As far as I know, none our ensemble has ever voted for the C-word. But, highly principled as we are, we accept a gig at the frankly dubiously titled ‘C’ Club in Charlton. Sluts? Youbetcha! I mean we play the blues (ouch!) and we do Blue Moon of Kentucky. How bad could it be?
Setting up in the bar there’s not a cravat or hooray henry in sight and lurching into our first number there’s just a ripple of applause — no ‘bravos’ or ‘top notch chaps’ to be heard. Mind you by the end of our second set the bar seemed fuller, there were tapping feet to be seen and one lady was actually having a bit of a bop. Was the ‘C’ Club falling under the spell of the ‘Dawsons? Or was it simply that they’d been at it since midday and now, by 4.30pm, the sherbets were hitting their mark?
Easing into our third set the cavalry arrived in the form of Nine Below Zero’s Dennis Greaves (and entourage), swiftly followed by Glenn Tilbrook (with young son in tow). With our 6pm end in sight both were quickly given guitars and we launched into various supergroup line-ups as Dennis and Glenn traded their proverbial, and frankly world class, licks and tonsils. Time up we finished with the Monkees’ I’m a Believer with Glenn – and most of the bar — on vocals though he nearly passed out with vocal effort as we — that’s me, actually — struggled to remember the ending. Sometimes we honestly can’t stop. The house was truly brought down.
And after a bit of charity-induced bribery, Glenn was persuaded to carry on giving the by-now packed bar a whiz through Squeeze’s greatest hits in his one-man voice-and-orchestra style. It’s quite something to witness. Okay, it wasn’t quite on the scale of Live Aid, of course, but for an impromptu, unadvertised gig on a grey May afternoon in Charlton, it’ll do nicely thank you.
We’re back — with or without our famous friends – on Sunday 8th June at 3pm.
Dave Burrluck
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Working Hard Sunday 18th May with Glenn Tibrook, Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham
We thought it would be a quiet night, Chris delivered his amp to Cattleyas before picking up the Double Bass he said it was empty, as there were only a couple in with their kid… So we were all prepared to play a set of new numbers which is always a slightly avant garde experience as we tend to break a lot of new numbers in when there are fewer people in case of glitsches (which we’re good at… Los Dawsons by name Les Dawson by nature).
However a group of recognisably pro musicians turned-up as we were getting ready to play; they were clocking the gear which is always a bad sign… Thankfully a double bass adds to the equation, so we are not going to be playing Sultans of Swing (ah then yet again perhaps we should). I could swear I knew the young lady in the party (a bassist I think) and the chap in the corner was Christopher Holland, and our Chris knew another fellow who was a producer etc and then Glenn Tilbrook arrived so they were indeed his rather capable band.
ah……… the guitarist of his generation, a fine singer, songwriter extraordinaire and damn hes just about the finest acoustic guitarist in London, and suddenly I’ve got to play a solo – my fingers suddenly become leaden and my voice out of key… We know Glenn as hes sat in a few times over the years and we are always a little nervous cos hes just that bit too good… he didn’t disappoint here either… like a greyhound out of the traps; three songs that brought the house down. Follow that if we can ….
Just as Glenn is disappearing with his band the Fluffers and the production chaps (apparently they’re in the Studio recording) Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham turn up – two more world class musicians – Thankfully I am less nervous with these guys as I’ve played with them a few times and I know what and how they do their stuff. Though we still have to make certain that I don’t stuff it up as they don’t make mistakes.. and we are busking…. we then spent the rest of the evening working our socks off to make certain we backed these two most excellent guests…. An enthralling but tiring performance- an exacting standard was set. Dennis plays guitar with a drive and enthusiasm that is infectious and when coupled with Marks virtuoso Harmonica playing the audience were on the edge of their seats.
Dennis’ son Sonny played Djembe on a few numbers, and we thought for a young lad he did well, good timekeeping and telegraphed well!
Thanks gentlemen it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to make music with you, Both Chris and Dave played beautifully all night - a good one
see the link above about the mad night.....
Mike
However a group of recognisably pro musicians turned-up as we were getting ready to play; they were clocking the gear which is always a bad sign… Thankfully a double bass adds to the equation, so we are not going to be playing Sultans of Swing (ah then yet again perhaps we should). I could swear I knew the young lady in the party (a bassist I think) and the chap in the corner was Christopher Holland, and our Chris knew another fellow who was a producer etc and then Glenn Tilbrook arrived so they were indeed his rather capable band.
ah……… the guitarist of his generation, a fine singer, songwriter extraordinaire and damn hes just about the finest acoustic guitarist in London, and suddenly I’ve got to play a solo – my fingers suddenly become leaden and my voice out of key… We know Glenn as hes sat in a few times over the years and we are always a little nervous cos hes just that bit too good… he didn’t disappoint here either… like a greyhound out of the traps; three songs that brought the house down. Follow that if we can ….
Just as Glenn is disappearing with his band the Fluffers and the production chaps (apparently they’re in the Studio recording) Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham turn up – two more world class musicians – Thankfully I am less nervous with these guys as I’ve played with them a few times and I know what and how they do their stuff. Though we still have to make certain that I don’t stuff it up as they don’t make mistakes.. and we are busking…. we then spent the rest of the evening working our socks off to make certain we backed these two most excellent guests…. An enthralling but tiring performance- an exacting standard was set. Dennis plays guitar with a drive and enthusiasm that is infectious and when coupled with Marks virtuoso Harmonica playing the audience were on the edge of their seats.
Dennis’ son Sonny played Djembe on a few numbers, and we thought for a young lad he did well, good timekeeping and telegraphed well!
Thanks gentlemen it’s a privilege to have the opportunity to make music with you, Both Chris and Dave played beautifully all night - a good one
see the link above about the mad night.....
Mike
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Pleasant Valley Sunday Party; last match of the season at Cattleya
Sunday 4th May 2008
Well... we decided to start a lot earlier than normal to play to the Addicks and any other supporters that were there…. so much for “forever blowing bubbles” type of songs. Our listeners seemed a remarkably sophisticated music loving audience..... and the chap (I believe) who wrote Valley Floyd Road was in attendance for the first set and seemed to be tapping his feet
Seemed a nice vibey evening with 35 or so songs delivered hopefully with a bit of aplomb we must nail Pleasant Valley Sunday
Well... we decided to start a lot earlier than normal to play to the Addicks and any other supporters that were there…. so much for “forever blowing bubbles” type of songs. Our listeners seemed a remarkably sophisticated music loving audience..... and the chap (I believe) who wrote Valley Floyd Road was in attendance for the first set and seemed to be tapping his feet
Seemed a nice vibey evening with 35 or so songs delivered hopefully with a bit of aplomb we must nail Pleasant Valley Sunday
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