John invited Alan Dearling to preview his latest musical release. He travels frequently all over the world and records his music, often played with new and old friends. These collaborations are then released online.
For links to John’s music, go and search for: Northzone on Bandcamp.
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Meanwhile, very recently John performed in a riotous and glorious Bowie live tribute night, ‘Ziggy & the Fantasians from Mars’, along with the Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra. John told me: “53 years after seeing Bowie’s Moog on stage at the Free Trade Hall in Manchester during his Ziggy Stardust Tour, I found myself stood in front of it last night at the Todmorden Unitarian Church, all plugged in & ready to go as part of the colourful the Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra.” They are performing on stage at 2026 Beatherder Festival.
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Sometimes, it is good to pass on reviewing duties. In this case, to my good friend, and live music aficionado, Neil Thompson, who offers his thoughts on John’s latest musical collection, which is a mix of his own collaborations with friends from around the world, and versions of well-loved songs.
John Armstrong & Friends: Down By The River
Flow Like Water – brilliant dreamy vocals & simple guitar – go with the flow & drift away.
Ill Lit By Moonlight – Jamming on the beach, or round the camp fire – brings back all the happy
memories of carefree times for those of us fortunate enough to have experienced such wonders.
Valle del Rey – never been to Spain, but I hope it sounds like this.
Children Of The Light – I just love this – easy skankin’.
Down By The River – Stripped down acoustic version of the Neil Young classic, which I think does
sound like Young’s frequently sparse acoustic style. Just by chance John has picked a song very
special to me, full of memories of people and places and a lifestyle long since left behind. Made me
cry.
Underwater – as John says in his notes, just messing with a new mixing desk – I think he got the hang of it.
Allotment Sessions – Electronic enhancement of a simple outdoor jam.
LiveReggae ft. Joao – obviously close to John’s heart – reminds me of nights in Roots/Cosmo Club in
Leeds in the early ‘80s.
My Chickateeka & Me – Sounds like the first session for a new band where everyone’s tentatively
trying to work out what goes where & where to go next.
Faded – Restrained keys and vocals; pleasant enough.
She Moved Thru’ The Fair – I could probably fill several cds with the different versions I’ve got of this
– there is a certain earthiness about this one that I quite like.
4th Of July, Asbury Park (Sandy) – A heartfelt nod to The Boss’s early days.
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Alan Dearling adds:
“This is a rather lovely and quirky round-up, a sample of John’s worldwide music. I particularly loved the ethereal, floaty, gentle and lilting composition, ‘Flow like Water’ with Beana on vocals… And, ‘Valle del Reay’ is an extremely atmospheric, Spanish flamenco-styled piece, with a nice plaintive female vocal edge, plus exquisite guitar playing from Vernon Bigsby… ‘Faded’ explores Alan Walker’s melody, which is often a crowd favourite with John’s audiences. Nice piano opening, well-paced. Romantic and sympathetic – a lovely, cleverly balanced recording with Lindsay’s vocals kept at just the right level in the mix.”