In the folk-acoustic singer-songwriter tradition, Westcountry Songwriters Circle entertained the audience with songs and acoustic guitar music from a variety of styles incorporating political, social, philosophical, and literary influences.
The signature song for Westcountry Songwriters Circle is ’Westcountry Love Song’, with words and music by Jinder and accompaniment from Pete Christie and Nicky Swann
Westcountry Songwriters Circle re traveling performers performing in public venues, art centres and theatres throughout the UK; one such upcoming event is at Joules Yard and Eating House
WEST COUNTRY SONGWRITERS’ CIRCLE
Saturday 21 September 2013 | 20:00 – 23:00
“…Featuring three of the UK’s top singer-songwriters – Jinder, Nicky Swann & Pete Christie…”
Saturday night music events at Joules Yard features a mix of the very best local folk, blues, roots, plus some of the finest acoustic acts from across the UK. Joules Yard is also well known for their special menu of inexpensive quality meals.
Fingerstyle acoustic set at live music venues in UK
April 21st, 2013
Playing the Avalon acoustic guitar on Isle of Purbeck in Dorset uk
April 21st, 2013
Pete Christie live at The Beehive Swindon UK Local Swindon TV
April 7th, 2013
Recording debut of ‘Seagulls’ acoustic guitar instrumental
I really like what ‘Swindon Tv has done with the filming of ‘Seagulls’; this is the recording debut for this quintessential British acoustic guitar instrumental; which was filmed live at my ‘Beehive Pub music event on Sunday, March 17th 2013. Credit for the great filming goes to Doug Kirby, Creative Director/ Producer Partner at Swindon Tv.
It was another fun gig at The Beehive, with a great audience, Landlord Andy Marcer and bar Team as always!!
‘Seagulls’ was written and performed on a George Lowden O10 Guitar. The inspiration for ‘Seagulls’ comes from living on The Isle of Purbeck, Dorset.
One audience member said “…listening to ‘Seagulls’ is like hearing a one-man Pink Floyd doing ‘Wish You Were Here’…”, others liken it to an early Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac.
‘Seagulls’ is an original Pete Christie instrumental which is performed as an extended outro to a contemporised version of ‘Oh Well’; which seems to captivate the audience. By the time ‘Seagulls’ starts the room has usually gone quiet and the audience is observed to sit mesmerised. A clear favourite with the audience and a great experience for any musician.
Dancing Diamonds - an original song by British singer songwriter
Dancing Diamonds – an original song by British singer songwriter Pete Christie, about someone who, on the surface, had everything they could ever want, but let it all slip away.
Filmed at Finedon Community Centre, a former Methodist Church in Northampton, with amazing acoustics.
Promoted by Kevin Buxton courtesy of Kontra Roots and Finedon Sessions. Sound engineer Geoff Bland.
Dancing Diamonds – a song about someone who, on the surface, had everything they could ever want, but let it all slip away.
Ballad Of An Ordinary Man song lyrics by Pete Christie
March 24th, 2013
Ballad of an Ordinary Man is my protest song.
A song which protests about the erosion of the principles of life that were once described as ‘rights’, only to be conveniently re-defined as merely temporary privileges by the changing of political horizons.
Photo at Dancing Ledge, Isle of Purbeck, Dorset UK
British singer songwriter | English songs | Acoustic Fingerstyle Technique
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Ballad of an Ordinary Man
It’s a ballad of an ordinary man, trying to do the best that he can
Taught to know the value of his word, he got tossed into the theatre of the absurd
So down the road of life he makes his way, trying to do an honest job, make some honest pay
He takes his disappointments in his stride, and he smiles though he’s beaten up inside.
Sometimes he feels that he’s winning – most times he knows he’s not
Sometimes his head won’t stop spinning, most times he makes the most of what he’s got
Discontented with his lot
It’s a ballad of an ordinary man, caught up in someone else’s master plan
Tries to keep his head above the flood, feels his feet are sinking in the mud
Knows that something somewhere is bound to break, had about as much as he can take
The voice of doubt keeps whispering in his ear, but still, he will endeavour to persevere
Stumbling blindly through the fog of confusion, fighting battles he’s already lost
Treads the line between faith and delusion, another burning bridge he’s still to cross
Nothing ventured, nothing lost
Thumbing slowly through old photographs, taken when he was in his teens
He stares at faces of friends who’ve passed, and he wonders what it means…
Inst.
In the line marked “Situations Vacant”, he finds himself at the back of the queue
Down the stairs and into the basement, in the dark, without a clue,
Of what an ordinary man’s supposed to do
It’s a ballad of an ordinary man, bound to do the best that he can
Rising as the new day has begun, he will go to bed relieved that it is done.
His minutes turn to hours, months to years, he remains the product of his fears
A shadow of the man he planned to be, caught between the devil and the deep blue sea
Wonders how he’s supposed to make a difference, when every day he’s under attack
And every way is filled with frustration, one step forward two steps back
Stuck on the wrong side of the tracks
'Waiting In The Wings' song | Pete Christie Live in London video
February 19th, 2013
‘Waiting In The Wings’ is from Pete Christie’s studio album ‘Frank’.
“Waiting in the Wings” is Pete’s most famous song; and according to Tom Semioli reviewing for Minor 7th in the USA, “it is reminiscent of the off-the-wall stuff of Brian Wilson and Sir Paul as produced by Sir George Martin.”
Critically acclaimed for showing off Pete’s gift for tethering his romantic ruminations to memorable melodies and instrumental harmonies. The album ‘Frank’ has been called “refreshing”, “honest”, “wonderful”, “natural”, “versatile”, “…heartfelt songs that recall McTell’s glory days…” by Acoustic Magazine, and “delivered by a master craftsman”. “Frank is not background music. It’s a wonderfully written book brought to life by sounds”.
“…Pete Christie is in a league of his own. His new album, entitled “Frank” is a knockout collection of eight self penned songs, plus a track, “Not Yet Dark, written by Dylan. Anyone who plays guitar should go and see Pete in action. The way he explores rhythm and the dynamics of the instrument is a real education. His use of the loop station, and a few subtle dabs on his effects pedals, layering rhythms and sounds, is mesmerising.
The CD is wonderful. Tracks of the quality of “Waiting In The Wings” and the highly commercial “Easy Come, Easy Go” are worth the purchase price alone…”
“…Christie’s ability to connect with his audience lies with his unabashed and honest delivery, his plausibility due to a belief that when he sings of love, loss and life, it is from his own experience. This is all but confirmed by his last song, in honour of a friend confined to a wheelchair. Christie found his inspiration in the eternal optimism of his friend, and was compelled to complete the writing of this song in one brief sitting. Entitled ‘Waiting In The Wings’, the song’s moral is that there are always people worse off than yourself, and if their positivity is able to shine through, it would be an injustice for yours not to. This was my first first encounter of Pete Christie, and I was left thoroughly warmed by it. By all that I have just described, I wish I had heard him sooner!…”
“…’Waiting in the Wings’ is one of Pete Christie’s classics; which has on occasion changed the course of people’s lives after taking on the sentiment of the lyrics that “life is not a rehearsal and to make the most of it by doing what you want to do, now…”
“…Pete Christie did a great set on our opening night. You can see him again combining styles from rock & folk ballards to blues He’s a unique fingerstyle guitarist & I’m looking forward to an amazing evening!…”
Heartfelt ‘Just A Song’ on SoundCloud
February 9th, 2013
A heartfelt song by Pete Christie – ‘Just A Song’ from the album ‘Frank‘
One of my favourite songs on the album.
British singer songwriter | English songs
by Pete Christie
On the road with West Country Songwriters Circle Special
A former Methodist Church in Northampton, with amazing acoustics and a great sound desk / engineer Geoff Bland - perfect for musicians!! Compere and Master of Ceremonies was Kevin Buxton courtesy of Kontra Roots and Finedon Sessions.
