Kilsby, May '16

Kilsby May

It was standing room only for May's Open Music Night at The George, Kilsby. One couple in the audience confessed to me that they'd had to come in after hearing the music while visiting the toilets next door.

I began the evening's performances with a song for outdoors, 'In The Woods (Like Bear Grylls)' and Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' on Heaven's Door'. As last month, I had the benefit of Ross, accompanying me on the cajon. I nearly had a dancer too, but there was a last minute attack of shyness.

A song for outdoor defecation

It was grat to see Andy & Martin again. It had certainly been a while since Andy played here last and he commented on just how much had changed, including my hair cut. For their first half performance, they gave us a blues train medley. Martin brought his harp, and he couldn't half blow it.

Torgul, Sandi, Sue and Paul weren't ready to play, so No Strings Attached stepped up to the mics, treating us to 'Andy De Jarlis' and the much more familiar 'Gold Ring'.

Another foot-tapping performance from No Strings Attached

With Paul arrived and settled, they were ready. Everybody's Talking at Me, we lost the impact of Sandi's flute part way through, possibly as a result of the mic moving. They finished their first set with the Rolling Stones classic This Will Be The Last Time.

A welcome additin to the evening, Nigel Lewis

I've been stalking Nigel Lewis on line for what seems like years, trying to persuade him to come along, and we finally got to meet him this evening. It was worth the wait, as he gave us four self penned songs. 'I'm Not Sure', somethinag like 'I Won't Be Bought', 'Familiar Situation' and 'Love Has No Substitute'.

 Another new face to The George, at least since I've been around, was Andy Rogers, from Napton.As a regular at Napton, I've heard him play quite often and he covers James Taylor's 'Close Your Eyes' beautifully. His next, Newton Faulkner cover, 'Dream Catch Me'. Andy also displayed a hidden talent for composition when he sang his own critique of EMI and their treatment of The Sex Pistols.

Is that Art and Paul?

John and Mike were Simon and Garfunkel in the first half, though without the hair. John was in great voice, making each song his own. They opened with a somber 'Sound of Silence' and then brought 'I Am A Rock' up to date by incorporating an I-pod, tablet and firewall into the lyrics. I think Paul might well have approved.

John was still smarting having missed our All Fools' evening in April, so he brought a joke along, and despite protestations told it.

“A man walked in to Rugby Library and approached the counter. “Can I have a gin and tonic please?” He asked. “This is a library!” Protested the assistant.“Sorry!” said the man, before whispering, “Can I have a gin and tonic please?”  Thank you John.

MDF are busted flat in Baton Rouge

MDF 's repertoir has been enriched by Tracey's vocals and Mark on the accordion,and their 'Me and Bobby McGee' is shaping up as a cracking standard for the band.

We over-ran in the first half partly because it was nice to let our visitors do a few extra songs, and so we had to limit a couple of the performers to just one song. We'll redress that balance on future evenings.

The break was short and sweet, and I kicked proceedings off with 'The Frotting Song'.

Andy and Martin 'blow' the blues away, never mind walking.

There was a stonking performance from Martin and Andy in the second half. Their 'Walking My Blues Away' was awe inspiring.

No Strings were back with the 'Evercreech Hornpipe'.

One of the things that makes The Open Music night at The George such a fun evening is the relaxed atmosphere, that means that sometimes there is quite a bit of noise from the audience during performances. While I'm banging out my songs, the louder the audience are, the better I think I sound, but when you are playing instrumentals and are unplugged, as Ken and Roland often do, they have mentioned that the noise can be quite distracting for them; and because I love to hear their jigs, reels and hornpipes, I'm going to have to request a bit of quiet when they do their sets.

Acting naturally

We cranked the amp up a bit for Torgul, Sandi, Paul and Sue's 'Act Naturally'. They've done this song a few times at The George now, and I have to say, they absolutely nailed it this evening.

Nigel gave us a cover of James' anthemic 'Sit Down'.

We don't get much in the way of Beatles sung at The George, but Andy Rogers had a 'Ticket to Ride'; and then he snuck in a quick, if there is such a thing, 'American Pie', another first.

Andy tucks in to an American Pie

Mike and John were also in good form is the second half. There is a very pleasant chemistry between Mike and John and their performances are often enhanced by the quiet asides, quips and humorous comments made by John, particularly during their rendition of Katie Melua's 'My Aphrodisiac Is You' and because we'd been quicker on the change-overs second time around, they added the Credence Clearwater Revival classic 'Lodi'.

MDF needed a second guitar as Mike hadn't been able to make it down and despite my efforts to ruin 'Whiskey In The Jar' for them last month, they invited me up again for another go, ending the evening with a rousing version of Wagon Wheel. Rock me mamma any way you feel. Ooh! Mamma rock me

Looking forward to Crick and Napton, and we're off to Kilworth to see One more Night again on Saturday May 14^th.