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FaBclub review 19th April 2009 written by Clive Meggs Summer is definitely on its way. It is nice and warm outside and the sun has been shining all morning. There are a number of unfamiliar faces in the bar as we arrive, hopefully some are fabclub virgins and we may be in for a treat. I can also see a number of regular members. The bar is rapidly filling up. Trevor Leopard is our compere for today. The Leopards open proceedings with a parody of Fields of Athen Rye called the Thieves of Peckham Rye. They conclude with a Wee and a Shave, not literally though. I'm not sure the newcomers to the club really can believe what they are seeing and hearing. We all love it though. Mike Parrot gets off his perch and takes to the floor. Mike hasn't been here for some time. He starts with an old favourite-I'm not looking for a car, it's a girl I'm looking for, which is immediately followed after each chorus with a resounding 'Have a banana' He follows this with a brand new song, finished this morning, called Jack of All Trades Master of None. Brilliantly written with numerous puns but unfortunately the sound system faltered half way through. You will have to come back soon, Mike ,and sing it for us again. A FaBclub virgin is up next. His name is Alistair. He states that this is the first time he has performed for at least 10years - very brave. The first song is self-penned, written some years ago, called B is for Boy. The next song was written last week and Alistair warned us that it was quite raw. Both songs were excellently sung. Alistair has quite a range in his voice and he plays very accomplished guitar. Well Done!! Lady Formby is next in all her glorious red and white. Margaret starts with Leaning on a Lampost and this runs straight into When I'm Cleaning Windows. She follows with Your Cheating Heart which receives a rapturous round of applause. Great stuff Margaret!! Our guest, George Wilson, is next. After being introduced with a round of applause he says 'thank you Glastonbury'. I have a feeling we are going to have a laugh this afternoon. He starts with a Richard Thompson song- I Want To See The Bright Lights Tonight. The next song was given to him by a singer songwriter, Richard Hignett, and is titled Mercy. This is quite a serious song, sung very powerfully by George. It contrasts nicely with the humour between songs. A Ron Truman-Border song is next called Who Will Play the Blues for Peter Green. Quite a sad song sensitively sung. John Stafford accompanies him from the audience on the mouth organ and is thanked for his trouble. The next song is about World War 2 fighter pilots called Snuffed, written by Dave Totterdol (please excuse spelling). A rousing chorus song enjoyed by the audience. Another Richard Thompson song is next called The Poor Ditching Boy, quite a traditional number, with a chorus. He dedicates the next song to his first wife, and follows with a humerous story about her and the other two. The song is called Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time, a loud joining in song. A great way to finish off the first set. We take a short break for necessary functions. Raffle tickets are sold and we all catch up on the gossip since the last meeting. TDL call us together and perform a song called In My Time Of Dying to start the second half. A gospel song sung by such people as Led Zeppelin it certainly grabbed the attention of everyone and called them together for what promises to be a great session. Our sound engineer is next. Joe sings a self-penned song of the sea entitled I Am A Sailor. The twelve string guitar sounds quite impressive over the PA. Joe then gets out his omni-chord harp. An unusual keyboard instrument played on his lap, and sings a song called Hares on the Mountain - WOW!! What a sound!!! The audience welcome on stage Bill Pardon with a song about experience on My Space - Cakehole Presley Is My Friend. The percussion wakes up for the chorus. A sea shanty is next - Haul Away Joe. Great thanks to the Trendy Granddad. Mike Parrot is next for another song, hopefully with the mike working this time. He says he has a loose end - ooh err missus. He gives us a rendition of Missing in Acton Lost Without Trace. A great song the regulars all recognise, and join in. Our ex-virgin Alistair is on next with a mathematical zoological song called 2 Rabbits and 3 Foxes. A quiet ballad with some great guitar picking to accompany it. Margaret gives us another one next. 'I Feel Lucky' is certainly not what I was on the lottery last night. Neither on the raffle which is drawn next. George returns after the raffle with one of my favourite songs, Beeswing, written by Richard Thompson. I have heard so many different versions of this song and none disappoint, including Georges version. He follows with a great drinking song - A Kiss of the Darling Good Ale. This followed an amusing tale involving Guiness and bellies. Another Ron Truman Border song next, Sweet Angel of Mercy - good for the percussionists. Romeo and Juliet by Mark Knopfler is next. George describes him as his all time favourite guitarist. Some rock and roll follows with the Searchers hit Everytime That You Walk In The Room. I think everyone in the room was singing along to this. George is on a roll now as he finishes with the Dire Straits hit Walk of Life and a medley of rock and roll songs. After rapturous applause George comes back for an encore. He finishes with Old Hippies Never Die, a Ron Truman Border song and the afternoon fades out to a fantastic round of applause. |