Memorial Concert for Instrumental Player in Performing Arts Success-guest Steve Balsamo

NPTC Group of Colleges helped to pay tribute to one of its former lecturers by hosting a memorial concert at Nidum Arts Centre in Neath College. The show was studded with renowned musicians and performers including current and previous staff members, and College alumni. Among those performing on the evening were guitarist Jackson Lucitt, soprano Rebecca Evans and singer/songwriter Steve Balsamo.  

Alan Good lectured at Neath College in the 1990s and early 2000s. Along with his fellow lecturers at that time, Alan was instrumental in raising the profile of the performing arts provision at Neath College and helped to cement the excellent reputation of the Creative and Visual Performing Arts provision.
In June 2017, Alan sadly passed away. In the time following Alan’s death, his daughter, Hannah Good, was driven to set up the Alan Good Musical Bursary in his honour. The Alan Good memorial concert was organised to fund the cash prize awarded to a woodwind instrumentalist at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Speaking on the evening of the sold-out gala event, Hannah said:
“When my father died, we realised just how many people had been affected by his death. We received so many messages of condolence from his colleagues and former students here at the College that we as a family knew we had to do something to continue his legacy.
“We knew it had to be about music and education, so we came up with the idea of the Alan Good Bursary. Rewarding a deserving woodwind musician at audition level with the means to overcome barriers to study seemed to be so in keeping with my father’s philosophy. The memorial concert was an extension of that vision. To be able to raise money for the bursary – while reuniting past students, staff and friends to celebrate my father’s life – is something that of which I’m proud. And to hold it at the College was the obvious choice.”
And as the idea grew, so it became apparent who would perform: the very people whose careers her father had shaped. The atmosphere at the event was one of celebration and reminiscence. Steve Balsamo, lead singer with Americana rock band The Storys, said it was his honour to have been asked to perform on the evening. Speaking with Andy Collins, bass player with The Storys,

Steve said:
“Neath College, and Alan Good, will always hold a piece of my heart. When I studied here at the College, I played the lead role in Jesus Christ Superstar. Off the back of that, I ended up auditioning for Andrew Lloyd-Webber and landing the role of Jesus Christ in the West End.”
Andy Collins added: “The College is such an important part in guiding musicians and performing artists and that is something Alan was so passionate about. Wherever Alan is, I’m sure he’s looking down and smiling.”
Vicky Burrows, Head of Creative, Visual and Performing Arts at NPTC Group of Colleges said:
“It is a privilege to host the Alan Good Memorial Concert here at Nidum Arts Centre and to support the bursary in his name. Alan was a key player in the success of the performing arts courses, and that’s a reputation that is still going strong today. To have so many people here to show their respect and support is a testament to how much people loved and respected Alan Good.”

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

 

Steve Balsamo - Sonic One Sessions

Click on read more to watch video https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

Fishing For The Truth with Steve Balsamo- Part 2

Gepubliceerd op 12 okt. 2018 “Some people write songs and you want to dance, I just want to break your heart...open!”- Steve Balsamo. Bruce Springsteen, songwriting, death and Steve’s infamous performance of ‘Gethsemene’ at the Ahoy arena, Holland in 2004 are just some of the topics we discuss in this second part of Fishing For The Truth. This conversation is a fascinating window in to what makes this talented artist tick! I hope you enjoy watching this video, please feel free to share with others x *Special thanks to Ben Robbins at The Umbrella Studios. http://www.theumbrellarooms.com/sound

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

Steve Balsamo -interview juli 2th 2011

new television series starts tonight looking at just what special qualities go into making a truly timeless pop song. But Swansea singer-songwriter Steve Balsamo tells Nathan Bevan that he believes one Welsh band captured that magic more than 40 years ago and are yet to be bettered



Whether it’s London Calling by The Clash or Agadoo by Black Lace, the mark of a good pop song is one that will sink its hooks into the listener’s brain and refuse to let go.



And, be it the work of punk upstarts railing against the socio-political mores of modern Britain or a Eurovision-begetting novelty act given to dressing up as giant pineapples, all those songs started life in exactly the same way – as scribbled ideas on a notepad, the back of a cigarette packet or a cocktail napkin.



It’s precisely that journey that will be explored on the BBC from tonight as the network launches a two-month long celebration of and investigation into the craft of songwriting.



Called Secrets Of The Pop Song, the three-part series sees Guy Chambers – the man whose starry CV includes the co-writing credit on Robbie Williams’ mega-hits – dissect the art of penning perfect pop by collaborating with different artists to write a new song each week, while we at home track its progress from the written page to being performed live.



The series, featuring contributions from musical heavy-hitters like Sting and Brian May, will also see Chambers attempt to create a radio-friendly anthem with soul-rockers The Noisettes and team up with celebrated record producer Mark Ronson to score that elusive breakthrough single.



In the first episode though, Chambers will collaborate with American singer Rufus Wainwright to produce a timeless ballad, a skill that would appear to require an ingredient best referred to as ‘The Ex Factor’ – the ability to tap into one’s own heartbreak and channel it to pen a bona fide tear-jerker.



It’s something a lot of Welsh acts are more than acquainted with.



When his relationship with actress and society girl Sienna Miller went into very public free fall, Ruthin-raised actor Rhys Ifans threw himself into working with his rock band Y Peth, whose debut LP The Golden Mile included a tortured confessional called Stonefinger.



“Every little thing you said would break me. All of it came true. Every bit of love I give. You mock it, yes you do,” sang Ifans, before subsequently denying it was about Miller and adding that the lyrics had been penned before they’d even met.



Meanwhile, Stereophonics’ Kelly Jones, more used to singing about the minutiae of Valleys life, turned the spotlight on his own private affairs come album number four, You Gotta Go There To Come Back – the gravel-throated Cwmaman vocalist writing Rainbows And Pots Of Gold about his split from a childhood sweetheart.



But surely the peerless pop yardstick by which all else should be measured is Without You, the seminal effort from ill-fated Swansea band Badfinger.



Their 1970 chart-topping smash has since been recorded by more than 180 artists including Shirley Bassey, Harry Nilsson and Mariah Carey and was once described by The Beatles’ Paul McCartney as “the killer song of all time”.



Fellow Swansea star Steve Balsamo, for one, couldn’t agree more with the former Fab Four legend’s accolade.



“I suppose Macca’s more than a little qualified to comment as to what makes a good tune,” laughs the former West End Stage star-turned rocker.



“Without You is one of my favourite tracks of all time and a prime case of someone using a terrible heartache they’d suffered to inspire a musical moment that connects with everyone who hears it – which is what every songwriter worth their salt tries to achieve.”



Adding that its poignancy was only compounded by the group’s own tragic story – financial and legal woes led to two members of the group committing suicide tragically young – Balsamo says that the old adage of writing about what you know was crucial in creating something memorable.



“You have to pour yourself, good experiences and bad, into your work because all of us have the same feelings, wants, fears and needs; that stuff’s universal,” he smiles, recalling how he also took tips from another master of the trade.



“When my last band The Storys supported Elton John we’d all stand at the side of the stage watching him every night with our jaws on the floor.



“It was incredible just how many brilliant tunes that man has, from ballads like I Guess That’s Why They Call It The Blues to out-and-out pop numbers like I’m Still Standing – it was like being given a free pass to the best songwriting school in the world.”



So where do his songs find life?



“Like every other lyricist I used to jot ideas down whenever they came to me, so my house would be crammed with bits of paper with ideas written on them,” reveals Balsamo.



“Now it all goes into my Blackberry so my wife shouts at me less, and if I get inspired on the train or something I’ll lock myself in the toilet and quietly sing melodies into my voice recorder.”



He adds: “But that’s the beauty of it – you go into a room with nothing and, hopefully, you come out with something that’ll move people – alchemy, basically.



“True, you can be scientific about it, and a lot of jobbing songwriters watch the current trends and learn how to craft tunes to order for various different artists, and Guy Chambers is a great example of that.”



But Balsamo believes serendipity could have a role to play in what makes a song special.



“A mate of mine called Steve Booker had a huge success writing with Duffy on her first album and that only happened because he put his London flat on the market and she came round to view it and they got chatting,” he says.



“So perhaps it’s destiny that great tracks like Mercy are born, but maybe that’s just the old romantic in.me.

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

The Storys -five-album deal

The Storys received a bumper Christmas gift this year, signing a five-album deal with the Warner Group record label.

The major deal means their recent release, The Storys, will be put out worldwide on Warner's Korova label.

Frontman Steve Balsamo says: "We are delighted. Wednesday, December 21, was an auspicious day to sign the deal. It was the winter solstice and it was also Dai's birthday.

"We did a bit of celebrating and played a great gig that night at the Ginglik Club in London."

The Storys are the first band to be signed to the relaunched Korova label. Steve says its rejuvenation is a sign of a positive move in the music industry to recognise diverse and mature tastes that are looking for something more substantial than pre-teen pop.

"I think since the success of acts like KT Tunstall and James Blunt, there is a move to meet more adult tastes."

On the back of the deal the band will head off to one of the most important music events in the international calendar, South By South West, out in Austin, Texas, in March.

Grandaddy of Grunge Neil Young will be there and other acts making the trip include KT Tunstall, Beth Orton, Tom Verlaine, Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Death in Vegas.

The Storys will head off for mega music-networking shindig Midem, in Cannes in January too.

Steve says his previous rocky deal with Sony gave him some invaluable experience.

"We are completely positive about this. They are taking the whole album, lock, stock and barrel, so we feel we are steering this one from the beginning.

"We have all been working so hard at this for so long. And we have put the record out on our own, so we know we can do it ourselves." 

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

The Storys

What's the Storys?
Mar 10 2006, Gavin Allen, South Wales Echo

His huge shadow hung over the conversation from the second it started. Plain fact: Welsh band The Storys have been handed the coveted support slot on Elton John's UK tour.

"Totally surreal," said singer/guitarist Steve Balsamo. "Our manager called and said, Brace yourself. Elton John is going to call you in 10 minutes. So I spent 10 minutes dancing around the room and then he called, 'Hi Steve, it's Elton'. I have met a lot of famous people but I've never been so tripped out as I was speaking to him."

Elton's backing clearly pays off - just ask James Blunt, Anastacia, Ryan Adams or the Scissors Sisters.

"There's no guarantee it will happen for us, but if nothing else happens with this album, having Elton John validate the songs like that is worthwhile."

Validation is a big but accurate word and there's no hiding the fact that Balsamo is unashamedly parading that validation (who wouldn't?) hoping his career of aborted launches is finally paying off.

"I've been close a few times, yeah. I think we have a lot of respect from artists we have worked with, but we do want commercial success. In medicine, if you put in 12 years work you will be a consultant and we've put in our 12 years, we want our consultancy."

The six-strong Swansea outfit are in the middle of promotional work for the release of their self-titled debut album on March 27, the first of a five-album deal with label giant Warners.

Their unusual set-up of four singers - Balsamo plus Andy Collins (bass), Dai Smith (guitar) and Rob Thompson (guitar) with Brian Thomas (drums) and Alan Thomas (keyboards) - is bleached with experience and Radio 2 loves their 1970s West Coast influence.

"We were in a pub called the Red Lion in Barnes, London, after recording some Radio 2 sessions to have a celebratory drink and across the room the Gallagher brothers were drinking with Kasabian! It's moving so fast for us at the moment that it's important to sit down after every little achievement and celebrate it because you never know what's going to happen next."

Those words show Balsamo has trodden this road before and knows promises often lead nowhere.

"When I had a deal with Sony it was very much a case of 'Let's throw some money at it all and see what sticks'. But it feels very different this time. I hope it is."


https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

steve Balsamo -debutalbum

Na onenigheid met platenmaatschappij Sony, ondervond steve's eerste album "all I am" grote problemen met het uitbrengen ervan. Maar achter de schermen bij de BBC wales talenten jacht "Just Up Your Street", straalt de walese zanger en acteur een verbazingwekkende zekerheid uit,terwijl hij zich voorbereidt om deze wedstrijd te jureren. Hij spreekt met ons over het kwaad dat muziekwereld heet en waarom Nashville werkelijk is wat het is.

Is, sinds de beëindiging van het contact met Sony, je motief om de muziekwereld in te gaan veranderd?
Nee, helemaal niet. Ik wilde de muziekwereld in omdat ik gek ben op muziek, en dat is nog steeds het geval. Muziek is een constant gegeven: iets wat nooit verandert. Maar wat ik heb geleerd over de platenindustrie de laatste jaren heeft mijn ogen werkelijk geopend. Je hebt muziek en de zakelijke kant ervan. Ze zouden eigenlijk niet samen moeten gaan.

Wat gebeurt er nu met "All I am"?
Ik promoot hem nu zelf nu de samenwerking met Sony officieel beëindigd is. Er was niks mis met het album, Alleen met de mensen die het wilden uitbrengen. Je gelooft die onzin niet. Er zijn echt geweldige platen gemaakt die de kans niet krijgen, en dat ligt aan de manier waarop die mensen werken. Maar het voelt geweldig om het heft nu in eigen handen te nemen.

Heb je in deze onrustige tijd nog gelegenheid gehad om nieuwe nummers te schrijven?
Oh, dat moet ik, absoluut! Ik schrijf iedere dag, waar ik ook ben, of het nu in de studio is of thuis met een dictafoon en mijn gitaar. Ik woon in Chiswick, net om de hoek bij Led Zeppelin's John Paul Jones huis, dus er is inspratie genoeg.

Door dit album en Jesus Christ Superstar heb ik heel wat van de wereld gezien en het heeft me de gelegenheid gegeven te werken met de meest gewelidge musici. De gaafste klus was het schrijven met Tim Schmidt van the Eagles. Voor mij is dat altijd DÉ band geweest, The Eagles zijn je van het!

Het is moeilijk om van je musical-label af te komen. Sla je met je nieuwe nummers een andere richting in?

Ja, zeker. Ik had een reuze interessant musical-aanbod maar ik was ook bezig om een band samen te stellen. Ik nam mijn beslissing om het af te slaan in Nashville - vlakbij Cardiff, dat is de plaats waar ik gek op ben,waar ze musici echt waarderen.

Hoe dan ook, de band gaat Grand Canyon heten.
Ik wil 5 zangers op het podium en een band bestaande uit 5 leden die echt samen gaan werken. Het wordt een mix van the Eagles en Jackson Brown met een vleugje Crosby Stills and Nash - maar met een lading heftige beats. Wat David Gray deed voor Bob Dylan wil ik doen voor The Eagles. We zouden zelfs een tour kunnen doen met iemand zoals Wilco.

Wilco en Ryan Adams zij echt doorgebroken bij het grote publiek als songwriter. Hoe sta jij daar tegenover?
Ryan Adams is fantastisch. Ik denk echt dat goede songwriters meer gewaardeerd worden tegenwoordig. Ik denk ironisch genoeg dat dat het enige positieve is wat uit deze popster-onzin is voorgevloeid. Ze zeggen in shows tegenwoordig meer over songwriters. En wanneer ze een nummer op de radio draaien zeggen ze nu ook wie het nummer geschreven heeft, of het nu Cathy Dennis of Don Henley of Tom Waits is.

Cardiff, London, Nashville... wat is het volgende?
Ik vind het momenteel heerlijk om in Londen te wonen maar ik ben in veel plaatsen geweest en Cardiff is echt één van de meest levendige plaatsen in de wereld. Het is zó veranderd - Ik snap echt niet waar al het geld vandaan komt. Ik heb de theorie dat ze olie onder de baai hebben en het niet iedereen vertellen. Ja, ik vind het heerlijk om hier terug te komen.

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

Steve Balsamo - Ships

Ships is the first song from the forthcoming EP "Circle The Wagons".
A yearning song about love and not quite making the connection this time around.
Film magickally made by Gareth Davies https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

Fishing For The Truth with Steve Balsamo- Part1

Steve) Thanks to my lovely friend Nia for this interview for her Fishing For The Truth video series. We started talking about music and my forthcoming EP, but it soon switched to the paranormal, high strangeness and weird shit in general! I learnt a couple of things; I'm definitely a hippy, and I can talk a glass eye to sleep. x

https://stevebalsamo.blogspot.com/

Cliff Richard records song Gonna be alright written by Steve Balsamo

It's all GONNA BE ALRIGHT.
So here's a funny old story. It's long, and a bit rambling...but there are some lovely coincidences and weird stuff at play...
It's 1983 and Paddy, Blakey and I are waiting outside Con's house for our usual morning stroll to school. In the gutter I noticed a wallet, so picked it up to have a look inside. There wasn't any money (we were gutted as Space Dust was all the rage, and we fancied a hit before school), but there were a few credit cards with the initials M Hayes. At school I handed it into one of the teachers (Von Bastard I think it was), and a few hours later was called out of class as they'd found the owner.
Melvyn Hayes, the actor, was playing at The Grand Theatre in Swansea with Windsor Davies in Babes In The Wood, and he'd had his wallet stolen the night before. He was delighted I'd found it and invited me and some mates to the show. He was lovely (Windsor was too, but very, very drunk), and I remember asking him lots of questions about the film Summer Holiday, as my mam was a huge Cliff Richard fan and my brother and I had watched it many times.
As a kid I used to make up little songs before going to sleep (my son Frankie does exactly the same thing now), and mam used to tell me that Cliff would sing one of my songs one day. Even as a kid I remember thinking it was a random thing to say!
Years later, I'm playing Jesus at The Lyceum, and one evening Carol Spraggs our company manager says, 'make an effort today Balsamo, Cliff is in to see us'.
After the show, he popped back to say hello, and was delightful.
I told him that my mam would have had a small nervous breakdown if she knew we were chatting - she had been to see the show the day before, and was gutted when I told her. Cliff was playing Heathcliff in town at the time, and invited us along to his show. We had a great night.
A few years later mam was diagnosed with lung cancer, and after her second round of chemo, was struggling. Cliff had heard she was unwell through Carol Spraggs, and had sent a gorgeous card urging her to stay positive, keep her chin up and keep singing.
I remember visiting mam when she was very unwell. One of her loves in life was visiting the hairdresser regularly, but she had just returned and had what was left of her hair all cut off, and was feeling very fed up.
I said, "mam, there's a card here for you". "Who's it from", she said.
I said I didn't know, handed it to her and went to put the kettle on.
"Jesus Christ, it's from Cliff!", she screamed. Made her day, and probably her year.
Love her, she passed away not long after.
A few years ago, I wrote two cool songs with Ben Robbins and Peter Wright, both excellent writers. One was called Looking For The Lightening, and the other, Gonna Be Alright.
A few months ago Peter called and said that Cliff was really interested in singing one on his new album.
I'm delighted to tell you that Cliff Richard has recorded Gonna Be Alright. It's track 4 on his new album, Rise Up which is released in November.
Dear old mam was right!
Steve x