The Music of Ben Walker

Live Dates


	No gigs at the moment.

I Got to a Stage…

In the first few weeks of 2004, I played three solo shows in Suffolk and West Yorkshire. The first of these was undertaken with a heavy cold (did you have it too?), the third with a migraine and during the second I suffered from NEAS (Non-Existent Audience Syndrome). A month later, myself and the Canadian writer Stuart Ross put on an event in Toronto called Kat Biscuits. This featured ourselves and poet Lillian Necakov. Having not played in Toronto since 1995, it was a special occasion for me.

By way of a complete contrast, in mid-March The Ben Walker Group performed a 10-song set in Suffolk at the kind invitation of Andy Bell of Polstead. Thanks to Nick Aynsley (bass) and Pete McLean (drums).

I was at the Bildeston Beer Festival, Suffolk, in May. One of the reasons for being there was to play keyboards with grungy rock outfit The Score. I also provided a classical interlude on mandolin with nonchalant guitarist Chris Northall. I first played at the beer festival in 1986, with Patrick Naylor on guitar. Our set was hijacked that day by a drunken egotist who thought he could play blues harmonica.

Talking of egotists, the landlord of the Bildeston King's Head, Kevin Harrison, was murdering a few perfectly innocent jazz standards during the 'busking' period of the festival. Kevin has been a great encourager of live music in rural Suffolk for nearly 20 years. I'll always draw strength from his words to me of many moons ago: "Don't give up your day job."

During Summer 2004, a series of solo shows took place in which new material was premiered, old material dusted off and middle-aged material given a facelift. The most memorable gig was made into a DVD. It was my 'Ultimate Career Night'. On one night I shared a bill with a duo whose every song had an unrepeatable title (due to censorship laws). On another, I borrowed a speaker stand shaped like a question mark. Sometimes there was a pig being roasted in the background, sometimes there wasn't. Thanks to all who attended.