Trans-Siberian Express

Somehow I managed to squeeze in a little light relief in an ultra-heavy work week by checking out a gig at the Cobden Club by singer-songwriter, Tim Pare. As a pleasant surprise, it turned out to be a bit of a showcase by a number of new artists, but the best set was still Tim’s collection of songs written on the Trans-Siberian Express. Very few people can claim to have written an entire album somewhere between Vladivostok and Moscow, and encouragingly the flatness of the scenery is not reflected in the music, which he describes as ‘acoustic confessional’.

I’d forgotten what a joy it is to listen to live music in a small, relaxed venue. I’ve long since given up going to massive concerts where the bands are little more than matchstick men in the distance, so you end up watching it all on a screen anyway. As a boredom protest, I once even managed to fall asleep at a Chris de Burgh concert that an ex – with a clear musical taste bypass, obviously – had taken me to, although that was probably more due to my absolute distaste for Mr Lady In Red than the size of the venue. But I digress ... a bit of a chill-out, lounging around on leather ottomans in a candle-lit venue listening to great storytelling in song is far more my speed.

That leads me neatly to this week’s challenge – to do something you haven’t done in years. Scrabble around in the vaults and try to remember something that was fun for you that you’re just out of the habit of doing. Or maybe something you used to love when you were a teenager, but you’re convinced you’re too old for now. Whatever it is, dust it off and give it a go. It’s time to find room for a little fun in unexpected ways.

And if you want to help out a new artist who's already managed to feature in the Guardian and Mail on Sunday without a record deal, here’s another challenge:

If 3,000 people download Tim Pare’s first single, Still In Love, in the week commencing 25 June, he could become the first unsigned singer-songwriter to break into the Top 40. Downloads are 80p and if you get more than 10 friends to do it too, he’ll thank you by name on the album sleeve notes. Go to http://www.timpare.com/, have a listen, and decide if you want to help him in make chart history.

Click through to the Coach Fabulous advice column by using the link in the Favourite Sites section on the right or by going to http://coachfabulous.blogspot.com. For alert emails on new postings, email subscribe@iamfabulous.co.uk. To contact me, email coachfabulous@iamfabulous.co.uk. All material © 2007 Alison Porter. No article may be reproduced in full or in part without the express permission of the author. (Originally posted 18 Jun 07)