My No.1 Roadie was absent for the setting up, so Narla helped as best she could, and I set up as much as she would let me.
It was great to welcome back Bluegrass duo, Pete and Shirley, our old friends Torgul and Sandi, Keith and Kate (Greengrass lite) MDF (also lite) and Paddy (full fat version).
As is customary for the open mic MC, I opened proceedings, starting with my song 'The Canary in The Coal Mine Isn't Singing Any More'. Having sung it a couple of times it has become well enough known now that there was a very satisfying contribution to the chorus from the assembled audience. Ross was then invited to give me some rythm and accompany me on the cajon for 'Spade' and then 'In The Woods (Like Bear Grylls). Strumming on the electric guitar is still a bit problematic for me and I inadvertently switched pick-up part way through a song. I have no trouble in knocking the lever down, but haven't been able to move it back without distrupting the performance.
The second half was kicked off by Ross on vocals and cajon, with a short
harmonica intro, and John (Grandad Banjo) on banjo, with a single song;
William Elliot Whitmore's 'Diggin My Grave'. It was the first time I'd
heard them perform it, so don't think it was well rehearsed, but it was
very nicely delivered. I won't be sorry to hear it again. Ross stayed on stage to help me with Bob Dylan's
'Forever Young' and Neil Diamond's 'Solitary Man'.
Next up was Torgul and Sandi. They went Old Skool, singing 'Side By Side' and the jazz standard 'I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby' before hurtling forwards to the nineteen sixties with The Kinks, 'Lazing on a Sunny Afternoon'. Their second half performance consisted of a slice of 'Appalachian Mountain Pie' and the Beatles 'When I'm Sixty Four'.
Its was lovely to have Pete and Shirley with us again. There is something about the harmonies in bluegrass that gets right under the skin, and this evening, these pair were bang on the money. Tonight, they had the added benefit of being joined by Keith on his double bass; and while he was difficult to spot, his presence on stage was certainly felt. They gave us a taste of things to come with a late soundcheck, so we knew they'd be good. Their opening was 'Gone To Carolina', Neil Sedaka's 'Breakin Up Is Hard To Do' works really well in the bluegrass style and then the more traditional 'Blue Trail of Sorrow'. Their second half performance included the spiritual 'I'll Bear My Cross' and after Pete had a brief game of hunt the capo they finished with 'I'm leaving town'.
Back on stage with MDF, my lack of recent practice was apparent. Sorry chaps (and Tracey). There was just Ross, Tracey, John and myself tonight and we opened with Sea of Heartbreak, described by Ross as possibly the slowest ever performed by MDF. A bit more on the money was 'Bad Moon Rising, and then we
finished our first set with Tracey singing There's a Guy Works Down The Chip Shop Swears He's Elvis. Our second half was better, not because Tracey had to leave after the break, but a much more familair pair of songs for me, starting with 'Long Way Home' and then Keith and Kate joined us for a rousing 'Waggon Wheel'.
Ive missed Paddy, who hasn't been around much over the last couple of months, and he was as delightful as ever in his irreverence. Donald Trump's performance in the American Presidential Elections continues to give 'Donald The Demagog' to the tune of Nelly The Elephant mileage, relevance and new lyrics. This song just gives and gives. Somehow, even after the election, which he might still go on and win, I don't think we'll have heard the last of this song for years to come. His second offering was a critique of the advice given by health experts and so-called nutritional advisors; 'Instructions From The Food Police' and his final offering of the set was a song inspired by Theresa May and The Brexiteers ( a good name for a band that); the chorus being "Bullshit is bullshit, it's just a scornful metaphor, we seldom mean it literally as a pile of bovine poo, but sometimes things aren't so clear, so is it true Prime Minister,does Brexit mean Brexit or is that just bullshit too"
The performance of the evening had to be Paddy's second half set. His 'Let's like call the whole thing off', was a beatiful song about the distance between generations and the language that separates them, a subject I know only too well, and then his parody of Neil Diamond's 'I'm a Believer', 'I'm a Retriever'.
Keith and Kate (Greengrass lite) brought the first half of the evening to a close with Townes Van Zant covered by Don Williams and Emilou Harris performed beatifully. Dance Me their hippy anthem Alternative Routes, Nothing More and they ended the evening 'Summer Fly' and a lively 'New York Girls'.Next month is our 3rd Bangers and Mash Night, with selection of sausages and choice of mash.
