<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
	xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
	xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/"
	xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
	xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
	xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/"
	xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/"
	>

<channel>
	<title>Get The Blessing</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk</link>
	<description>&#34;The new heroes of the UK jazz scene&#34; London Metro</description>
	<lastBuildDate>Wed, 08 May 2013 10:55:45 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	<language>en-US</language>
	<sy:updatePeriod>hourly</sy:updatePeriod>
	<sy:updateFrequency>1</sy:updateFrequency>
			<item>
		<title>Here we go then: album number three coming soon&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/here-we-go-then-album-number-three-coming-soon/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/here-we-go-then-album-number-three-coming-soon/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 12 Dec 2011 17:38:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=567</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hello me lovelies. After a quiet period we&#8217;re gearing up for some action. We&#8217;re playing at The Bell in Bath this Wednesday and at Canteen in Bristol this Thursday, but the big news is that album number 3 is going to be out early in 2012, on March 5th to be precise. We&#8217;re getting a [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello me lovelies. After a quiet period we&#8217;re gearing up for some action.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-568" title="4123 bass guitars" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/basses-390x260.jpg" alt="4123 bass guitars" width="390" height="260" /><span id="more-567"></span></figure>
<p>We&#8217;re playing at The Bell in Bath this Wednesday and at Canteen in Bristol this Thursday, but the big news is that <strong>album number 3 is going to be out early in 2012</strong>, on March 5th to be precise.</p>
<p>We&#8217;re getting a bit hot under the collar already of course but it seems we&#8217;re not the only ones:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com/news-mainmenu-139/68-2011/12165-jazz-breaking-news-get-the-blessing-are-back-with-storming-eight-tracker-with-robert-wyatt-guesting" rel="nofollow nofollow" target="_blank">http://<wbr>www.jazzwisemagazine.com/<wbr>news-mainmenu-139/68-2011/<wbr>12165-jazz-breaking-news-get-th<wbr>e-blessing-are-back-with-storm<wbr>ing-eight-tracker-with-robert-<wbr>wyatt-guesting</wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></wbr></a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/here-we-go-then-album-number-three-coming-soon/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>7</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>period of quiet contemplation</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 Jul 2011 12:10:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=540</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So &#8230; jim and clive are now in portis headland (duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh) &#8230; denmark poland slovakia &#8230; making intense dark beautiful but not very happy music &#8230; but what about pete and me I hear you fry? well &#8230;. &#8230; first off, it&#8217;s not the end of gtb activity. [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-564" title="in the orange light" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1582_3-390x292.jpg" alt="in the orange light" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
<p>So &#8230; jim and clive are now in portis headland (duh duh duh duh duh duh duh duh) &#8230; denmark poland slovakia &#8230; making intense dark beautiful but not very happy music &#8230; but what about pete and me I hear you fry? well &#8230;.<span id="more-540"></span></p>
<p>&#8230; first off, it&#8217;s not the end of gtb activity. portishead are going to be supporting us at a festival in slovakia (Bažant Pohoda 2011 since you asked). obviously they will look very cool playing with the pheads but we believe they will look cooler still in their suits with us &#8230;.</p>
<p>&#8230; we are also playing at the very famous jamboree club in barcelonia in august. I&#8217;ve played there before (loooong time ago) and that was really very hot indeed but we will take towels and water&#8230;</p>
<p>&#8230; and pete is doing some gigs with his fantastic new band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/threecanewhale" target="_blank">three cane whale</a> and his fantastic but not quite so new band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/eyebrowraised" target="_blank">eyebrow</a>. I will be stretching myself with the great trumpeter Nick Malcolm and with the excellent pianist Mike Willox (the Magnificent 7 is at Bristol&#8217;s Harbourside festival on july 30, thanks for asking) and with the equally fantastic Denny Illett (we&#8217;re playing at El Rincon in Bristol on July 22 since you&#8217;re interested)&#8230;</p>
<p>&#8230; but none of these will quite satisfy our cravings for blessing so we&#8217;ve set ourselves some homework and we&#8217;re going to write some tunes. absolutely no idea yet what will come out of it but there you go. and we&#8217;ll be finishing off the next album which is nearly ready. we have 8 or 9 tracks waiting to be polished, mixed and mastered and we have cellophane waiting to be photographed&#8230;. and there may be some very welcome and very surprise guests on the record &#8230; it will probably come out when phead is tucked away back into its cupboard so expect a release early next year and various tourings in england and europe (and hopefully scotland wales and ireland and america and canada)&#8230;</p>
<p>&#8230;.there may also be a sneaky gig or two which we may or may not tell you about &#8230;.</p>
<p>&#8230;. and watch out for clive in his hugely exciting new guise as co-drummer with radiohead. wet myself have you? can&#8217;t tell you how excited I am and I&#8217;m not even him!</p>
<p>so here are some good and some not so good photos from the recent and not so recent past to keep you amused and keep having a look at the website for new tracks which I will put up when I get bored of these ones &#8230;.</p>

<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1443/' title='IMG_1443'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1443-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1443" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1495/' title='IMG_1495'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1495-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1495" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1459/' title='IMG_1459'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1459-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1459" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000631/' title='P1000631'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000631-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000631" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000627/' title='P1000627'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000627-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000627" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000629/' title='P1000629'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000629-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000629" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000636/' title='P1000636'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000636-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000636" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000650/' title='P1000650'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000650-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000650" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/p1000633/' title='P1000633'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/P1000633-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="P1000633" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1582_3/' title='in the orange light'><img width="120" height="89" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1582_3-120x89.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="in the orange light" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1130/' title='IMG_1130'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1130-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1130" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1125/' title='IMG_1125'><img width="120" height="90" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1125-120x90.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1125" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1506/' title='IMG_1506'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1506-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1506" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1470/' title='IMG_1470'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1470-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1470" /></a>
<a href='http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/img_1128/' title='IMG_1128'><img width="120" height="160" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1128-120x160.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="IMG_1128" /></a>

]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/period-of-quiet-contemplation/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>ketchup /ramble / menu / crytal ball</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ketchup-ramble-menu-crytal-ball/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ketchup-ramble-menu-crytal-ball/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2011 14:23:34 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=533</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[get the blessing … transitory rock jazz .. soundtrack punk circus band …in transition …. transit … trance … trampoline … tranquillisers . exodus of jazz people .. are we jazz people ??? EU standard or wiltshire fatback rollneck ? or are we just gimmicky glock whackers ? well…….we&#8217;ve eaten plums in Agen , sampled [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>get the blessing … transitory rock jazz .. soundtrack punk circus band …in transition …. transit … trance … trampoline … tranquillisers .<br />
exodus of jazz people .. are we jazz people ??? EU standard or wiltshire fatback rollneck ? or are we just gimmicky glock whackers ?<span id="more-533"></span><br />
well…….we&#8217;ve eaten plums in Agen ,<br />
sampled the delicate curd cheese and donkey sausage and intense guest singers in Ajaccio ,<br />
had a drunken whale hippy mum stage invasion in Macon ,<br />
drunken crazy dogs and thrown up in litter bins in Paris ,<br />
eaten tapas the size of houses and drunk whiskey and rum till 6 in the silvery dawn in vanelles,<br />
laughed so much that pete almost broke his neck falling off his chair in Nice ,<br />
bought cigarettes and lighters to get free champagne and felt vertiginous and dizzy looking up at the tallest building in the world in Dubai ,<br />
nearly destroyed the stienway in Berlin ,<br />
done yoga and eaten cake by the river in Passau ,<br />
rocked with robert the rock soundman in a sold out unterfahrt in  Munich ,<br />
spent some time in the jazz museum bunker and eaten fresh pancakes and wurst in Hamburg ,<br />
been awe-struck my the surrounding mountainousness and extreme generosity of apelonias clean shirts and fine wines in Innsbrucke ,<br />
met the new CEO of nestle and climbed the cathedral in colgne ,<br />
drank applevioine ( shout it loud and raise your fist at the ceiling ) till 4 in the morgen with the mad old ladies of  frankfurt ,<br />
joined a sect of experimental social fernet branka consumption and very quiet music in linz  ,<br />
played frisbee and turkish kebabs with local kids till sore arms in mannhiem firestation ,<br />
infested a porn cinema and eaten argentinian bratwurst in vienna  ,<br />
enjoyed some medieval jousting and birdwatching in a castle in ludinghousen ,<br />
managed to leave st georges hall in bristol fairly intact .<br />
trieste … ah trieste !!! took part in jellyfish racing and ate the finest ham and cheese with truffle honey .. james joyce AND samuel bucket both in the audience .in camberwell we ate saveloys and peas in the brixton sunset ..<br />
in trowbridge … errr … not much , oh yeah , too much cider  …<br />
in aberystwith ate frozen welsh tapas off a roof tile , then very fine turkish kebab .</p>
<p>along the way we have engaged in high level espionage in order to get our poor little instruments onto blue and yellow aeroplanes .</p>
<p>in-between times , days in the studio have been shoehorned in , and somehow we seem to have recorded an album …. again .<br />
three is the magic number .. but so are  13 , 12 , 5 , 7 , 6 …    obsessive compulsive ambivalence  , low flying satellites , speciality coffee , strange illusory nebulous death sentences , beautiful lands where everything is measured in a semi decimal system , mozart and his ethiopian lamb wot , bakers dozens . all these subjects have been carefully studied in order to produce something well balanced , but tasty for the 21st century palate .<br />
a kind of existential maths and extreme emotion sausage is what we&#8217;ve come up with ..  its surely pretty tasty , but will it be possible to digest ? only you can say .</p>
<p>the whole shooting match is gonna be packed up into tea chests and moved from hammersmith to salisbury quite soon , and a bright new world of creativity is gonna open like a night scented stock  in the crepuscule of our year .<br />
late autumn or early spring ? dried leaves , misty evenings  .. or baby lambs gambolling in the dewy dawn ? … not sure ……………<br />
schnoody and captain ad hoc are off to do some off shore drilling for late 20th century miserypop .. rich viens of which are deposited in europe and america .<br />
so .. the GTB onslaught is to be interrupted briefly ..  but …  if it doesn&#8217;t kill you .. it makes you stronger …<br />
the next show is at the 100 club and we are hoping for some friends to come and join in .<br />
come and join in … please .</p>
<p>oh ..  and thankyou for not asking &#8221; is it really jazz ? &#8221; , how  very european of you . thanks .</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ketchup-ramble-menu-crytal-ball/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>GTB at the London Blues Fest</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-at-inaugural-london-blues-fest/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-at-inaugural-london-blues-fest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2011 17:54:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=528</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.bluesfestlondon.com Wednesday 29th June at the 100 Club We&#8217;re delighted to be invited to play at the very first London Blues Festival, and especially to play in the 100 Club, one of the most famous (infamous?) venues in the world. Lush.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.bluesfestlondon.com/">http://www.bluesfestlondon.com</a></p>
<p><strong>Wednesday 29th June</strong><br />
at the 100 Club</p>
<p>We&#8217;re delighted to be invited to play at the very first London Blues Festival, and especially to play in the 100 Club, one of the most famous (infamous?) venues in the world. Lush.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-at-inaugural-london-blues-fest/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>GTB über alles</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-uber-alles/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-uber-alles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:07:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=500</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[DEUTSCH Deutschland und Österreich! Dreizehn Konzert in dreizehn Tagen. Wir kommen sehr müde aber sehr glücklich nach Heimat zurück. Erstemal müssen wir sagen: Fliegen Sie nicht mit Ryanair! Danke. Also, jetzt kann Ich auf der gute Sache schreiben, und das war alles (aber nicht Ryanair). Vielen dank zu viele Leute für viele Hilfe. Unser Reisen [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-502" title="A-Trane (Berlin)" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/A-Trane-Berlin.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="270" /><span id="more-500"></span></figure>
<h2>DEUTSCH</h2>
<figure><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-511 alignright" title="GTB" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0455-120x89.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="89" /></figure>
<p>Deutschland und Österreich! Dreizehn Konzert in dreizehn Tagen. Wir kommen sehr müde aber sehr glücklich nach Heimat zurück.</p>
<p>Erstemal müssen wir sagen: Fliegen Sie nicht mit Ryanair! Danke.</p>
<figure><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-507" title="he ain't heavy (Berlin)" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/he-aint-heavy-Berlin-120x90.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="90" />Also, jetzt kann Ich auf der gute Sache schreiben, und das war alles (aber nicht Ryanair). Vielen dank zu viele Leute für viele Hilfe. Unser Reisen war sehr leicht. Die Deutsche und Österreiche Zuge! Pünktlich und schnell, und wir haben viele gute Mittagessen gehabt.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-503" title="Dortmund" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Dortmund-120x90.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="90" /></figure>
<p>Und der Musik: es ist sehr schwer die besten Konzert zu erinnern. Nicht weil Ich es vergessen habe, nur weil es gab so viel. Berlin war besonders, weil es war erste und so haben wir ein bisschen Angst. Vielleicht nur Ich (weil Ich auf Deutsch sprechen muss). Aber erste übe Ich mit Rosa und unsere Freunden von Kurdistan. Hamburg war ein sehr historisch Klub mit die besten Wurst. Wir freuen uns auf Komischen GTB Hamburg T-Shirts.</p>
<figure><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-515" title="spaceship" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/spaceship-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /></figure>
<p>In Dortmund haben wir Spass mit der Klavier, und in Köln mit der Dom und Murphys (es war St Patrick&#8217;s Tag). Karlsruhe hat der besten Rotwein und Klatschen. München: ein sehr schön Klub und es war sehr Voll. Wir haben die besten in München gespielt, denke Ich. Und Ich habe mein besten Deutsch gesagt auch. Hoffentlich David Beckham werde für Bayern München spielen und dann werde ich berühmt.</p>
<p>Und nächste ist Sonntag und jetzt sind wir ein bisschen müde. Wir brauchen ein Tag auf dem Land. Und so wir reisen nach Lüdinghausen, eines schönes Dorf in Münsterland und spielen wir in unsere Schloss. Wieder bitte.</p>
<figure><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-514" title="Mannheim Barr" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mannheim-Barr-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" />Natürlich wollen wir in der Sonn in Lüdinghausen bleiben, aber wir müssen Apfelwoi drinken. Also reisen wir nach Frankfurt und Brotfabrik. Es gibt keine Brot, aber es gibt viele schöne Leute und woi von Äpfeln. Apfelwoi ist nicht so gut für Frisbee und so wir müssen in Mannheim spielen für unsere alte Freunde Schott und Schock.</p>
<p>Österreich und die schönsten Stadt: Innsbruck. Wir müssen ein sehr grosse Danke zu Loni sagen: Ein fantastisch Konzert und unsere Wäsche auch! Entschuldigung Passau: Du bist auch sehr, sehr schön, aber Innsbruck hat die Bergen. Aber du hast die schönsten Leute! Ja, alle die wichtigen Leute in Passau hat GTB getroffen, der Staatsanwalt und seine Freundinnen, zum Beispiel.</p>
<p><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-505" title="Get The Blessing! (Innsbruck)" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Get-The-Blessing-Innsbruck-120x90.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="90" />Nach Österreich zurück und die letzten zwei Konzert. Erste in Wien, vielleicht der schöne Stadt in der Weld. Aber wir haben niemand Kaffee mit zu trinken. Nächste zeit? Und Endlich kommen wir nach Linz mit der grosse Dom (in Österreich), Linzertorte und Oxymoron, der ruhig Konzert.</p>
<p>So, sehr fantastisch, und für nächste Zeit werde Ich die andere David Beckham joke üben.</p>
<h2>ENGLISH</h2>
<p>We done played loads of gigs in Germany and Austria and they was all wicked.</p>
<p><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-504 alignnone" title="Frankfurt" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Frankfurt-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-uber-alles/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>we return to pizza express</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pizza-express-here-we-come/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pizza-express-here-we-come/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Mar 2011 13:57:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=494</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[we are returning to pizza express where we did our first ever gig outside london, the beginning of our road to infamy. it was a very lovely gig and mr jack massarick really liked us. so we are looking forward to the gig. plus we love the m4. tonight is a double bill with the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20110311-020906.jpg"><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20110311-020906.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone size-full" /></a><br />
<span id="more-494"></span></p>
<p>we are returning to pizza express where we did our first ever gig outside london, the beginning of our road to infamy. it was a very lovely gig and mr jack massarick really liked us. so we are looking forward to the gig. plus we love the m4. </p>
<p>tonight is a double bill with the hugely excellent arun ghosh and we are playing the first set of the first gig of the launch weekend of the first britjazz tour of germany 2011. </p>
<p>then we are playing in berlin and hamburg and cologne and karlsruhe and dortmund and mannheim and frankfurt and munich and ludinghausen and innsbruck and passau and linz and awww vienna.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pizza-express-here-we-come/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Le capital</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/le-capital/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/le-capital/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:25:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=488</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Whereas in Paris&#8230;platter de poire&#8230;rustique, mais aussi sophisticated.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Whereas in Paris&#8230;platter de poire&#8230;rustique, mais aussi sophisticated.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-489" title="platter de poire" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/platter-de-poire.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/le-capital/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>les fromages de Corse</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/les-fromages-de-corse/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/les-fromages-de-corse/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Feb 2011 20:23:40 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=485</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Corse. Magnifique. Les montagnes, les gens, les voix polyphoniques, et&#8230;les fromages]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-486" title="fromage un" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/fromage-un.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" /></figure>
<p>Corse. Magnifique. Les montagnes, les gens, les voix polyphoniques, et&#8230;les fromages</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-487" title="fromage deux" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/fromage-deux.jpg" alt="" width="320" height="240" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/les-fromages-de-corse/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Photos from France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/photos-from-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/photos-from-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 08 Feb 2011 18:21:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=481</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Photos taken by Manu Pagand at our gig in La Cave à Musique, Mâcon, France on Feb 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/epagand/sets/72157625873456643/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-483" title="pete-macon" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/pete-macon-268x400.jpg" alt="Pete in Macon, France" width="268" height="400" /></figure>
<p>Photos taken by Manu Pagand at our gig in La Cave à Musique, Mâcon, France on Feb 6:</p>
<p><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/epagand/sets/72157625873456643/"> http://www.flickr.com/photos/epagand/sets/72157625873456643/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/photos-from-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fulfilment of an ambition</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fulfilment-of-an-ambition/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fulfilment-of-an-ambition/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:59:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=478</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ve been talking about coming to Paris and having a platter of fruits de mer for 10 YEARS. And here we are.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;ve been talking about coming to Paris and having a platter of fruits de mer for 10 YEARS. And here we are.<br/><br/><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20110207-035936-390x290.jpg" alt="fruits de mer" title="20110207-035936.jpg" width="390" height="290" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-480" /></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fulfilment-of-an-ambition/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>rock and roll</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rock-and-roll/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rock-and-roll/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:06:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rock-and-roll/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20110206-090346.jpg" alt="rock and roll" class="alignnone" width="390" height="290" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rock-and-roll/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>GTB in shock religious conversion</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-shock-religious-conversion/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-shock-religious-conversion/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:40:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-shock-religious-conversion/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Back in France. First stop Agen for some theological study.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Back in France. First stop Agen for some theological study. <br/><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/20110206-044036.jpg" alt="" class="alignnone" width="390" height="290" /></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-shock-religious-conversion/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ronnie Scotts gig SOLD OUT &#8211; but if you already have a ticket it&#8217;s a 7:30pm start</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-gig-sold-out/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-gig-sold-out/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jan 2011 15:13:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=461</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re going to be back soon though (Pizza Express, Dean Street, in March&#8230;)]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-462" title="ronnie scotts" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/gtb-ronnies-390x292.jpg" alt="ronnie scotts" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
<p><span id="more-461"></span>We&#8217;re going to be back soon though (Pizza Express, Dean Street, in March&#8230;)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-gig-sold-out/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>how big?</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-big/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-big/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 11 Dec 2010 21:07:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=452</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[this big? no this big:]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>this big?</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-453" title="this big?" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/this-big-380x253.jpg" alt="this big?" width="380" height="253" /><span id="more-452"></span></figure>
<p>no this big:</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-454" title="no this big" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/no-this-big-380x253.jpg" alt="no this big" width="380" height="253" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-big/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>return of the thumb</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/return-of-the-thumb/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/return-of-the-thumb/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Nov 2010 08:31:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=353</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yep, back and loving it. The thumb is still a bit wonky but that should get better in time and it doesn&#8217;t seem to be holding me back. I took the precaution of doing some practice before returning to the saxophone playing fold so it wasn&#8217;t too much of a shock for all concerned, not [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-441" title="thumb" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/thumb1-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /><span id="more-353"></span></figure>
<p>Yep, back and loving it. The thumb is still a bit wonky but that should get better in time and it doesn&#8217;t seem to be holding me back. I took the precaution of doing some practice before returning to the saxophone playing fold so it wasn&#8217;t too much of a shock for all concerned, not least my lip. Don&#8217;t worry &#8211; I&#8217;ve stopped practicing now.</p>
<p>In fact, I think it&#8217;s possible the hiatus has done me some good. I&#8217;ve listened to a lot of music and tried to embrace diversity, not in the sense of a diverse selection of music &#8211; I&#8217;ve always listened fairly widely &#8211; but to try and listen to the diversity within the music I&#8217;m listening to, if that makes any sense. so, for example, I&#8217;ve been listening a lot to Tom Waits in the past few months. I&#8217;ve heard him described as &#8216;having his thing&#8217; i.e., of being a one-trick pony, of having a set and specific style, and this &#8216;criticism&#8217; isn&#8217;t entirely unfair. It&#8217;s true that he has a very identifiable style and approach, but that doesn&#8217;t imply homogeneity. There&#8217;s the obvious shift from the west coast singer/songwriter of his early albums to the world-weary hobo-drunk of the style he had adopted by the 80s but even within a single album there&#8217;s huge variety. Take Mule variations which starts with the cynical blues-funk of Big in Japan but also encompasses the twisted monologue of What&#8217;s He Building In There at one end to the country sentimentality of Hold On at the other. And you can&#8217;t go wrong with Mark Ribot and a marimba.</p>
<p>But before this descends into a gibbering fawn-fest over Tom, I should point out that I&#8217;ve also been listening to Wayne Shorter, John Surman, Radiohead, Satie, John Adams, Tortoise and have been reminded that less is usually more when it comes to making music. I expect I&#8217;m still going to play too many notes, I&#8217;m a saxophonist after all (though, in my defence, 15 years of dedicated non-practice has rendered me incapable of playing as many notes as most saxophonists), but I&#8217;m trying to think a little more carefully before playing those notes, trying to make sure they count, that they mean something.</p>
<p>Anyway, it&#8217;s been great to be back in the Blessingmobile again and we&#8217;ve had a nice run of gigs in the past few weeks. Not many, but enough to remind us why we do it and hopefully give us the push to get back in the studio. Thanks to all who came to our gigs (in Poole, Maidenhead, London, Basingstoke and Teignmouth). We&#8217;re going to do a couple of quiet/noisy Xmas gigs, one back at our old favourite The Bell in Bath and one at Canteen in Bristol. So see you there.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/return-of-the-thumb/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UK, Basingstoke</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-basingstoke/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-basingstoke/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:39:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=439</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Forge at The Anvil 8.15pm - Tickets £14; over 60s, under 16s and students £12 http://www.anvilarts.org.uk]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Forge at The Anvil</p>
<p>8.15pm - Tickets £14; over 60s, under 16s and students £12</p>
<p><a href="http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/">http://www.anvilarts.org.uk</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-basingstoke/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UK, London Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljf2010/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljf2010/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:38:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=438</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;re back for a third year running at the LJF! This time playing the Vortex Jazz Club in a double bill with Led Bib 8.30pm - Tickets £10 http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/ http://www.wegottickets.com/event/89273]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;re back for a third year running at the LJF! This time playing the Vortex Jazz Club in a double bill with <a href="http://www.ledbib.com/">Led Bib</a></p>
<p>8.30pm - Tickets £10</p>
<p><a href="http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/">http://www.vortexjazz.co.uk/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.wegottickets.com/event/89273">http://www.wegottickets.com/event/89273</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljf2010/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UK, Maidenhead</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-maidenhead/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-maidenhead/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 30 Sep 2010 08:29:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=437</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Norden Farm Centre For The Arts, Courtyard Theatre 8pm - Tickets £12/£10 http://nordenfarm.org/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Norden Farm Centre For The Arts, Courtyard Theatre</p>
<p>8pm - Tickets £12/£10</p>
<p><a href="http://nordenfarm.org/">http://nordenfarm.org/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/uk-maidenhead/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>GTB on telly in France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-on-telly-in-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-on-telly-in-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 20 Sep 2010 14:15:18 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=431</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ll always have Paris. Well, the French will. Us (them plus Josh who has two thumbs) on French telly A bit of the other band, a bit of us (them plus Josh who has two thumbs) playing, and then an interview with them (all two-thumbed) including Jim saying something incomprehensibly wise and important about Trip-hop [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;ll always have Paris. Well, the French will.</p>
<p><a href="http://culturebox.france3.fr/#/blessing/27322/get-the-blessing-a-jazz-a-la-villette">Us (them plus Josh who has two thumbs) on French telly</a></p>
<p><a href="http://culturebox.france3.fr/#/all/27292/jazz-a-la-villette-15e-version-plurielle">A bit of the other band, a bit of us (them plus Josh who has two thumbs) playing, and then an interview with them (all two-thumbed) including Jim saying something incomprehensibly wise and important about Trip-hop &#8230;</a></p>
<p><span id="more-431"></span></p>
<h2>Some more photos</h2>
<p>Jimbo Baggins</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-434" title="IMG_1220" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1220-300x400.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="400" /></figure>
<p>Too much Crazy Dog</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-433" title="IMG_1219" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1219-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
<p>Nice double-bill</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-432" title="IMG_1218" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_1218-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-on-telly-in-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jim Barr, age 3</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jim-barr-age-3/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jim-barr-age-3/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:00:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=424</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_800_600_6603EE50-0F62-4DD3-B26E-A41162D1BBCE.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_800_600_6603EE50-0F62-4DD3-B26E-A41162D1BBCE.jpeg" alt="" width="288" height="384" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jim-barr-age-3/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Brisfest</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brisfest/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brisfest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:32:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=423</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our big home gig! http://www.brisfest.co.uk/ Wolfs stage, 9pm]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our big home gig!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.brisfest.co.uk/">http://www.brisfest.co.uk/</a></p>
<p>Wolfs stage, 9pm</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brisfest/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Imperial Wharf Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/imperial-wharf-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/imperial-wharf-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 28 Aug 2010 12:29:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=421</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[At London&#8217;s Imperial Wharf http://www.imperialwharf.com/index.cfm?articleID=33]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>At London&#8217;s Imperial Wharf</p>
<p><a href="http://www.imperialwharf.com/index.cfm?articleID=33">http://www.imperialwharf.com/index.cfm?articleID=33</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/imperial-wharf-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to do a gig without a thumb</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-to-do-a-gig-without-a-thumb/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-to-do-a-gig-without-a-thumb/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Aug 2010 14:41:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=415</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So it turns out I must have damaged the tendon when I cut my left thumb in The Great Coconut Debacle because I managed to snap it completely in a bizarrely trivial washing up accident last week. Not recommended. Fortunately, a nice doctor with a bedside manner and manic, staring eyes was ready to come [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So it turns out I must have damaged the tendon when I cut my left thumb in The Great Coconut Debacle because I managed to snap it completely in a bizarrely trivial washing up accident last week. Not recommended.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l_1024_768_7084EB38-076C-40F5-9A4C-129A7447E123.jpeg"><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l_1024_768_7084EB38-076C-40F5-9A4C-129A7447E123.jpeg" alt="" class="alignnone size-medium" width="390" height="290" /></a><br />
<span id="more-415"></span></p>
<p>Fortunately, a nice doctor with a bedside manner and manic, staring eyes was ready to come to my rescue. By which I mean get another doctor, this time without a bedside manner and with almost no eye contact whatsoever, to stab me with a needle and knock me out so he could set upon me with a Stanley knife in my sleep.</p>
<p>So now I have Frankenthumb and am not allowed to do anything significant for 10-12 weeks. Fortunately, saxophonists are two a penny and we were able to secure the services of the excellent and embarrassingly young Josh Arcoleo for our forthcoming gigs. Great value at half pence (now that&#8217;s what I call a cheap joke). </p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/how-to-do-a-gig-without-a-thumb/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Long hot summer of blessing</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/long-hot-summer-of-blessing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/long-hot-summer-of-blessing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:41:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=393</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So France swiftly followed by Colchester, Coventry, Copenhagen, USA and Slovenia. In little over a month. You&#8217;ve read all about France (haven&#8217;t you?). We lamented the disparity between French and English service stations on our way to Colchester but were pleasantly surprised by the Segue theatre. One of the nicest rooms we&#8217;ve played in, acoustically [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So <a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-1">France</a> swiftly followed by Colchester, Coventry, Copenhagen, USA and Slovenia. In little over a month.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-401" title="pete in new york" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/pete-in-new-york-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /><br />
<span id="more-393"></span></figure>
<p>You&#8217;ve read all about <a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-1">France</a> (haven&#8217;t you?). We lamented the disparity between French and English service stations on our way to Colchester but were pleasantly surprised by the Segue theatre. One of the nicest rooms we&#8217;ve played in, acoustically near perfect. audience near perfect too. then it was off to Chelmsford to the most surreal travelodge ever. honestly.</p>
<p>Coventry should have been great &#8211; great theatre, the brilliant <a href="http://www.mintonfilm.com">john minton</a> doing visuals in stereo, great audience, just hardly any of them, allegedly because hardly anyone had heard about it. strange. still, home for a nice warm cuppa.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-398" title="drums colossus" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/drums-colossus-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
<p>Next off to warm up the copenhagen jazz festival. we met some lovely dallas cowgirls on the plane. long way from home but that didn&#8217;t seem to put them off. also it appears we already have a following in copenhagen.</p>
<figure><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-406" title="any bugs" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/any-bugs-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="180" /><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-409 alignnone" title="Danish blessing" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Danish-blessing-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="135" height="180" /></figure>
<figure><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-410" title="jim in church" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/jim-in-church-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="140" height="190" />And now we take coals to newcastle! yes gtb in nyc! the home of jazz. first we have to be blatant tourists &#8211; empire state building, carnegie hall, times square, central park, greenwich village, ground zero, broadway&#8230; and then the gig. we are nervous. well I am, clive never seems to get nervous. we are playing at one of the coolest venues I&#8217;ve ever played in: joe&#8217;s pub. <a href="http://www.marygauthier.com">Mary Gauthier</a> was on before us (in a separate gig) and was great, full of stories of how to make a living in music. nice posters mary.</p>
<p>Then our gig. amazing. part of the nerves were because of the understandable uncertainty about whether anyone was likely to turn up. has anyone heard of us in america? apparently they have, it was a great turn out. and they loved it. we had several women (well, one) in near hysteria, having travelled from new jersey to come and see us and genuinely delighted. we HAVE to go back.</p>
<p><img class="size-medium wp-image-404 alignnone" title="tourists" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/tourists-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
<p>Upstate new york we head. nearly missed the flight (long story) but arrived in one piece. a very different gig, partly because it was a festival, which always brings a different vibe, but mostly because we were playing in a beautiful 19th century church. definitely an opportunity to emphasise the quieter, darker side of the blessing. space, silence, atmosphere and melody very much to the fore. but again a lovely brace of gigs. it was nice to have a day off at the festival too. saw some great buskers lead by an excellent singer and bass player (yes, at the same time) <a href="http://www.katieernst.com/">katie ernst</a>, saw some of the lovely <a href="www.gwynethherbert.com">gwyneth herbert</a> and were completely transfixed by <a href="http://www.susannamagical.com/">susanna and the magical orchestra</a>. then we drank gin.</p>
<figure><img class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-411" title="window blessing" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/window-blessing-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="140" /><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-402" title="Rochester" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Rochester-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="190" height="140" /></figure>
<p>So then we staggered back to england for a few days rest before jetting off to the third stop on our tour of countries in the England&#8217;s world cup group stage group: slovenia. ljubljnjnjnnja to be more precise. a beautiful country and an extraordinary venue &#8211; a huge outdoor theatre with the largest awning in the world. we arrived early which again afforded us the opportunity to enjoy the city, the festival, and the gigs, watching louis sclavis trio in a thunderstorm a highlight. we had a good time climbing castles with the <a href="http://www.ledbib.com/">led bib</a> boys and then off to our soundcheck. and again our gig was great. hurrah.</p>
<figure><img class="alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-412" title="slovenia blue" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/slovenia-blue-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /><img class="size-medium wp-image-394 alignleft" title="early flight home" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/early-flight-home-345x460.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-413" title="heaven" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/heaven1-120x160.jpg" alt="" width="120" height="160" /></figure>
<p>Back in blighty now and down to work on the next album&#8230;.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-414" title="cake fight" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/cake-fight-390x292.jpg" alt="" width="390" height="292" /></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/long-hot-summer-of-blessing/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bloggue (le deuxieme)</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-le-deuxieme/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-le-deuxieme/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:05:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=383</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Le petit speck de Blessingmobile continue a faire une route circuitous en travers de France enorme. Apres Toulon, pop-pop a Marseilles (je suis conducteur, et il y a un contretemps entre La Peage et le bras de Jim..excusez-moi&#8230;). Bouillabaisse en Le Vieux Port. Foret de bateaux, mais pas de gateaux. La systeme de &#8216;One-Way&#8217; est [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Le petit speck de Blessingmobile continue a faire une route circuitous en travers de France enorme.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-384" title="Marseilles 5" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Marseilles-5-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-386" title="Marseilles 6" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Marseilles-61-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-387" title="Marseilles 4" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Marseilles-4-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /><span id="more-383"></span></figure>
<p>Apres Toulon, pop-pop a Marseilles (je suis conducteur, et il y a un contretemps entre La Peage et le bras de Jim..excusez-moi&#8230;). Bouillabaisse en Le Vieux Port. Foret de bateaux, mais pas de gateaux. La systeme de &#8216;One-Way&#8217; est tres complique. Cabaret Aleatoire est tres cooool mais assez vide aussi. Gig furieux.</p>
<figure><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-388" title="Marseilles 8" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Marseilles-8-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="113" height="151" /><br />
backstage</p>
<p>Plus des autoroutes, et plus des aires. Le Capitaine de Beefheart, et Le Docteur de John. Nieges sur les Pyrenees distant.  Les bons-bons avec gouts bizarre: lavande, Ami de Pecheur, salami, pierre tombale (je pense). Finalment, Niort. Une autre venue cool (Camji). Diner est curry de calmar.</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-389" title="Image000" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image000-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-390" title="Image002" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image002-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /> <img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-391" title="Image001" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image001-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /></figure>
<p>Matin, c&#8217;est seulment quelques heures sur les autoroutes et l&#8217;inevitable Tour de Hypermarche, et nous sommes encore dans le pod de ferry. Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-le-deuxieme/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bloggue (1)</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-1/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-1/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jun 2010 20:14:49 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=375</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Qu’est-ce que c’est? Oiseau? Avion? Non, c’est Le Blessingmobile, et il fait “le criss-cross”, avec beaucoup de Franglais, a travers FRANCE! Vachement cool, uh? Les disques “4” et “3” du bande Zep de Led, et nous sommes en Portsmouth. Nous mangons les chips (well, crisps really) dans un pub tres atmospherique. Puis, nous squeezons dans [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Qu’est-ce que c’est? Oiseau? Avion? Non, c’est Le Blessingmobile, et il fait “le criss-cross”, avec beaucoup de Franglais, a travers FRANCE! Vachement cool, uh?<br />
<img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-380" title="Toulon 3" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Toulon-3-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /><span id="more-375"></span><br />
Les disques “4” et “3” du bande Zep de Led, et nous sommes en Portsmouth. Nous mangons les chips (well, crisps really) dans un pub tres atmospherique. Puis, nous squeezons dans un petit pod sur le dernier ferry (singalonga-marc-gauvin). Dormir commes les bébés</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-377" title="Coutances 4" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Coutances-4-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /></figure>
<p>Tres jolie Coutances, pour un grand spectacle dans une chamber de miroirs – c’est un Festival de Jazz Sous Les Pommiers, et de Jazzers Sous Le Cidre aussi. Nous recontrons nos amis Anglais! – Chop de Porc. Merci Monsieur Sheppard pour musique sublime avec Glossalalia, et pour notre gig – c’est loud et exciting, et il y a beaucoup de jeunes</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-378" title="Toulouse 3" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Toulouse-3-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /></figure>
<p>Beaucoup des heures dans Le Blessingmobile, sur les autoroutes, et dans les “Aires” (= Motorway Service Stations with edible food). Finalment, Toulouse, et notre co-ordinatrice magnifique, Sandrine. Accomodation est un maison grand dans la campagne, avec gens et chiens amiables. Dormir commes les bébés encore. Matin, nous jouons le ping-pong. Il y a un rendezvous tragique entre la tête de Clive et un “Jacques Rafter” – ouff! Mais tout est oui.</p>
<figure><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-379" title="Toulouse 6" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Toulouse-61-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /><br />
Toulouse est rose. Gig est dans un club de jazz, après diner enorme; ce n’est pas notre gig most energetique peut-etre.</p>
<p>Puis, Toulon</p>
<p><img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-381" title="Toulon 6" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Toulon-6-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /></figure>
<p>Frisbee dans la place. Omega Live est cool et aussi les gens. Rock (Toul)on<br />
<img class="alignnone size-thumbnail wp-image-382" title="Toulon 2" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Toulon-2-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" /></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-le-deuxieme">MORE MORE MORE&#8230;</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bloggue-1/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>GTB in NYC!</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-nyc/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-nyc/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:00:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=372</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We have our first ever gig in the USA coming up! We&#8217;re playing at Joe&#8217;s Pub in New York on 16 June. Since we&#8217;ve never been to the US before we don&#8217;t know anyone. So if you&#8217;re going to be there or know anyone who&#8217;s in NYC on that date please tell them about it. They can [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We have our first ever gig in the USA coming up! We&#8217;re playing at Joe&#8217;s Pub in New York on 16 June.</p>
<p>Since we&#8217;ve never been to the US before we don&#8217;t know anyone. So if you&#8217;re going to be there or know anyone who&#8217;s in NYC on that date please tell them about it. They can <a href="http://www.joespub.com/component/option,com_shows/task,view/Itemid,40/id,5150">get tickets from the Joe&#8217;s Pub website</a></p>
<p>We&#8217;re also playing the following day at the Rochester Jazz Festival in upstate New York, and before that at the Jazz House in Copenhagen on June 10. It&#8217;s all go&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/gtb-in-nyc/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Mons, Belgium</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/mons-belgium/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/mons-belgium/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:51:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=369</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mons en Jazz Festival Auditorium Abel Dubois &#8211; 8pm]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.monsenjazz.be/">Mons en Jazz Festival</a><br />
Auditorium Abel Dubois &#8211; 8pm</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/mons-belgium/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Den Haag, Holland</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/den-haag-holland/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/den-haag-holland/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:50:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=368</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Paard Van Troje www.paard.nl]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Paard Van Troje<br />
<a href="http://www.paard.nl/">www.paard.nl</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/den-haag-holland/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Paris, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/paris-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/paris-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:48:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=367</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jazz à La Villette]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.citedelamusique.fr/minisites/1009_jazz_villette/index.aspx">Jazz à La Villette</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/paris-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>2</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Nantes, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nantes/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nantes/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:47:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=366</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Les Rendez vous de l&#8217;Erdre www.rendezvouserdre.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Les Rendez vous de l&#8217;Erdre<br />
<a href="http://www.rendezvouserdre.com/">www.rendezvouserdre.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nantes/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jazz House, Copenhagen</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/copenhagen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/copenhagen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:42:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=365</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Copenhagen Jazz Festival warm up Jazz House, Copenhagen http://www.jazzhouse.dk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Copenhagen Jazz Festival warm up<br />
Jazz House, Copenhagen<br />
<a href="http://www.jazzhouse.dk/">http://www.jazzhouse.dk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/copenhagen/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Clive in fight with buttress</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/clive-in-fight-with-buttress/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/clive-in-fight-with-buttress/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 May 2010 10:33:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/clive-in-fight-with-buttress/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Buttress wins.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Buttress wins.</p>
<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_2048_1536_DC19B1AF-32D1-4536-8FEF-E97176700DF1.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_2048_1536_DC19B1AF-32D1-4536-8FEF-E97176700DF1.jpeg" alt="" width="384" height="512" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/clive-in-fight-with-buttress/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Tarte au citron</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/tarte-au-citron/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/tarte-au-citron/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 16 May 2010 10:54:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=361</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[In the depths of rural France, between Rennes and Nantes, lives a fearsome creature known to the French only as Deamer au Citron&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In the depths of rural France, between Rennes and Nantes, lives a fearsome creature known to the French only as Deamer au Citron&#8230;</p>
<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1024_768_2A93763F-AC67-4775-BB60-EEC5A3B4AB79.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1024_768_2A93763F-AC67-4775-BB60-EEC5A3B4AB79.jpeg" alt="" width="384" height="512" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/tarte-au-citron/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>can&#8217;t sleep</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cant-sleep/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cant-sleep/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Apr 2010 02:18:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=356</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sooo, here I am, awake at 3am, without much excuse for insomnia except a few pints of normandy cider some hours ago and a moderately involving, if essentially tedious, book. And it&#8217;s funny how tunes pop into your head and won&#8217;t let go at this time of night. I&#8217;m sure some people sit down during [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-357" title="Image010" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Image010-112x150.jpg" alt="" width="112" height="150" />Sooo, here I am, awake at 3am, without much excuse for insomnia except a few pints of normandy cider some hours ago and a moderately involving, if essentially tedious, book. And it&#8217;s funny how tunes pop into your head and won&#8217;t let go at this time of night. <span id="more-356"></span>I&#8217;m sure some people sit down during normal office hours and make themselves write music, forcing it out like cold porridge, to the delight of listeners and publishers everywhere. But when I try that it actually sounds like cold porridge. I find the approach of a new song is a stealthy one. It sneaks up behind me, shouts in my ear, provoking a rush of adrenaline, but leaving me to fret over the resulting mess. The sneaking frequently occurs in the shower, much like in the film psycho (without the big knife and the violins), but it&#8217;s just as likely to arrive while shopping or loading the dishwasher as in an arena of contemplation and cleanliness. Not that I wish to brag about my shower, you understand. What I do know is that it&#8217;s pretty much guaranteed that, if it&#8217;s late and I should have been fast asleep hours ago, some indistinct, incomplete, frustratingly fractious fragment of a musical idea will cling to my conscience and consciousness with the insistent lyric &#8220;Get up! Write me down! I&#8217;m it, the GTB number one, your ticket to TOTP!&#8221; before vapourising into a mist of mediocrity the moment I physically apply pencil to manuscript.</p>
<p>Sooo, here I am, awake at 3am, with a tune that consists of a two note bass line, a catchy refrain and a steadfast refusal to yield any more than four bars of melody. First of all the bass line: imagine Dick Dale playing Billy Bragg with a wah-wah pedal on low E-string only. Imagine swamp-blues drums, in a swamp. Imagine horn melody jumps (unison trumpet and saxophone) in short, staccato patterns, like a small, dangerous-looking but essentially amiable bee. This ends with an unexpected repetition of the concluding phrase. It follows this (and this is where it starts to get vague) with a change of key, with the melody shifting to the bass, drums shifting to toms and horns playing a rising line before&#8230; Before my ideas gradually peter out as I realise the time&#8230; Ah well. With luck it will have something of the energy of Cake Hole and Einstein Action Figure about it, something sparklingly bop in the melody, and maybe something Vampire Weekend in texture too. Which gives me an idea for an intro&#8230; And maybe I should throw caution to the wind and embrace cold porridge as a valid musical approach?</p>
<p>But here&#8217;s the big question: is it just me or are the new Daleks just genocidal teletubbies with vocoders?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cant-sleep/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Marseille, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/marseille-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/marseille-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 06 Apr 2010 18:08:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=355</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Cabaret Aléatoire]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.cabaret-aleatoire.com">Cabaret Aléatoire</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/marseille-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UK, Teignmouth Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/teignmouth-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/teignmouth-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:30:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=352</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Carlton Theatre, The Den, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BD 9pm &#8211; Tickets: Weekend Stroller £60 / Saturday Day £30 / Saturday Evening £18 http://www.teignmouthjazz.org]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Carlton Theatre, The Den, Teignmouth, TQ14 8BD</p>
<p>9pm &#8211; Tickets: Weekend Stroller £60 / Saturday Day £30 / Saturday Evening £18</p>
<p><a href="http://www.teignmouthjazz.org/">http://www.teignmouthjazz.org</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/teignmouth-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>UK, Poole</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bournemouth-jazz/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bournemouth-jazz/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:27:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=351</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Bournemouth Jazz, The Lighthouse, Poole 8pm - Tickets: £12, discounts available. https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Bournemouth Jazz, The Lighthouse, Poole</p>
<p>8pm - Tickets: £12, discounts available.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/">https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bournemouth-jazz/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Brecon Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brecon-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brecon-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:33:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=350</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.breconjazz.org/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.breconjazz.org/">http://www.breconjazz.org/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/brecon-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ljubljana Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljubljana-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljubljana-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:32:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=349</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ljubljana-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Rochester Jazz Festival, US</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rochester-jazz-festival-us/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rochester-jazz-festival-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:29:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=346</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.rochesterjazz.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.rochesterjazz.com/">http://www.rochesterjazz.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/rochester-jazz-festival-us/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Joe&#8217;s Pub, New York, US</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/joes-pub-new-york-us/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/joes-pub-new-york-us/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:27:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=345</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.joespub.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.joespub.com/">http://www.joespub.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/joes-pub-new-york-us/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Coventry Rhythm Weekend</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/coventry-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/coventry-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:25:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=344</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.coventryrhythmweekend.com]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.coventryrhythmweekend.com">http://www.coventryrhythmweekend.com</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/coventry-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Segue, Colchester</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/segue-colchester/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/segue-colchester/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:22:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=343</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Jazz at the Lakeside, Lakeside Theatre http://www.segue.org.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Jazz at the Lakeside, Lakeside Theatre</p>
<p><a href="http://www.segue.org.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.segue.org.uk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/segue-colchester/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Niort, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/niort-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/niort-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:11:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=341</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[CAMJI, Niiort, France http://www.camji.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>CAMJI, Niiort, France</p>
<p><a href="http://www.camji.com/" target="_blank">http://www.camji.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/niort-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Toulon, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulon-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulon-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 12:10:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=340</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Omega Live, Toulon, France http://www.zenith-omega-toulon.com]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Omega Live, Toulon, France</p>
<p><a href="http://www.zenith-omega-toulon.com" target="_blank">http://www.zenith-omega-toulon.com</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulon-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Toulouse, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulouse-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulouse-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2010 09:53:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=338</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Le Mandala, Toulouse http://www.lemandala.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Le Mandala, Toulouse</p>
<p><a href="http://www.lemandala.com/" target="_blank">http://www.lemandala.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/toulouse-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Pigalle, London</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pigalle-london/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pigalle-london/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 18:04:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=337</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/pigalle-london/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Haiti Fundraiser, The Cube, Bristol</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/haiti-fundraiser-the-cube-bristol/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/haiti-fundraiser-the-cube-bristol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 17:53:58 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=336</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With John Parrish and others. http://nanoplex.cubecinema.com/haiti_kids_kino.php]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With John Parrish and others.</p>
<p><a href="http://nanoplex.cubecinema.com/haiti_kids_kino.php">http://nanoplex.cubecinema.com/haiti_kids_kino.php</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/haiti-fundraiser-the-cube-bristol/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>wochupto ?</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wochupto/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wochupto/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 08:04:38 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=326</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[well, well, 2010. despite disruption and strangeness in the admin department and the inevitable anti-climax after the high of 2008, 2009 was good. our second album bugs in amber got great reviews and we had some great live shows. jazzwise (yes, jazzwise) declared &#8220;…they may well be the most original and exciting band on the [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>well, well, 2010.<span id="more-326"></span> </p>
<figure><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/JAZZMOO-X-ROCK-345x258.jpg" alt="" title="JAZZ = MOO x ROCK" width="345" height="258" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-335" /></figure>
<p>despite disruption and strangeness in the admin department and the inevitable anti-climax after the high of 2008, 2009 was good. our second album bugs in amber got great reviews and we had some great live shows. <a href="http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com">jazzwise</a> (yes,  <a href="http://www.jazzwisemagazine.com">jazzwise</a>) declared  &#8220;…they may well be the most original and exciting band on the British scene at the moment.&#8221; and, if we say so ourselves, live we&#8217;ve just been getting better and better. we had our sell-out debut at <a href="http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/">ronnie scotts</a>, a return to the london jazz festival playing at the <a href="http://www.jazzcafe.co.uk">jazz cafe</a>, and a set on the main stage at the colston hall (with string quartet and others) on the same bill as andy sheppard and abdullah ibrahim, boyhood heroes both. we played in spain, ireland, sweden, norway and germany. and scotland. so hard to argue with. and music style product was used as continuity music for the 2009 world darts on telly. and you can&#8217;t say fairer than that.</p>
<p>so what are we up to now? writing, writing. we have new blessing tunes in the works, we&#8217;re starting to work on vocal tracks so we can get the dulcet tones of clive deamer and tammy payne (and guest others?) into the set. we&#8217;re working on a contemporary classical crossover set with elektrostatic, working with an expanded band and boxes of electronic tricks. we&#8217;re near to completing an album&#8217;s worth of remixes. </p>
<p>livewise we&#8217;re playing in bristol on feb 27th (my birthday!) and have a steady string of dates up to the summer, including an appearance on a double bill with Led Bib at the <a href="http://www.londonwordfestival.com/?p=1259">London Word Festival</a> on march 12, a return to sunny sligo in ireland for the st patrick&#8217;s day festival on march 19, the <a href="http://www.colstonhall.org/whatson/Event1270">elektrostatic</a> gig in bristol on may 12, tours in hungary and france in May and the US in june, and an acoustic gig at st georges in the autumn, which will be part of a uk tour.</p>
<p>questions?</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wochupto/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jazz sous les Pommiers, Coutances, France</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-sous-les-pommiers-france/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-sous-les-pommiers-france/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:29:13 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=334</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.jazzsouslespommiers.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.jazzsouslespommiers.com/" target="_blank">http://www.jazzsouslespommiers.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-sous-les-pommiers-france/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Acorn Arts, Penzance</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/acorn-arts-penzance/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/acorn-arts-penzance/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:28:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=333</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.acornartscentre.co.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.acornartscentre.co.uk/">http://www.acornartscentre.co.uk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/acorn-arts-penzance/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>St Patrick&#8217;s day festival, Sligo</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/st-patricks-day-festival-sligo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/st-patricks-day-festival-sligo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:27:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=331</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/st-patricks-day-festival-sligo/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>London Word Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-word-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-word-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:26:27 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=330</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.londonwordfestival.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.londonwordfestival.com/?p=1259">http://www.londonwordfestival.com/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-word-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Attic Bar, Bristol</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/attic-bar-bristol/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/attic-bar-bristol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Feb 2010 15:25:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=329</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/attic-bar-bristol/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Elektrostatic</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/elektrostatic/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/elektrostatic/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Dec 2009 13:46:09 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=327</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/elektrostatic/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>progress report</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/progress-report/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/progress-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Nov 2009 11:21:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/progress-report/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Mornin all. Jake here. Been a busy few weeks. We had ein gutes gig at the Enjoy Jazz festival in Heidelberg. Jim got the t-shirt. Then a weekend at the Bodega in Cork for the jazz festival, spent investigating the hallucinogenic properties of guiness. Then back into the studio for the first time in a [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Mornin all. Jake here. Been a busy few weeks. We had ein gutes gig at the Enjoy Jazz festival in Heidelberg. Jim got the t-shirt. Then a weekend at the Bodega in Cork for the jazz festival, spent investigating the hallucinogenic properties of guiness. Then back into the studio for the first time in a while. No less than five new tunes began their gestation. And the cakes were bleachy. Last night we were in Liverpool at the philharmonic.  Good gig and a great hotel. London Jazz Festival next. See you at the jazz cafe for jazz coffee, jazz currant buns and jazz not jazz (ha ha) next thursday.  </p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/progress-report/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Nasjonal Jazzscene, Oslo</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nasjonal-jazzscene-oslo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nasjonal-jazzscene-oslo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:47:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=324</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://nasjonaljazzscene.no/pa-plakaten/get-the-blessing-uk]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://nasjonaljazzscene.no/pa-plakaten/get-the-blessing-uk">http://nasjonaljazzscene.no/pa-plakaten/get-the-blessing-uk</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/nasjonal-jazzscene-oslo/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Kongsberg, Norway</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/kongsberg-norway/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/kongsberg-norway/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:41:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=322</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Details to follow&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Details to follow&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/kongsberg-norway/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Fasching, Stockholm</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fasching-stockholm/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fasching-stockholm/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:39:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=320</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Our first visit to Sunny Sweden. http://www.fasching.se/program.php?visa=683]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Our first visit to Sunny Sweden.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.fasching.se/program.php?visa=683">http://www.fasching.se/program.php?visa=683</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/fasching-stockholm/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Queens Park Arts, Aylesbury</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/queens-park-arts-aylesbury/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/queens-park-arts-aylesbury/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 12 Nov 2009 10:36:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=319</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[We&#8217;ve got some new material an all. http://www.qpc.org/index.php?thr=1031]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;ve got some new material an all.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.qpc.org/index.php?thr=1031">http://www.qpc.org/index.php?thr=1031</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/queens-park-arts-aylesbury/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>enjoy jazz</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:54:20 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1600_1200_5276A347-671B-4BB7-AFA6-0938A2FF5DBD.jpeg"><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1600_1200_5276A347-671B-4BB7-AFA6-0938A2FF5DBD.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-364" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jazz Cafe date moved to Thu 19 Nov</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-date-moved-to-thu-19-nov/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-date-moved-to-thu-19-nov/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:06:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-date-moved-to-thu-19-nov/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Just a quick note to let you know that our gig at the Jazz Cafe in London as part of the London Jazz Festival has been moved to Thursday 19 November. Better. http://www.jazzcafelive.com/newsandevents/templates/bookings.aspx?articleid=790&#38;zoneid=1]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just a quick note to let you know that our gig at the Jazz Cafe in London as part of the London Jazz Festival has been moved to Thursday 19 November. Better.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jazzcafelive.com/newsandevents/templates/bookings.aspx?articleid=790&amp;zoneid=1">http://www.jazzcafelive.com/newsandevents/templates/bookings.aspx?articleid=790&amp;zoneid=1</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-date-moved-to-thu-19-nov/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>big gigs</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/big-gigs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/big-gigs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Oct 2009 23:56:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/big-gigs/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[the colston hall in bristol has a new staircase of awesome proportions. half the blessing fills this with ominous low frequency emissions. The Judge conducts in a plague mask, the ice cream trembles. later in the main hall a many tentacled gtb takes to the stage. a strung quartet provides plaintive pizzicato, glittering glissandi, disconsolate [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>the colston hall in bristol has a new staircase of awesome proportions. <span id="more-314"></span>half the blessing fills this with ominous low frequency emissions. The Judge conducts in a plague mask, the ice cream trembles. </p>
<p>later in the main hall a many tentacled gtb takes to the stage. a strung quartet provides plaintive pizzicato, glittering glissandi, disconsolate discord. a lone trombone contributes power and pathos. electric guitar supplements and surpasses with ethereal noise and dainty twang. the mermaid bewitches us all. the solid core of gtb harnesses the yin and yang of this textural landscape with awe and amazement. we rock.  </p>
<p>less than one week later and we are flaunting our wares to the great and the good of the european jazz establishment in glasgow, land of my mysterious father&#8217;s father. this time we are compact, compressed, confident. we rock again.    </p>
<p>so it goes.    </p>
<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1600_1200_19882C9A-2EF6-4F25-8118-798801B5B2CF.jpeg"><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/p_1600_1200_19882C9A-2EF6-4F25-8118-798801B5B2CF.jpeg" alt="" width="225" height="300" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-364" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/big-gigs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Jazz Cafe, London Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-london-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-london-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:51:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=311</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Ronnie Scott&#8217;s, the Colston Hall and the Jazz Cafe in one year? get the tickets]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Ronnie Scott&#8217;s, the Colston Hall and the Jazz Cafe in one year?</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jazzcafelive.com/newsandevents/templates/bookings.aspx?articleid=790&amp;zoneid=1">get the tickets</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/jazz-cafe-london-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cork Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cork-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cork-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:49:48 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=310</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A 2 night run, details to follow&#8230;]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A 2 night run, details to follow&#8230;</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cork-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Enjoy Jazz, Heidelberg, Germany</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz-heidelberg-germany/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz-heidelberg-germany/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 15:48:52 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=309</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.enjoyjazz.de/content/e3/e3493/e3518/index_eng.html]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.enjoyjazz.de/content/e3/e3493/e3518/index_eng.html" target="_blank">http://www.enjoyjazz.de/content/e3/e3493/e3518/index_eng.html</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/enjoy-jazz-heidelberg-germany/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>new videos</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-videos/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-videos/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:25:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.youtube.com/thisistheblessing]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/thisistheblessing">http://www.youtube.com/thisistheblessing</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-videos/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>ronnie scotts</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2009 14:20:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=307</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;&#8230; a breath of fresh air&#8221; Jeff Beck As the token jazzer in GTB (I did gigs with NYJO and everything), playing at ronnie scott&#8217;s was the fulfillment of a lifetime&#8217;s ambition. I&#8217;ve always loved the place but I have to say that it looked and sounded better than ever. And it was a real [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>&#8220;&#8230; a breath of fresh air&#8221;</strong><br />
<em> Jeff Beck</em></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ronniescotts.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-313" title="ronnie scotts" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/ronniescotts-345x258.jpg" alt="ronnie scotts" width="345" height="258" /></a><span id="more-307"></span></p>
<p>As the token jazzer in GTB (I did gigs with NYJO and everything), playing at ronnie scott&#8217;s was the fulfillment of a lifetime&#8217;s ambition. I&#8217;ve always loved the place but I have to say that it looked and sounded better than ever. And it was a real honour to be invited to play there, especially as part of the 50th birthday celebrations held in the form of the Brit-jazz festival. And to play on the same bill as the ever surprising and stupendous <a href="http://www.polarbearmusic.co.uk" target="_blank">Polar Bear</a>. And the gig was sold out. And it rocked. And Jeff Beck thought we rocked too.</p>
<p>And another quote:</p>
<p><strong>&#8220;you have restored my faith in humanity. really.&#8221;</strong><br />
<em> Drunk Bloke at Shambala Festival</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ashton Court Summer Fair</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ashton-court-summer-fair/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ashton-court-summer-fair/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Jul 2009 19:37:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=304</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A special Summer Fayre to celebrate 50 years of public ownership by Bristol Council. Free entry. Bring the kids.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A special Summer Fayre to celebrate 50 years of public ownership by Bristol Council. Free entry. Bring the kids.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ashton-court-summer-fair/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>sligo</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Jul 2009 18:58:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[there are times when one would really like a drink &#8230;..there are times when the drink one would really like is guiness &#8230;..then there are times when the number of guinesses one would really like are too many for one man alone to imagine &#8230;.. above is a digital photograph taken using  some  special wires [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l_1600_1200_926EFDED-2103-4B21-8B73-5F7314C739C1.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-364" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l_1600_1200_926EFDED-2103-4B21-8B73-5F7314C739C1.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a></figure>
<p>there are times when one would really like a drink &#8230;..there are times when the drink one would really like is guiness &#8230;..then there are times when the number of guinesses one would really like are too many for one man alone to imagine &#8230;..<span id="more-303"></span> above is a digital photograph taken using  some  special wires inserted into a mans brain &#8230;whilst the man is having a lovely dream &#8230;&#8230; the picture shows the man   who sincerely believes that 4 pints of guiness can be consumed simultaneously &#8230;this not possible under normal conditions &#8230;luckily for the man involved &#8230;3 very good friends came along in the dream and helped the man consume the 4 pints of guiness simultaneously   &#8230;&#8230;.. this made the man very very happy &#8230;. later on in the dream &#8230; the four friends consumed afurther 4 pints of guiness .then another &#8230;..then another &#8230;&#8230;.then another &#8230;&#8230;what a dream ! as if this wasnt enough  the  four fine  companions went on to play some beatiful dark silky music  &#8230;..  pint after pint of it  &#8230; many other friends ..all filled to the brim with guiness &#8230;..applauded the  four as they relentlessly pleased themselves in their gorgeous  dreamings &#8230;&#8230;we can all dream &#8230;here is the picture to prove it.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Liverpool Phil</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/liverpool-phil/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/liverpool-phil/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:31:32 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=294</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.liverpoolphil.com/1442/events-contemporary-music/get-the-blessing.html]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.liverpoolphil.com/1442/events-contemporary-music/get-the-blessing.html">http://www.liverpoolphil.com/1442/events-contemporary-music/get-the-blessing.html</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/liverpool-phil/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Colston Hall Jazz Fest</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/colston-hall-jazz-fest/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/colston-hall-jazz-fest/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:30:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=293</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Link to the event&#8217;s official website As part of the Colston Hall&#8217;s gold-plated kitchen extension warming party there will be a jazz night featuring Abdullah Ibrahim, Andy Sheppard and us in extended format &#8211; GTB plus strings, trombone, vibes, vocals and utley.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.colstonhall.org/boxoffice/whatson/Event899" target="_blank">Link to the event&#8217;s official website</a></p>
<p>As part of the Colston Hall&#8217;s gold-plated kitchen extension warming party there will be a jazz night featuring Abdullah Ibrahim, Andy Sheppard and us in extended format &#8211; GTB plus strings, trombone, vibes, vocals and utley.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/colston-hall-jazz-fest/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>End of the Road Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/end-of-the-road-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/end-of-the-road-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:29:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=292</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>http://www.endoftheroadfestival.com/</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/end-of-the-road-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Itchycoo Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/itchycoo-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/itchycoo-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:28:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=291</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Nr Shepton Mallett, Somerset]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Nr Shepton Mallett, Somerset</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/itchycoo-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Shambala Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/shambala-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/shambala-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:26:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=290</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.shambalafestival.org/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>http://www.shambalafestival.org/</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/shambala-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Ronnie Scott&#8217;s (double bill with Polar Bear)</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-double-bill-with-polar-bear/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-double-bill-with-polar-bear/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:26:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=289</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[www.ronniescotts.co.uk A night at Ronnie&#8217;s with Polar Bear as part of Ronnie Scott&#8217;s 50th birthday Brit-Jazz celebrations]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.ronniescotts.co.uk" target="_blank">www.ronniescotts.co.uk</a></p>
<p>A night at Ronnie&#8217;s with Polar Bear as part of Ronnie Scott&#8217;s 50th birthday Brit-Jazz celebrations</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/ronnie-scotts-double-bill-with-polar-bear/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Barbican Free-stage</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/barbican-free-stage/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/barbican-free-stage/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:24:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=288</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A free gig on the foyer free-stage before Martin Medeski Wood]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A free gig on the foyer free-stage before Martin Medeski Wood</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/barbican-free-stage/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sligo Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 09:11:44 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=287</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.sligojazzproject.com/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>http://www.sligojazzproject.com/</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sligo-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Happy birthday Pete &#8220;The&#8221; Judge</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/happy-birthday-pete-the-judge/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/happy-birthday-pete-the-judge/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 May 2009 22:09:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/happy-birthday-pete-the-judge/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l-1600-1200-fc028002-d665-44a9-8075-a273aae07dcd.jpeg"><img src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/l-1600-1200-fc028002-d665-44a9-8075-a273aae07dcd.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-364" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/happy-birthday-pete-the-judge/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sir Gawain reviews GTB Bergen gig</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sir-gawain-reviews-gtb-bergen-gig/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sir-gawain-reviews-gtb-bergen-gig/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 12:18:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sir-gawain-reviews-gtb-bergen-gig/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The first course comes in to the fanfare and clamour of blasting [ blasted?] trumpets hung with trembling banners, then pounding double-drums and dinning pipes, weird sounds and wails of such warbled wildness that to hear and feel them made the heart float free&#8230; [The bassist is] a mountain of a man, immeasurably high a [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The first course comes in to the fanfare and clamour<br />
of blasting [ blasted?] trumpets hung with trembling banners,<br />
then pounding double-drums and dinning pipes,<br />
weird sounds and wails of such warbled wildness<br />
that to hear and feel them made the heart float free&#8230;<br />
[The bassist is] a mountain of a man, immeasurably high<br />
a hulk of a human from head to hips&#8230;</p>
<p>(review translated by Simon Armitage)</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sir-gawain-reviews-gtb-bergen-gig/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>bergen</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2009 11:51:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=255</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[like gold laden norse gods bloodied and returning &#8230; we arrive demanding a feast . we are treated to several square metres of war hero duvet covered  with very  tasty  spiced kebab meat &#8230;&#8230;also a moistened sleeping bag full of  felafel &#8230;.. there are multitudinous goblets of fine fizzing yellow ale . we are very [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>like gold laden norse gods bloodied and returning &#8230; we arrive demanding a feast .<span id="more-255"></span></p>
<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0565.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-295" title="IMG_0565" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0565-345x258.jpg" alt="IMG_0565" width="345" height="258" /></a></figure>
<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0565.jpg"></a>we are treated to several square metres of war hero duvet covered  with very  tasty  spiced kebab meat &#8230;&#8230;also a moistened sleeping bag full of  felafel &#8230;.. there are multitudinous goblets of fine fizzing yellow ale . we are very pleased to be here .</p>
<p>it soon becomes clear that clive is  indeed a heroic warrior not unfamiliar with these fjords and its noble beards and pigtails .. we are welcomed like the brothers of a king from rock and roll sagas deep and rich .</p>
<p>berger and anita are  our guide through these  riffing tapestries  .</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0568.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-296" title="IMG_0568" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0568-112x150.jpg" alt="IMG_0568" width="112" height="150" /></a>bergen is the beautifullest harbour any of our watery eyeballs have clapped onto &#8230;. wooden houses  nestle in the  wooded dells  &#8230;..a fairy tale railway lifts the pilgrims up the rocks and crags to an eirie &#8230;&#8230;.views of a tolkien epic vastness and panoramic aspec gtreet us &#8230;.hooray !!!!!!!!!!!</p>
<p>i buy some socks with riendeers on .</p>
<p>later on we do a gig .</p>
<p>then we feast on fizzy yellow beer .then we go and watch as a young viking man plays classic blues pop / rock to a halle of young heroic vikings jumping up and down . a song called &#8220;the most beautiful girl in oslo &#8221; stands out i my yellow fizzy mind .</p>
<p>tomorrow is spent walking amongst the wooded house in the smouet of the old town &#8230;.down to the sardine factory &#8230; tales of post avant rock imrov battles are told &#8230; we nod appreciatively &#8230; these are the stories we need to make our own .</p>
<p>back up through the sky over those winking glittering fjords &#8230;&#8230; back to our own fine but very much less beautiful harbour . we will and we must come back to bergen  &#8230; to enrichen the saga of get the blessing .</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0589.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-298" title="IMG_0589" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/IMG_0589-345x258.jpg" alt="IMG_0589" width="345" height="258" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sound City Festival, Liverpool</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sound-city-festival-liverpool/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sound-city-festival-liverpool/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 17:33:03 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=254</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk" target="_blank">http://www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sound-city-festival-liverpool/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Album Launch at The Croft, Bristol</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/album-launch-at-the-croft-bristol/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/album-launch-at-the-croft-bristol/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 17:30:02 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=252</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/gtb_croft_poster-small.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-253" title="gtb_croft_poster-small" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/gtb_croft_poster-small-345x487.jpg" alt="gtb_croft_poster-small" width="345" height="487" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/album-launch-at-the-croft-bristol/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Meltdown Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/meltdown-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/meltdown-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 17:27:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=251</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/meltdown-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Stroud Valley Arts with John Hegley</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/stroud-valley-arts-with-john-hegley/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/stroud-valley-arts-with-john-hegley/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2009 14:20:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=249</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.sva.org.uk http://www.johnhegley.co.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.sva.org.uk" target="_blank">http://www.sva.org.uk</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.johnhegley.co.uk/" target="_blank">http://www.johnhegley.co.uk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/stroud-valley-arts-with-john-hegley/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A short interview&#8230;</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/a-short-interview/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/a-short-interview/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:19:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=245</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[(For Cheltenham Jazz Festival) Q. How and when did The Blessing first get together? A. There used to be an Ornette Coleman fan club in Bristol — the meetings were held in a very old café in Westone under Nudlum. They have the best bleach cakes in the world. Also coffee. Listening to Ornette and [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>(For <a href="http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/jazz-2009/get-the-blessing/">Cheltenham Jazz Festival</a>)<span id="more-245"></span></p>
<p>Q. How and when did The Blessing first get together?</p>
<p>A. There used to be an Ornette Coleman fan club in Bristol — the meetings were held in a very old café in Westone under Nudlum. They have the best bleach cakes in the world. Also coffee. Listening to Ornette and eating those cakes. We knew we had to do something together.</p>
<p>Q. Can you explain why you wear suits and bags on your heads?</p>
<p>A. We do a lot of weddings and funerals — so it’s easier just to wear suits all the time than turn up to a formal occasion wearing the usual jodhpurs and sandals. We wear bags so no one can see us laughing.</p>
<p>Q. It’s been said in many of your interviews that you wont use chords in your music. Why is that?</p>
<p>A. When we started playing together, we could only afford the cheaper brands of chord. They made our music sound sickly and greasy. After one particular session we had used far too many chords — Clive our drummer was violently sick. Even now that we can afford much better quality chords, we choose not to.</p>
<p>Q. What would you say is the single biggest influence on The Blessings’ compositions?</p>
<p>A. Some time ago whilst touring in Andalusia, we were served a local delicacy, ‘the creaking of prawns’, we all simultaneously became synthetic. Now all our melodies are infused with the delicate purples and pinks of small crustacia frying.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/a-short-interview/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bertrand Russell</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bertrand-russell/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bertrand-russell/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:20:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=244</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8220;If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8220;If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.&#8221;<br />
<em>Bertrand Russell</em></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bertrand-russell/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>sneaky sneaky</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sneaky-sneaky/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sneaky-sneaky/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:12:15 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sneaky-sneaky/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[yes I said yes two sneaky warm up gigs before the album comes out next month we were at the bell in bath last night rammed to the rafters it was clive did some singering and jims bass amp packed up but good old stevie soundman had a spare thank the lord anyway lots of [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>yes I said yes two sneaky warm up gigs before the album comes out next month<br />
<span id="more-243"></span>we were at the bell in bath last night rammed to the rafters it was clive did some singering and jims bass amp packed up but good old stevie soundman had a spare thank the lord anyway lots of shouting whooping and yessing so we did two encores for the lovely sweary sweaty people of walcot nation&#8230;</p>
<p>&#8230; and tonight we&#8217;re in the land of kings yes really the land of kings festival in dalston london at the vortex to be precise so if you read this in time come down tonight but if you don&#8217;t but still live in london come and see us we are playing at cargo on may 28 we are yes I said yes we are</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/sneaky-sneaky/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>50 million years</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/50-million-years/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/50-million-years/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:24:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jim</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=241</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[speen some time the bugs have been languishing in the fossilized sap for some time now . unaware of the impending weight of public opinions being courted by thier imprisoners the excitement and warm glow is long gone . whats kinna happened ? cinematic experiments are afoot. post modern juggling of solar flarings and academic [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>speen some time</p>
<p>the bugs have been languishing in the fossilized sap for some time now .</p>
<p>unaware of the impending weight of public opinions being courted by thier imprisoners</p>
<p>the excitement and warm glow is long gone .</p>
<p>whats kinna happened ?</p>
<p><span id="more-241"></span>cinematic experiments are afoot.</p>
<p>post modern juggling of solar flarings and academic bottoms &#8230;. mash up and mosh yer mush mate .</p>
<p>singing is heard from the thin blue dawn horizon .</p>
<p>maybe  journeys into the fairie woods with sylph like creatures are in store &#8230;</p>
<p>maybe a terrifying adventure with a hairless faun in some underworld forests .</p>
<p>its all in the hands of the jazz mind police &#8230; magistrates of good taste and correct aesthetic meddlings .</p>
<p>all we need is the small treats we deserve and we will be the happiest little easter bunnies this side of christmas pudding .</p>
<p>but we must wait and see .</p>
<p>these bugs havent sucked in fifty million years &#8230; they are thirsty for blood , sap , juices of any kind at all &#8230;.</p>
<p>fifty million years of hunger &#8230;. about to be unleashed on the woild innit.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/50-million-years/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Swanage Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/swanage-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/swanage-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:20:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=239</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.swanagejazz.org.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.swanagejazz.org.uk/">http://www.swanagejazz.org.uk/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/swanage-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Birmingham, The Rainbow</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/birmingham-the-rainbow/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/birmingham-the-rainbow/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:17:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=237</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.birminghamjazz.co.uk/ Jazz Club @ The Rainbow, Digbeth 8:30pm (band onstage 9pm) £3]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.birminghamjazz.co.uk/">http://www.birminghamjazz.co.uk/</a></p>
<p>Jazz Club @ The Rainbow, Digbeth<br />
8:30pm (band onstage 9pm) £3</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/birmingham-the-rainbow/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Glasgow Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/glasgow-jazz-festival-2/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/glasgow-jazz-festival-2/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:14:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=235</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Arches http://www.jazzfest.co.uk/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Arches</p>
<p><a href="http://www.jazzfest.co.uk/">http://www.jazzfest.co.uk</a>/</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/glasgow-jazz-festival-2/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The Boilerroom, Guildford</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/the-boilerroom-guildford/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/the-boilerroom-guildford/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:11:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=234</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.theboileroom.net/]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.theboileroom.net/">http://www.theboileroom.net/</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/the-boilerroom-guildford/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>London Album Launch, Cargo</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-album-launch-cargo/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-album-launch-cargo/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2009 20:08:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=230</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[www.flomotionradio.com]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.flomotionradio.com/">www.flomotionradio.com</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.flomotionradio.com/"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-232" title="flomotion-01" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/flomotionradiopresentsgettheblessing-345x459.jpg" alt="flomotion-01" width="345" height="459" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/london-album-launch-cargo/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Blog Español, Enero 2009</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/224/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/224/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:08:47 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Pete</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/224/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Sevilla ¡Que ciudad! Sol en el cielo. Naranjas en los arbres. Muchas tapas en los platos. Y muchas personas simpaticos en el Teatro para el concierto de La Benedición. Tenemos una especialidad de Bristol para las personas: Tarta de Limpieza. Delicioso. Tocamos canciones varios. Musico Estilo Producto. El Moto de Suzuki. Igual y Contrario. Velocidad [...]]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0501.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-225" title="sevilla oranges" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0501-112x150.jpg" alt="sevilla oranges" width="112" height="150" /></a>Sevilla</p>
<p>¡Que ciudad! Sol en el cielo. Naranjas en los arbres. Muchas tapas en los platos. Y muchas personas simpaticos en el Teatro para el concierto de La Benedición.<span id="more-224"></span></p>
<p>Tenemos una especialidad de Bristol para las personas: Tarta de Limpieza. Delicioso.</p>
<p>Tocamos canciones varios. Musico Estilo Producto. El Moto de Suzuki. Igual y Contrario. Velocidad de Oscuridad.</p>
<p>Despues el concierto, escuchamos á el crujiente de langostinos. Unas personas rien a mi Española pequeña (soy idiota!).</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0490.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-226" title="cliviz and jimilla" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0490-112x150.jpg" alt="cliviz and jimilla" width="112" height="150" /></a>Cadiz</p>
<p>Ahora somos en Cadiz. Gracias á Ivan y su van. Sol tambien en el cielo. Muchos balcones y flores. Luz del mar.</p>
<p>Teatro pequeño y supercool. Mi Español (sic) es un poquito menos primitivo. Tocamos canciones varios y diferentes. Pescadito y Estanquito. Omígas En Ambar. Un Hermano Mas de Una Madre Mas.</p>
<p>Despues, mariscos y pescados.</p>
<p>Jerez</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0506.jpg"><img class="alignright size-thumbnail wp-image-228" title="vampilla" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0506-112x150.jpg" alt="vampilla" width="112" height="150" /></a>Lluvioso en Jerez, pero La Benedición son feliz &#8211; en una taverna rustica, con muchas tapas, y, por supuesto, copas de jerez. No son doloroso con nuestro Oloroso.</p>
<p>Teatro gigantesco! Mas canciones. Desconocido. Las Palabras Para Raya de Luna Son Raya de Luna. El Figurine Acción de Einstein.</p>
<p>Cuando se danza con Diablo, no se da un paso falso.<br />
Todo es si. España por favor.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0513.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-229" title="clive" src="http://www.theblessing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/img_0513-345x258.jpg" alt="clive" width="345" height="258" /></a></figure>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/224/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>New Album Released!</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-album-launched/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-album-launched/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Feb 2009 15:06:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=223</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[&#8230; but that would be telling &#8230;.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>&#8230; but that would be telling &#8230;.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/new-album-launched/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>1</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Cheltenham Jazz Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cheltenham-jazz-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cheltenham-jazz-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:14:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=218</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/whats_on/jazz_festival.html]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/whats_on/jazz_festival.html" target="_blank">http://cheltenhamfestivals.com/whats_on/jazz_festival.html</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/cheltenham-jazz-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Bergen Festival</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen-festival/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen-festival/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:12:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=217</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[http://www.bergenfest.no]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.bergenfest.no">http://www.bergenfest.no</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/bergen-festival/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Winchester Discovery Centre</title>
		<link>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/winchester/</link>
		<comments>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/winchester/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:11:23 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Jake</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Gigs]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.theblessing.co.uk/?p=216</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Winchester Discovery Centre &#8230; and details of the gig here.]]></description>
				<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www3.hants.gov.uk/wdc.htm" target="_blank">Winchester Discovery Centre</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www3.hants.gov.uk/wdc/wdc/whatson-wdc?search=day&amp;startDate=2009-03-28&amp;endDate=2009-03-28&amp;t=nav&amp;m=2&amp;y=2009" target="_blank">&#8230; and details of the gig here.</a></p>
]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.theblessing.co.uk/winchester/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>0</slash:comments>
		</item>
	</channel>
</rss>
