NEW JF PROJECT! 'FLABBEY ROAD' - John Ford's NEW BEATLES TRIBUTE band project - You missed Gig on 26th Sept @ LuLu's Village Pub - Pt Jefferson, NY - NEW photos at Flabbey Rd. MySpace www.myspace.co/flabbeyroadbeatlestribute     

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CD RELEASES...

News on 'Big Hit In India' Album:

The NEW 'Big Hit In India' features 12 NEW Original Tracks:

1 Big Hit In India
2 Poor Boy Running
3 Weird
4 And I Love The Way
5 Still Waiting (For You)
6 Love Is All I Ever Want
7 We Always Rock and Roll
8 Paper Trail
9 Dead In The Water
10 Everybody Knows
11 If I Wanted To
12 Forbidden Planet

A short Listener Comment:

"John Ford's new one 'Big Hit In India' - If you haven't gotten John's new one yet, you should treat yourself to one of his most complete efforts yet. There is not weak track on this album. There are so many little flourishes in the mix. it makes for a very complete listening experience. John writes so many memorable melodies. I wrote a complete track by track review a few weeks ago. With all the releases, I know it takes time to get caught up but you owe to yourselves to soak your head in this amazing collection of John Ford compositions.
Cheers, Ken/NY"

or order CDs direct here:

Thinking about Holiday Gifts?

Check out John Ford Christmas CDs!

John Ford's A Christmas Trilogy CD

Click on Covers for more Info and to Buy!

CLICK FOR NEW REVIEWS NOW UP!

Featuring

Two NEW Original Christmas songs by John Ford

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Whatever Happened To Christmas  CD

This 12 song CD album features an array of Christmas Classics and John Ford original future classics! A fantastic CD to add to your Holiday Music Collection that truly captures the festive spirit of Christmas!

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And Don't forget these ~

NEW WORLD

"NEW WORLD" Maxi-Single Release - What began as an upcoming single "New World" has developed into a Maxi-Single or perhaps Mega-Single with 7 songs, including the FIRST LIVE version of "Part of the Union" recorded in over 30 years! John Ford was accompanied by Brian Willoughby and Cathryn Craig on POTU and Worried Man Blues and recorded at Audio Tech Works Recording Studio in Southington, CT. NOW on this site for sale. Also available at Witchwood Records and  www.cdbaby.com.

CLICK CD Covers to Buy & more info or CLICK CDBABY ICON for MP3 & CDS

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BACKTRACKING

 myspace.com/flabbeyroadbeatlestributeband

 www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs 

Checkout NEW LuLu’s Village Pub Photos at www.myspace.com/lulusvillagepub - A really great club-fantastic sound system!

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Sat. 13th Sept. 2008 @ LuLu's Village Pub

'British Re-Invasion Night' - John Ford & Friends and on the bill - direct from England, John Young on his Sept 2008 US Tour.

  see www.myspace.com/johnfordofthestrawbs & myspace.com/johnyoungband  - Checkout NEW LuLu’s Village Pub Photos at www.myspace.com/lulusvillagepub - A really great club-fantastic sound system!

John Ford Setlist

Benedictus
If I Needed Someone
Where have all the Good Times Gone
Substitute
Well Respected Man
You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
It's So Hard
Whiter Shade of Pale
New World
Witchwood
Strange Universe
Weird
Big Hit In India
Nice Legs
Part of the Union

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John Ford Headlined Day 2 of Power of Prog Festival on Sat., 28th June 2008 And Presenter at 2008 Progressive Rock Hall of Fame Awards (scroll down in Past shows)

Great article in USA Progressive Music. Com and Photos by Mike Flavin. 

Also see article in Life and Times in Utica

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John Ford Live Video!

'Werewolves of London' LIVE at Cafe Coco's NJ Halloween show from John Buryk

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NEW  MySpace up for Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans!!

Jaymes Fenda and the Vulcans, the very first band John started his music career with and first hit, 'Mistletoe Love' at age 16, has just launched a MySpace site created by Clive, Michael (Jaymes) and son, Stephen Pierce.  Has continuing neat story how this teen dream band began with lotsa pics and tunes...so click on the photo to go there or www.myspace.com/jaymesfenda

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John Ford having completed tracks for new CD having just added another fantastic new track, 'Big Hit In India' in its final mix stage.  CD Title still yet undecided? 'Resurrected' release on hold at the moment.

SONY ATV has now signed John for licencing agreement for his song catalogue. A new backing band selected and in rehearsals for future shows to be announced. Check back for more details on all that...

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New German Strawbs 'Best of...' CD available Jan 2008

- see below in Strawbs section

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NOVEMBER 2007 UPDATE:

If you're wondering  what John Ford has been up to ???? 

John Ford has finally emerged from recording studio with twelve BRAND NEW unreleased  John Ford tracks completed !!!! and in Mastering mode for a yet untitled CD. They sound GREAT!!!  A taste of one will be up shortly here and at MySpace site.

 Release date for both that and Resurrected should be early 2008, along with plans to release a Hudson Ford release, a best of collection reissued for 1st time on CD!!!.  So much to look forward to for John Ford fans and collectors. Updates to follow.

Auditions and rehearsals for John's backing band now  in progress for live shows to come. So things have been busy!!!! Thanks to those, whose queries were much appreciated!!!

BTW - DLs are also available on iTunes and numerous other mp3 DL sites for some of John's material including Backtracking and New World.

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Christmas or Any Gift Idea!!! - John Ford - NEW WORLD T-Shirt available here

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NEW JOHN FORD RELEASE " RESURRECTED " In Post-Production.

Here's a sneak peek at cover art - an image of British phone art by UK guerilla artist, BANKSY.

Meanwhile... Resurrected track list is being expanded and in post-production for release in the near future.

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STRAWBS, HUDSON FORD & MONKS VIDEOS ON

Check out Hudson Ford, Monk& Strawbs Videos with

John Ford on www.youtube.com  

Hudson Ford videos up for

                Burn Baby Burn           Crying Blues                      

Are You Dancing

The Monks - Nice Legs Shame About The Face ( 1980 )

However, so as not to disappoint viewers, taking it further and stepped into the depths of YouTube to uncover covers of The Monks, bringing you these other YouTube video links ranging from a well done Cartoon to vintage Legs & Co.'s version to even a bit of Burlesque ! done by fans young and old, as their video tributes to these not forgotten tunes !

Find these below by clicking image:

Drugs In My Pocket - ( Animation ) A toxicological britpop, punk tribute to All Hallow's Eve. An impending madness overwhelms our hero... Toon, by the legendary band, The Monks ( 2007 )

" Legs and Co" perform The Monks " Nice Legs Shame About the Face " ( 1979 )

Legs Malone - Nice Legs, Shame About Her Face - December 6th, 2006 - performance at the Whoopee Agency's Tournament of Tease - Bethnal Green Working Mens Club in London ( A bit naughty ! ) and worth a watch.

Johnny B. Rotten -LLittle punk rocker dancing to his favourite song by The Monks. He calls the song " Tummy Tummy". Possibly, the youngest known ( 3 yrs. ? ) fan of The Monks  ( 2006 )

Note: Some videos are prone to removal but can resurface again, a bit dodgey at times...

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Ken Laws 1951-2007

Drummer for Hudson-Ford

On a sad note, we are sorry to post of the passing of Ken Laws, a consummate musician and drummer with Hudson-Ford. Ken appeared on several Hudson-Ford albums and hit singles by the group along with extensive touring with the band and appearances on Television including " Top of The Pops " and " Old Grey Whistle Test. " Continuing other musical pursuits through the years after Hudson-Ford's fold.  In 2002, Ken married his wife Maryanne in Blackpool and in time, made Atlanta, GA his home in the US. Early 2006, Ken became ill, soon to be diagnosed with an inoperable Brain Tumor. He would have been 56 on March 30, 2007.

For more on Ken Laws and Hudson-Ford / Strawbs fans to send their sympathy and condolences to his wife Maryanne go to www.strawbsweb.co.uk

Update: A Memorial service for Ken held April 3, 2008 - 4PM at the Hinde St. Methodist Church in Marylebone, London for friends and fans.

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Sad News to Report ~ Hudson Ford Guitarist, Mickey Keen’s Passing

Happy Day with Hudson Ford at Caribou Ranch, outside Denver, CO. Left to right: Mickey Keen, Richard Hudson, Ken Laws. John Ford and Chris Parren

London, UK Sat  8^th November - Sad to report the passing of Mickey Keen - also known as Peachy Keen, original guitarist in Hudson Ford band, early Saturday morning after a brave battle being diagnosed with cancer.  Mickey was heard on first two albums Nickelodeon and Free Spirit which included members John Ford, Richard Hudson - having recently left the Strawbs, Chris Parren and the late Ken Laws. John Ford remarked, “Mickey was instrumental in the Monks’ second album, Suspended Animation and High Society being signed to Eagle Records.

Other bits of Mickey Keen’s - also spelled Keene musical attributions ~ In 1969, with a band on stage in the production of the musical 'Hair' appearing on the album, as well. Early on in 1965, he played with Division Two, followed by The Ivy League band and on to Hudson Ford. Mickey re-grouped in 1999 with The Ivy League bandmate, Tony Burrows forming, The Hit Squad which also included Chris Parren from Hudson Ford. Mickey’s many recording sessions included Alex Harvey, John Wetton, Larry Norman, Maggie Bell, Malcolm & Alwyn, Sparrow and Edward’s Hand - Rod Edwards & Roger Hand, appearing on many album releases. ~ Jill Morrison

Mickey's service will be held Saturday 15th November 11AM at Thornhill Crematorium, Cardiff. A memorial jam sessionto celebrate Mickey's life will be held at THe Pilot, Queens Road, Penarth, Cardiff starting around 1:30PM later that day. Mickey regularly jammed at The Pilot on Sunday evenings and was highly thought of in both personally and musically.

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Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera Upcoming Book In The Works...

John Ford was interviewed for an upcoming book on one of his early band projects, Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera which will also touch on the first band that started John's musical career, " The Five Proud Walkers, " with mention of Hudson Ford, as well, by UK music author, Campbell. More news to come of it's release.

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'Nice Legs Shame About The Face' covered by The Naked and The Shameless

'Nice Legs Shame About The Face'  to be covered on 'The Orange Peel Sessions' by The Naked & The Shameless on Atomic Mouse Recordings out this Spring.  

*Advisory - Not naked, but, truly shameless in their lyrics, indeed !  :

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John Ford at The Vintage Lounge .

STRAWBS News...CDs & Shows info at www.Strawbsweb.co.uk

BEST STRAWBS, 2007 (Germany)

A new "best of' collection which apart from  the first track 'Part of The Union,"

licensed from Universal, draws on tracks owned and controlled by Witchwood

Media. Available 22 January 2008!

1. 1 -  Part of The Union (Ford/Hudson) - Bursting At The Seams
2. 2 -  I Only Want My Love To Grow In You (Cousins/Cronk) - Deep Cuts
3. 3 -  Grace Darling (Cousins) - Greatest Hits Live
4. 4 -  Burning For Me (Cousins/Mealing) - Burning For You
5. 5 -  Evergreen (Cousins) - Acoustic Strawbs: Baroque & Roll
6. 6  - Lay Down (Cousins) - Blue Angel
7. 7 -  The River/Down By The Sea (Cousins) - Greatest Hits Live
8. 8  - The King (Cousins) - Blue Angel
9. 9  -  Forever Ocean Blue (Cousins) - Wakeman & Cousins: Hummingbird
10. 10 - Cold Steel (Lambert) - Deja Fou
11. 11 - If (Cousins) - Deja Fou
12. 12 - Heartbreak Hill (Cousins/Cronk) - Heartbreak Hill
13. 13 - Deep In The Darkest Night (Cousins) - Cousins & Conrad: High Seas
14. 14 - Hero And Heroine (live) (Cousins) - Complete Strawbs
15. 15 --Where Is This Dream Of Your Youth (live) (Cousins) - Recollections

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NEW STRAWBS BOXED SET! ~ "A TASTE OF STRAWBS"

The vision behind this CD collection is that it will include all the Strawbs tracks that ought to be in a boxed set, but virtually none of the versions that even devout fans will currently have their collection. Accordingly, it is sourced from the Strawbs' own archives and other sources ~ unreleased songs, demo versions, alternate mixes, live material, all of which will absolutely delight Strawbs fans everywhere! The release date is planned this Autumn. John Ford’s bass wizardry, as well as, some songs he penned, will be on this 5 disc, 48 page book & boxed set "A Taste of Strawbs" - a must have upcoming Strawbs release!

For more info on how to procure this set - go to the Strawbs site www.strawbsweb.co.uk and visit Witchwood Records also carrying releases from the John Ford Solo CD catalog.

RECOLLECTION, 2006

After Dragonfly failed to achieve commercial success, Ron Chesterman decided to leave: Cousins and Hooper decided to go for broke. Recruiting Rick Wakeman they took him to Paris (he spent his honeymoon there!) to play at the Rock'n'Roll circus. Shortly after their return, the final piece of the jigsaw - the rhythm section of the Velvet Opera, John Ford and Richard Hudson, replaced Lyndsay Cooper on string bass who'd been with them for the Paris trip. The group was now an electric outfit.

In the run up to the triumphant QEH show which became their third album Just A Collection Of Antiques And Curios, the band developed the new repertoire, and reshaped the old folkier numbers over the course of a short tour with Roy Harper. A trip down memory lane and a stunning archive release. John Ford on vocals and bass.

THE WITCHWOOD PROJECT, 2006

This is a new sampler featuring tracks from recent and forthcoming Witchwood Media releases, and includes a hitherto unreleased Strawberry Hill Boys from the deepest vaults and an Acoustic Strawbs outtake, "Simple Visions."

Also featured on this 14 track CD Sampler is "All The Songs I Never Heard You Sing" from John Ford's "Heading For A High"  CD. 

It was issued with March/April copies of subscription only magazine of the Classic Rock Society, which also included a Strawbs double page spread. For details see the Classic Rock Society website.

"The Witchwood Project" will be available from Witchwood Records, price £6.00 - an absolute bargain!!!

See Reviews and Future Strawbs show dates at www.strawbsweb.co.uk

ACOUSTIC STRAWBS on US TOUR ~ OCT 6 thru Nov 5, 2006

The Acoustic Strawbs ~ Dave Cousins, Dave Lambert and Chas Cronk ~ will be "across the pond" for a North Eastern stateside tour.

One particular show John Ford is attending will be Sunday, October 8, 2006 at The University Cafe - Graduate Student Lounge in the Student Union Building on the campus of  SUNY Stony Brook, NY. Doors: 1.00pm Showtime: 2.00pm.

For more info - Tel: 631- 632-6027. Website: www.universitycafe.org

Visit the Strawbs site for complete Tour details: www.strawbsweb.co.uk

MARCH 2006 UK STRAWBS TOUR w/ John Ford PIX & REVIEWS UP...

John Ford at Robin 2, Bilston UK

2006 Strawbs UK Spring Tour

(photo: Wayne Herrschaft)

PAST JOHN FORD SHOWS & INTERVIEWS:

John Ford Radio Interview - 26th June 5PM @ 91.7 FM WCUC Clarion, Pennsylvania

John Ford returns for a chat with Peg Watts-Cartwright, Radio Host for Hippie Chick Radio about his upcoming gig at POWER OF PROG Festival’ and Inaugural Progressive Rock Hall of Fame Awards where he will be a presenting 2008 Inductee Award to KANSAS, along with news about his new album and Single, Big Hit In India. Peg will be playing tunes from John Ford’s repertoire of music and band projects.

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John Ford Headlines Day 2 of Power of Prog Festival on Sat., 28th June 2008 And Presenter at 2008 Progressive Rock Hall of Fame Awards

Fri., 27th June 2008, marks the inaugural year and date for the Progressive Rock Hall of Fame Award Ceremony and Concert. This very special event is being hosted by Melodic Revolution Records and the Power of Prog Festival. On Sat., 28th June 2008 - 9:00-10:30PM, John Ford will Headline Day 2 of the three day Power of Prog Festival at the historic Kirkland Arts Center on the Village Green in Clinton, NY, located near the beautiful Mohawk Valley in upstate New York.  The Kirkland Arts Center, a former cathedral church lends itself to fantastic acoustics as a performance venue! 

John Ford's setlist will feature songs off his forthcoming album, 'Big Hit In India' and other favourites from his extensive song catalogue, including 'Part of The Union' he penned during his early days with the Strawbs band which also included Rick Wakeman, keyboard extraordinaire, wh