10 October 2006

• a songwriting workshop
• Allan Taylor concerts
• and even having time for a little performance too... jiva's German debut.

Songwriting Workshop

We arrived in Brauneberg on Friday 29 September and, having checked in at the Gehlen Cornelius Hotel, we met with the other participants at the Mosella Music School before heading off for an Allan Taylor concert a few kilometres away.

On Saturday it was down to business - finding out about each other's background, skills and interests. We explored with Allan what we all hoped to gain from the workshop, and discussed many aspects of songwriting. We also started on the 'coursework' of composing a song before rounding the evening off around the dining table with a meal and a selection of local wines.

Sunday allowed the group to further develop the lyrics of our budding communal song and Ulli Boegershausen showed us his fingerpicking building-kit techniques and how it might be applied. We then divided the the day between guitar tuition and continuing to build the song with an agreed set of lyrics to which we all contributed. Allan gave us some chords (in the key of G) around which to base our melody - and 3 different melodies/accompaniments started to emerge. Then there was an evening meal at a local restaurant... and it was back to the hotel for homework, more wine, and discussions till the early hours.

Monday morning was divided between Ulli continuing the guitar tuition and Allan helping us round off our individual songs. The afternoon was free time during which we explored nearby Bernkastel and honed our version of the song into the beginnings of a jiva arrangement with Val singing lead in the verses and Jimmy in the choruses. The group re-assembled in the evening for a final dinner and more wine - and, of course, more music. Ulli started proceedings with some dazzling 12-string guitar playing, then we each performed our versions of the song, and one of the group played a song he had written during the week-end. Another group member sang 'Jack And Lucy', a Hugh Moffatt song which he dedicated to jiva - wow! Allan closed the musical soiree part of the evening, and the group chatted and shared stories like old friends. Then the group members said our goodbyes as we walked back to the hotel.

What a brilliant week-end! Not only did we learn a lot, but we also made new friends and even wrote a song! Thanks to Ulli and Claudia Boegershausen for organising the workshop and for their wonderful hospitality. Thanks to Allan for inspiration, advice and sharing the stories as well as the skills. And thanks to the other participants - we're sure we'll meet again:

• Mike Lloyd
• Thilo Hartmann
• Arno Weber
• Michael Dumler

Allan Taylor Concerts

We saw Allan perform in Wittlich on the first evening of the songwriting workshop. Ulli Boegershausen played some solo guitar pieces and they played 2 numbers together. It was a smashing concert (in a synagogue) with 2 encores - a taste of what was to come.

Next, in Koenigswinter, was a concert with Ulli playing the first set and Allan playing his set after the break. After a standing ovation they had 2 encores from a very appreciative audience.

Heading south, the next gig was in Oberotterbach - an intimate atmosphere in a small bar/cafe/restaurant cellar. This was the venue for jiva's German debut, and we are honoured to have opened the night with 4 songs. Again Allan charmed the audience with his playing and singing and stories - and again there were encores.

The following day it was an even longer trek to Nurnberg. Yet again the audience were treated to wonderful music and the stories behind the songs - and yet again a double encore... we're sure they would have had him play till dawn! (It was almost dawn by the time we got back to our hotel after a long, long drive...)

The final concert of the German tour was in Darmstadt. We got to Darmstadt early, hoping to do some shopping and see a little of the town - but we had difficulty in finding the venue (our satellite navigation system got us to the area, but we trawled the streets for ages, eventually logging on in an internet cafe where we managed to pinpoint the theatre on the town streetmap). Allan gave another great performance, ending again with 2 encores and great applause.

We sold Allan's CDs at all the concerts - thus allowing Allan more time to spend with the people who had come to see him... many travelling long distances. As well as thoroughly enjoying the performances, we found people keen to learn more about Allan and his forthcoming projects (a DVD about his life as a singer/songwriter, the next CD, progress with the songbook, etc). It was a privilege for us to gain some insight into 'life on the road' and we sincerely thank Allan for sharing it with us.

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