ROCK MUSIC SCENE

The music scene in Gibraltar never ceases to amaze me. With a population of just under 30,000 people it over achieves time and again with the volumev diversity and quality of the music produced upon these three square miles of rock.

This past year has been another winner for music, with some great gigs taking place all over the Rock. The number of venues is also on the increase. The Lord Nelson is un doubtedly the main place for gigs with at least three nights a week devoted to sounds. Next up is Corks which continues to put on bands. With the Little Rock Cafe, All's Well and a few other places, including the Three Owls also look ing to develop live music the future looks rosy.

However, there is an aspect which needs to be improved. We get, in the main, great cover ver sions of songs from entertainers in pubs, with the occasional original song thrown in. In spite of the fact that local musicians and 1 am think ing of people of the calibre of Jamie Chiappe, Adrian Pissarello, and Chaiigo Mutney to name but three, produce great original songs very few people get to hear them. Punt ers, it seems,like what they are fa miliar with, and are reluctant to broaden their horizons. Sometimes it is because they genuinely do not know what is on offer from the lo cal scene. This year I intend giving some guidance as to what local music can be purchased and from where.It is not a comprehensive list by any means, and I will almost certainly miss out some people in the process. My apologies to them in advance, emissions are over sights and do not reflect anything other than this!

1 first did this exercise three years ago. I am delighted to say that many of the excellent local CDs available then are still around to day. I am even happier to say that quite a few more local gems have been produced since then, in both pop and rock areas of music. You don't have to look far, in fact it may well be that some great music may literally be on your doorstep.

In advising you of what's avail- wasting his talents singing cover versions when he has a catalogue of original songs many an estab lished star would dearly love to have composed? 1 am talking about Jamie Chiappe. from Chatigo Mutney, and the un compromising hard rock version by Steel Water of Outlaw Blues. able I am going to avoid being too judgemental but I will not hesitate to recommend personal favourites. On that count I will begin by ask ing this one question.

If that doesn't tempt you then how about a little classical music?

Recorded at the Bapi Studio right here in Gibraltar,.and featuring the clarinet and cello, come the duo known as Serendipity. They proved to be one of the great successes of the Rock Solid concert held on Na tional Day at Governor's Parade. Featuring selections from popular classical composers thisCD will de light many in search ofsome sooth ing relaxation.

Want to buy a CD and help a charitable cause at the same time? Then take a close look at Luna de Verano by Bathsheeba Peralta. This features music by Denis Valerga and vocals by Melissa Mclntosh. Proceeds go to the Gibraltar Asso ciation for Children in Care. With Denis Valerga involved you know the music will be of extremely high quality, as will the recording and production.

Why is an excellent songwriter

Currently available on the Rock Solid album are some of the best songs he has written over the past few years.

In addition you geta great rocker from Dirty Work, another beauty

One of the hottest albums to hit the local scene in a while is the new album by the band formerly known as G/oh' and now known as Milbajac. The tragic death of Michael Danino roblred the band of their talisman, but the boys have shown great determination in achieving so much. Given the po sition the band are now in via their contacts in the States this has to be the album of the year. Make no mis take Milbajac are the band to watch in 2004. I am looking forward to their concert in the New Year to launch the album live. It promises to be the first big gig of 2004.To re ally appreciate their new music get hold of the new album without de- lay and that will enhance your en joyment of their New Year's concert as well.

If you want to hedge your bets and get an overview of the local scene why not invest in a copy of Gib Connection?just look at the art ists appearing on it and if that doesn't tempt you to part with some of your hanl earned cash then nothing will. Lovingly put together by the mad drummer, Louis, and Peter Martinez, it is an excellent introduction to the world of local music. On the subject of Peter Martinez, one of my favourite re leases is still his excellent solo al bum entitled Lei'anter Breeze.

On a more general front we have right at the back of the store for lo cal releases.Pay them all a visitand you will find the staff very helpful in indicating local music.

Many of you will have enjoyed the great concert by Elie Massias and his Brookli/n Project Band and will be eagerly awaiting the John Macintosh Hall Live limited edition CD coming from it. If you haven't already done so check out his World in Fiction album and find out for yourselves whatthe New York jazz scene has been admiring for years! The title track is an absolutely gor geous acoustic song laced with ref erences to his beloved Gibraltar.

Other by Richard Yeats, the Valerga Brothers, Chris Francis,

200S at t/e <S//ott ^otel

Yie invite you to join usfor a traditionalfestive holiday, where the emphasis is on quality combined with a relaxed andfriendly atmosphere.

had a few musical visitors to the Rock this year and 1 am delighted to point out that Steve Balsamo,re turning to the Rock soon,has left a few signed copies of his All I Am CD in Music Corner and the Lord Nelson. Additionally, Gary Pickford-Hopkins' superb album GPH, part recorded in Gibraltar's Bam Studios with the cover photo taken by yours truly outside the Eliott Hotel,is available in those es tablishments and at Vijay. Indeed the best display for local CDs can be found in Vijay's as the proprie tors have created a whole section

Melon Diesel, Vibrations,Arrival,the Calpe Singers,and Glen Diani's One Minute Silence, are just a few of the other releases available. On a tight budget? Then why not download £(asj/-K's free music on their website!

Having compiled this list even I am amazed at just what a diverse selection of music is available from Gibraltar artists. So why not be a little different this year and do yourself and the local music scene a favour by treating yourselves to some music with a Gibraltar con nection!

Tercentenary Events January'04

Wednesday 7th — Presentation and exhibition of Schools' Tercen tenary Posters. Series of posters covering major events of the last 300 years commissioned for use in schools. At John Mackintosh Hall

Thursday 15th — Heritage Talk 1 (Inaugural lecture): "Identity".

Speaker: Professor Clive Finlayson. This is the first in a se ries of 17 talks organised by the

Gibraltar Museum which will be held over the year and which will cover different aspects of Gibral tar's history, heritage,culture,so cial and politicial development during the last 300 years. At John Mackintosh Hall (8.30pm).

Thursday 29th — Heritage Talk 2: "Women of Gibraltar".Speaker:n)r Sam Benady at John Mackintosh HaU (8.30pm).

~ Christmas Eve (Wednesday 24th December)

7.30pm

Champagne reception in our Terrace Bar Christmas Carols

8.30pm

Christmas Eve Gala Dinner

~ Christmas Day(Thursday 25th December)

Breakfast at leisure 12.00pm

Pre-Iunch drinks, highlighted by a visit from Father Christmas Christmas Lunch

~ Boxing Day ~ (Friday 26th December)

Breakfast at leisure

11.00 am

Polar Bear Swim at Catalan Bay, with mince pies and brandy to follow 1.15pm

Buffet lunch

S.OOpm

Boxing Day dinner with live Jazz Band

- New Year's Eve (Wednesday 31st December) S.OOpm

Pool Bar 8th floor , Welcome cocktail, p dinner dance with live band, and wonderful novelties

Champagne at midnight

Governor's Parade,Gibraltar Ta:(350)70500 Fax:(350)70243

E-mail: aioTT@oiBNET.Gi the HOTEL