Practice makes, well, better.


Things were slightly calmer for July’s Open Music Night with a smaller number of performers, which, while still in double figures, was closer to ten than to twenty. Whether it was because of the weather or the Women's World Cup football match I can't say, but there were two benefits for us, firstly, we all got to perform more songs, and that also meant less change-overs on stage.

The sound was also much better, as
Craig has been busy behind the scenes with the pub audio system and  Shirley benefited from some professional coaching on the sound desk. The drive home was a much more relaxed affair when compared to the first one in May.

First up as usual, was me, and I began by singing the refugee  inspired song 'The Canary In The Coal Mine'. This was followed by Bob Dylan’s 'Forever Young'. Finally, another self penned, 'It’s Gonna Be The Wrong Thing'.

Pete & Neil were on their own this evening. They were in crowd pleasing mode begining with Credence Clearwater Revival's 'Proud Mary', Second was the wonderful Neil Diamond/The Monkees 'I’m a believer', What could possibly surpass that? Why? Why? Why? Tom Jones' 'Delilah',
There was more Delilah from Mike & John, 'Hey there Delilah, by The Plain White Ts, For Aloe Blacc's 'Ticking Bomb', they were joined by a very disciplined Ross on his Cajon, Time then for a bit more Credence Clearwater Revival with 'Stuck In The Middle' with you.

MDF were in love this evening, firstly with the boy, (Trisha Yearwood) and secondly with Friday, (The Cure). The last song, to keep Mark on his toes was Chuck Berry's 'Johnny be Good'. A busy desk meant no photograph of MDF this evening.

Steve and Kirsty, Credence Clearwater revival's 'Bad Moon Rising', The Counting Crows', 'Sullivan Street', before finishing with Mamas and Papas' 'California Dreaming'.

With Amie away, Kristy was on her own but she still wanted to perform. A little practice was organised with George on guitar, providing two songs; Ella Fitzgerald's 'Summertime', and Bob Dylan's 'Knockin on Heaven’s Door'. There was supposed to be some harmonising, but the mic was a  bit to the side and I had to keep an eye on where my fingers were. Since taking up the bass for MDF I find it so much harder to fret the chords correctly on the acoustic.

Sandi & Tugrul began with George Strait's 'I just
Wanna Dance With You'. This was followed by a delightful topical political parody, 'All Over Now (Theresa May)', Finally, a gentle close to their performance with Jack Buchanan's 'Everything Stops For Tea'.

Robyn was only going to sing 'Just one song’ then followed some Technical issues. ’ The Calling, or Charline Soraia 'I’ll go wherever you may go', That one song turned in to two as Robyn rummaged around on the ipad to find Queen's 'Crazy Little Thing Called Love'.  While the faffing around was a bit annoying, and couldn't have been tolerated on the first or second night, it was in its own way entertaining; and when Robyn did eventually start to sing I was struck by the quality of her vocals; a touch of Grace Slick about them.

Nigel Lewis has been busy in the studio and has produced a very pleasing CD. From it were 'Day Dreamers', and 'I’m not sure any more', both very familiar to OMC regulars, and new to us, 'East Coast Boy'. Taking a copy of Nigel's CD home I enjoyed hearing the songs I have got to know with the additional instrumentation and fabulous backing vocals

Steve Edgar was extending his repertoire with Bobby Gentry's 'Ode to Billy Joe'. We don't seem to get many Beatles songs within the Collective so it was nice to have Steve perform 'Hey Jude', the audince predictably joining in enthusiastically with the 'na nas'. Steve's almost finale was Chris Rhea's 'Road To Hell'.

Dangerous Derrick was on fire this evening, eschewing the usual Glen Fry material Derrick treated us to Gary Moore. First with 'Still Got The Blues For You', and then 'Midnight Blues'. I was ready for more, but the pace was changed to a bit of Rock and Roll, Shakin’ Stevens' 'Green Door' and Bill Haley's 'See You Later Alligator'.

Steve's ukelele came out of the closet after many years inactivity, and he joined MDF for a closing set of 'All Over Now' and 'Wagon Wheel'.



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