THE SOUNDTRACK TO THE HEARTBEAT OF ZAC'S PLACE (Part 1) - featuring clips from Rick Elias & Rachel Taylor-Beales

Since the beginnings of Zac's Place way back in 1998 in a smokey Swansea basement bar, music has had an important role. These days we don't get chance to put on many gigs, (Barry McGuire recently), but for the first seven years much of what we did revolved around weekly sunday night gatherings in four different bars with great live music an integral part of the communal gatherings.

Coming up over the next few weeks I'll put a few posts up with video and maybe audio clips looking at some of the artists who we have had the pleasure of sharing the journey with. They'll include seasoned pro's and emerging artists who have since matured into established musos in their own right, artists from this city and overseas, genres of folk, rock, metal, dance and jazz - who do you remember, what would you like to see and hear again.

As a starting point here's two clips - one from Nashville based Rick Elias who I met, via Sam Horner, when he was gigging in the UK with A Ragamuffin Band. Rick kindly returned to play two songs on our TV shows with HTV Wales and also in the bar. Here's a recent home recording of his, of an old song 'Blink'. Enjoy.



Of all the cries that come from within the spirit of folks at Zac's Place is is, 'please don't push me away, don't forget - don't pass me by'. The following recording of Rachel Taylor Beales live at our HQ in 2008 shares the angst, frustration and the search to make sense amid the chaos. Rachel and her husband Bill continue to be great friends and inspiring artists, based in Cardiff - 'Please Don't Pass Me By' ....



Check back in the coming weeks for some more clips and don't forget to check out John Smith's podcast - where there is his message from the night with him guesting back in August ....

VINTAGE ZAC'S PLACE LIVE FROM 'THE OFFICE' -'If you can't handle the organized Church - create a disorganized one...!'

Whilst sorting through some old recordings, I came across a disc from August 2002 when Zac's Place was gathering on a Sunday night in the public bar of The Office pub in Swansea city centre. On it was an interview with John Smith and following that a short reflection from the Bible. The link below is for the interview and covers questions on being jailed and facing excecution, life influences and church struggles.

What's remarkable, is that this was recorded in a public bar to a mixed audience of around 150 people - bikers, musicians, artists, believers, seekers and cynics among them . . . . for a brief moment the pool table, pinball machine and bar fell silent . . . grab a few minutes and take a listen . . . .

You can also find John's own podcast here: http://john-smith.podomatic.com/
(Part two of this recording will eventually be posted there)





A direct link to the podcast can be found HERE.

Our Tribal Gathering at Zac's last week was a little different to our usual, as we welcomed Barry McGuire to share some stories and songs. It was great to have the main hall packed with some folk making a journey of several hours to be there. Barry himself had travelled four hours after having flown in from California.

It was wonderful hearing his life's journey as he shared his stories of carving out his career in music alongside his mates in The Byrds, the Mamas and Papas and hanging out in small coffee house gigs with Bob Dylan. He also shared his frustrations and heartaches as he's seen so many friends die from the lifestyle excesses along the way. Eve of Destruction remains his most notable work, but he rejects the 'protest song' label for it, stating that it was a 'diagnostic song', painting a picture of what was around at the time. Many of his own stories contained his search for the answers to questions in that song.

Several decades on from 'eve' and his desire to subsequently follow Christ, now at 75 years of age he took the stage for an hour and half with charisma, energy and passion that can only be admired. Zac's Place has a long history of live music and the arts - these days live music doesn't come around too often, but when it does it's worth savouring!

Here's a YouTube link to Eve of Destruction from that night - follow the links through to Liz's additional uploads as they appear.

Bryn Haworth Tickets Now Available

Bryn Haworth Tickets are now available for the event on 17 October, on line via paypal at this Zac's Place link for the price of £6. Just print out the order and bring it with you.

Alternatively tickets are available in person at Zac's or by post for £5 until 13 October. Thereafter, all tickets and any door tickets will be £10.

Postal tickets should enclose an SAE and a cheque payable to 'Exousia Trust' to Zac's Place, Gospel HAll, George Street, Swansea, SA1 4HH.

Zac's Place - On The Road Gig - Minehead

Sunday night Feb 15, sees Sean hosting a night of music and banter in good Zac's tradition from the trio that is Lorraine King, Rob Ash and Phil James at the Regal Theatre, Minehead.

Live Music at Zac's Place - some discussion....

Since Zac's Place began as, 'Zac's Place - Church in a Pub?' just over ten years ago, great quality live music was an essential part of everything that took place in the four different pubs we used; Over 300 gigs in fact, lost count of the number of artists, five TV programmes with ITV Wales, several other documentaries for TV and radio plus festival stages. Musicians such as Martyn Joseph, Phil James, Rob Ash, Lorraine King, Bill and Rachel Taylor Beales, Julia Harris have all been regulars on gig listings. Guests for TV and festival stages have included Glenn Kaiser, Rick Elias, Mike Peters, Mal Pope, The Electrics, Ben Castle and many others as well. The quirky TrifleSky and innovative Iain Hornal made their mark alongside the metal of Kosher and in more recent months it was great to run the stage and host a fundraiser with The Story's.

Since having our own venue over recent times it's been good to have the occasional gig and this past year we've had guest: Bryn Haworth, Martyn Joseph, Rob Halligan, Julia Harris, Rachel Taylor-Beales and Sir Silence and then just last week After The Fire. Swansea continues to be a frustrating place to put on gigs, especially paying ones. In the main we've managed to make this years gigs work out OK and I want to maintain some sort of momentum into next year.

One option is to introduce a regular monthly gig - something like a Sunday Night Live at Zac's. Charge a little bit on the door cover all the costs and on a busy one might even make a bit towards the charitable work we continue to be involved in among the marginalised.

Ten years on and Zac's Place has moved on - we're a 'Church for Ragamuffins' - but I still passionately believe in the importance of the voice of the artist - as unpredictable and chaotic as it may be sometimes; I still believe in giving artists a platform for their creativity. So my friends - musos, artists, fellow pilgrims - is there any mileage in some regular gigs? Is it something you'd support? Let me know - lets bat it around for a bit........

Cheers and God bless

Sean

ATF GIG

Well, After The Fire came to Zac's to play their first gig in Swansea since 1981 and what a good night it was! Thanks to all those who came out to support it. Thanks too to Pete, John and the lads for making the journey and we hope it serves as a fitting start to their Autumn tour. It was a bonus getting them an interview and live session on BBC Radio Wales on the Fri night too. Rob Halligan grew in confidence taking the lead vocal role as his first full gig with ATF, and was good to see him again. Zac's is a long way from the venues and stadiums they played in with the likes of Queen and ELO in the 80's, but it was great to hear the songs are still alive and kicking and back on the road again.

After The Fire Tour rehearsal and preview...

Only a few week to go before the After The Fire gig at Zac's - here's a snippet.

AFTER THE FIRE - News Release

Originally well known back in the 70s and 80s, the last time After The Fire played in Swansea was in 1982. After a bit of a layoff since their monster hit 'Der Kommissar' in 1983, After The Fire (aka ATF) are now back and return to play Zac¹s Place on Saturday 22nd November for what promises to be a great show. Over the last 18 months, ATF have been enjoying their busiest period since 1982, when they toured the world with rock icons Queen, ELO and Van Halen.

Since 2004 both their early, self-financed cult LP 'Signs of Change' has finally appeared on CD, as has the full collection of CBS recordings, re-released by Sony on a double CD set. The band's energetic live set came out on both DVD and CD and a suite of material recorded back in 1982 was released on Angel Air Records.

During 2005 ATF returned to the studio to re-record their former top 40 UK hit, 'One Rule For You', re-titled 'One Rule (For Trade Justice)'. In conjunction with Christian Aid, the band immersed themselves in MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY campaigns and events.

Now loyal supporters are introducing their offspring to ATF's positive, high energy music! The band have re-invented their live approach with a well crafted, semi-acoustic sound. ATF's website afterthefire.co.uk and myspace.com/afterthefire continue to help build their following with a new generation of fans.

Tickets are available from the ATF website or at Zac's Place.

AFTER THE FIRE TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE

Tickets are now available online for the ATF Gig on 22 Nov via the ATF website.