tony_smith

Talia Simone is a British Americana artist hailing from the Deep South (West) of London Town. She began her musical journey with aspirations of becoming a professional songwriter far away from the spotlight. It was while chasing this dream and honing her skills that the fun really began. 

Quickly snapped up by Halo records and paired with country singer Kelly Lee. They quickly hit it off and began a writing partnership that saw them catapulted to the forefront of the U.K. country music scene. As a duo the ladies were signed to Eversholt Records and were flown to Nashville to record their debut album. 

Cinderella Dreaming was celebrated as a modern take on country traditionalism which set the stage for being nominated for two BCMA awards (taking home the Horizon award) With 3 Hot-disk Top10 hits, a music city taxi sponsorship deal in Nashville and coming down to earth from representing the U.K. at CMA’s Arista Global Showcase it was decided a well deserved break was in order.

The next few years saw Talia, commandeer  a bluegrass band to fulfil her country needs; play the O2 till her fingers bled; and return to school to study for her songwriting degree. But fading into obscurity was never the plan. Now ready to finally step out of the shadows and claim the spotlight for her own Talia is armed with her debut solo EP Beauty Queen. Recorded with award winning producer Chris Clarke at the prestigious Reservoir studios.

She has traded her light hearted wit and charm to begin drawing upon poetic licence to focus on the pain and perseverance of others like herself trying to dance upon the flames that dare to burn them out. (While usually being accompanied with an infectious toe tapping beat) 

You are cordially invited to pop along and bear witness as Talia glides into her next musical chapter of this Wildly Western adventure. Talia Simone will be supported by her fabulous backing band ‘The Wild Thorns’ and will play a 30 minute set supporting Albert Lee – not to be missed!

Great to have the second greatest rock n roll band back in Godalming! Saturday 26th April 2025 at Godalming Borough Hall.

A celebration of Nina Simone’s Legacy

Renowned for her distinctive and award-winning vocal prowess, Lady Nade possesses one of the most singular voices in the UK music scene.

Critics and fans alike have often drawn comparisons between Lady Nade’s voice and the legendary Nina Simone. An artist known for paying homage to those who have profoundly influenced her journey, Lady Nade holds Nina Simone in high regard.

Nina Simone, an icon and consummate musical storyteller of the twentieth century, left behind a legacy of liberation, empowerment, passion, and love through her extraordinary body of work. By the end of her life, she had garnered an unprecedented level of recognition. Her music reached millions through recordings, film, television, and the digital sphere. In the last decade of her life alone, she sold over a million CDs, solidifying her status as a global best-seller.

As a black woman, Lady Nade acknowledges Nina Simone’s trailblazing role in paving the way for artists of her generation. Simone’s tenacity encouraged them not to abandon their dreams and aspirations. Lady Nade is honored to celebrate Nina Simone’s life and enduring legacy alongside some of the UK’s most accomplished musicians.

This high-energy performance is a heartfelt dedication to recreating the transformative sound that blended popular tunes of the era into a distinctive fusion of jazz, blues, gospel, and folk music.

Songs include:

Feeling Good
Love Your Loving Ways
Ain’t Got No, I got Life
Put A Spell On You
I Wish I Knew How
Take Care Of Business
My Baby Just Cares For Me
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood
Baltimore
Lilac Wine
Sinnerman
Love Me Or Leave Me
Mr Bojangles    
Work Song

Line-up
Lady Nade – Vocals
Chris Jones – Double Bass
Holly Carter – Guitar
Ruth Brown – Piano
Matt Brown – Drums
Sophie Stockham – Sax

Voted one of Britain’s top soul singers, mesmeric vocalist Noel McCalla, award-winning saxophonist Derek Nash (Jools Holland’s R&B Orchestra) and their world-class live band present a diverse catalogue of back-to-back Stevie Wonder hits including Superstition, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Isn’t She Lovely, I Wish, Sir Duke, Master Blaster and many more.

The Wonder of Stevie’s outstanding band features musicians who have previously performed with a wide variety of music legends including Bill Withers, The Bee Gees, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour, Amy Winehouse, Martha Reeves, Jamiroquai, Booker T. Jones, Sam Moore, Jethro Tull, Eddie Floyd, Gregory Porter, Gary Moore and Alfie Boe.

‘I marvel at this dazzling homage to one of the great masters of 20th & 21st century music’ Jools Holland

‘Never have we heard the music of Stevie Wonder interpreted with such finesse, energy and all-round brilliance.’ The House of Soul

You can also hear Derek Nash on the current No. 1 album ‘Swing Fever’ by Jools Holland and Rod Stewart!

We are delighted to make available the brilliant black and white photos taken by Rob Blackham at G-Live of the 2024 show. The high resolution photo bundle is only £10. All proceeds go directly to The Prostate Project.
Featuring: Andy Fairweather-Low, Robben Ford, Mike D’Arbo, Elaine Delmar, Jimmy Helms, and Paul Jones and the extended Jawbone band. Some amazingly candid photos capturing a wonderful night. Just one of these would make a superb framed print and a memorable picture.

BuY Photo Bundle

BUY NOW

Coming to Godalming Borough Hall on Sat 1st June 2024 – Noel McCalla’s brilliant soul and funk band!

We are delighted to announce an onsale date for the much anticipated Paul Jones and Friends charity concert at GLive next 9th & 10th January 2024. All subscribers to our mailing list will receive a pre-sale link and code and tickets will go onsale at 10am on Monday 9th October. Friends of G-Live will have access from 12th October, and public sale from 13th October.
The show may be different on both days. We look forward to another amazing couple of nights!

I was very saddened to hear of the passing of Whitesnake Guitarist Bernie Marsen on 24 August, at the age of only 72.

Bernie was a brilliant guitarist, and ‘larger than life’ character, who had performed many times for Eclectic Live Music.

Back in the days of Chiddingfold Club (pre 2000!) his superb band ‘Company of Snakes’ appeared several times. This terrific band comprised all the original members of Whitesnake, but with superb vocals provided by the charismatic Robert Hart, in lieu of David Coverdale.

Bernie was also the guest of Paul Jones at several charity gigs, both at Cranleigh Arts Centre and at G-Live.

Most recently he appeared in the Wilfrid Noyce Centre, Godalming in 2019 (18 May) in `An Audience with Bernie Marsden’. 

I was my intention to invite him back to appear at the Borough Hall, but sadly it’s now too late.

He’ll long be remembered for his guitar skills, his music, and his vibrant personality. 

Tony

Born & raised in Pasadena, California, Guy Tortora is currently based in London, in the UK.

What he does as a songwriter and performer is what people like to call Americana these days  —  a hard term to define as it seems to mean different things depending on who you’re talking to.  But if to you it means original songs, well constructed and well performed, in some of the various musical idioms that originated in the USA  —  blues, jazz, folk and roots  —  and also interpreting the work of other writers in these genres with depth and feeling, then you should check out his work if you haven’t already.

Over the last few years he has laid claim to a unique niche on the Blues ‘n’ Roots scene in the UK and European Continent, from small clubs and theatres to festivals. His two recent solo albums received a warm welcome in the Blues ‘n’ Roots reviews, a third album was released in 2008 to great acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. When travelling light, he performs in stripped down acoustic mode either on his own, or accompanied by bass or keyboards. At many UK gigs he appears with the Guy Tortora Band, his own four-piece outfit of accomplished musicians from the UK and Europe. With this band he has performed live with artists as diverse as Eric Clapton, Pee Wee Ellis, John Cleary and Eric Bibb. He has gigged across North America and much of Europe. He also performs solo, and in duo or trio format with his regular members of the Guy Tortora Band: bassman Costa Tancredi, or keys player Janos Bajtala. Recently he has formed an acoustic cuo partnership with Ben Tyzack of UK bandSpikedrivers – Guy and Ben have is a short UK tour planned for November 2015.

Guy is a guitar player of some accomplishment and a distinctive songwriter. On both acoustic and electric guitars he plays finger style, and is a fine bottleneck and slide player. His playing is not the flashy guitar-slinger style beloved of bluesrockers everywhere, but understated, and leaves room for the songs to make an impact, whether his own or the “covers” he performs that include many old standards and traditional tunes as well as songs by more recent American writers such as Eric Bibb or Kreig Viesselman.

Albert Lee is one of the most respected and renowned guitarists in music history, having worked with The Everly Brothers, Eric Clapton, Emmylou Harris and The Crickets over his long and illustrious career. The British-born country-rock artist started his career during the emerging rock ‘n’ roll scene of sixties London, when he swapped bands with the likes of Jimmy Page and Chris Farlowe.

“The ultimate virtuoso. His skill is extraordinary, his ear is extraordinary and he’s gifted on just about every level.”

– Eric Clapton

After moving to the U.S. and assimilating himself into the country music scene, Albert quickly garnered a reputation as one of the fastest guitar players in the business. He recorded a number of solo albums, and won a Grammy in 2002 for his contribution on ‘Foggy Mountain Breakdown’. He continues to tour today, and plays his signature Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar.

“A brilliant guitar player. His sound is unmistakable – often emulated, never equalled.”

– Emmylou Harris