"The Best it's ever been, be this good again..."

I always look forward to end of year lists of friends records, especially friends who I don't see that often who may have discovered a gem that I may have missed.

I have decided to list my 10 fave musical recordings, my fave gigs, my fave wildlife sightings and places I visited this year.

Hands down my fave album of the year is...

Helen Chambers - Penny Arcade 

http://shop.specialistsubjectrecords.co.uk/products/528428-helen-chambers-penny-arcade-cd-digital-preorder 

Closely followed by...

Young Conservatives - S/T https://youngconservatives.bandcamp.com/

Prawn - Kingfisher topshelfrecords.bandcamp.com/album/kingfisher

Failures Union - Tethering failuresunion.bandcamp.com

Echo & The Bunnymen – Meteorites www.bunnymen.com/

Personal Best – The Lovin’ personalbest.bandcamp.com/

Protectors – Soul & Fire is all we ever need protectors.bandcamp.com/

Owen – Other peoples’ songs owenmusic.com/

Stay Clean Jolene – S/T http://staycleanjolene.bandcamp.com/

Dolly Parton – Blue Smoke dollyparton.com/

My fave gigs:

Out of Spite 2014

Echo & The Bunnymen - Oxford 

Gregory Porter - Brecon Jazz

Failures Union - Undertone Cardiff

Helen Chambers - Le Pub
Dolly Parton - St David's Hall Cardiff
Gregory Porter - St David's Hall
Echo & The Bunnymen - Cardiff Uni
Pale Angels & Luuv - Le pub
Thousand Arrows - Last Gig at Moon

My wildlife highlights:

Seeing Puffins, Seals, Dolphins, Porpoise, Peregrines, Guillemots, Razorbills, Wheatear, Red legged Partridge, Chough, at RSPB South Stack

Seeing my first Weasel crossing the road near Barmouth

Seeing Little Ringed Plover and Chicks at Parc Slip

Seeing my first dog otter at Hamwall 

My fave places I visited:

South Stack

Holyhead - Holy mountain

Lisbon - Staggersaurus Rex

Barmouth - Hendre Fechan Cottage 
Ham Wall & Shapwick Heath

Merry Chrimbo & Happy New Year 
One Love
Stubbs
xx

Two little Gems...

Little Ringed Plover

I have been sworn to secrecy over the location, but I managed to see Little Ringed Plover for the first time last week. I also saw Mistle Thrush, Nuthatch, Red Kite, Jay, Coot with the cutest little chicks ever.

I also drew this Wren the other day which I am quite pleased with.

I also had a day volunteering at Hay festival with RSPB I didn't get to see much of the festival as I was busy giving out shots of Black Grouse Whiskey and selling raffle tickets. I did however, see War Horse as he passed right by our stand, I also saw three Red Kites, two Jays and raised £200 for RSPB restoring my well-being.

I am also currently loving the debut album from Helen Chambers - Penny Arcade. Any staunch advocates of the Coach house Acoustic Sessions may remember when she played at my house a while back. 

The album is a belter as expected. My fave track is Caravan, but I also love Paper & Glue. Also she is playing at Le pub Newport on the 13th of this month with Bedford Falls in support. The album is out now on Specialist Subject Records and is definitely my album of the month.

Check it out here: http://specialistsubject.bandcamp.com/album/penny-arcade

 

Here is a video from the aforementioned Helen Chambers Coach house session. I hope Helen doesn't mind me sharing it (backing vocals from Kelly Kemp) 
Get the album and get to the gig eh!