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April 2002 * *
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Latest
------
The Melting Pot website has finally been updated - not a major
redesign, but a bit of a spruce up and check that everything's up to
date. We now have a proper online CD sales facility courtesy of CD
Street, priced in dollars but it'll accept orders from anywhere and
the CDs are still despatched from our living room. And, most
important of all, it works. All the time.

One of the facilities offered by CD Street is the ability to add CD
reviews so I'd like to invite all of you who feel so inclined to
write a review of the CD of your choice, whether it's Souls of Fire,
Las Patatas Bravas or the Frescobaldi Consort. Anonimity is assured
if you're shy! Go to http://www.cdstreet.com/artists/meltingpot/,
click on your chosen CD, then click the "Review this recording" link
to add a review.

Escape from Romsey
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Friday 19th April sees Skimmington Ride escape the confines of the
Tudor Rose to play Legends in Bevois Valley, Southampton. Can't get
out on Sundays? Can't get to Romsey? Now's your chance! Since it's a
first gig at a new venue it would be great to see as many friends as
possible on Friday. Don't worry though, we're not abandoning the
Tudor - we're still there every fortnight.

Recorders for the spring
-----------------------
It's been all change for the Frescobaldi Consort following the
release of their CD, An Italian Feast, in November 2001. Nicky has
moved to London, so we welcome back Gilly who returns after a break
of about ten years. She's just in time to join us for our first
concert of the season at Edmund Kell Unitarian Church, London Road,
Southampton on Saturday 11th May.

Dragons on the prowl
--------------------
Back in December of last year I got invited to join Welsh folk-
rockers Here Be Dragons for a four-night tour of Italy, which was
great fun - at least by the last gig when I'd finally learnt the set!
Following on from that, I got invited back again this year for an
eight-day tour March. Check out the silly photos on their website at
http://www.hereBdragons.co.uk.

Solo Nic
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By the time you read this, Nic's latest solo creation should be
uploaded to his MP3 site at http://www.mp3.com/nicbradford. The
track, Arabesque, is a haunting eastern-influenced ambient number
featuring wordless vocals from Vicki Hobbs. Have a listen and let us
know what you think. Souls of Fire fans who liked Mitzva Tants will
love this!

Beggars needed
--------------
Advance warning: This year's Beggars Fair in Romsey is on 12/13 July
2002. For my sins, I've volunteered to coordinate the stewards this
year. We need between 20 and 35 bodies to help everything run
smoothly - stage crew, programme sellers, info stand helpers, or just
rattle a tin for a while. The more people we have, the less each
person has to do. Email me at cath@... if you think you
can help. The Beggars Fair website has moved to
http://www.beggarsfair.com

All the best, hope to see you at a gig sometime soon,
Cath


GIG LIST
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Friday 19 April 2002 at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Legends, Bevois Valley, Southampton

Sunday 28 April 2002 at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Saturday 11 May 2002 at 7.30pm
The Frescobaldi Consort
Edmund Kell Unitarian Church, Bellevue Terrace (off London Road),
Southampton

Sunday 12 May 2002 at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Sunday 26 May 2002 at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Sunday 9 June at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Sunday 23 June at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Saturday 6 July at 2pm
Early Music Day at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum
including the Frescobaldi Consort
Singleton, near Chichester, West Sussex

Sunday 7 July at 9pm
Skimmington Ride
Tudor Rose, Cornmarket, Romsey, Hampshire

Friday 12 and Saturday 13 July
Beggars Fair, Romsey
including Las Patatas Bravas, Skimmington Ride and over 40 other acts