August 2006 Club Night
The August club night got off to a flying start with
Alan L producing a storming Shadows Medley after which he was
joined on stage by the rest of the Avlonauts while Robin tried to
convince everyone that he is still a Teenager in Love.
Next was a rocked up (or should that be cocked up)
version of Lonesome Me which was so good that it precipitated a
Steward's Objection from Jim, Stu and Colin on the grounds that the
Avlonauts had been secretly practising. This was rejected as it was
based entirely on the fact that somebody had played a correct chord. The
Two Alans always play the correct chords – though not necessarily in
the right order.
Next up was Jim, Colin, Stu and Mike with the
Foundations' monster 1967 hit, and Child Support agency theme tune, Baby
now that I've found you with Colin somehow managing to provide a
full brass section on his amazing electronic synth guitar. Classy stuff!
This was followed by a couple of Jim’s hilarious
anecdotes and a rousing rock ‘n roll medley including Roll over
Beethoven and Route 66.
By now the ball was well and truly rolling and it was
time for Spennymoor’s own son Kenny to take the stage with Johnny B
Goode accompanied by, Vintage Sixties Live virgins, Chris on bass
(who had come all the way from Turkey), Dave on keyboards together with
Stu – yes, that’s Stu the bass player – showing his versatility on
drums.
The next track was a request – Fleetwood Mac’s I
need your love so Bad – which featured some excellent impromptu
solo work by Dave and Kenny.
Next it was the turn of ever popular VSL regulars -
Geoff and the Backing Tracks - to give us the old Bobby Darin favourite
- Multiplication -
followed, unusually for Geoff, by
an instrumental - an
excellent rendering of the Shadows The Stranger.
Since we started these Club Nights three months ago the
standard of performance and degree of enthusiasm shown by everyone has
been truly astonishing and the next “turn” was no exception. Pete
was actually born a cockney but he can’t help that. He has lived here
for the last sixteen years and on tonight’s performance he is welcome
to stay another sixteen. Leading a scratch band consisting of Stu, Colin
and Mike (the marathon drummer), he launched into a cracking version of Kansas
City followed by Singing the Blues ala Dave Edmunds.
Another change of personnel for the next set. Kenny was
back accompanied by Mark on bass, Jimmy - another welcome new face - on
lead guitar and Mike on drums. First, it was the turn of Hendrix’s Hey
Joe with some superb lead and vocal work, and then, as though that
was not enough, they did a stonking version of Standing at the
Crossroads which had the place absolutely bouncing.
And still the surprises kept coming.
A complete change of tempo this time with old mate from
the Sixties Harry Stephenson making his first appearance at Vintage
Sixties Live, but hopefully not his last.
Harry accompanied himself on guitar to
Ain’t Misbehavin’, Hallelujah I love her so, and Cut
across Shorty which he performed in his own inimitable relaxed
style.
So we have had relaxed, we have had rock ‘n roll, we have had R ‘n B, Hendrix, Foundations, Early Sixties, late Sixties – what now?
I’ll tell you what.
One and a half performances of the classic guitar
instrumental Sabre Dance (with added bits) courtesy of Alan L. It
would have only been once through but the backing track conked out half
way through and he had to start at the beginning again – Heh…heh…heh).
Absolutely fantastic.
By this time it was well past closing time but they
just kept on coming.
Jim, Stu and Colin and Mike signed off their fantastic
contribution to the night with I saw her standing there, Sorrow
and a rousing chorus or two of Hi Ho Silver Lining.
And just to round the night off Dave was on stage in
his usual sparkling form, accompanied by Kenny, Mark and Mick, to give
us Long Tall Sally and the ever popular Wishing Well.
What a hell of a night. And we are doing it all again
on the second Thursday in September.
We would like to extend a welcome to anyone who loves
Sixties Music to come along especially if you were connected with any of
the groups performing at the time.
There is no pressure on anyone to perform – in fact the nights have been so successful we are struggling to fit everyone in.
We'd love to meet you whether you wish to perform or not.
It was good to chat to Bob and Alf from well known
local Sixties group Tony and the Meazzis after all these years.
I enjoyed meeting the guy with four carrier bags full
of memorabilia – I will be in touch to go through it properly.
I could go on for ever but I won’t.
It would not be fair to single anyone out so thanks to
everybody who has supported the club night and the web site over the
past three months - we could not have done it without you – well we
could but it would have been cr*p.
Here’s to the next three months and beyond.