Last week I went to Paris to document the STAKS band rehearsing and routining some new songs. The band arrived a few hours before me. I had an event that I needed to attend early in the morning in central London. I then raced over to St Pancras International Station and caught a train to Paris, Gare du Nord. Then straight to Studio Bleu. It’s a quite well known rehearsal complex for bands & artists. When I arrived, I got straight on it, as they say, and started to shoot the band who were working on some new material. Firstly, it wasn’t the full band, but, about 9 or 10 members. Bearing in mind STAKS are normally about 16 ish strong. This was the first time I had heard some of their new songs. Well, I have to say, they are truly AMAZING. I have been working with Staks for about 2 years now and this, for me, was a real watershed. Hearing the new material was incredible. This band are not only amongst the best musicians in the world, but with these new original songs, they are as a band, ‘WORLD CLASS’. No wonder so many serious artists want to play with them. I know I may have said this before, but, Steve Winwood, Sam Moore, Paul Carrack, Beverley Knight, Jack Bruce and others have performed with STAKS. Steve Overland is now a permamant fixture and lead singer with STAKS, which has lifted the band to a new level. The rehearsals were basically to work through the new songs over 3 days. STAKS have a big gig coming up in West London on December 3rd. It will be at Under The Bridge, Chelsea FC. It’s a double headline - STAKS & IZZY BIZU. If you havent yet seen this band, get yourself to this gig. If you have already seen them, then no doubt, you will be there & back for more of this amazing music.
Here are a few photos from our few days of music and a llittle R&R. I hope you like them.
Andy Ross & Kevin Robinson chilling out in between songs.
Sonia Jones, Steve Overland & Andy Wright ready for vocals.
Ourt for dinner on night one.
Steve Overland, Sonia Jones and yours truly! Photo credit, David Fitzsimons.
Another ‘out for dinner shot’
Back at the hotel. Andy found a shop around th ecorner where he bought some cigars.
A very serious shot of Stefan having a chat and Malcolm giving me some’Rock n Roll’ advice.
I know Kevin was tired in the middle here as he had a 6am flight the following morning to Hamburg for Simly Red gig. It looks like Karl Vanden Bossche, Sonia Jones & Steve Overland though it was funny that we could all have a lay in until about 9am.
Breakfast with Steve. This is when Steve said to me after trying to open the tea pot lid and failing; “I can’t work a tea pot” I thought it was so funny that he said that. I thought it should be an album name or at least a song title.
Andyy Wright running the show and getting the band running through one of the songs.
Always happy, the great Stefan Redtenbacher with that lovely Hofner Bass.
Tony Remy trying to rest. Not easy with Stefan standing at your feet and waking you up!
Steve Overland outside New Morning Club, Paris. Two mins before we raced off to the Metro and aimed for a Eurostar tran back to London.
Going Underground. Or Going Metro really!
In the basement at the wonderful Chez Marcel Restaurant having drinks before we climbed back up through the trap door for our meal upstairs on ground floor.
Lewis Chapman who is a sound, Sound man!
A very happy band gathering at Chez Marcel.
The incredible percussionist Karl Venden Bossche.
Great drummer Mike Sturgis and all round lovely guy.
Cheers at Chez Marcel
Here is the sublime guitarist, Tony Remy
Drinking and chatting into the night on the streets of Paris.
Stefan Redtenbacher obviously being serious for a moment.
Andy Wright, the incredible record producer, songwriter and friend.
Stefan taking a picture of me? No. it was a selfie.
The entrance to Studio Bleu, Paris
Studio Bleu
Malcolm Fitzsimons, relaxing inbetween songs.
Andy Ross during a break.
Kevin Robinson adding his trumpet and general multi talent to the songs.
David Fitzsimons the master of ceremonies and leader of the pack,
Music and arrangmenet of one of the great news songs.