Africa OYE

Osibisa: Blowing It, a photo by Idreamofpies on Flickr.

The weekend saw us head to the African OYE festival 2013 in Sefton Park, Liverpool. Our first time visit and it was great fun. Essentially one main stage with a variety of food, craft, clothing, info, drink, craft stalls all round the perimeter.

Add to this a small fair, drum/dance workshops,some great music it was very entertaining and interesting. The weather was not brilliant but it didn't seem to dampen the crowds enthusiasm much.

Not all the Pie tribe were keen to stay through the downpour that hit as Saturday nights headliner, the excellent Osibisa, came on stage which was a shame as they were very good. We also liked the cuban band on before them called Son Yambu who got everybody up to boogie. 

Unfortunately I forgot to go back to the Jamaican Pattie stall and try out their delicious looking wares. I was distracted by a dish of peanut butter stew on a Gambian food stall which was fabulous.

Well worth a visit again and it was Free !!!

Funny How They Shoot You Down.......

He gave the audience that came to watch him in the o2 Academy a night they shall never forget”. LiverpoolSound and Vision

Another pre-christmas gig was a Georgio and the Pieman visit to see the solo Mike Peters tour in Liverpool at the 02 Academy. Arrived a little bit early we still missed the first support but caught singer songwriter Joe Silva before Mr Peters arrived on stage armed with a guitar, voice and harmonica.

This tour had as its theme a celebration of thirty years of the Alarm/Mike Peters since the Red Poppy logo was introduced on the Marching On single artwork. Subsequent to the gig I came across a gig review which gave it 5* stars. I mention this, as it is quite normal for MP/Alarm to receive fairly dismissive reviews which sometimes make me wonder if I was actually at the same event.

Mr Peters was at his standard committed, passionate and enthusiastic best with a trawl through his back catalogue including many well known tunes and some not so well known (Pavilion Steps got a rare airing) to satisfy all.

The interaction with the audience was excellent and my only criticism would be the detour into Big Country tunes which I adore, but one would have been enough. 3 or 4 meant less Alarm/MP tunes from which there are enough to pick from. Despite that, it was an excellent evening from Mr Peters and we left looking forward to his return with the full band on the Vinyl Tour.

Born Innocent

Listening to Simon Mayos show just, featuring the Proclaimers playing live and promoting their new 36 track best of has prompted me to complete an entry remembering their pre-christmas gig at the mighty Tivoli in Buckley.

What an excellent gig was had, in the company of the swampies and Hazel not Dean. They were tight, professional with energetic exceptional songs that got your foot tapping and your mind thinking.

A good balance of old favourites and new tunes from new album " Like Comedy", the night is rocking with an appreciative crowd apart from some ladies who's surpassed themselves having a good night falling down in their finery and spoiling for an argument with all and sundry.

They have strange chemistry on stage these twin brothers with little or no chat between them. The sound was ok but the vocals struggled at times. But no matter they were very very good and I would have no hesitation in going to see them again if the opportunity presented itself.

If you get the chance to see them live go their well worth the entry fee and if not spend a few pennies on the Best Of you won't be disappointed.  

Gerrards

 En route to sunny Pembrokeshire we stopped briefly in Bala and came across a branch of Gerrards in the high street which was formerly an Ecclestons. Gerrards claim to be the oldest family bakers in North Wales having started in 1838.

Fortunately their current Pie & Pastries are a lot fresher than that. A very tasty Steak Pie (8.5) was scoffed by your truly when it had eventually cooled down from the nuclear reactor core level of heat it was emanating.

It was that good, that a week later we stopped on the way home as well. Apart from a slight mis-understanding over change we would heartily recommend a visit to your nearest branch.

Unknown Pleasures: Peter Hook

As part of the Chester literature festival we headed to the Laugh Inn to listen to Peter Hook (Warsaw, Joy Division, New Order, Monaco ........) talking about his new book Unknown Pleasures which concentrates on the period of his career with Joy Division specifically.

The evening is fairly informal and relaxed in approach taking the form of an interview on stage with a couple of large rescued prints (from the Anton Corbijn produced Atmosphere video) as a backdrop.

The prints which overlook the stage are both of Ian Curtis and it is a frank Peter Hook who, in hindsight, blames himself and fellow band mates for the untimely demise of the singer. As an interview it meanders all over the place and this is no bad thing as one question sets off a flow of chatter that is open, interesting and it would seem refreshingly honest.

He is quite self-deprecating about his career, no subject seems taboo and the failure of the Hacienda Club is repeatedly cited as an example of their individual/collective ignorance of organisation and abysmal business acumen. The evening finishes with a question and answer session from an appreciative audience.

Valley Pie

During the summer break we were lucky to be able to head over to one of favourite places the Isle of Anglesey and Holyhead. Big thanks to our perfect hosts’ ange and the biscuitman who also provided pie on arrival !!

The pie was Pork Pie (9/10) from the local Valley Butchers and it tasted excellent which, in our experience, is quite rare for big versions of standard pies.Tasty, moist and pastry just right.

Pembroke

August saw the the Pie Tribe head to Pembrokeshire for a weeks break staying in a small cottage in a village close to the cliffs and the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path. Our first stay in Pembrokeshire and what a beautiful place it is. 

We had a great time walking, seeing, listening, tasting, crabbing and laughing all round. The weather was, as Crowded House would say, "Four Seasons In One Day".

We found some splendid ice cream, cheeses, beer and PIE. Being in this part of Wales we did expect to consume more Oggies but no. However we did stop one day at the Farmers Market in the Town Hall at Fishguard and came across the selection below from A & E Meats. We instantly repaired to the harbour wall to consume our purchases. The Lamb & Mint Pie was excellent (8.5), the Steak & Gravy Pie was good (8.0) and the Pork Pie less well received (6.0).

Hot Club of Cowtown

A welcome start to the week end was a first time visit to The Blue Lounge at the Floral Pavilion, New Brighton. The first concert of the annual International Guitar festival was here with Austin, Texas based trio, Hot Club of Cowtown kicking off proceedings.

Kick it they did with a foot stomping trawl through their current and back catalogue with their own originals and their interpretations of various standards getting an airing. Add to this selection, dollops of swing, jazz, blues, gypsy, folk, country and western, with three musicians clearly very talented and most importantly enjoying themselves. 

Their committed, energetic and eclectic approach produces a captivating performance which is absorbing and a disappointment when it finishes as you just want more which is the essence of good gigging, leave them wanting more!

Liked the venue, loved the band and would recommend, Ye Ha !!

Pie Society: Bring on the Pies!

As well as sampling some tremendous pies at our recent pie tasting session with Holland's Pies, it also introduced us to Author/Cookery Detective/Chef, Mr Tom Bridges. Approachable, fascinating and informative his passion for pies is there for all to see in person and in his book, Pie Society which we strongly recommend to all pie munchers who have an ambition to making their own or want learn more about pies generally. With some great photgraphy it had us drooling just looking through.

It is currently available through amazon  and would make an excellent present for any pie muncher you know.

 

Go Dutch, Eat a Holland's Pie!





We were very happy recently to accept an invitation by Holland's Pies  & Puddings to a pie tasting event in Manchester. What a wonderful evening with a nice venue, the Rain Bar and great hosts. Different beers were available to taste to accompany your particular Pie. Also an informed guide to Pies was provided by chef and author Tom Bridges. Finally the stars of the show were Holland's various pies.

Arriving early for the event (that's a first!) the first pie up was the Chicken and Ham Hock. I must admit personally I'm not a big fan of Chicken in any pie but this was excellent, very tasty indeed. Next up was the Beef and Vegetable Pasty which was piping hot and of course I couldn't wait...ouuuucccchhhhh. It was very moreish and definitely worth a repeat serving!!

The third offering was the Peppered Steak pie which was simply fantastic. This one didn't last long at all on the plate! Finally came the Cheese & Onion pie which was very good although we would ask for a bit more onion in it. If it's going to be there you need to be able to taste it.  

We were asked at end of the evening which was our favourite taste, which means that perhaps we didn't like one, but that was not the case as they were all enjoyable and I would have them again willingly. But the Peppered steak won out by a clear margin amongst the gathered throng. Quite apart from the taste overall we like the size of the pies and the pastry. Often you can buy a pie and it's a good handful but too often its a thick dry crust with a lot of air...not these babies oh no.

Many thanks to Holland's Pies for an informative and enjoyable evening. It was great to hear about the Hot water pastry and other background from Tom Bridges. Subsequent testing with some samples at home would also suggest oven heat rather than Microwave if you've got the time and patience!