Banging Tunes and Smashing Performances at The 4th Bangers and Mash Night

I don't know if it was the news that Maggie was ending her stay at The George with the uncertainty that followed, or that the summer was quite a busy one, but the blog dropped a notch or two on my list of priorities. So while a few things had happened, like the birthday bash and Maggie's Farewell celebrations, there's not much in the blog. Perhaps I can do something about that in a summary of the year; and what a year it has been. The Open Music Nights has become increasingly popular and I had so many ideas for developing it further in terms of various stage area improvements and getting some really good paid performers to visit us from occasionally to provide a bit of inspiration, and then on the night I was going to ask Maggie about it she told me about her retirement plans.

The first indication that things might turn out in our favour came quite late in the day, and while October's Open Music Night had been guaranteed, the exchange only took place towards the end of the month. A brief chat on the phone confirmed that November's Open Mic Night was on, and a few days later, a visit to The George got 'Bangers and Mash' on the menu; well you can't have The 4^th Bangers and Mash Night without them really. “It could be a busy night Mel” I remember remarking. We had no idea.

When Friday eventually came around, it was another early start for me, and I was on my own as #1 Roadie wouldn't be finishing work until later. For a change, I was set up and ready to go by 7.30pm, all that remained was to make a quick change in the carpark. As it was, with a full house, kitchen under full steam and more musicians arriving, we were a bit late on getting under way.

No Strings Attached, with no strings at all.

The difficulty in being Master of Ceremonies for The Bangers and Mash Night is that most of the performers are also partaking in the bangers and mash supper. While there is a running order, it is a bit fluid. No one wants to belt out a big number when there is a danger of imminent burping, and I certainly don't want residual sausage on the microphone at the end of the evening.

There were ten acts on the list, so I invited No Strings Attached to open for us. Their first half performance was signature No Strings Attached,  ending with a very lilting waltz 'Ashokan Farewell'. They abandoned their strings altogether in the second half, rising to the a'capella challenge with the sea shanty 'Paddy Lay Back'.

Next up was 'Silent G'; named after the explanation Torgul has to give as to the spelling of his name. The G is silent.  Tonight they were in a decidedly blue mood. Blue Skies smiling at me, Blue Day, it's been a blue blue day. Their last song of the night was also a blue one; Guy Mitchell's 'Singing The Blues'.

There was fresh meat on offer this evening in the form of The A'Cappella Fellas. There is always a little excitement generated by performing strangers, we never know quite what to expect. I can't speak for the old days, but this was the first time since I took over that a barbershop quartet have performed at The George Open Music Nights. Being a busy night there was a two song first half limit, so their first two songs were Billy Joel's 'Longest Time', The Drifters 'Under The Boardwalk' and the an old St Louis blues number. We didn't mind, because we enjoyed it so much. In the second half, with one song only, they sang Bobby Darin's  'Somewhere, Beyond The Sea' followed by Billy Joel's, 'Goodnight My Angel'. A bit cheeky, but as this was the first time we'd seen them, and they sounded so good, I let them slip an extra one in. There definitely wasn't room for a third.

Once again the Mother Ship landed and king of the gizmo, Dangerous Derrick Meyer, gave us a signature performance. His first song of the set was Buffulo Springfield's 'For What it's Worth',  Jack Savortetti 'Written In Scars'. Sadly Derrick disappears after the fist half, so that was all we got to hear from him. Because I can't guarantee that my newsletter always goes out in time I'm going to mention his open mic nights. The first is at The Royal Oak, Crick on the last Thursday of the month. The second is at The Bulls Head, Stoney Stanton, on what appears to be the second Wednesday of the month. Derrick supplies the PA and Tracy is in charge of the list.

Alex has been to see us a few times now, and his performances always delight whether dueting with Derrick or on his own. Tonight he braved a couple of new tunes for us; the first, Sting's 'Fields of Gold', and then the Fionn Regan song 'Abucus'. 

Jason and Rachael killing it

Occasional Kilsby OMC performer Dave Pepper came along to lend us his support and to demonstrate his variety and versatility, beginning with a country song, 'Ain't Got To Be Rich'; which I knew to be one of his own composition. However, he was also responsible for the two Flamenco pieces, the first called 'The Dance' and the second called 'El Soro'

It is always good to have performers coming from Napton, except when it is the 'Night of Lurve' love song competition which they have dominated since its inception. Tonight Jason gave us 'God And Satan' by Biffy Clyro and then he was joined on the stage by Rachael for a very acomplished Buggles' 'Video Killed The Radio Star'. Sadly family commitments meant that they were unable to stay for the second half .

Steve had a little help to throw the curtains wide.

Sue turned up on her own saying that Andy and Paul were on the way. The name 'Sooty Sweep and Sue' appears to have stuck., though this evening it was Sooty, Sweep and Sue, and Hedley too. Their offerings this evening were Tina Turner's 'Proud Mary' and something by the Old Crow Medicine Show.
Their second half song was Bob Marley's 'Three Little Birds' and then the snuck in another, Van Morrison's 'Brown Eyed Girl'.

Steve Edgar, possibly our best hope for The 2018 Night of Lurve, was accompanied first by Hedley on violin for 'The House of New Orleans' and Bob Dylan's 'It Hurts Me Too'. Then his second half finale was a more theatrical affair than we've been used to when he was joined for the chorus of Elbow's 'One Day Like This' by The A'Capella Fellas. It wasn't quite as startling as Grandad Banjo hijacking Ian's performance last month, but was spectacular enough.

Ending the evening was the Mighty MDF. They were joined by Tea Chest Brian in the first half performing 'Werewolves of London', and The Cure's 'Friday I'm in Love'. It wouldn't be right to let Brian leave without a song, so he gave us Putting On The Style'. Brian went home at the interval and the second half of the evening was brought to a close with The Water Boys' 'Fisherman's Blues', and Dire Straits Walk of Life, with Ross adding the harmonica parts.

The Next Kilsby Open Music Collective is on Friday 1st December. It feels a bit early for Christmas songs at the moment, but by then perhaps we'll all be ready for them, so bring them along and blow the cobwebs off them. Perhaps MDF will lead in some of their Christmas repertoire as part of their rehearsal for the Christmas Busking in Crick, which I think is on December 15th. I had better find out as I'm going to taking part.