When The Magic Happens

There was an atmosphere at The Arnold Arms that was difficult to define, but it certainly had an impact on audience and performers alike. Along with the warm and friendly welcome received from Matt, Tina and staff there was something else going on. It might have had something to do with the average age on stage, which was much lower than usual. It might have been the variety of performances, or the number of female vocalists, which was higher than usual, that lifted the mood to the height of the roof. Or, it might have been the number of supporters that the performers brought with them to provide the much appreciated encouragement. Whatever it was, this music night has something special about it and that something special was in abundance on the October Open Music Night.

George opened with his own composition, 'Running With Scissors', and then  a cover of The Kingsmen's 'Louie Louie', which was covered by Motorhead in 1978. Louie Louie by Motorhead

We were joined by Hedley who added violin to a number of performers, the first of which was Steve Edgar. Steve was in a bluesy mood and began with Elmore James' 'It Hurts Me too'. This was followed by Fleetwood Mac's 'Need your Love So Bad'.

New to The Open Music Collective were a very lively and confident Duncan and Olivia with Amie on cajon. They started with ABBA's 'Lay All Your Love On Me' before coming bang up to date with Ed Shearan's 'The Shape Of You'. There was time for more later in the evening so in the second half, a cover of Amy Winehouses' 'Valerie', and a superb finish, aided by the rest of the pub, 4 Non Blodes' 'What’s Going On'.

Duncan and Amie were then joined by Katharine, also new to us, for a swap of vocalist and style.  She began with The Corrs' 'Run Away and Fairground Attraction's 'Perfect'; and it was.
They ended their second half session with Bruno Mars' 'Count On Me' and U2's 'With Or Without You'. 

Duncan and Amie kicked off the second half of the evening with Price Tag by Jesse J. and then '500 Miles', MDF's favourite Scottish love song.

I hope to see much more of them all in the months to come.

Korben was playing in the style of Rodregez E Gabriel Style, and he put down some stunning loops in a medley of pieces including Stairway To Heaven. He stayed around for the second half and once more blue the audience away, ending on a delightful bit of Postman Pat. Korben has been popping up at the Open Music Collective Nights for a few years now. He astonished us the first time and continues to do so. I don't think it will be long before he is earning his money with his guitar playing, and I hope it isn't too long before he comes to see us again.

The not so Vague Brothers, Ian and Richard, were certainly Ambiguous this evening. With Hedley accompanying they launched into a fabulous cover of Black Sabbath's 'Paranoid' and followed it with one of my favourites, Fishermans’ Blues by The Waterboys.

Into the last part of the evening as the beer barometer neers the top, The Vague Brothers were joined by Steve and Hedley. Ian borrowed George's bass and Richard offered backing vocals as Steve sang 'Sumertime' from Porgy And Bess and Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine' before Ian reverted back to acoustic and Copperhead Road and Jimmy Cliff's 'You Can Get It If You Really Want'.

Jaz Trio (what it says on the tin) were Dave, Mike and Alison, who began with a Fats Waller song, 'Honeysuckle Rose'. This was followed by Simon and Garfunkel's 'Me & Julio Down By The School Yard'. Then therre was a bit of shuffling and the Mike Newhouse Experience continued in colourful mode with John on acoustic guitar. Their contribution were a couple of audience pleasers; Van (The Man) Morrison's 'Brown Eyed Girl' followed by Procol Harem's 'Whiter Shade of Pale. More followed later with a rendition of The Rooftop Singers', 'Walk Right In, Sit Right Down' and a bit of Elvis. Though 'You Were Always On My Mind' was written by Willie Nelson, Elvis was certainly in the building.

MDF were playing The Browns. It’s a bit like the blues, but not as good.

Without timekeeper Mike and virtuoso Mark we were a bit all over the place, though listening to a bit of video that was taken, we sounded better than we thought.
It was the first outing in public of a very little rehearsed Rolling Stones' 'Little Red Rooster' followed by Slim Harpo's 'King Bee', also borrowed by the old wrinklies.
MDF were sad to learn of the passing of one of their fan base; it is such a select group, who particularly liked them to sing 'DaDo Ron Ron'. Grandad Banjo added to his arsenal of weapons of aural destruction with his cigar box slide guitar. It certainly added something to the blues effect, sounding authentically delta and certainly a fitting accompaniment to Little Red Rooster. The band went out with a bang, reverting to standards 'Wagon Wheel' and 'All Over Now'

Once again, thanks to our hosts Matt and Tina, and of course Shirley's favourite sound man, Craig who helps us make everyone sound their best while in the performance area. See you in November when we gather again on Friday 1st.