I have always admired Jez for his inspiring lyrics but I do not like his attitude to the north east in the least -he seems to always reject the spirited heritage of the region and ridicule it. "if i had another penny"

I reject his pessimism when it is directed against the geordie who lived in different times. The golden age when wealth rushed up and down the tyne as never before for all. But they got over their low points with songs. Songs are not for pulling us down but for overcomming.

In this regard he is not within the tradition he claims.

This is the world of the past but not to be ridiculed.

Jez holds out little hope in most of his lyrics. He rsents not knowing the songs of the region. But has little grief over it..."I saw dillon playing slide guitar with a newcastle brown ale bottle..."

I agree that the local depression is a steep deterrent to anyting pleasant but Jez does not use music to uplift and raise the spirits as is the tradition of the north east in music. Instead he generally uses it to further hammer in the depression. Whistlads hauld yor gobs I'll tell you all an awfull story...whist lads I'll tell you about put down..

He is of course able and free to do this. I agree that he reflects the times however, music has always had the power to uplift even in the worst of times and as such it has served the region well. Some would say its major purpose. In this way he has generally let the tradition down.

Realism yes....using music to raise spirits...not really. More to the opposite.

The glory of newcastle and georidie music has always been in its ability to fiercly overcome.

Jez takes more often than not the reverse course.

What do you think?

The same is true recently of the Whiskey Priests. Perhaps depression has gained the upper hand. If so we must still count on our musicians to help us to ovecome. At least in this tradition.

Conrad