The 2^nd Kilsby Open Music Collective Night of Lurve took place once again at The George Hotel, Kilsby, though sadly our hostess, Maggie, was away on holiday. And didn't she miss an excellent night? Our 'First Night of Lurve' was a great success, and this year's event was even better.

The format was modified slightly, to even up the chances for the competitors. So instead of the usual slots spread either side of a mid-point break, every one got a one song warm-up and then the lovesongfest began.

Warm-Up Phase

I opened the evening with my song about the perils of public transport during rush hour, Steve, 'Paint Box', Tony, played his ukulele and delivered a very humourous monologue 'Our Joe won't be with us much longer'.

First of the Napton contingent was Gordon, who received a thunderous applause for his extended guitar tuning, but then followed with 'Love Bug'. Harriet accompanied by Jason on the acoustic guitar gave us an indication of how things were going to turn out with a very crisp rendition of Mr Rock and Roll.

Torgul almost brought the house down, though sadly

that was back stage, but fortunately all was well and he was then joined by Sandi, Sue and Paul. They rocked the room with Proud Mary. Kilsby favourites MDF, The Gambler with Tracey on vocals. We had an old favourite from Mike and John, Their vocals lend themselves well to The Travelling Wilbury's 'Handle Me With Care', they just need someone with a slide guitar for that riff. Jason was back on the floor again, his time with Rachael Give a little respect Jimi Somerville. Finally, Paul warmed up with one of his favourites, Deep River Blues.

Competition

Now we'd had the opportunity to feel the room and all competitors were present, things became a little more exciting.

George seeks love on line with Ashley Maddison

The running order was the same as the warm-up, so I started with my romantic song, Dance With Me Tonight, the song was inspired by the work of psychotherapist Eric Berne, and I sang it as the first dance at my daughter's wedding. That should have put me in contention if nothing did. My second was another song about relationships, though this one was less romantic, dealing with the subject of the collapse of Ashley Maddison, the infidelity dating site.

No doubting he warmth and tenderness of Steve's love.

Next up was Steve, who pushed the height of the bar to almost as far as it would go. His first song was a very soulful 'Warm and Tender Love'. I'm pretty sure that Percy himself would have approved. His second was one of my favourite Eric Clapton songs, 'Tear's in Heaven'.

Holding on to love by holding hands.

Tony's ukulele sounds great, and he used it to good effect with what was my favourite song of the evening, a delightful self-penned song about public displays of affection and growing old together. His second, I thinks was called 'Four Aces and a King', though I'm haven't 

been able to track any details down. I suppose I could just ask Tony.

Gordon has the love bug again.

 

The defending champion, Gordon, had once again come all the way from Napton, but this time he'd brought quite a crowd with him. It looked as though he was going to do it again. His two songs were self-penned, the titles of which I think were, 'That's what my world will do', and 'It's just the way I feel.'and both went down very well with the audience.

Amazed by Harriet

Performance of the night turned out to be this one, by Harriet, accompanied on acoustic guitar by Jason. Their first was a pub-stopping 'Baby I'm Amazed by you', followed by Sixpence Non The Richer's, 'Kiss Me'.  They have performed quite a lot together over the last couple of years and it was obvious in the confidence of the delivery.

Acting naturally

Torgul, Sandi, Sue and Paul deviated from the love song theme with an acomplished performance of  The Beatles' 'All I got to do is act naturally',with Paul doing a great job of the Ringo Star vocals. Their second was the Bob Dylan classic 'Don't think twice'.

Don't do it Ruby!

There was a contrast for MDF, starting with the miserable Kenny Rogers song about a dying Vietnam veteran's impatient sweetheart, 'Ruby Don't Take Your Love To Town', and the much more enthusiastic and energetic declaration of love, The Proclaimers', '500 Miles' which never fails to get the audience participating, nor bringing a bead or two of sweat to Ross's brow as the pace quickens.

It's your pacemaker!

 There was another delightful performance by Mike and John, as John added comedic asides to Mike's singing of Rod Stewart's 'I don't want to talk about it'. (Listen to my heart – It's your pace maker). But was he was respectfully quiet for their second, Bob Dylan's wonderful love song, 'To Make You Feel My Love'.

For the last of tonight's Napton posse, Jason was up and armed with his acoustic again, this time acompanying  Rachael, for a Beautiful South song 'Little Time', about the dangers of taking a bit of time out of a long term relationship, and the second entry was that Carol King classic, 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. 

Blues time at The George.

Last but by no means least, Paul gave us our only instrumental of the evening and then 'Drifing Blues'.

Voting each member of the audience was required to nominate their favourite and 2^nd favourite performance. 2 points for favourite, 1 point for 2^nd. With Maggie away, and with me right out of the running, it was my great pleasure to announce the winners and present the prizes.

The evening's prizes.

1^st place went to Harriet with 26 points and she received the champagne and a limited edition Hollie Aires CD.

2^nd place and the box of 'roses' went to Steve with 22 points.

And the winner is....

The floor was open for a few more performers while the count was taken and the prizes awarded, and consistent with competitions of this type, our winner got another chance to sing. Jason got to give us a song as did Mike and John and it wouldn't be the same without having MDF to finish us off.

I'm already looking forward to next year's event, but I might have to prepare something a bit more romantic if I'm to stand any chance of taking one of the prizes home.