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FaBclub review 25th April 2010 written by Sue Tuckey We are back, in the back room today, after last week's excellent CITP session. We've had a lovely, summery week, and although it's not quite so good today, it is still warm. It looks like being a small, but select gathering today. Trevor has offered to M.C., and tuning his mandolin brings a rush of joining in with various percussive instruments. The opening song from Trevor is an old one. Although it is sort of appropriate, being the tale of Sir Roger De Lodger, The Amorous Knight. The easy chorus is being sung by the Fab Choir. They giggle at the dirty bits. Can't think why? His second song is an old American ballad, "Lewis Collins". This is a tragic story, and totally different from the accustomed T.D.L. material. The decision is made that Bernard [sans Maureen today], goes next. He plays a jolly American tune on concertina, whilst the percussion section shake, rattle, and possibly, roll. That tune was called "Great North Run". " Midnight on The Water" follows. Trevor makes a joke, says it doesn't sound like "Smoke on The Water". Very funny Trevor! Jojo gives us a rendition of "What A difference A day makes". Her second song is "Long Lankin", a traditional ballad. It's a very gory tale. Lankin was a mason who was not paid for work done, and took his payment in blood by killing the Squire's Lady and baby. The song is also known as "The Mason's Revenge." Norman is next. For a change, he has brought a guitar to play. His first song is "When The Girl In Your Arms Is The Girl In Your Heart", a song made famous by Cliff Richard. The cliff theme continues with "Living Doll." There is a whistling break, nice one Norman! "With My Baby", is his next offering. I like it, it's nice and bouncy, with an improvised trumpet solo. Sue [ in lieu of Liz] read some comic poems, Clive then read one of his anti- female jokes. It was relatively funny. There was a second offering about toilet training. That's the cleanest part anyway. There's a short break for the benefit of your review writer, before T.D.L. take the floor. Their first song is one from the pen of Ron Trueman-Border, "Romeo and Juliet." This version is in no way akin to the original, which was written for another of our friends at Orpington. The second song is totally new, having been written last night. I think Trevor is channelling dead jazz players. This is a swing tune, and a duet, entitled "?" the working title is "Sister / Mister." We have a proper break now, as biscuits have been brought in from the bar. They'll be losing profit today with this small turnout!. After the break a joke is called for. Fortunately Clive's mouth is full. Jojo tells us a somewhat fruity joke. Clive then reads something about childbirth. I could tell you more, but chose not to. Too gruesome!. Bernard is called upon to raise the tone. He has his bowed psaltery. There is a discussion about horsehair and fishing line on the bows, and to rosin, or not to rosin. A charming tune from Bernard, with a sound like bells ringing. It was written by Paul McCann and entitled "Meadow In May." A traditional Irish song next, my favourite, "Galway Shawl.". Beautifully played Bernard, and well received by the audience. The whole piece is called "Tramps and Hawkers " Jojo gives us "Miles Away", a poem now set to a tune, both written by Jojo. A song of separated loved ones. Another song I love follows , it is the story of a village girl who can't marry as all her suitors are her brothers. A twist in the tale means she can marry any of them! It's called, "Johnny Be Fine." Norman is next, and he sings "There goes My Everything", a song I'd not heard from Norman before. More virtuoso mouth music, a whole orchestra this time!. "Darling", a huge hit for Frankie Miller in the 1980s. This has a whistled harmonica solo. Very good Norman. I guess it is feeling pretty lonesome in here today. Oh no, Clive is asked to give us another of his jokes. This is the report of a Chinese Private Detective. Quite clean (in places). He manages another clean one, although Jojo remarks that a bed is mentioned. Despite calls for a poem from Sue, Trevor says a song is needed. This is a rare chance for him to sing some of his old stuff. He sings "When This Bloody War is Over." What the audience were thinking I don't know, of course they were expecting a rhyme for pass. The mandolin is still in tune despite having been left on the window sill. The works of Jerry Garcia are raided for "Ripple." It seemed that everyone thought that The grateful Dead were a heavy metal band. There are few comic verses from Sue, then the raffle is drawn. Jojo picks Sue's ticket.. Other winners are Linda, and Helen. We begin a third round. The bowed psaltery (fishing line bows this time.) makes another appearance. I think the fishing wire sounds more mellow than the horsehair. First tune is "Leaving Listmore", the second, "Sally Gardens/ Lavendar's Blue"." Beautiful! This is followed by a one to one bowing workshop for Trevor. Norman swaps Cliff Richard for Buddy Holly, and gives us a Hollyish version of "Heartbeat." A witty Welsh joke follows. T.D.L. round off the afternoon with "The Saga Lout Song" and a rarely done kiddie's song. "What Can I be." We all decide that it is time to go home, but Andy isn't here to wave us goodbye, and we finish at an early 5 o'clock. |