other things). It has hardly had a mention in the press (partly because on the same day 30 years ago Elvis died - and, as it is so it has always been, 'kings' get more column inches than 'ordinary' people!). It seems that huge events that lead to momentous changes ie democracy fade into the unknown like the nameless people who were massacred on that day for the benefit of the many. There is an on-going campaign to have a monument built near the site by way of recognition of those who lost their lives - let's hope it succeeds.

One Mancunian (a son of Salford in truth) who won't be forgotten easily is music mogul and broadcaster, Tony Wilson. Tomorrow is his funeral and I've been invited to attend. It's a private event for family and friends and you may wonder why I should be asked. It was a surprise to me too. Let it suffice to say that, in its own way, it all connects to the kindness of strangers. I hope you have a great send off Tony - I'm sure you will.

Next week I'm performing at Pride in Manchester so hope to see you celebrating diversity in the city centre. Have a good week. Love Claire

Mon 13 August 2007 - 09:06
Thanks to you regular blog readers who've been in touch to say where is it!? It's a day later than usual as I have been well away from the internet, emails and mobile phones in the Snowdonia National Park where I can reliably inform you that you get 4 seasons in a day (or should that be an hour!?). A completely different world....and wonderful for it (hello Howard and Kenny - hope the tent's stayed dry!). There were plenty of sheep on the hills so I assume that the causes of the foot and mouth outbreak of last weekend have been rectified. Just after the last outbreak a few years back I was working in the Forest of Bowland for Littoral, a brilliant arts organisation putting the 'culture' back into agriculture. As no animals at the time were going to market the auction marts in Lancashire were being used for a variety of other activities. One such event had me performing at a farmers' market - in the auction ring! The audience were delightful but the experience - looking up at everyone in the round (but luckily with no one bidding!) was quite extraordinary. Times move on! Although I hear the clock has slowly stopped ticking for Manc music legend, Tony Wilson. Love him or loath him you've got to recognise he made a difference to Manchester culture. RIP Anthony H. Take care. Love, Claire

Sun 05 August 2007 - 10:53
We discovered late last week that the Red Records PO Box address had been temporarily cancelled - for reasons only the Royal Mail understand. The information is that any mail that has been sent to the Box in the last two weeks or so has been destroyed!!! I know, an interesting way to conduct a communications business. We have been reliably informed (though my faith waivers) that normal service is now resumed. Should you have sent any mail in the last few weeks perhaps you could email us at redrecords@clairemooney.co.uk and we can try to locate the shredder they used! I am in full support of the postal workers' strike for decent pay and working conditions and can only wish you luck with a management system that seems to ignore its own accounts procedures and treats customers (of 15 years standing) with complete contempt.

On the plus front I had two cracking gigs this week...one back at the Q Inn in Stalybridge. As the weather was fine it was decided to have the gig outside. All was wonderful until about ten past nine when we realised that in England at this time on a summer's night means it's freezing...still we weren't daunted and thanks to Robin, Tony (bass), Tony (guitar), Ian and Adrian for making 'Unhappy Tonight' sound better than ever before. And to those of you who came on down to Wednesday's gig (where the venue had no beer on draught) and stayed(!) thanks very much - enjoyed your company.

And as we witness the withdrawal of troops from Northern Ireland after decades encamped there who can say how many hearts have been left broken? Long live peace. Hope you have a good week ahead, Love, Claire

Sun 29 July 2007 - 06:39
I became an intrepid adventurer as I ventured south to a gig in Oxford last Sunday - I'd checked weather warnings and thought I might get away with the trip. The wonderful one (my partner) had packed enough sandwiches for a week, a sleeping bag, water and all sorts of goodies so I almost felt that I was part of a solo rescue team. As it was, the weather was glorious ... this, of course, is of no consolation to those in Oxfordshire who have been flooded out since, and I don't wish to make light of it. Congratulations to Maureen, who navigated her way through the waters to get to the performance. It was a top gig, despite the weather causing audience chaos. I heard on the radio that some people were profiteering from the misfortune of those without water by selling bottles at inflated prices .. luckily the kindness of strangers (yep, that song title just crops up daily!) has been more apparent than ever so all is not yet lost with western society.

For the last few years I have been working as a creative consultant for Manchester City Council, using innovative ways to engage with the people of the city. The work has produced an anthem for Manchester, a short film festival, a pop DVD, quality CD tracks of the residents' feelings, poems and an endless stream of creativity. I won a tender to get the job and throughout it I've had great support from council officer, Natalie Smith. She's leaving to go to London, so we had a night out this week re-living some of the memories and having a great laugh. All good things, Natalie - it's been an inspiring journey. I'm sure the future will be bright for you and remember, if you ever need someone to create a song in seconds, you know where to find me!

The night out had been my treat, so we had to have a bottle or two of fizzy by way of celebration. At certain times, one of my maxims in this life is 'what goes around comes around', so it was quite amazing the following day to receive a bottle of champagne from Rosie and Anna to congratulate me on the new album. Many thanks - it was lovely of you.

The following evening I went to a public meeting in support of Karen Reissman, a nurse and trades union activist who has been suspended from her post for (to cut a long story short) mentioning to the press that cuts are imminent in the NHS in Manchester. It was an inspirational event and you have to admire 'ordinary rebels' like Karen who hold on to their beliefs when others do their utmost to persuade them differently. The event was packed with people who believe passionately in retaining public services and the right to free speech. All power to your elbow, Karen - you are not alone.

Yesterday I performed at two very different gigs. In the afternoon I was playing in the sun on the outdoor stage of Oldham Pride, which was full of celebration and fun. Thanks to Mary for playing bass with me. In the evening, Maureen joined us on fiddle for the Hazards Conference social event in Manchester. The Conference attracts over 500 delegates, all working towards safer practices in the workplace. Thanks to all of you who stayed in the cavernous Barnes Wallis building for the gig... it was a bit strange, with the stage facing in one direction and the audience straddling the sides but, hey, you were lovely. Particular thanks go to Hilda, Caroline and Douggie - and Kate, get back on that guitar and let's do a gig sometime!

Tomorrow I'm back at the Q Inn in Stalybridge with the brilliant Robin Sunflower and I'm doing another gig with him on Wednesday, at The Ladybarn in Manchester. Both are free entry, so you've nothing to lose by taking a trip down! Hope to see you. Have a good week. Love, Claire

Sun 22 July 2007 - 10:49
What an amazing group of people who came to the Song in Seconds workshops at the 25th Street Choir Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester last Sunday. Two groups who came up with two completely different songs in the space of a couple of hours. Thanks to all of you but particular praise goes to Mark, who came to both sessions and had a great way about him - joined in both sessions with equal amounts of humour and enthusiasm, the two main ingredients of the work. And yes, of course, I'd be more than pleased to come over to Leicester to run another workshop for the choir there - get in touch!

The workshops were followed by a BIG SING in the canteen area, which sounded like it was good for the soul ... singing is a great stress buster! Later on last week I was in Preston where a group of 20+ young people created, rehearsed and recorded a song too. Wow, there's a lot of talent in the world!

Today I'm off to Oxford to perform at an anti-war event organised by Neil who I met at Glastonwick in June. It's an all-dayer, so get on down for some great music and to support a brilliant cause. I'm hoping the floods are subsiding, not only for my journey (I'm seriously thinking of learning how to swim..) but for all those poor people stuck in them - remember, 'kindness of strangers'!

And to the Hoylake/Neston/South Africa/Caldy crew, it was great to meet you and thanks for a fab night last night - hope to see you again soon! Have a good week and take care. Love, Claire

Sat 14 July 2007 - 03:27
The week started with a letter from 10, Downing Street, London telling me how pleased the Prime Minster was to receive the 'Good as You' album I sent him!! Well, what can you say - government policy could be changing as we speak! The following day I was working with a Year 10 class at a high school in Prestwich creating a couple of songs from scratch and recording them on location. The lyrics will be incorporated into the 'new' Longfield centre public art work in Prestwich village in Bury, Greater Manchester. It was a top day all round. As I'd been touring the album for the last couple of months I hadn't done work like this for ages but it was fabulous to be writing songs again with other people. Issy - who had asked me to to do the work with her - is the public artist engaged to oversee the new works and is a generous, lovely character. The young people - sceptical at first at working in a group - were full of ideas and humour. I've been editing and mixing the tracks and they sound brilliant.

Today I've been on the Wirral (as the locals put it), and walking along Hoylake prom this morning my partner found an abandoned mobile phone (more left by mistake I reckon) on the sea wall. A couple of phone calls later the owner's been tracked down and it's to be picked up on Monday in Liverpool. It reminded me of a time a few years back, just after I'd nearly drowned in the fast incoming tides of Morecambe Bay (another story!), when I lost my mobile phone (one of those brick-type ones of years ago) and had it posted to me by the couple who'd found it after they'd called one of the names stored in it. The kindness of strangers, eh? (what a great name for a song!). What goes round comes round it seems.

Talking of kindness, thanks to all of you who keep purchasing albums from the website and then come back again and buy some more! 'Good as You' is only available on this website and at www.fourdogsmusic.com at the minute - because we haven't asked anyone else to stock it (yet!) - so if you want a copy come to us. You generally get it delivered within 3 days of ordering, subject to strikes (pay the Royal Mail workers properly please) and postage and packing is free.

This blog is a day early as I'm running two of my Song in Seconds workshops tomorrow for the 25th Street Choir Festival at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. Sounds like it's going to be a great event. Hope your week is a good one, Love Claire

Sun 08 July 2007 - 05:50
Good on all of you who came along to Bury Met last Friday...appreciate it. Thanks for the encore and for buying albums and for being lovely. I was very impressed with Nathan (4) and Nicole (6) for staying for the whole gig! See, you're never too young to get in touch with some politics are you?!! The staff at the Met are great so a name check for Terry, Nathan and Alex who looked after us all really well. And as I come to the end of a string of gigs to promote 'Good as You', big-ups for Maureen, Mary, Ian and John who played on the night and have been at many of the gigs across the country...you've been wonderful as have all of you who've turned out to come to see us.

The Big Issue in The North magazine plugged the Met gig by telling its readers 'She's certainly a presence worth noting, and in such apathetic times, is a force the music world clearly needs' - well I'm not going to disagree am I?!

The music world (minus me) was out in force for the Live Earth extravaganza on Saturday - I tried to miss it but did catch Duran Duran....and struggled to see which song was raising awareness about global warming. It was estimated that 2 billion people would be watching - surely all this use of electricity wasn't good for the planet?! I turned off pretty sharpish as we were invited to a wedding reception on Saturday night. These events aren't usually my favourite pastime but this one was top. Congrats to Ian and Clare...generous to a fault and such lovely workmates you have too!

Next weekend I'm running a couple of 'Song in Seconds' workshops for the 25th Street Choir Festival - can't wait to see what you come up with. Have a good week, Love Claire

Sun 01 July 2007 - 07:19
As the 'Good As You' promo tour continues, it's been lovely to meet 'old' friends and make new ones along the way. I played The Y in Leicester last Friday and have to name check a few people. Thanks to Mark, Rachael and Caroline who played in 'the band' - you were fabulous! Mark is off round the world shortly and has told me he intends to make the album a best seller on his travels! Ruth, a fabulous YLAF supporter, came miles out of her way to the gig - really appreciate your support Ruth, and I'm glad you've got a copy of the album to add to your collection! To all of you who booked tickets and came on the night - you were a tremendous audience, the kind that would be great to travel from gig to gig with! Our bass player, Mary, was spotted in Loughboro' the day after the gig she tells me and met with an appreciative 'fan', who said how much she enjoyed the night - we all did too!

I came out of 'tour' mode to be a singer-songwriter in residence at a networking conference in Stockport on Monday...great fun and thanks to all of you for your contribution and for staying to listen to the 'conference song'. I believe it's going on the Public Health Network's website soon! Also congrats to Gerry and Ani on their 25th wedding anniversary celebration ...their party took the form of a music festival and it was a pleasure to play at it...though I'm not too sure they will remember how they played along in my set!!

I'm performing with the wonderful band members at Bury Met next Friday (6th July) as part of the album promo tour. As always, it would be lovely to see you there. Massive thanks to all of you who have bought the album from this website as well as at gigs, and who've been so complimentary about it...yes it all one big 'THANK YOU'.

If you're Manchester-based you might have seen the write-up about the STOP THE WAR track in the local press - copies of the song have gone to Tony Blair (Peace Envoy - he'll find the song a great training tool!) and to Gordon Brown the new Prime Minister. We live (here in the UK) in slightly perilous times...we can make things better with a fairer, kinder attitude. It's not rocket science, just common sense. Celebrate diversity and recognise the best in people, please! There, rant over! Have a safe and peaceful week ahead. Love, Claire

Sun 24 June 2007 - 11:52
It's been a week of playing many (different!) gigs and meeting up with old songwriter friends. We had a trip through the gorgeous Welsh countryside on Wednesday to get to a gig in Pontypridd - it was an acoustic evening run by the brilliant Andy Brice. Andy and I were on a Ray Davies songwriting course together a few years back - a very talented guy, as is Ray! So, too, is Rob Hughes who also played on the night - one of the best voices I've heard in a long while. Keep on playing your own songs, Rob! Unfortunately, we couldn't stay in Wales too long; we had to race back through the night as I was filming for Channel M TV the next day. Not a good move, as I'd only had four hours sleep ... don't you think high definition TV is over-rated?! But huge thanks to Robert, Claire, James and the crew for letting me plug the 'Good As You' album. On Friday afternoon I had a live radio interview by 'phone with BBC Radio Leicester, ahead of the forthcoming gig at the Y Theatre next Friday. Many thanks to Martin Ballard, the presenter, who remembered me performing at The Phoenix in Leicester many moons back. Thanks too to his producer, Anita. Two tracks from the album, 'Strong Enough' and 'Kindness of Strangers' got another airing, and we had a good old natter. Friday evening was the album launch here in Manchester - thanks to all of you who came along, and to top songwriter Dave Hulston for playing support. It was great fun, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. Thanks to Joel for taking photos (and adding some of them to the website already!). Yesterday I met up with my old pals Barrie and Lynn Hardman when I played at Droylesden Folkfest. If you get the chance to see Barrie and Lynn performing, DO! They're funny, radical and just a joy - like all good political songwriters! Talking of being political, I'm off to sing at the Stop The War demo in Manchester city centre this afternoon - let's hope the message gets through to the new P.M. I've done a couple of gigs with Gordon Brown in the past (I know, not many would admit to it!) and he's even quoted me in one of his speeches ... but he hasn't quite done what I said, though! And what's this I hear? Tony Blair, a peace envoy to the Middle East?!! Have I missed something? Isn't he the guy who's caused untold misery to hundreds of thousands of people by pushing us into an illegal war? Who on earth would consider him for such a role? Ah, yes - the Bush administration! But hey, it's great to know that he's listened to the words of 'Stop The War' - I've sent him the album as a leaving prezzie, and I'm sure Gordon's redirected it! If you're around this afternoon, come and support the demo. If not, it'll be great to see you in Leicester next Friday at the Y Theatre. In the meantime, listen in to BBC's Citizen Manchester radio show tomorrow evening at 8pm (online, via the BBC website) - I'm being interviewed, and they'll be playing some more tracks from the new album. Samples from the album have also been incorporated onto the front page of the website (thanks again, Joel!) so you can have a quick listen before you move through to the Discography page to buy your very own copy! Have a good week ahead. Love, Claire

Mon 18 June 2007 - 03:41
Just back from the Glastonwick beer and music festival near Brighton. How great to see faces from the past .. Steve & Phil from Haslingden folk club days, you haven't changed a bit! Unlike some - I couldn't believe it when Neil, who used to promote Human Zoo in Yorkshire, came over with my publicity pack from Popular Productions days in the early 90's when I was doing gigs with Linda Smith and Henry Normal. Did I really look like that?!! I promised to give Sue, Margaret and Nicki a mention too - I'm glad you liked 'Hold Hands', I think I might have to re-release it! Thanks to Attila the Stockbroker, who was the mainstay of the event - it was absolutely top. Earlier in the week I had a fine ol' time on the Sound as a Pound radio programme on ALLFM. I played live, a couple of the tracks from the album got an airing and I had a fabulous natter (Lancashire for chat!) about all and sundry! Then my pre-recorded interview for BBC Radio Manchester's Irish programme was broadcast mid-week. In all these years in the performing business I've never actually listened to myself on the radio, as I'm usually on live - so it was a new experience! Massive thanks to Brian who interviewed me, and to Evelyn who presents the show - generous to a fault. And thanks for giving 'This Day is for You', from the new album, it's first exposure on the radio! I've been asked onto Channel M TV's City Life programme this week, as a result of their coverage of the Stop The War track recording we did. I'm filming with them on Thursday and I'll let you know when it's due for broadcast. I also received a lovely note from the wonderful women at the Black Sheep Music Festival I played at recently - much appreciated! (and other comments about the new album are making their way onto the Feedback page, too). I'm off to South Wales on Wednesday, and then playing at the (sold out) album launch with Maureen, Mary and John on Friday. Thanks to all of you who've bought tickets - look forward to seeing you there. If you've missed out, book now for Bury Met and we'll do it all over again! If you're around Manchester city centre on Sunday (24th), I'll see you for the Stop The War demonstration. Have a great week ahead. Love, Claire ps - Happy Birthday to my twin brother for Friday!

Mon 11 June 2007 - 02:49
It's all go, leading up to the 'Good As You' album launch. The processing plant appear to like it so much they don't want the CDs to leave their possession! In the meantime, I seem to rush from one interview to the next with promo copies of it, talking about how long I've been performing and why I just can't help putting myself through the gruelling merry-go-round that is an album launch ... yes, you're right, I'm loving it! You can catch an interview on BBC Radio Manchester's Irish programme on 11th June at 6pm - streamed on-line, I think, if you're not in the area. I'm just back from the Black Sheep Music Festival in Masham, Yorkshire - what a complete joy it's been, from start to finish. Too many highlights to mention but I promised to give some name checks ... to our campsite neighbours Alan & Jeanette, saviours after the 'Buzz Lightyear' shower dive; to the Fearby Festival Band - Glyn, Helen, George and Andrew and the Hebden Bridge percussion posse (what can I say? I have never heard anything like it!); to those of you who came up to me at the end of my set (before Hugh Cornwell came on) at Masham Town Hall to say thanks for playing 'Hold Hands' (I'm not sure those Stranglers fans got it, though!!); to Sally (hope to see you at the Y gig in Leicester); to all of you for your wonderful renditions of 'Dead Dead Good'; to everyone who bought albums; to those of you who came over after each gig and were so complimentary; to Steve (and all the hard-working Festival team) for booking me to play three sets in 24 hours (every gig different and fantastic, because of the sheer warmth of the crowd); to Helen, Claire and the crew from the Black Sheep Brewery (I've never been to a festival where the staff were so friendly and helpful - go visit them, they're ace); to the Duncan MacFarlane Band for playing my request and to Ani & Gerry ... I really could go on forever, it's been such a great time. Now I'm looking forward to next Saturday and the Glastonwick Festival being as brilliant. On a different tack, thanks to all of you who've been in touch about the album launch on 22nd June - there's only a few tickets left. If you can't get them for this gig, don't worry - I'll be doing a full concert with the band, and including the songs from the new album, at Bury Met on 6th July - it's a great theatre and deserves your support. Have a great week. Love, Claire

Sun 03 June 2007 - 12:48
One of the songs off the new album, 'Letting Go', is about those who care for people with Alzheimer's - I know, not the usual hub for a song but, hey... I wrote it after performing at the Alzheimer's Society launch of their LGBT Network a few years ago. I was so moved by the stories of the people there, and their enormous capacity to love in the face of adversity, that it felt like a story to be told. It was heartening, therefore, to receive feedback from the Society's Chief Executive saying how touched he was by the song and asking whether or not it could be used at their future events. Definitely! Another track on the album is entitled 'Kindness of Strangers', something that crops up constantly in my life. I had raging toothache at the start of the week only to find that my dentist (yes, I know - how lucky am I? I have one!) was away. One emergency phone call later and a visit to a local practice with a man who must be in the running for 'droll dentist of the year' award. Thanks to his help and expertise my Desperate Dan jowl started to recede, so I didn't scare too many people at the Hebden Bridge gig last night (hmmm, or then again...!) But what do I find when I get there but - you've guessed it - more kindness of strangers. I have to big up Claire, Beth and Ellen who came all the way over from Bangor, North Wales for the gig (I will try and get a gig a bit closer to you in the future!). Some of the new songs off 'Good As You' got an airing, with the help of band members Ian, Maureen, Mary, Gerry and John - you were all fabulous, as ever. The Trades Club in Hebden Bridge is a smashing venue with a great socialist tradition. You can join as a member for a few quid so give them the support they deserve, if you can afford it (and thanks to Peter for his kindness too - top to meet you). And for those of you still patiently waiting for copies of the album, I am again (!) reliably informed they will be with me soon - at present they're sunning themselves in a pressing factory in Shropshire! Next week I'm back on the BBC promoting the album launch in Manchester later this month, and I'm off to the Black Sheep Music Festival on Friday. I'll be playing three sets over the weekend - come over for a chat if you're there. Have a great week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 27 May 2007 - 09:58
At last!!!! The album is completed and being manufactured even as I speak so it will soon be available at the numerous up and coming gigs and, of course, from the Discography pages of this website. This has been a busy old week. I was interviewed on the BBC Radio Manchester morning show on Tuesday, which was a feisty and enjoyable affair. I was asked about the 'Stop the War' track from the new album and we had a long discussion about protest songs and whether they made a difference... thanks to presenters Eamonn and Dianne for making it an interesting debate. Then there was the final event for Manchester's 100 Days Campaign at Urbis on Thursday. I'd worked with a group of young people to write and record a song about making a difference (the story of the week it seems!), which was made into a pop video (well done Dave!). It got cheered to the rafters when it was presented to the audience on the night. Much respect to the band, JJLE! And the after-show party was great too! The following night I was performing at the Sound Women event, part of the Chorlton Arts Festival - a great atmosphere - thanks to all of you for coming and to Gerry who arrived in the nick of time after being stuck in miles of traffic and played a fine set. Next week I'm performing at the 80th Anniversary of Withington Library celebrations and playing a song at the Homeless Memorial event in Manchester... an event that remembers the homeless who have died over the last year. I've performed at it before and it always manages to be a warm, poignant event - it's a sad state of affairs, though, that in a country as rich as the UK, homelessness still exists. From then on in, I'm rehearsing with top musicians for forthcoming gigs - next Saturday we're at the Trades Club in Hebden Bridge... I'm told there's lots of interest so it's perhaps best to book tickets in advance on 01422 845265... hope to see you there. Have a good week ahead, Love Claire

Sun 20 May 2007 - 09:45
I was gigging down South earlier this week, so missed the Citizen Manchester BBC broadcast that I was part of (the one postponed 'cos of the elections!) - I hear it went well, though. I was in Brighton performing at the PCS Union Conference. What a wild old time that was; not only performing at the PCS event but also experiencing an earthquake while I was on the pier the following day - yes, the gig was that rocking!! It was great to meet Paul and Pauline again, those great folk who were at the Court in Session gig last month...look forward to seeing you at the Hebden Bridge Trades Club gig on 2nd June. I was also indebted to the wonderful Karen, for her Cher impersonation (you had to be there - I feel the charts are beckoning!). And thanks to all of you who cheered my rant about 'myspace' and why I'm not on it - nice one comrades! Appreciation too to Langford who I had a long chat with after the gig and has since sent me a link to Jimmy Cliff's website - totally agree, he's a top songwriter. Back home, and back on BBC Radio Manchester this coming Tuesday (10.20 am) for an interview about the new album. I'll also be promoting the Sound Women gig on Friday 25th (with Gerry Ffrench, a top singer from Liverpool). This event is part of the Chorlton Arts Festival and starts at 7.30 pm at St John's Social Centre - followed at 9.30 by the satirical 'What the Papers Said'. I'll be at Urbis, in Manchester, the night before showcasing a CD and accompanying short film produced by a group of young people I've been working with for the final event of Manchester's 100 Days Campaign. Thanks to Natalie, Jane and Dave for all the support on this project - been great to work with you. From here on in I'll be promoting the new album (very close to release now honestly!) that contains a mix of political, passionate and punchy songs and which will soon be available from this website. And talking of politics it wasn't surprising to hear that Prince Harry isn't going to Iraq. Now, if our class-ridden society can make that true for all service personnel we'll be better off... I'll be incensed, though, if the next time we see Harry he's bedecked in medals - the majority of the royals seem to get them like sweets. And for what?! Have a good week ahead, Love Claire

Sat 12 May 2007 - 09:18
Thanks to Channel M TV for sending me the DVD of the news footage of the Stop the War recording that was broadcast in April. It coincided with the new power sharing government making history in Northern Ireland - so just a hint that peaceful methods might be the best way forward in all areas of the world. A lot of politicians seemed to want to take the plaudits for this historic event but wasn't it Mo Mowlam who set the ball rolling? You wouldn't have thought so if you'd heard the resignation speech from Tony Blair. 'Hand on heart' he still believes that the deaths of 100,000s (and counting) of people in Iraq has been a price worth paying...I'm lost for words. The blog's slightly earlier than usual as I'm off to perform to the wonderful people of the PCS at their annual conference in Brighton. Have a good week. Love Claire

Sun 06 May 2007 - 10:01
It's not every day that I get told that a piece of music I've composed has been used in the national curriculum (part of the UK's education programme)! So it was lovely to be informed that the music for the dance (by 20 young people) that opened the Longfield Project in Bury, UK, a couple of years ago has been incorporated into a school's assessment procedures. Long may it remain an educational tool! On another note(!) it's been great to hear from some of you that you've got your tickets booked for the 'Good As You' tour gigs. One or two of you have asked if I'll play a couple of favourites from previous albums, which I'm more than happy to include in the set - so if you're coming to a gig and want to request a particular song of mine let me know via e-mail (redrecords@clairemooney.co.uk) and I'll try to oblige. Thanks to all of you for your continued support - gigs aren't the same without you! Have a good week. Love Claire

Sun 29 April 2007 - 10:08
Happy May Day when it comes on Tuesday - workers of the world celebrate your brilliance. I was performing at International Workers' Memorial Day in Manchester yesterday and what an experience it was - heartbreaking and uplifting all at the same time. The 28th April remembers all those killed in accidents at work as well as fighting for the living to have better working conditions and to bring to book those who put profit before the welfare of their workers. Hilda Palmer, one of the organisers of the event, was a storming success - bringing all the strands together with compassion and sensitivity. Anyone who witnessed the naming of all those who had lost their lives couldn't fail to be moved. I had mentioned the event the night before when I was playing in Otley (thanks Gerry for playing guitar with me by the way - you were brilliant - must rehearse by text more often!). The gig was in the old Courthouse and a great venue it was too. Mind you I couldn't help but recall the time I was in court myself for non-payment of the Poll Tax! Times change (slightly!). Thanks to the group of people from the PCS Union (sorry I didn't get your names) who came along to the gig after seeing me in Brighton last year - good luck with the strike by the way....see you in a couple of weeks when I'm back peforming at your conference. Thanks to those of you who pre-ordered 'Good As You' this week - nice to hear from you. Have a good week ahead. Love, Claire

Sun 22 April 2007 - 04:18
The Eclectic Mix gig at Fuel last week in Manchester was a top night of great acts and audience - thanks to all of you who turned up. Next Friday I'm performing at The Courthouse in Otley - 8pm start, hope to see you there! The following day, I'm singing a few tunes at the Peace Gardens in Manchester for International Workers' Memorial Day. This is to remember all those who have been killed needlessly at work, and to fight for better and safer working conditions. It starts at 11 in the morning, for an hour and a half. It would be brilliant if you could show support for such an important event. For more information, visit their website www.gmhazards.org.uk Also, thanks to all of you who've placed an advance order for 'Good As You' - as you know, there's a preferential price for all orders before the official release date. Hope your week is a good one. Love, Claire

Sun 15 April 2007 - 10:38
The 'Stop the War' recording which was due to be broadcast this week was postponed as, I hear, it was deemed to be 'too political' in the light of the up and coming elections here in the UK. I have been told that it will have an airing later in May. Don't you just love freedom of speech?! The new album 'Good as You' (including 'Stop the War' - bet you can't wait to hear what all the fuss is about?) is recorded with the mixing and mastering on it's way. For all of you who have pre-booked your copy there's not long to go now. I'll be performing an acoustic set of some of the songs next Tuesday at Dave Puller's 'Eclectic' night at Fuel in Withington, Manchester. If you live further afield you can still book tickets for the Court in Session gig on 27th April in Otley...the last few gigs there have been sold out so get in quick. Details for bookings are on the front page of this website - thanks to Joel for his work on the site's redesign. This week I'm back in studio. I hope your week is a safe one. Love Claire

Sun 08 April 2007 - 05:55
Channel M TV, the Manchester Evening News, Imagine FM, Revolution FM and the BBC all got involved in the recording session of 'Stop the War' one way and another last Tuesday. Massive thanks to everyone who came to the studio to sing your hearts out on the new album track. The following day Channel M had me performing the song live in their Urbis studio, after showing some of the footage from the previous night, (very impressive you all looked too!) on their night-time news show. Thanks to Robert, Gemma, Andy, Heather and all the crew you made it a thoroughly enjoyable experience. A sample of the track with soon be available on this website ONLY before general release in June (my myspace page is still non-existent - see previous blogs to find out why!). Tickets are now available for the Court in Session gig in Otley, Yorkshire, on 27th April...click on this website's Live page for details and to check out another couple of gigs I'll be playing in the near future. Most of the week ahead has me back in the studio recording more tracks for the album. I hope your week ahead is a good one, Love Claire

Sun 01 April 2007 - 08:31
What a tip-top week for meeting and working with ace characters! Special thanks goes to Simon from Tanante, who I'd never met before but who kindly jammed with me at an anti-deportation gig last Friday - he's a fantastic percussionist, and a really nice guy. Next week is all recording, and more recording. I'm particularly looking forward to Tuesday, when a massed 'anti-war choir' is coming in to the studio with me to record with me - should be a great night! Hope you have a good week. Love, Claire

Sun 25 March 2007 - 03:43
So here we are 200 years on after the 'abolition' of slavery and as ever it's the dignity and forebearance of the oppressed which rises high above the platitudes. But as we still live in a world where it hasn't been eradicated - child labour, sex trade, the list goes on it's best not to be complacent is it? Complacency is not a word I'd associate with some of the content of Dave Puller's show 'What the Papers Said' last week! As it was on the 4th anniversary of the start of the (present) war in Iraq we had to give ourselves a timely reminder (through poetry, satire and song) of the shocking waste it's been. Next Friday (30th) I'm playing a benefit for the anti-deportation campaign for Florence and Michael organised by the LCP in Manchester. Florence is seeking refuge in Britain as she faces an uncertain future in her country of origin because of her sexuality. Our present rights to freedom here have been hard fought and hard won - let's not be complacent about them. Have a safe week. Love Claire

Sun 18 March 2007 - 11:19
Those who know me recognise that I detest injustice against anyone (if you check out the benefits on benefits that I perform at, you'll get the picture too!). I particularly hate it when it comes in my direction. One situation occurred this week, when I was charged with something I didn't do, in a most unpleasant manner. Why do some people seem to think that they can distort the truth, discredit your character with accusations of no substance and get away with it? Let it suffice to say this person really needs to listen to get a handle on what is actually being said, especially when the subject is so sensitive and important. Life's for learning, and there's no better way than debate. On that note, I've had an interesting response from Naomi, who I mentioned in last weeks blog. She's left an extended piece, extolling the virtues of 'MySpace' on my feedback page - she argues passionately about it, as you'll see... Should you ever meet her, you'll recognise the word 'accosted' is a term of endearment. This week I also met brilliant, ace people who recognise that I might be feisty (which feminist wouldn't be?!) but that I'm all heart! The women on the Time For Me projects were a complete joy to work with - thanks so much for your warmth and creativity. Next Tuesday (20th) I'm performing at Dave Puller's political, satirical show 'What The Papers Said' at The Fuel in Manchester. Have a good, kind week. Love, Claire

Sun 11 March 2007 - 07:59
It's been all go with International Women's Week events - gigs and workshops - all different and all of them little gems. From the Manchester Town Hall launch, with it's amazing cultural mix, great tech and stage management support and good humour, to a 'Song in Seconds' workshop in Warrington for the local National Women's Register group (how brilliant were you crowd?! And thanks for taking over 'the buttons' Sue, you were made for a recording studio somewhere!). Then, in the dying embers of International Women's Day, I was on UnderThePavement, at ALL FM in Manchester - how laid back is that show?! Thanks David and Spike for having me on to sing a couple of tunes amid the anarchic-punk tracks - songs about the politics of the oppressed come in all different shapes and sizes, I reckon! You'll not find a show quite like this one - check it out on 96.9FM every other Thursday. And thanks for asking, David - I'll be happy to come back when 'Good As You' is released. By the way, thanks to all of you who've pre-ordered your 'Good As You' albums. There is a special deal, as you'll know, so the rest of you e-mail your order and we'll let you know what it is! You'll be please to know the recording's coming along really well... but I would say that, wouldn't I?! Anyway, where was I? Oh, yes - I was on UnderThePavement to promote the gig I was doing at the Working Class Movement Library yesterday, which was full of passionate speakers and feisty argument. Loved it! As I mentioned my one-woman boycott of 'myspace' (see previous blogs), Naomi - who is a 'myspace' nut - accosted me to say how marvellous it was. Hmmm, it seems not to matter a jot that it's owned by a man (Rupert Murdoch) who makes pots of money out of it, who is not 'a friend' of the people, who has caused misery to 1000s with his anti-union stance and who tries to change national government (and sometimes succeeds) by his newspaper's support. I'm constantly told that it's really the 'myspacers' who have put one over on him. Sorry, I fail to see how lining his pockets is in any way subversive, though I'm always happy to have the debate! It seems the only way to have the discussion, though, is to have a blog on 'myspace' to begin with! And look how much advertising I've given it for free here!! On a different tack, tomorrow Rochdale are launching their own series of IWW events. I'm playing at 10.30 am - I reckon it's one of the earliest gigs I'll have ever done! I hope you have a great week ahead - and remember to be vigilant about who's pulling the strings... Love, Claire PS - let's hope the MP's in the UK wise up and opt not to replace Trident. Be safe

Thu 01 March 2007 - 11:24
A midweek mini blog comes after two very different gigs this week. First off, I was in Stalybridge on Monday where I was accompanied during my set by the brilliant Robin Sunflower playing harmonica - his solos were superb. At the end of the gig 'Unhappy Tonight' got a sax and guitar solo as well and went on for nearly ten minutes! The audience was full of musicians who all did their bit - quite fantastic. Then, after arriving home after 1am, I was up at the crack of dawn to head off down to London to play at the TUC. The last time I played there was for the Nye Bevan (architect of the NHS) Centenary Celebration ten years ago, which was hosted by Ben Elton (how times have changed!!) and had the great and the good in attendance. The great and the good at Tuesday's event - Peter Purton's book launch of 'Sodom, Gomorrah and the New Jerusalem' - were a lovely bunch. Not only did they buy Pete's book, they also purchased a load of my albums too. Thanks to all of you but particularly to Amyn who has become the first person to buy the new album 'Good As You' 3 months BEFORE it's release! (If anyone else wants to join him and place an order early, drop me a line at redrecords@clairemooney.co.uk) It was a great event and made me proud to be a trade unionist. Thanks John, for booking the hotel - great to see you as always, but sorry it was so short - you jet setter, meeting up with Ministers indeed! But as you left me in the safe hands of the wonderful Carl, all is forgiven! Thanks for asking me down, it really was an ace event. We also managed to squeeze in a bit of tourism, by visiting the British Museum, which was a lovely way to end the trip - although the journey back out of Central London was less enjoyable! This Sunday sees me playing at the Launch of International Women's Week at Manchester Town Hall, and later in the week I'm performing live on radio station All FM, on International Women's Day itself. Hope you have a good week - particularly all you women out there - celebrate in style! Love, Claire

Sun 25 February 2007 - 07:02
One of the songs on the up and coming new album is called 'Kindness of Strangers' and it couldn't have been more apt than when I was gigging in Yorkshire last Sunday. I meet some lovely people on my travels at different venues - most are pleasant and accommodating, but some are outstanding. The most impressive in a long while were Carrie and Andrea at The Hunter's Inn, near Harrogate. Generous to a fault. Offering free drinks on arrival and even a bed for the night ... what can I say?! As I couldn't accept all the real ale they were bestowing on me, they poured a few pints into airtight bottles for me to bring home. They were truly delightful and the whole night had a massive buzz about it. Also performing that evening were duo Whittington Street who, it turns out, went to the same primary school as me... in recent weeks I've been constantly reminded that it's a small, small world. Last night's Briton's Protection gig had some highs to it too, but as a result of playing there I wasn't able to go to the Troops Out demo in London. But I did play 'Gunslinging' to show solidarity! Tomorrow I'm at the Q Inn in Stalybridge, and there's loads of opportunities for any singers, guitarists etc to have a play too, so come on down. Then I'm off to London on Tuesday for a gig at the TUC. After that it's head down and recording. Hope you have a good week. Love, Claire

Sun 18 February 2007 - 10:19
Thanks to all of you who got in touch to say how much you enjoyed the performance at the Unity Festival last week. Appreciate it. I also appreciate the fact that we've still got a 'free at the point of need' National Health Service and long may it remain. One of my sisters was in need of emergency treatment last Friday and was attended to by a clerk, nurses, a radiographer, a doctor, a senior registrar, a consultant and God knows how many 'back room staff' at the A and E Department (thank you all). Everyone of them rushed off their feet - so let's get our priorities sorted - stop the war and give more resources to the NHS...please! There's a demo in Manchester on 3rd March to show it needs proper funding (check out the Unison website for details) - but why we have to demonstrate for this valuable public resource under a Labour government, who seem to have forgotten who instigated it in the first place, is beyond me. Okay, rant over. I am grateful too to all of you who continue to ask me back to perform at your events. A few more have been added to the 'Dates' section on the Live page. Last Thursday I was over in Bradford to see the excellent Pete Morton. As it transpired, I ended up performing a clutch of songs myself, asked for by the organiser who had remembered me playing in Leeds many moons ago (small world)... Tonight I'm back in Yorkshire at The Hunter's Inn in Pool should you be around, and then back at Briton's Protection in Manchester for a mega acoustic bash next Saturday. Hope your week ahead is a safe and healthy one. Happy Chinese New Year. Love, Claire

Sun 11 February 2007 - 06:53
Last night's Unity Festival at the City Art Gallery in Manchester was a top affair. I thoroughly enjoyed performing and hosting a stage with some fine acts on the bill. Well done to Kelly, Colette and the team - another brilliant success. The rest of my time this week has involved recording, mixing and editing (and more of the same next week) so if you see me out and about I'll probably be wearing a hat to hide my 'headphone hair'! Next Sunday sees me gigging in Yorkshire. Check out the Dates section on the Live Page for details. Have a great week ahead but don't get ripped off on Valentine's Day - love should be celebrated all the time (so we're off out on Tuesday!) Love, Claire

Sun 04 February 2007 - 10:43
Some of us (hopefully millions worldwide) joined in the Citizens Against Global Warming action on 1st February. It involved turning the lights off for 5 minutes at 6.55pm GMT (different times for different countries of course) to highlight the report on climate change while illustrating that each of us can do little things to help keep the planet safe for future generations. Sitting in silence in a candlelit room for 10 minutes (I'm always early!) turned out to be not only a small protest but a hugely calming experience. My life is such that I rarely give myself 5 minutes rest for anything so it made a pleasant change. It was also good to be able to put the lights back on again afterwards - something that we won't be able to do if we don't alter our ways soon. Nor will we be able to use computers (unless someone comes up with a wind-up one....mmm must patent that idea!) from which I got the information about the protest in the first place and from which I get an enormous amount of traffic to my website. To be honest some does involve replica watches and getting a 'real unnniversssity degree in English in 3 weeks'(I kid you not - one week of the course must be on the excessive use of consonants). Amid the guff (a Lancashire term) there are some lovely messages - thank you. One from Steve ended up with me offering a Friends Reunited-type service (no charge though). He had seen from the website that I had worked with someone with a name familiar to him and wondered if it was the same person he knew from years back...indeed it was and I think they're sharing a glass as we speak! Also, after last week's rant about 'myspace' I have ended up getting a gig for not being on it! My views obviously struck a chord and I was booked on the strength of them! Nice one, John. Life - it constantly amazes me. I'm back gigging next Saturday at the wonderful Unity Festival at Manchester Art Gallery on Saturday. There's a number of stages (I'm on the music stage - surprise!)...it all starts at 6pm so come along and support an event that promotes diversity at its best. Hope you have a great week ahead and remember to turn those lights off when you get a chance...and I'll turn the computer off now! Love Claire

Sun 28 January 2007 - 10:58
More than one person in the recent past has asked me if I'm on 'myspace'. For those of you not in the know, it is a community website where millions, it seems, have their own web page. Musicians appear to flock to it in their droves as it enables tons of people to access music they might never have heard without it and where once upon a time you'd have to gig and gig and gig to get anyone to hear your music - there it is resting with one eye open for someone to come in and have a butchers (a Lancashire term for checking you out!). It would take a lifetime and a half to listen to all the tunes I believe (but hey we are living longer!). And I know, I know, I know it all seems like a jolly good idea and great to be able to have your music heard without relying on a major label deciding what we should and shouldn't listen to...my problem is that the site was bought by media mogul Rupert Murdoch nearly 2 years ago in a deliberate ploy to get into online media (wasn't there another choice?!!) and as much as I'd like to believe it is the community for the community I just don't want to line his pockets with more advertising revenue. My loss perhaps...but there you go. If you want to hear my music (other than buying a CD) you have to come to this website, go to the discography page, click the listen icon, and the selected sampled tracks and turn your speakers on...well, you're here now you might as well! And hey, it's totally independent! Or better still come to a gig (see 'dates' on the Live page) - a whole flurry of them are on their way....a bit like the snow but much more heart-warming! Have a good week, Love Claire

Sun 21 January 2007 - 12:36
PS - the website address for the Working Class Movement Library is www.wcml.org.uk - check it out!

Sun 21 January 2007 - 11:51
Well, what a week! Here in the UK we've had major gales (probably nothing to wind speeds in other parts of the world though) but gable ends of houses were dropping all over the place. Amazingly the old sash windows on my house rattled and rattled in the gusts but still stayed put...a minor miracle! Then we had all the ramifications of the racist rows in the TV Big Brother house where so-called celebraties proved that the addage ignorance is bliss is quite plainly wrong. Ignorance and intolerance is mean and small-minded - the whole episode illustrated how important it is to challenge such notions. Why are people so afraid of diversity? On a different tack, for all of those who are constantly asking when am I coming to London, the good news is I'm doing a gig at The Trade Union Congress for the GMB Union for a book launch. The bad news is that it's only for invited guests. Sorry! A number of people/organisations have been in touch this week to ask me to perform at various events so check out the 'Live' page for details. One is the International Women's Day celebration at the Working Class Movement Library in March. I was at a meeting there last Friday - thanks to Michael and Aidan for the lively conversation - and what an inspirational place it is...full to bursting with banners, books, pamphlets, badges, etc etc etc of hugely important events some, sadly, often lost to history. The Library's hoping to get a grant to catalogue everything - if you want to support this aplication or the Library in any way go to their website. Believe me it's worth it. Hope you have a good week ahead. Love Claire

Mon 15 January 2007 - 12:38
This week I was asked to perform at a Civil Ceremony later this year - sadly time commitments meant I had to refuse, which was a real shame. I could, however, agree to compere and perform at Manchester's International Women's Week launch at the Town Hall in March. Thanks to the events team for asking me again. I don't know the line-up yet, but this great event usually includes a lively cultural mix of acts and some very enthusiastic speakers - will keep you posted, but it's well worth putting in your diary now. And now back to arranging ... hope you enjoy your week. Love, Claire

Sun 07 January 2007 - 11:27
As I was walking with my partner along the prom in Hoylake yesterday a woman shouted 'Are you the Bard from Shropshire'? I was rather taken aback as you can imagine. For those of you who have read some of the other pages on this website you'll be aware that I won an Arts Council Year of the Artist Award and became Shropshire's first Balladeer in Residence in 2001. It was an exhausting but fantastic time working with all sorts of people throughout the county and writing and recording songs for an EP to go with my exploits. To be honest I don't expect people to remember about it but great to meet you again Sara (and Rhona)! Talking of recording songs work progresses on the arrangements for tracks for the new album....and all sounding pretty good - though I would say that wouldn't I?! Hope you have a good week ahead. Love Claire

Tue 02 January 2007 - 10:23
Happy New Year - if this is the calendar you live by. In the UK this is the time of year for the distribution of gongs, where people get rewarded for their good deeds by becoming Dames and Knights. I know it's the pantomime season but these do start to sound a bit ridiculous. Don't get me wrong -I'm all for people being recognised for first rate works but maybe something a bit more up to date wouldn't go amiss. And you're right - I didn't receive anything! On a global level recent times have seen the demise of a few former dictators - though the execution of Saddam in Iraq seemed as barbaric as some of his actions in life. If tyrants have to exist I'm all for them being being brought to account but is the death penalty the best method of dealing with them? On a personal level 2006 has been a good year. Thanks to all of you who have bought albums, booked me for gigs, workshops and creative consultancies. Much appreciation too to all of you who have sent positive feedback messages. Let's hope this year is a peaceful one. Love Claire

Wed 27 December 2006 - 10:31
Seasons Greetings. Though I'm not too sure which season, as I look out of the kitchen window and see the fuscia in full bloom in December - and still some are sceptical about global warming! If Christmas is your time of celebration I hope it's been a good one - I've had a fine ol' time. I was on BBC Radio Leeds on Christmas day...I felt like Santa being all places at once! I got a late call to perform on Pure FM last week and enjoyed every minute. Thanks to the lovely Dean Bailey for having me on his show and then letting me be guest presenter as he played a tune of his own...it was a great buzz. Talking of which the young people at The Buzz in Manchester launched their own little CD at their end of term celebrations. I'd been working with them for a few weeks to create a couple of tracks from scratch. It was given the thumbs up by all those who attended. Thanks to Phil for his help during the process and to Natalie for the great presentation kit the young people received. Wherever you are, at this time of year, I hope you're having a peaceful time. Love, Claire

Sun 17 December 2006 - 08:44
So Pinochet pops his clogs (a Lancashire term) without trial for all his evil works... no justice for the disappeared and tortured then. Shocking to think that some people get away with it. Margaret Thatcher was, of course, saddened by the death. It says much about her politics when she could freely support a murderous dictator and praise him for bringing 'democracy' to Chile and then relegate Nelson Mandela to that of a terrorist - I know, the mind boggles. Closer to home, the 'Song in Seconds' session at the Lowry earlier this week was brilliant. We were composing while Aladdin was being played to hundreds of school kids in the main house. Thanks to 'Girls Loud' (!) who composed and performed their song in double quick time, to rapturous applause I might add! My Lowden (guitar) is now back home - sounding and looking great. Thanks to Peter Barton for an excellent job. From his place near Ilkley I drove over to Otley to do a couple of songs at the folk club's Christmas party. And a stunning night it was too. With an added extra surprise that I can't mention until after Christmas! Then some good news and some bad news came towards the end of my week. The good news was PRS royalties coming from radio plays in areas I haven't been to - the bad news, like many self-employed in the UK, was the arrival of a letter from the Inland Revenue asking for an enormous amount of money from me ... although I have to say I am one of the few who don't mind paying taxes for the health service, education and like - I just wish that others with far more wealth paid more. Ah well, that's this government for you! The fabulous 'Our Days Out' CD is completed. I had the pleasure of recording a few days of outings for a group over the summer. The work has taken ages to edit but I have seen it as a labour of love, as the voices are such a complete delight to listen to ... tons of laughter and joy of life from a group of young at heart pensioners - I couldn't have asked for a nicer commission. Thanks to all of you for reminding me how special a simple life can be... stay wonderful. All the best, Claire

Sun 10 December 2006 - 12:24
On a personal level the week started well...a work meeting turned into a great night out (thanks for the top company). I happened upon the ALL FM Christmas party...they are the community radio station in my locality and have been good enough to play tracks off my albums and had me in to perform 'live' from time to time. My Lowden guitar is re-fretted and ready for collection so I'm off to Otley (postponed from a couple of weeks back) to pick it up and play a few tunes en route. Then I got asked to run one of my 'Song in Seconds' workshops at an event at The Lowry next week...so thanks for getting in touch. On a more general level there was a tornado in London (did I see 4x4s scattered all over the road?..), floods 'up north', no snow on the Alps...makes sensible people wonder about the seriousness of climate change! And the on-going terror of Darfur is an international disgrace...governments seem to have no problem interfering in other areas - what's the difference? Oh yeah - poverty. Buck up! Rant over. Hope your week is safe and peaceful, Love Claire

Mon 04 December 2006 - 11:51
On a 'marks out of 10' week I think I'd have to give the last one about a 2 - and maybe that's more than it deserves! Negativity seemed to be coming towards me from all angles and then I think I joined in ... which wasn't very clever for someone struggling to have a Pollyanna disposition! No matter, it's all in the past and I live to fight another day. On the plus side it's exciting to be asked to play at the Unity Festival next year, and I also got a call to play a gig in Stalybridge in the new year too. Thanks both. Repairs to my guitar weren't completed in time, so I missed out on the trip to Otley I had planned but I will be there in a couple of weeks to play some tunes at a Christmas bash. Meanwhile, thanks to the lovely (and very patient) Dee for hanging on for ages to take delivery of some albums she'd bought (a slight cyber hitch) and I appreciate her e-mail telling me how much she's enjoyed listening to them. Plus it was marvellous to receive a cheque for the gig I did in Huddersfield in October with a 'thanks for a great night' message from the treasurer ... always good when the person with the money likes what you've done, methinks! So on reflection, all of a sudden it seems like I've had a better week than I thought! Hope you have a nice positive week ahead. Love Claire

Sun 26 November 2006 - 12:16
After the exploits of Keswick last weekend I found myself losing my voice mid-week so had to miss the Leicester gig. Sorry to any of you who might have turned up to see me but I'm sure you would have had a fab night with the high calibre of other acts who were on. I'm well on the way to recovery now. I had some lovely correspondence from the good folk of Stockport MIND about their fundraiser gig I performed at in October...very kind of you. I'm hoping my Lowden guitar, that has just been sent for re-freting - at long last - (thanks to Gerry and Ani for taking it), will be ready next week so I'm planning a short trip to Yorkshire, and maybe do a few tunes, en route to collecting it in Otley. Hope your week is a good one, Love Claire

Tue 21 November 2006 - 04:20
************ STOP PRESS ************** www.fourdogsmusic.co.uk is now up and running and stocks some brilliant music for people who want to hear lyrics that mean something... check it out! Love Claire

Mon 20 November 2006 - 08:05
Just had a few days away in Keswick in Cumbria. I was playing at the Theatre by the Lake last night and thought I'd mix work with pleasure. The 'work' became a bit more than I'd bargained for - I ended up being the compere as well as performing, as the guy who'd organised the gig phoned in the afternoon to say he couldn't make it and could I sort out the event on the night! Bless! As you can imagine, it was great to be met at the theatre by the bemused staff who had been given no tech spec, running order or anything! But between us - Dave, the techie and Kirsten's stage management, as well as the front of house staff (each and every one worth their weight in gold) we managed to pull off a great night ... despite a member of the audience collapsing during the second half, paramedics being called, the car park flooding ... the list is endless! Thanks to Mike, the singer from the band that was playing, for taking the trouble to phone and thank me for my efforts - shame the same can't be said for the 'organiser'. So I've come home for a rest - but I suspect there's no chance of that, with another full week ahead! Hope you have a great week. Love Claire

Sun 12 November 2006 - 03:06
On the gig front I'm away in Keswick next weekend (Sunday 19th) to perform at the Theatre by the Lake with few others including my old mate Gerry McNeice. He's just booked me for a gig in Yorkshire next February - I'll put full details on the 'Live' page as soon as I know more. On 23rd November I'm back at The Musician in Leicester - it's just a short set as there are some other performers on the bill too - it looks to be a great night's entertainment. I'll be doing a full night in the city next year as plans are under way for a promotional tour for the new album due for release in June, 2007. On the songwriting workshops front many thanks to the good women of Widnes and Runcorn who set to writing and recording a 'Song in Seconds' last week - most impressive! Hope your week is a good one, Love Claire

Sun 05 November 2006 - 11:24
The Bolton Octagon gig went well. Moore Marriot did a cracking set and Steve O'D was on form too. It was great to meet up again with Mark Babych, the Octagon's Artistic Director who I hadn't seen for years. Thanks for asking me back Mark - hopefully we can sort out another gig in the new year. Special thanks to all of you who bought my albums as well. The night before the gig I was facilitating a meeting for the Festival of Diversity (FoD) in Oldham. Unfortunately, there was no heating in the room so top marks to the 40 or so participants who stayed for 3 hours giving their wonderful ideas snuggled up in their coats. I was approached by one person who had been to a gig I performed at last year and was surprised to see it was the same 'Claire Mooney' running this event. I get about a bit!! Huge thanks to Susan at Oldham Gallery who had a healthy sense of humour (you really should get on the stand-up circuit!) as she helped me set up the room and 'props' for the event and emailed the following day to check the sky hadn't fallen down on me!!! Don't you just love postive, encouraging people! Next week I've been asked back to run some songwriting/recording sessions for Time for Me in Widnes and Runcorn. I haven't been able to work on the project for almost a year now because of other commitments so great to be back. World events leave me speechless so less said! Have a safe week, be kind. Love Claire

Tue 31 October 2006 - 01:15
I have been in York for the best of last week, living in a hotel and having very little sleep however it's been an amazing experience. Thanks to so many of you for being such gorgeous women at YLAF - I was concert director for this festival that took place at York Racecourse/the City Centre. So many of the artists I booked we