And it keeps on growing... Pacific Groove is now a 7 piece outfit! We dare not say this is the final, most stable line up. Especially as no fewer than 24 players have been involved with the concept that is Pacific Groove since January 2002. But here's hoping! Dan Russell says "A few weeks ago Andy Cousins left the band. Or to be more precise, he failed to turn up for three rehearsals in a row, and never made any contact whatsoever, so we decided we didn't like his attitude and didn't want him with us anyway. He had some nice songs, Vassell's Park in particular, but he don't live on the West Coast, like the rest of us. He is kind of gothic and blues ridden, and coupled with me busting my shoulder and not able to play guitar and drive the band, he took over in our live sets and we ended up playing some pretty awful, overlong blues songs and we totally bored our audiences.

The topper was two performances of my beloved Pacific Grove... the first was was so slow and mediocre that it lasted 10 minutes (people went out of the bar and did their weekly shop and came back to find we were still playing the effing song!) The second performance of the song lasted 2 minutes, played at punk - neck speed. Nobody clapped when we finished, and to hear the compere say "Go on, give them a clap, they are not that bad!" was the final straw!

We haven't played live since and have been busy rehearsing. The music is absolutely beautiful and subtle now. Christian and Paul have brought forth some great new songs and I have found I am writing again and really pleased with my new contribution California Dream. The last two rehearsals have been fabulous. On Friday Paul, Chris, Christian and I finally went through the 12 songs intended for our live set and which also could form the basis of our album. A Pacific Groove album has been a long time coming!

Then on Sunday, Jan, Claire and Lisa, three female singers we recruited from the choir we go to, came along. We worked on 7 part vocal arrangements for Flowers In A Warm Wind and Ease My Mind. I thought I was in heaven! Stunningly beautiful sound. My multi harmony dream I have harboured all these years is slowly becoming a reality. At the end of the session, Lisa said "Well, we are Approaching the Fluffy Outskirts Of Almost There!" I said " What a great title for the album...that says it all!" I am very excited about the band, more than ever, I believe."

DAN RUSSELL
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, 12 String Guitar, Electric Guitar

PAUL JONES
Vocals, Electric Guitar, Bass Guitar, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar

CHRIS HALES
Vocals, Keyboards

CHRISTIAN LIBERATI
Vocals, Bongos, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar, Harmonicas

JAN EDWARDS
Vocals, Shakers, Tambourine

CLAIRE O'CONNELL
Vocals, Shakers, Tambourine

LISA MIDDLE
Vocals, Shakers, Tambourine


"APPROACHING THE FLUFFY SUBURBS OF ALMOST THERE"
The Proposed Album and Live Set!

TITLE (Writer) SINGER

KID FROM L.A. (Russell) DAN
YOU & ME (Jones) DAN
TRAVELLING MAN (Liberati) CHRISTIAN
CALIFORNIA DREAM (Russell) DAN
RIGHT GIRL, WRONG TIME (Jones) PAUL
GIRLS IN THE OCEAN (Russell/Hales/Jones) PAUL & DAN
EASE MY MIND (Liberati) CHRISTIAN
YOSEMITE JIM (Russell) DAN
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND (Russell/Hales/Jones/Liberati) DAN
ALL WASHED UP (Liberati) CHRISTIAN
SUNSET BOULEVARD (Jones) PAUL
PACIFIC GROVE (Russell) DAN

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There have been more changes to the all-new Pacific Groove line up, with the departures of both James Gale and Richard Arthur, and the arrival of multi-instrumentalist Christian Liberati. Below you'll find details of the new band members and the new live set, with author credits and featured vocalist.

DAN RUSSELL - 47
Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Electric Lead Guitar, Shakers

PAUL JONES - 29
Vocals, Electric Lead Guitar, Keyboards, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar

CHRIS HALES - 43
Vocals, Keyboards

ANDY COUSINS - 41
Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Electric Lead Guitar, Slide Guitar,
Bass Guitar, Mandolin, Ukelele, Harmonica

CHRISTIAN LIBERATI - 37
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Harmonicas, Bass Guitar, Bongos, Shakers


PACIFIC GROOVE - The New Live Set

YOSEMITE JIM (Russell) Dan
VASSELL'S PARK (Cousins) Andy
YOU & ME (Jones) Dan
EASE MY MIND (Liberati) Christian
SUNFLOWER (Cousins) Andy
FLOWERS IN A WARM WIND (Cousins, Hales, Russell, Jones, Liberati) Dan
ALL WASHED UP (Liberati) Christian
SUNSET BOULEVARD (Jones) Paul
GIRL'S IN THE OCEAN (Hales, Jones, Russell, Cousins) Dan
PACIFIC GROVE (Russell) Dan

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Dan tells all. "Unfortunately, my relationship with Kate ended in July. We tried to remain friends and band mates, but to no avail. Kate left Midtide, because of the difficulties, and Steve decided to call it a day, for different reasons. He said his heart had gone out of the music, and had become very disillusioned with it all. During July I had been jamming with a number of musicians at Marlow's music bar and said to these guys, hey do you want to form a new band? They all said yes! This is the new Pacific Groove line up. Watch this space!

DAN RUSSELL : Vocals, 6 & 12 String Acoustic Guitars
PAUL JONES : Vocals, Keyboards, Electric Guitar
JAMES GALE : Vocals, Acoustic & Electric Guitars
ANDY COUSINS : Vocals, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar
CHRIS HALES : Keyboards, Vocals
RICHARD ARTHUR : Bongos, Percussion, Vocals

---

Loads has been happening in the musical world of Dan Russell, as Dan himself explains: "I saw Eagles guitarist, Joe Walsh, at Bierkeller, Bristol last night, for only a fiver! Amazing! Something to do with a guitar promotion deal he has got going with Pro Music, I think, hence so cheap! Anyway my ticket has been entered into a raffle to win one of his signed guitars! Such a great voice, fantastic guitar playing, he played quite a few songs, but workshopped a load too, and chatted in the most hilarious manner about his life - "I met Keith Moon in '69, and he made me stay up for a year!" He couldn't remember his own album covers! He was either stoned or very laid back! He played a lovely acoustic version of one of my favourites of his, "Meadows" and the beautiful "Pretty Maids All In A Row", from Hotel California, as well as a great Don Henley impersonation of Desperado! Brilliant guy!

In my own musical world, I have started training this week at Bath Hospital Radio as a D.J.! Great fun! You go round the wards, pick up requests, then play them on air! You can also play your own favourite music on air, so watch out for some West Coast stuff soon! And maybe some Blue Bear stuff might find it's way in too! There are some definate no nos that you can't play - Don't Fear The Reaper, Knockin On Heaven's Door, 3 Steps To Heaven, Stairway To Heaven, etc! I actually did a little back announcing this week, and dedicated the Hollies "Air That I Breathe" to the Anaesthetic Dept! I wasn't nervous at all, which is scary in itself!

I also had my song She's My Kind played on the Trevor Fry Afternoon show on BBC Radio Bristol. First time ever for me, it was such a thrill! He said it was his kind of music, and announced me as Steely Dan Russell!

Midtide has been busy recording and rehearsing and we are about to hit the streets with our live show. The album, From Stockwood To Woodstock, is nearly completed too, which should be on sale as the gigs commence. Here's the intended tracklisting:"

1. RUN AWAY WITH ME (Dan Russell) Dan
2. JOHNNY'S GARDEN (Stephen Stills) Kate
3. EASY (Paul Jones) Paul
4. ROCK & ROLL WOMAN (Steve Orchard) Steve
5. WATERY SUN (Dan Russell) Dan
6. HOPE COVE (Dan Russell/Kate Gold) Kate
7. AMERICAN GIRLFRIEND (Paul Jones) Paul
8. A CASE OF YOU (Joni Mitchell) Kate
9. CABARET JEWELS (Steve Orchard) Steve
10. DISTANT SHORE (Dan Russell) Dan
11. YOU AND ME (Paul Jones) Paul
12. LETTING YOU DOWN (Steve Orchard) Steve
13. COUNTRY GENTLEMAN (Dan Russell) Dan
14. LET IT GO (Paul Jones) Paul
15. LOVE TAKES TIME (Dan Russell) Kate
16. THE BOOK OF HER DREAMS (Dan Russell/Steve Orchard) David Orchard
17. A DREAM GOES ON FOREVER (Todd Rundgren) Kate
18. THIS IS FOR YOU (Russell/Orchard/Jones) Steve & Paul

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So much has been happening in the musical world of Dan Russell, so here is the man himself to explain all. Dan Russell: "Wow, what is happening, man?! Well, Mark and I are still intermittently performing at the Old Down Inn at Emborough. Mark, Katy and I are also booked to play the Priddy Folk Festival in the Summer.

Jason Allen (Road To California producer) and I have got together a few times, the first session of which we recorded and produced a totally impromtu unplugged album of 16 songs in 3 hours! Just a 2 guitar, 2 voice thing, featuring tracks from Jason's "Upstream" album and "Road To California", plus 2 new songs I have written, Space For Grace and Love Takes Time, plus an amazing track that we jammed and recorded in one take. Jase just kicked it off by singing "let's take it to the coda!" and it ends up being a travelogue to the grand old United State of "Dakota"! One of those truly magical musical moments! Jase also hauled out of the vaults something we had put together impromtu at his studio. It is a fantastic chant homage to dear old Keynsham and it's famous factory at Somerdale. The song just layers up and down, loads of voices and guitars and built up around the continual repetition of the lines "We won't live and die in a chocolate town, and they'll never shut the factory down!" Mindblowing!

Steve Orchard suggested that as we were now a trio, that Pacific Groove sounded like we were a big band and maybe we could change the name that suggested something more intimate. Kate and I agreed, and after many suggestions and much brain storming from all of us, Steve came up with one that we all liked - MIDTIDE! Our ten song set is almost ready to take out on the road, so watch this space! So that is what we are now called - MIDTIDE.

Meantime I have got together with fellow Brian Wilson enthusiast and songwriter, Paul Jones. We have already recorded new versions of my songs from the California out take album - Distant Shore and Watery Sun and also a scandalous version of a dedication to my landlord - Country Gentleman! We could barely complete the track through laughing. Paul was on his knees with tears rolling down his cheeks! Kate has now joined this project too, and we recorded a wonderful version of Todd Rundgren's "A Dream Goes On Forever", with Kate singing a beautiful lead vocal, the best I have ever heard her sing. Paul's songs are very much about California too, so it looks like this project will go under the truly apt name of PACIFIC GROOVE! Paul writes great Wilsonesque songs, is a great all round musician and it is hoped he will be able to join MIDTIDE when he moves to Bristol, which is his intention! Watch this space!"

---

Yes, that good old revolving door has been in operation again! Both Neil and William were unable to commit to regular rehearsals due to family commitments, in Neil's case, and work commitments, in William's. Dan: "To be honest, I'm relieved! Since the turn of the year, Steve, Kate and I have been working to a drum and bass sequencer at our rehearsals. It is so simple, the machine is always there for you, and it never lets you down. Steve is playing Electric Guitar, Kate 12 String and me on Acoustic Guitar."

"True, my 5-part vocal harmony dream has been scuppered, but that is being satisfied elsewhere. Again, since the turn of the year, I have joined a choir called Keeper's Of The Fire. I have already played one gig, which featured some 50's doo wop songs, and even got to sing lead on a track the Beach Boys covered, In The Still Of The Night. I couldn't believe how nervous I was! Also performed Brian Wilson's 'Til I Die in 3-part harmony with Jesse and Kat from the choir at a music session this week. A real thrill!"

"I'm still playing sessions with Mark and Katy, and performing under the old name, Sway, and we are booked to play the Priddy Folk Fair in the summer. Still great fun playing with those guys! This Wednesday, Steve, Kate and I are going to the Old Down session to play some tunes. Mark and Katy are going too. Could be a Sway/Pacific Groove Battle of the Bands type thing happening there! Really excited by our Pac Groo sequencer set, probably a month away from completion. Here it is..."

YOSEMITE JIM (Russell) - DAN
NEW NUMBER ONE (Orchard) - STEVE
HOPE COVE (Russell/Gold) - KATE
RUN AWAY WITH ME (Russell) - DAN
I DON'T LOVE YOU (Orchard) - STEVE
KISSES (Orchard) - STEVE/DAN
LOVE TAKES TIME (Russell) - KATE
IT HAPPENS (Orchard) - STEVE
BOOK OF HER DREAMS (Russell/Orchard) - STEVE
PACIFIC GROVE (Russell) - DAN/KATE

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So, another year endeth and , as ever, changes a plenty! Kate and Russ played to a packed audience down on the West Coast last Saturday. They were playing a New Year celebration at Clevedon Community Hall. Dan says: "It was a lot of fun. We were very nervous at first because Steve and William had to back out at the 11th hour due to other commitments. But we went down well. We asked Nick Pallett, who was compere, dj and also performing that evening, if he would be kind enough to lend his mighty fine guitar playing to the four songs we played. He was great. Very subtle. Nick lives close by to me and said he would quite like to try out with the Groovers. So watch this space!"

Other news. Neil Robinson, an old friend of Dan's, and excellent percussionist, has joined the band! Dan: "Percussion and drums is gonna sound great. Neil sings too" Steve and Dan are commencing work on a new song at Mr O's studio this week, The Book Of Her Dreams. Dan wrote the music, and Steve the words. This is their first musical collaboration in the 2 years since Pacific Groove was formed by the pair. Dan: "The track is gonna be subtle, but it is going to rock too! And we are talking heavy distorted guitars! We wanted to try something a little different!" Here's a coincidence. Not only do William and Neil share the same ethnic background, but their wives are both called Jackie!

---

So, another year endeth and , as ever, changes a plenty!

The year started with a new band line up... myself, Kate, Sarah and Nigel. We performed a handful of times together until that good ol' revoving door beckoned! The Autumn saw the departure of Nigel and Sarah and the arrival of William and the welcome return of Steve to the fold. Also over the last couple of months I have experieced some very joyful live performances with Mark and Katy, of Longwave fame. Could this lead to my former compatriots joining the Groovers?, Who knows? Also the first track from the new album, From Stockwood To Woodstock, has been completed. It was Kate's first pro studio experience, and the song we co wrote, hOPE cOVE, was brilliantly produced by Steve and we were very happy with the results.

Hey, I know I'm dreaming again, but how about this for the
Pacific Groove 2004 line up?

DAN RUSSELL, vocals, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars
STEVE ORCHARD, vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar
KATE GOLD, vocals, bass guitar, 6 & 12 string acoustic guitars, djembe
KATY BIGGS, vocals, bass guitar, acoustic guitar
MARK O'CALLAGHAN, vocals, electric lead guitar, acoustic guitar
WILLIAM FRANKLYN, vocals, drums, percussion, bongos, timbales

I can see it now, Dueling Basses, starring the 2 bespectacled Kate's! Happy dreaming, happy xmas, happy New Year! Dan

---

Recording of the 'From Stockwood To Woodstock' album will commence shortly. These are the tracks earmarked for inclusion, with composer credits.

SAILING TIMES Russell/Gold
MAID IN HONG KONG Orchard
HOPE COVE Russell/Gold
IT HAPPENS Orchard
CARE ABOUT EVERYTHING Russell
THE BOOK OF HER DREAMS Russell/Orchard
SPACE FOR GRACE Russell
ALL ABOUT YOU Orchard
PRECIOUS CARGO Russell
MATCHING COLOURS Orchard
ON BOURBON STREET Russell
OIL IS THICKER THAN BLOOD Russell

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Shock news! Nigel and Sarah have left the band! Nigel felt six was too many and unmanageable, and wants to concentrate on his own material from now on in a smaller line up. Sarah felt there would be less opportunity for more of her songs to be aired with the band with a bigger line up. Strange that she had only brought one song along to the table in the 10 months that she and Nigel had been on board. Work that one out! Anyway, an excellent drummer and vocalist called William Franklin has come on board. Very positive guy and all round likeable bloke. We are hoping that this line up will stay awhile, at least until the next surf is up! Oh, and Dan has been playing some live stuff with Mark and Katy of Longwave fame. Is this a Longwave reunion, will M 'n' K join the Groovers? Probably not, but it is great to know something mighty fine is still being played live and maybe recorded from Dan and Co. Possible new album for 2004 from Pacific Groove... working title From Stockwood To Woodstock. Watch this space!

---

Steve Orchard, founder member with Dan Russell, of the Pacific Groove project which sprung to life in January 2002, has decided to rejoin the band! It is exactly a year ago that Steve left due to other musical commitments, and now finds he has time for a regular commitment. Good news indeed. Steve is a fine singer and songwriter and a twin keyboard sound, not to mention 5 part harmonies, will only enrichen the band sound. Also, due to Jack Murphy having to leave through other band commitments, Barry Allen is auditioning for the sticksman vacancy this week. Barry used to play drums, and sing, with new country outfit Country Blue. Wow, we are talking a six man band here! Watch this space for developments.

Recording News. Dirty Muddy River, Pacific Grove, Long, Long Time and Who Needs A Man are the first 4 tracks the current line up will record at Steve's studio in the very near future. Exciting times....

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A new solo album recorded and produced by Dan at his home based studio has been released and is available from this site. Dan "These recordings are a bunch of new songs that I have written and recorded at home since I first bought my mobile home just over a year ago. I named my little haven after a Stephen Stills song called "Pensamiento", which means "thought" in Spanish. I thought it would be very apt to name the album likewise. On the album I collaborated with 4 female lyric writers, Harriet Green, Maggie Utting, Kate Gold and Lynne Cowley on quite a number of the songs. Something that I have never done before, and I found it quite a refreshing idea."

Full track listing is as follows with composer/lyricist credits:

RUN AWAY WITH ME (Russell)
NATIVE AMERICAN (Russell/Cowley)
COUNTRY GENTLEMAN (Russell)
IF I WERE BLIND (Russell/Utting)
GOING SOUTH (Russell)
SCUMBLEBUNNY BLUES (Russell/Green)
BABY, I'M IN LOVE (Russell)
SONG FOR BRIAN (Russell/Cowley)
SAILING TIMES (Russell/Gold)
PRECIOUS CARGO (Russell)
PLENTY MORE FISH IN THE SEA (Russell/Green)
YOUR HEART (Russell/Utting)
LOVE TAKES TIME (Russell)
HEART, SOUL, SPIRIT & MIND (Russell)
CARE ABOUT EVERYTHING (Russell)

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Co - Founder member David Woodford has left Pacific Groove! Woody's decision was prompted by his wish to just perform originals, while Dan, Kate, Nigel and Sarah were more than happy to work on some affectionate versions of some favourite songs i.e. The Warmth Of The Sun (Beach Boys), Listen To The Music (Doobie Brothers) and A Dream Goes On Forever (Todd Rundgren). Woody also doesn't like the music of Todd Rundgren, while the rest of the band absolutely adore his stuff! Artistic differences, you could say!

However, Woody and Dan have played two live performances as the Pacific Groove Duo, during the last month, at the Bunch of Grapes in Bristol and Doolallys in Bath. They performed Better Days, Jet Trails, Can't Go On and Cathy, I'm In Love. These were all songs that the duo had worked on or recorded over the last 16 months and Woody, in particular, was very keen to get out there and perform them. The duo may expand to a trio soon as Woody is keen to recruit a stand up bass player/cellist to embellish the sound.

Meantime, Steve Orchard, also there from the start, but who left last Autumn has been back on the scene. Dan has been trying to persuade him to re join the band, but he has said he would at least like to help out from the producer's chair after attending a recent rehearsal and being very impressed by what he heard.

So the plan is to record an album at Steve's studio which will represent the 9 tracks the guys have got together for their live set, and a product that can be sold at gigs. So the plan is to record the album over the next month then hit the circuit with their live show. Here is the tracklisting for the album/live performance, including songwriter and lead vocalist:

LISTEN TO THE MUSIC Johnston KATE/SARAH.
LONG, LONG TIME Coates NIGEL.
A DREAM GOES ON FOREVER Rundgren SARAH.
YOSEMITE JIM Russell DAN.
WHO NEEDS A MAN Menage SARAH.
THIS PLACE IS FALLING APART Coates NIGEL.
DIRTY MUDDY RIVER Russell KATE.
WARMTH OF THE SUN Wilson/Love DAN.
PACIFIC GROVE Russell DAN/KATE.

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A limited edition CD of 18 tracks is now available from this website. It is a kind of overview of Dan Russell's recorded work since he entered Jim Ramsey's Elwood P Dowd Studio in November 1998, up to just before he entered Jason Allen's Chronik Bionik Studio in November 2001. It includes 5 tracks from Sway's 'Musaic', 3 tracks from 'Not Waving, But Drowning', by Longwave, 9 tracks from the out-take album 'First Steps On The Road To California', and Steve Orchard's mighty fine version of 'This Is 4 U'.

The album will be entitled 'Sunset Run'. Full track listing as follows:

YELLOW MOON
ALL THAT I NEED
YOU CAN'T LOOK BACK
SINGER
SHE'S MY KIND
SWAY
WHY DOES LOVE?
IT'S YOUR LIFE
THIS IS 4 U
WIND OF CHANGE
KID FROM L.A.
GUARDIAN ANGELS
INDIAN SUMMER
SAN FRANCISCO
ONE AND ONE IS LOVE
DISTANT SHORE
WATERY SUN
SUNSET RUN

Latest band news. Rehearsals have been going well, with a great deal of time being spent on Dirty Muddy River. The track features a lead vocal by Kate, and she sings it beautifully. There are some very interesting new vocal arrangements and 4 Acoustic guitar parts, layering slowly into the song. In order of appearance Kate (12 string), Nigel, Sarah and Dan. Absolutely spellbinding! Five tracks are being prepared for an acoustic debut slot at the Albert Inn, Bristol in April. The tracks, with composer and lead vocalist, are DIRTY MUDDY RIVER (Russell) Kate, WHO NEEDS A MAN (Menage) Sarah, LONG, LONG TIME (Coates) Nigel, CAN'T GO ON (Woodford/Smith) David, YOSEMITE JIM (Russell) Dan.

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Dan Russell says - "Wow! A new year usually brings changes. But as spectacular as they indeed were, I would never have guessed!

On Christmas Eve I met a most wonderful woman going by the name of Kate Gold. We hit it off straight away and fell in love over the Christmas period! Kate is a poet, currently studying for an M.A. degree in Poetry at Bath University. She also plays acoustic guitar and djembe. She has a lovely voice, with quite a unique husky tone. Very quickly I asked her if she would be interested in joining Pacific Groove, and after running through some of the songs in the live set, she said she would be delighted to. Kate is well versed in harmony singing as she belongs to a choir in Bath.

In early January I got a call from David Hill. I knew he had auditioned for a covers band before Christmas, and had been successful. He had assured me that it wouldn't effect his commitment to Pacific Groove, but I had an uneasy feeling about it. So when he told me that due to family commitments, including an impending addition, and commitments to his new band, who were debuting that very evening in Clevedon, on the West Coast, that he was leaving Pacific Groove, I was surprised but not completely shocked. Initially I felt let down, but understood his reasons for joining another band. Dave is predominently a live performer, and in the 6 months he was with the band, progress was very slow and just one duo performance involving him and me was an obvious frustration to the man. Although he was always the one to say "Where's the fire?" regarding getting out and playing gigs quickly. Dave will be missed. Although he was not a songwriter, he had a great voice, a wonderful sense of humour and would have been a real asset regarding on stage banter.

But when one door closes, another opens. Kate's son, Jack Murphy, a drummer, really liked my music and when I invited him to try out with the band, he accepted. In a 2 hour rehearsal he proved to be an excellent sticksman. Subtle, versatile and picking up the feel of the songs very quickly. We all enjoyed the experience and he has now joined the band. Jack has not only replaced Dave as rhythm master, but has also taken on his mantle as the band's Mr Cool! He sings too!

I am quietly confident that this new six piece line up can stay together and progress. It will take a while for it to all gel, especially as the addition of drums means electrification. Good times and beautiful and powerful music on the horizon. With the imminent onset of war, keep everything in a Peaceful Groove."

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Singer and songwriter Sarah Menage has agreed to join Pacific Groove! After an excellent rehearsal on Sunday, she made her decision then.

She is expected to be the final piece in the jigsaw, line up wise. Therefore we can announce the official band line up of these talented 40 somethings. So here it is, youngest to oldest!

DAVID HILL, 40
Vocals, Drums, Bongos, Tambourine, Shakers, Maraccas

DAVID WOODFORD, 42
Vocals, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards

SARAH MENAGE, 44
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar

DAN RUSSELL, 46
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, 12 String Guitar, Electric Guitar, Keyboards

NIGEL COATES, 47
Vocals, Acoustic Guitar, Spanish Guitar, Electric Guitar

After another successful session at the Albert Inn, Bristol, during which he played A Dream Goes On Forever (Todd Rundgren) and the Beach Boys classic, Wouldn't It Be Nice, Dan is negotiating with the venue to stage Pacific Groove's debut gig there, probably early in the new year.

The expected line up of songs, with songwriter and lead vocal credits, is as follows:

THIS IS 4 U (Russell) David H.
DIRTY MUDDY RIVER (Russell) David H.
ACROSS THE BLUE (Woodford/Cullings) Dave H.
IT WAS TAKING A LONG, LONG TIME (Coates) Nigel
SEND ME DOWN AN ANGEL (Russell) Dan & Sarah
A DREAM GOES ON FOREVER (Rundgen) Sarah
JACKIE, I'M IN LOVE (Russell/Woodford) Dan
LONG TRAIN RUNNIN' (Johnston) David H.
FOURTH OF JULY (Taylor) Nigel
I SAW THE LIGHT (Rundgren) Sarah
RUN AWAY WITH ME (Russell) Dan
THEY TOLD ME SO (Woodford/Cullings) Woody
THE ONE TO CRY (Menage) Sarah
YOSEMITE JIM (Russell) David H.
PACIFIC GROVE (Russell) Dan

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Dan, Dave and Dave have just produced a third track in Woody's studio in deepest Swindon. Following on from the Dan Russell/Dave Woodford composition, Better Days, featuring Woody on lead vocal, and a new version of Dan's Dirty Muddy River, featuring Bongo Dave on lead, there comes another Russell/Woodford collaboration, Baby, I'm In Love.

Explains Dan "Woody loves to tinker with my songs! He suggested some extra chords in the verse and the chorus, and the rhythm and feel has changed completely from my original 4 track version. It is faster and also Dave Hill refused to sing answering Bah Bahs I suggested for the verses." Bongo Dave says "It is a pretty love song, but the Bah bahs made it sound flippant and almost taking the piss!" Consequently, Woody gets a co writing credit on this one, as he did on Better Days, because he wrote the words and music for the bridge on that one.

With all this studio activity, Dan was getting a little claustrophobic, so he decided to venture out and played two music sessions in a matter of days. At the first, at the Albert Inn, Bedminster, Bristol, where he played solo versions of Dirty Muddy River, Pacific Grove, Send Me Down An Angel and Todd Rundgren's I Saw The Light, he met fellow songwriter Nigel Coates.

Dan says "Nigel played two lovely songs, and sounded uncannily like James Taylor, both in his finger syle guitar playing and vocally as well. The first was a new Taylor song called 4th of July, the second, one of his own called Taking A Long Long Time. We got talking and he really liked my stuuf too. I told him we we're looking for another versitile guitarist and, of course, another harmony voice. So consequently he has attended two rehearsals since, blended with us all really well, and is now in the band!"

At the Old Duke, Bristol, a few days later, Dan performed what he ratedas his best ever solo performance. Dan "I was on fire. I kicked off with Long Train Runnin and followed it with two of my older songs, It Doesn't Matter and Gritty City. Thet we're whooping when I came off the stage!"

Witnessing this performance was the intiguingly named Sarah Menage! She had sat next to Dan most of the evening, and the two got chatting. Sarah is a songwriter and singer and attended the following rehearsal with Nigel. Dan "It was a really nice evening, it was my 46th birthday and we had a great rehearsal. We tried Dirty Muddy River, with Sarah harmonising with Nigel on his low repeat on the chorus. It sounded amazing. I was on the brink of my 5 part harmony dream! We then ajourned to the local pub to celebrate another milestone, or is that millstone! Nigel sang the 2 songs he had played at the Albert, and then Sarah sang lead on Todd's I Saw The Light and the more obscure A Dream Goes On Forever. She has a lovely soft and soulful voice. Not overstrong, but it will mellow out the harmonies." Bongo Dave "I told Sarah she was the Missing Link, vocal harmony wise, of course"

Only bummer note of a great evening was Woody breaking down on the way home to Swindon. Woody's reaction was straight from a Shakespeare play....."FUCKING FANBELT AGAIN!"

Another sojourn to the Albert Inn this week saw the two 5th's debut of the current Pacific Groove line up. Dan kicked off with Gritty City and It Doesn't Matter and then Bongo Dave jumped up with him and sang lead on Dirty Muddy River and Long Train Runnin, going down a storm with the audience. Dan borrowed a guitar for the perfomance and a voice was heard to chime out from the assembly "Hey Joe, I bet your guitar has never played a Doobie Brothers song before!"

It is hoped Sarah will become the 5th member of the band, but other commitments may make it impossible.

But as the November rains pour down, all is sunny and happy in the Groovy Pacific!

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Major shock-waves across the Groovy Pacific recently! Steve Orchard, co-founder member of the band, has decided to quit in favour of his solo work!

Dan Russell says "It was a major shock when Steve told me of his decision. I was initially upset and disappointed because we had been putting this together since January and had at last formed a stable line up. My first thought was to give it a rest for awhile, but Dave Hill and Dave Woodford encouraged me to carry on. When Steve explained that he had a serious offer from a German record company to record his ambient/new age music, and that he wanted to commit what little free time he has to it, I gradually became more understanding. I miss working with Steve, but I wish him well because this is a big chance for him to make it. I am sure we will work together in the future, and our friendship has remained intact."

Meantime, Dave, Dave and Dan have been rehearsing hard and convened in Woody's Swindon studio last week and in three hours nailed a new acoustic version of Dirty Muddy River, with Hilly on lead vocal. The recording features a new vocal arrangement, with Dan coming in on the second verse with a third above harmony and Woody coming in with a fifth above harmony on the third verse. Explains Dan "It would have been easy for Woody to have sung falsetto on this section, but we encouraged him to sing and strain in full voice! It created a remarkably powerful effect, similar to the strained tones of Graham Nash in the work of C.S.N.Y."

Talking of things vocally harmonic, Amanda Fiegel, girlfriend and harmony vocalist in Hilly's old band has been approached to come on board. Dan says "Hilly has told me that Amanda is a fine harmony vocalist, with a very sweet tone in her voice that would blend and soften our voices to wonderful effect. Unfortunately, her work commitments don't make it possible for her to join the band at the present time. I'm just hoping that when she hears her man's wonderful lead vocal on the recording of Dirty Muddy River, which is her favourite of my songs, that a regular Wednesday evening window will suddenly appear in her diary!" Ever the optimist, that Dan Russell!

It looks like more good news on the horizon. It seems that floating member Paul Jones may be able to make a full commitment to the band in the near future. He is a resident of Cardiff and currently spends his working week firing round the motorways of England in his capacity of travelling journalist. But he has informed Dan that he is looking for work in the Bristol/Bath area, which makes it feasable for him to attend weekly rehearsals at Dan's mobile home, near Bath.

And what is this fascination with the great "lost" original track from the initial Road To California sessions, recorded at Peter Boere's studio, over a year ago? We are talking of course of the song, This Is 4 U, which was recorded and included on Steve Orchard's last solo album. Well Paul has recorded a new high energy funky version at his studio, playing and singing all the parts. Dan says "It's a great version, with a marvellous staggered multi layered vocal tag on the chorus. This song is, ironically, now my most covered work!"

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Juan : Hey Dan, it's been a while, how was the latest trip over the pond!

Dan : Hey, good to see you amigo! Yeah the trip was great, much more musically focused than the last time.

J : Where did you go?

D : Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Woodstock and Chicago.

J: Sounds like a lot of ground covered in the 24 days you we're away. Did you get to play live?

D: Yeah, five times, all in Woodstock!

J : What did those performances consist of?

D : I kicked off with a short busking performance of instrumental versions of 6 of my songs in the central square in Woodstock, which is in upstate New York. Then Nick and I joined in a percussion jam with various conga, bongo and jembe players in the sunshine. Then I joined in with some harmony with a guy who looked the split of Jason Allen, but with long hair and droopy moustache! We sang versions of a couple of James Taylor songs, American Pie and the Doobie Brother's Black Water, to name but a few. The guy was making a good living busking on the streets there. I then played a music session one evening, in a building that used to be the town hall. There we're some brilliant performers there. Two beautiful raven haired girls did two seperate sets, one on guitar, one on piano. Stunningly beautiful voices and songs. I was really nervous when I got up. I kicked off with Sway and She's My Kind, probably my best 2 songs, then sang an accapella version of a song I had written on the piano the day before, Woodstock Lullaby, before finishing off with my hippie anthem, This Is 4 U. It went down really well. My final performance was in a music bar, with the delightful name of the Joyous Lake, later that evening, about 2 a.m., with a bunch of musicians who had just played a gig there. I joined in, singing a third high harmony part to songs like the Eagle's Take it Easy, some more James Taylor and a couple of Band songs. Absolutely magical!

J: Sounds amazing! I hear you and Nick spent some time with a hippie couple up on a mountain, in a wooden house!

D: Yeah, that's right! They had built their home 25 years ago in a clearing in the woods... real Waltons stuff, sitting on the front porch with the sun going down, the whole deal! We couldn't find anywhere to stay, so Bill, who sold tye dye t shirts on a market stall, after consulting his wife, Toni, put us up for the week! Bill even drove me to a place called Prattsville one day! Such kind, wonderful people. I wrote Woodstock Lullaby on their piano.

J: I understand that Bill had met Todd Rundgren, new John Hall of Orleans and Steely Dan's Donald Fagen is a nearby neighbour!

D: Yeah! Bill said we should go down to Fagen's place and knock on his door so I could give him my latest album! His wife Toni said it would be better if she gave the cd to her cousin who knew Fagen's wife, Libby Titus... so fingers crossed.

J: I understand that Nick Hughes has left the band!

D: Yeah! We really saw too much of each other on the trip, in fact he came home early. I gave an ultimatum to him, regarding his commitment to the band. I got no response, so I told him he would be replaced. So I placed an ad and Dave Hill, an excellent singer, bongo player and percussionist turned up for an acoustic rehearsal at my mobile home last Tuesday. Also there was Steve Orchard, Dave Woodford, the bass player from Swindon who I have been working on my song Better Days Are Coming with (this song could end up on the new album, Garden California), and Paul Jones, a keyboard player from Cardiff who has a great bassy voice and writes wonderful Beach Boys type harmony arrangements to his songs. It was one of the most enjoyable musical evenings I have ever spent. The five of us really clicked. The evening was recorded for posterity on the dictaphone I bought in New York City. Awful quality, but you can hear the potential.

J: What songs did you work on, and presumably, record that evening.

D: It was magical! One run through and the second take recorded. There was such a chemistry between us all. We kicked off with the Doobie Brother's Long Train Runnin, Dave Hill taking the lead. Then Woody and I sang lead on his new song, Jesse James. Then Paul sang a beautiful new composition, Easy, with Steve, Dave H. and myself singing Beach Boys type block harmonies. Steve then played and sang a great new up tempo song, Number One. We finished off by me saying "Guys just jam to this.....two chords". I hit the record button and an absolutely brilliantly impromptu version of Pacific Grove was committed to tape!

J: Thankyou, Dan. It was good talking to you.

D: Adios amigo!

So there you have it, the latest goings on. This is Juan Carlos Pensamiento about to sign off. There is rumour that Woodstock Bill printed up 3 tye dye T-shirts for the band... only trouble is the logo reads Groove Pacific!! Steve's wife, Julie thinks that is an omen! So lets have your votes fans... should the name be Pacific Groove or Groove Pacific? Anyway, there is a real danger this time that the following will be the "written in stone" line up. Lets hope so, sounds like some real magic happened last Tuesday night.

Dan Russell: Vocals, Acoustic 6 & 12 String Guitars, Maraccas
Steve Orchard: Vocals, Piano, Electric Piano, Strings, Acoustic Guitar
Paul Jones: Vocals, Piano, Organ, Synth, Acoustic Guitar, Bass Guitar
David Hill: Vocals, Bongos, Maraccas, Tambourine
David Woodford: Vocals, Bass Guitar, Acoustic Guitar

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Dan's brand new solo album "Road To California" is now available directly from this site priced £10 GBP. Click here to place an order. For post and packing add £1.50 UK, £2.50 Europe or £3.50 for the rest of the World per CD. See the albums page for full track details and lyrics. Listen to four of the songs on the music page. Expect to see Dan play more live shows soon following his 3-week sojourn around the USA, details of which to follow soon.

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Dan releases his brand new solo album "Road To California" on June 21st. Recorded over 9 months with producer Jason Allen, the 10-song album represents the first installment of Dan's "California" series. the track listing is:

American Dream
Dirty Muddy River
Lundy Island
King Of July
Send Me Down An Angel
Pacific Grove
Ocean
Living In California
Yosemite Jim
West Coast

You can find lyrics and information for every track on the albums page, and listen to 4 of the songs on the music page. Two thirds of Pacific Groove will be jetting over the Atlantic for a 3 week promotional tour of the "Road To California" album on June 24th. Dan Russell and percussionist Toulouse Le Hughes will play selected venues as a duo, visiting Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York City, Woodstock, Niagara Falls, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago and Milwaukee on their travels. They will also be promoting fellow Groover Steve Orchard's new album, "Comfort For Those Hopelessly In Love", and also "Road To California" producer Jason Allen's Bluebottlegreen album "Tidestar".

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So the 'earthquake' happened and the absolute final Pacific Groove Band didn't happen! Terry Gullick had to back out because of stomach ulcer problems, Dave Woodford because of vast distance issues and former Longwave drummer Dave Jones has decided to stay with his current band. However, there is a possibility that Steve's son, Dan, an excellent electric guitarist, and Louise C, the vocalist and cellist who had auditioned for Dan Russell's ill fated Sumaovluv project of summer 2001, could be joining the core trio.

Dan has played two solo gigs at the Old Duke in Bristol and played solo twice at the Park House, Windmill Hill, Bristol in recent weeks, playing songs from his forthcomong album, "Road To California" to enthusiastic responses. The first "official" Pacific Groove Band gig happened at the Park House on the 15th of May with Steve and Dan performing as a duo for the first time. Dan debuted 3 brand new songs.

Here is the set list for that momentous evening, which was greeted with rapturous applause:

Pacific Grove (Russell) Lead vocals : Dan & Steve
I Don't Love You (Orchard) Lead vocal : Steve
Kisses (Orchard) Lead vocals : Steve & Dan
This Is 4 U (Russell) Lead vocal : Steve
Baby, She's Going To Jail (Russell) Lead vocal : Dan
Gardener In A Band (Russell) Lead vocal : Dan
Trample On My Words (Russell) Lead vocal : Dan
Fields Of Gold (Sumner) Lead vocal : Steve
Nights In White Satin (Hayward/Lodge) Lead vocal : Steve

Pacific Groove Band for this performance:

Dan Russell : Vocals, 6 & 12 String acoustic guitars
Steve Orchard : Vocals, acoustic guitar, sequencer

Both Steve's and Dan's solo albums are nearing completion, and they will be promoting material from them at their forthcoming gigs. Steve's album is to be entitled "Tidal" and will be released in early June. The tracklisting is as follows:

Fast Train Lullaby, The Map, And Then, I Don't Love You, Again, Kisses, Thinkin' 'Bout A Song, Squeeze A Life, Tidal, This Is 4 U.

All songs by Steve, except the last track, which is Dan's.

Dan has decided to release his album in 2 bite size chunks. Being a summery album it seemed appropriate to release the first installment in June, entitled "Road To California". Tracklisting as follows, all songs by Dan:

American Dream, Dirty Muddy River, Lundy Island, King Of July, Send Me Down An Angel, Pacific Grove, Ocean, Living In California, Yosemite Jim, West Coast

The second installment will probably appear in January 2003, although it is hoped it will be released in November to catch the Xmas market. This album is to be entitled "Garden California" and will likely contain the following tracks, again all composed by Dan:

Wind Of Change, Kid From L.A., Guardian Angels, Indian Summer, San Francisco, One & One Is Love, California Bungalow, Distant Shore, Watery Sun, Sunset Run

Dan says "It is a very exciting time for Steve and I, our albums are almost ready to be released, which is great because we can now promote them at our gigs, and it also looks like we have a stable band line up at last."

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After much speculation, the final line up of the Pacific Groove Band can be announced - subject to a San Franciscan earthquake out there on the West Coast. Here it is...

Dan Russell - vocals, acoustic 6 & 12 string guitars
Steve Orchard - vocals, keyboards, acoustic/electric guitars
Terry Gullick - vocals, acoustic 6 & 12 string guitars, bass guitar, mandolin
David Woodford - vocals, bass guitar, acoustic/electric guitar
David Jones - drums, percussion, vocals
Nick Hughes - congas, congalittas, bongos, chimes, maraccas, tambourine, cowbell, vocals

Band mini biogs

Dan Russell, 45, former frontman/songwriter with Longwave - see the Longwave site for more details.

Steve Orchard, 47, former solo artist on the cabaret circuit. Looking for a creative outlet for his romantic songs. Excellent tenor voice, superb keyboard player, and all round nice guy.

Terry Gullick, 45, country rock songwriter/vocalist with recent cd release with the Sweetwater Falls Band. Has played with famed Radio Bristol celebrity Kelvin Henderson in his country band, playing bass, mandolin and guitar.

David Woodford, 43, plays bass with covers band who tackle Good Vibrations. Good songwriter in his own right.

David Jones, 39, former Longwave, Nemo and Sundown Pilgrims drummer with distinctive style.

Nick Hughes, 33, conga player/percussionist and veteran of DC8. Feel the sunshine in those latin rhythms.

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Dan has had a couple of rehearsals with conga player and percussionist Nick Hughes and singer/songwriter/keyboardist Steve Orchard. Hughes, 33, is a veteran of Dan's old bands, Plankton Brothers and DC8 and the two have known each other for 10 years. Orchard, 47, is a veteran of the cabaret circuit, having made a stash of cash over the last 20 years from playing the "hits" as a solo, duo and in a band format. Dan seems to have found a real kindred spirit in Steve, much in the way he had with Mark O'Callaghan in Longwave and with Billy Hewett in many bands before that. Incidently, Nick was also in DC8 with Dan and Billy... and survived!

Steve is very enthusiastic, has a realy nice voice, some excellent songs... 8 of which are being grafted into the 20 song Road To California live set and forthcoming album! Dan says "Steve's songs sit brilliantly, both lyrically, spiritually and musically into the whole concept. The idea is to eventually play two live sets of 14 songs in each and to produce a 2 cd album. Because a lot of the songs are short, each set will only be about 50 minutes in duration, which will be a very feasable option to perform. God knows what the final line up will be... I would love to create something similar to Brian Wilson's band... loads of harmonising vocalists playing a variety of instruments."

Who will join Dan, Steve and Nick in this mammoth project is anybody's guess. Dan has approached Mark O'Callaghan to come play some bass, while former Longwave drummer David Jones has shown interest in joining the Groovers! Dave has also told Dan he would like to recreate Longwave as well. Apparently, this very day, he is attempting to contact Mark to persuade him to reform the original five piece! Dan says "It's all very exciting! At least, we may have two great bands come out of this, but my dream would be to have one brilliant one."

Only Dan and singer/songwriter Andrea Ward survived the Longwave split. Andrea, who was the shortest serving member in the band's history (3 days!) has left the current project due to other commitments (new boyfriend!). However Dan, Mark and Nick checked out Canadian vocalist Shelly Clarke, singing with her band Eusebio at a Bristol venue last Saturday. Shelly, 30, has shown interest in joining the Groovers if commitments allow. The guys we're very impressed with her powerful, soulful but sweet vocalising and pro stage presence and hope she will come on board.

So could this be the final Pacific Groove Band line up that will take the Road to California project on the road?

Dan Russell - vocals, acoustic guitar
Shelly Clarke - vocals, percussion
Steve Orchard - vocals, keyboards
Mark O'Callaghan - electric guitar, vocals
Katy Biggs - bass guitar, vocals
Mick Raymond - electric lead guitar, vocals
Nick Hughes - congas, congalittas, bongos, percussion
David Jones - drums, percussion

Dan says "Wow! Somebody stop me!!" Proposed "re-built" running order for Road To California live set and concept album:-