Review130108

FAB CLUB SPECIAL – NATIONAL
ANIMAL WELFARE TRUST SPECIAL
FUNDRAISER AFTERNOON

A first for FaBclub – this week we provided a
fund-raising afternoon for the Thurrock Branch of
the National Animal Welfare Trust which rescues
and re-homes cats and dogs in the Borough. The
funds raised by the event – some £200 from tickets
and the raffle as well as sales of special edition
CDs donated by Trevor “Man in a Hat” Barham –
will go to the cost of supporting the work the local
branch of this excellent charity, as well as raising
its profile, and hopefully attracting more
volunteers.

Regular FaBclub artists each contributed a 30
minute slot, with a final open floor spot.

Debbie-Ann Shears was our compere today,
keeping the afternoon swinging with her excellent
sense of humour.

Rockin’ Bob was delighted to see so many new
faces so he could play some of his numbers
familiar to the rest of us including (just to name a
few) Have I told you lately that I love you, Lucky
April Shower, Pretty Baby as well as his own
interpretation of I walk the Line. Keep on Rockin’,
Bob

Tone Deaf Leopard – “who do for good taste what
sage and onion stuffing do for the turkey” (not my
words, honest guv) provided a great selection of
some of their funniest numbers, with a variety of
percussion and dance activities by Sue (GO SUE!)
as well as Trevor's new rotating Disco Ball hat –
yes only from TDL – GRRR! The leading (? only?)
performers of Glam Folk provided us with “Leopard
Skin Pill Box Hat “ (somewhat after Dylan), “4x4”,
Down by the Ohio” (in psychopathic C minor),
“Wild Rabbit”, “Gallows Pole” and “Teenager in
the Bathroom”

After the absolutely wonderful teatime buffet
catered by committee member and organiser of this
specific event, Anne Barrow and her husband
–and the super special FaBclub Raffle, we were
treated to the lovely SKI. She provided us with
modern and traditional pieces including songs
from Kate Rusby, Simon and Garfunkel, Dylan and
that well known composer “Trad”. She has such a
beautiful pure voice, and wonderful guitar skills;
we were all absolutely entranced. But she did get
us all making silly animal noises to “The Ram of
Derby” which she had never performed before.
Thanks to Sue on Rubber Chicken (in the correct
key), Trevor for the Vietnamese Pot Bellied Pig, and
Margaret for the Cat!.

To round off the “big sessions”, Trevor “Man in a
Hat” Barham took us from Sally Gardens to
Mercury Gardens. Trevor played us many of his
own songs which are inspired by local and
personal experiences including “The sun shines
over Romford”, “Easy Street” (the title track from
his forthcoming album), “All Lovers are Young”,
“English Rose”, “Sign like Batman” and – of
course – to end “Breathe”. Trevor’s songs are so
well constructed and performed that everyone was
singing along immediately. We are so lucky to have
such great local performers.

A few minutes were left at the end of the afternoon
and Debbie-Ann invited a few more FaB club
regulars up to perform. Margaret “Lady Formby”
got us all singing with her Ukelele (“Oh Boy” and
“Every day”). Paul Steele – with his amazing
acoustic guitar work , played a couple of numbers
– finishing with what has to be the best
arrangement of “American Girl” I have ever heard.
Then to round off Liz M with a couple of FaBclubs
favourite poems “Oh my – Haven’t they changed”
and, of course, “Shoes”.

What a tremendous afternoon – watch out for more
charity events from the FaBclub – have fun and
feel good about life at the FaBclub