Birthday Bash

We were nice and early for setting up for 'The Birthday Bash' at The George, Kilsby. No.1 Roadie, Shirley, and I were planning on getting all the kit in place, and then sitting down for one of Maggie's delicious meals. While we were surrounded by bits of cable and un-erected stands, Dave Pepper wandered in, though he wasn't able to stay for the Birthday Bash, he did call in, and was the first to offer me a pint and wish me a happy birthday. It was very thoughtful, and much appreciated. I did go and look for him in the other bar once we'd finished setting up, but he had gone. Cheers Dave! It was a very welcome pint.

To say it was an evening of two halves would be wrong, as the first part extended until well after ten. Some of the performers had to slip away before we got thrown out so it was more of an evening of two thirds, one third. I opened the show with two new songs. The first was 'The Purslow Show Song' , written for the Purslow Show with the organisers in mind and it harked back to some of the earlier days of the show, now celebrating its platinum aniversary. While it was well received at Purslow, in The George, it lost some of its context. The second song, 'The Canary', was only finished on the day before and lacked a bit of practice. It was more of a reflection on our society and the madness that seems to be overwhelming it. I finished with a cheeky third song, possibly setting the precedent for the evening, with a slight reworkiing of my Mid Life Crisis song incorporating the joining of a band, namely MDF; but since non of them was paying any attention, they missed it completely.
Purslow Gynkhana, Sports and Show

I don't remember a night when The George's back room has been so full, and it was great to have so many players and audience in attendance. I was moved to comment that if a certain Danish brewer was to organise a birthday party it would be just like this one.

Zoe had her boots on tonight.

We were blessed with some of our regular friends and a couple of people who were playing for us for the first time, and what a musical feast they served.

Last month, you know, the 'quiet night', Greengrass blew us away, and they came back tonight, bringing with them Andy, who sang and played beautifully. It was good to see half

Andy brought Fire and Rain to the party

of the band 'One More Night', Simon and Zoe. They're on at The Squirrel in Rugby on Saturday 17th. Well worth hearing them in their full glory. Finally, Mark, who'd been once before brought his daughter Alice along with her violin.

House Martins?

Nigel Lewis was second up. He very
graciously failed to correct me when I introduced him as Lewis, I suspect he put it down to my increasing age, and he treated us to a couple of self penned songs.

Later in the evening he persuaded Darren to join him and together with a brace of Martins they Knocked on Heaven's Door and declared Life's a Gas together. At the end of the night they'd identified themselves as Two's Company.

Tony was up next, dedicating 'A Dedicated Follower of Fashion' to me. Possibly because I had scrubbed up especially and was wearing my 'party' shirt. It wasn't to be Tony's night, we've all had them' and he was beaten by The Beatles, but undefeated he was at the front for the final melee.

A fashionable performance byTony

No Strings Attached Alexander's Hornpipe. Such was the noise of people enjoying themselves that their first offering was unappreciated, but a quick request for quiet and a little
explanation of why meant that their second piece, The Politician and Tobin's Favourite was heard by all. They were up on their feet later Over The Hills and Far Away.

Steve was in somber mood, singing the Nine Inch Nails song, later recorded by Johnny Cash, 'Hurt' and the cheeful ditty about waiting for the gallows, 'Twenty Five Minutes to Go'. It was heating up in The George and the fire door had to beopened. Steve must have been quite warm as he removed his hat; fitting for his part two contribution, Rolling Stones Don't Play With Me Cause You're Playing With Fire.

Mark and Alice didn't worry about a thing.

We haven't had any Bob Marley since Ruder Than U paid us a visit until Mark and Alice put that right and then finished with a folky flourish.  It looked like a late night was not an option so we didn't get to see them again this evening. I hope they come back again soon.

It was good to have Andy with us. It was his first time to The George, and I hope we'll see him again. He gave a great performance with James Taylor's, 'Fire and Rain', Paul Weller's 'You Do Something To Me', and David Gray's 'Babylon' in the second part of the evening.

Simon and Zoe Ain't Nobody Loves Me Better, These Boots were made for walking and a delightfully upbeat and unexpected Disney number; no, not Frozen, but from The Jungle Book, 'King of The Swingers'. Sadly an early start on Saturday meant that they were unable to play again that night. Did I mention that they are playing at The Squirrel on 17th September.

A full compliment of MDF took up all available stage space, not helped by the enormous array of guitars and other instruments that filled the stage area and made a pretty good job of 'Star of The County Down', the Travelling Wilburys' 'End of The Line' and  Kirsty MacColl's 'There's a Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis'.

They sounded great unplugged, but Greengrass through the PA sounded awesome. They lead us towards the end of the evening and were joined by one or two more as Ross took the vocals for the obligatory birthday salutations and then rocked us like a Wagon Wheel. I unreservedly apologise for the assault by Wagon Wheels that he was subjected to, and promise not to do it again. Still, at least the wagon wheels were edible, unlike the pants that Tom Jones receives.

A very happy birthday to me indeed! Thanks everyone that took part and came along to listen.