Special Guests

oooh …..this song gives me the chills every time I hear it!

Me and the fabulous Grethe Borsum (Get Her Band) sat down a couple of years ago with some beers and whisky, my resonator and a means to record. The intention? to do some songwriting…

Approaching collaborations you never really know how it will go until it does. The best I bring to it is to focus everything I’ve learned as a musician and songwriter and try to stay focussed on getting something to come away with, as well as having an experience that nurtures the creative process….it needs to flow 🙂 Admittedly, I was a teensy bit nervous, mostly because I’m used to writing on my own and it feels so vulnerable doing that with someone else.

It turned out that we had a lot to talk about…as the evening passed we crafted and played, had a chat and beer break, repeated this countless times. The result of which is this beautiful, lullaby of a song I get lost in every time I hear. Drink Me.

Proud. Happy. A genuine marinated shared creative experience.

When Grethe made a trip back to Liverpool last month we got together and recorded this video in Jacaranda, I’m so happy it’s here to share. Thanks to Grethe for her amazing video skills as well as the experience of writing this song together! Also, shout out to Luke Moore who jumped in and did some videoing for us too.

Enjoy x

Luke, Me, Grethe

Updates!

So, 2, 3, or even possibly 4 years ago I made a quip on Facebook regarding having the cold coffee blues…

… once upon a time I would drink my way through a Cafetiere of coffee whilst working/songwriting and drink it dry as it was going cold….now? no, no, I like it hot!

Hence my proclamation.

This was commented on at the time by an old friend of mine from my time on the Popular Music BTEC at Thornes Park College..Mr Ryan Mitchell – Smith, that it would indeed be a great song title. I agreed. I said I’d write it and he said he would play harmonica on it.

Being the kind of person that if I say I’ll do something, I tend to mean it. 10 years may go past but I will carry it and one day, it will be done. And here we are.

Cold Coffee Blues is now a song. When I sat down with my guitar to write one day, that song just fell out, (as easy as knocking over my coffee has been plenty of times). It’s fun, it’s thoughtful, it’s easy and cathartic and made me smile and when I smile playing one of my own songs, its all good! Once I’d finished it I was hoping Ryan would still be up for being a part of this. Lucky for me he was still into it.

Full circle. I’m totally honoured. Ryan has nailed this song. We have some cheeky Blues Harp. His playing is awesome and has really captured the vibe and it’s been on repeat in my headphones for the last couple of weeks. It’s really exciting for me to work with people on my music, and when it fits, it’s magic. Like excited being a kid magic. Things I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done myself. It’s much more fun involving others!

Please go and check out Ryans music, he writes his own songs and plays harmonica for a range of people. Here’s an ace vid from one of his own songs, go check out Youtube for more..

Cold Coffee Blues will be on my next album. I’m recording and working with guest musicians to make it an album I’m happy, excited and proud to share. So far it’s all working to plan 🙂 I’ll be continuing with updates as things happen each step of the way and when I have bits of music to share it will be here first!

Thanks for reading, listening and sharing and don’t forget……..DON’T LET YOUR COFFEE GET COLD.

Jo x

Jo Bywater