Martin Clarke’s Blues session - I first started listening to Martin’s show 9 months ago and during that time it has quickly become an essential part of my weekend. I didn’t know much about blues music at the beginning but I feel as though I’m on a weekly learning journey with Martin. I love the way he gives an insight into the lives of featured artists and background information on every track he plays. He knows when to slow the pace down to help his listeners chill out in the second hour of the show and the tone of his voice reflects this too. Martin really manages to share his passion of blues with his audience and encourages his listeners to go out and experience it first hand by giving details of local gigs. When Martin has guest musicians playing live in the studio, you get swept along with the energy and excitement of it all. His easy manner and natural humour makes you wonder if they are lifelong friends of his. This week he even sang a song and played a bit of blues harp...and it was brilliant!

Heather Harrison

Playing the Blues on community radio

 So, Friday saw me taking the two ol’ gals over to Radio Wey for Martin Clarke’s Blues Session show (Friday’s 9pm on www.radiowey.co.uk)

What a fun way to spend a couple of hours....playing the blues and talking about National guitars. I also consider it a matter of personal triumph that I had a hand in getting Mississippi Fred McDowell and Casey Bill Weldon records played on a community radio station! Radio Wey has it’s origins in Hospital Radio and whilst it is (hopefully) not far off getting a full-on FM license, the adjacent St Peter’s Hospital still makes up a significant chunk of the listenership. I have to say, that was playing on my mind a little when I was thinking about what songs to play....half my repertoire is about sickness and death! Even then, as I was driving home, I was wondering how the second verse of “How Can A Poor Man Stand Such Times And Live” (which I did play) might have gone down with any staff that were listening:

“Well, the doctor comes around with his face all bright And he says in a little while it’ll be alright

But all he gives is a humbug pill

A dose of dope and a great big bill

Tell me how can a poor man stand such times an live”

I had this beautiful mental image of some bed-ridden patient pointing at a passing medic and yelling “yeah!” when they heard that one..... As soon as I have the audio, the highlights of the show will be available here (as a podcast and streaming if I can figure out the technology). Thanks to Martin for having me on the show. Hoping to get National Steel and my duo with Son Maxwell in there for sessions in the not too distant future.

LEWIS COHEN

I've been listening to Martin Clarke for over a year on Radio Wey. I find his style and professionalism very refreshing. His blues show is a perfect show to wrap up Friday night. I'm listening in the U.S. and there a few blues shows over here that I listen to on a regular basis. I have enjoyed these shows for many years and Martin's show is a welcome addition to the shows I listen to. Martin knows his music, has wonderful in-person guests in the studio and has a very appealing upbeat style. Give him a listen - you'll really enjoy it.

Jerry Bond

Hi Martin, Just a quick email to say thank you for sending on the CD’s of the radio interview. I am currently having a listen, it was a very enjoyable/relaxing interview and thank you for inviting me back. I have put up the posters you gave me at our Old Windsor site in the public area. Hope the rest of the FM shows go well.

Marion Jones

Radio London - Summer of Love 1967 - What a superb show! Excellent format and wonderful memories! And the style was so reminiscent of the good old days. My dream was also fulfilled – being able to do (virtual) Frinton flashing! Forty one years ago, on the morning of the dreadful day, it came to me what would be a most appropriate track to be the last ever on Big L. I guess they too thought there could only be one answer. Listening to the show on Friday I thought of mailing you but decided that everything was being recreated so authentically and there was no need – I could rely on you! And when “A Day in the Life” began, the goose bumps rose again – just as they had done all those years ago. That final chord…………!

Regards - Alan

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This coming Friday 30th July join Graham Hine for a solo appearance for the first time on The Blues Session.

NEXT UP . . . .

Friday 30th July - Graham Hine makes a solo appearance for the first time on The Blues Session.

Friday 6th August - Cherry Lee Mewis live on my show

Friday 13th August - The Mustangs live on my show

Friday 20th August - Adam Grogdope live on my show

27th August - The Ben Poole Band

3rd September James Litherland

More information soon . . . Listen in every Friday 9-11pm

www.radiowey.co.uk

Previously . . . .

Friday 23rd July - Laurie Gregory and ‘L’s Angels performed an acoustic folk set 'live' in the studio !

Friday 16th July - Papa George played live on my show

Friday 26th June - Robin Bibi a regular visitor to Radio Wey and a prolific song writer and performer

Friday 11th June my guest in the Studio was blues/rock guitarist and singer Clare Free. Clare performed live and talking about her career. www.clarefree.co.uk/

Friday 23rd April – Wey Down Blues Band – Local musicians provide a mix of traditional and Chicago Blues

Friday 16th April - The Mark Buck Band live in the studio. Don’t miss this one!

Friday 9th April – Adam Grogdope Band played Blues with a twist.

Friday 2nd April - The Untouchables played live in the studio for a set spanning all two hours of the show. This four piece band has performing excellent blues for many years. Check out www.myspace.com/theuntouchablesblues or e-mail p.ellison@ntlworld.com

Friday 12th - February two members of the David Raphel Band join me for an acoustic set and a chance to chat about the band.

Friday 26th February - The Bear Cats Blues Band play live in the studio, with sets spanning all of the show. (Full Band including Drums and Keyboards)

Friday 5th February - Robin Bibi joined Martin together with Lewis Cohen. Also joined by Fran Leslie, Editor of Blues in Britain Magazine to play her selected blues tracks and talk about her role with the magazine.

The Blues Session - Friday 11 Dec - ‘Grapevine Blues’ are performing live as a five piece (should be a squeeze!)

New Haw Leans Jug Band on the show Friday 2nd October

Marcus Malone guested on Friday 16th October

Former YardBird, Alan Glen 'live' on the show 23rd October

Local musician Richard Clarke will be playing an acoustic set and selecting Blues tracks during the 'BLUES SESSION' with Martin Clarke on Friday 3rd July after 9pm . . .

SIMON GARRARD - Played the new '2 Hour' Blues Session with Martin Clarke on Friday 22nd May . . . . .

Friday 8th May - Chaz Jefferies a very talented guitarist who also teaches guitar to students at Farnborough College. Live music? That really is; ‘Something for the Weekend’.

Robin Bibi played a great acoustic session fresh from launching the new Twickenham Stadium venue.

Sammy Beatnix play an acoustic set on Something for the Weekend after 9pm