7.9.22
Guitar club last night was once again great!
The wonderful Gary Saunders has reviewed the night below, if you'd like to know how the night went feel free to take a read, if you'd like to know how the next night will be come on in and visit on Tuesday 4th October 2022, with only £3.00 entry free how can you not.
We welcome new musicians and listeners.
"Hi Good folks.
Well another great evening of musical entertainment last night at The Legion Club for both guitarist’s singers and listeners alike, and we had a range of musical genres including classical, folk, jazz, and pop. We also had a welcome visit form Morris Dolphin and his wife Stella, as Morris was the original founder of the Sutton Coldfield Guitar Club over 30 years ago.
Vince started proceedings as usual with two classical pieces (and thanks to Vince for bringing raffle prizes), and then Erica with a Scottish traditional folk number, “Cairistone” followed by a vocal rendition of “Johnny Guitar” which was from the 1954 Western of the same name and sung then by Peggy Lee. A new member to the Club, Tom was on next and played a lovely instrumental version of “Misty” also from 1954 and now a jazz standard written by pianist Errol Garner and which Johnny Mathis made his signature tune reaching number 12 in the US charts in 1959.
Ian as reliable as ever gave us two great versions of Eric Clapton’s song, “Running on Faith” followed by BB King’s “Sneaking Around” and was ably assisted by Bryan on bass guitar.
I followed with a tribute to the late great, Judith Durham, with “I’ll never find another you.” I had the privilege of meeting Judith when she performed at Symphony Hall in Birmingham with some fund raising for Motor Neurone Disease Research, and also when she sang some jazz numbers at the 100 Club in London, and it was ironic that Morris met Stella at a Judith Durham concert over 50 years ago, so bringing back many happy memories. I next played a song by a Group that I had not heard of two weeks ago, which my daughter on holiday in West Sussex told me about and requested I learn this particular tune. I advised that if anyone guessed the Group I would pay a £1.00 to the correct guess but no one could. The song was “Above the Clouds by Turin Brakes.
Bryan, with Sandra assisting on flute, performed that classic song “16 Tons” written by and a Gold hit for Merle Travis in 1946, and then made more famous in 1955 by Tennessee E. Ford and in 1956 by Frankie Lane. Then Bryan, into his jazz, performed his own composition of a jazz riff solo number. Sandra followed, ably assisted by Tim on guitar and mandolin, and Bryan on bass, performing songs from Pentangle and the great Fairport Convention. (so Claret performing as a trio.)
After the break and raffle, Gary 2 on his 12 string guitar did some finger picking on a Justin Hayward song, “Forever Autumn” followed by a rousing and up-tempo rendition of Judith Durham’s, “World of our Own,” which was written by Tom Springfield and peaked at number 3 in the UK charts in 1965. Tim then performed his own composition of “Hong Kong to China” which was in July 1997 (and to which the Chinese government then reneged on the Treaty), and then a story about his next song, “Parting Glass” a traditional Scottish and Irish folk song normally sung at the end of an evenings celebrations.
John performed two lovely instrumentals, “The First Time ever I saw your Face” which was written by Ewan McCall for Peggy Seeger (who later became his wife), and the song made an International hit in 1972 by Roberta Flack. This was followed by a Beatles number written by George Harrison with “While my Guitar Gently Weeps” (Eric Clapton also made lead guitar on the track as a favour to George but is not mentioned with a credit). We then had another first time performance by Rob with a Spandau Ballet number “Through the Barricades” peaking at number 6 in the UK charts in 1986, followed by a Jack Johnson track, “Better Together” which reached number 24 in the UK charts in 2006. Last but not least was Ross, who treated us to the Mama Cass lovely number, “Dream a little Dream of me,” a hit in 1968 and which was written in 1931 and first recorded by Ozzie Nelson. Ross last number was the Beatles 1966 melody, “Here, There, Everywhere” ( there was also a fine cover version recorded by Episode Six that made the lower reaches of the UK charts).
Lastly we had a Jam session with everyone joining in on a rendition of the Beatles song from 1966, “Paperback Writer”.
So a great ending to a super evening of music for only £3.00 entrance fee. What’s not to like? So we hope to see you on our next monthly Guitar Night on Tuesday October 4th at The Legion Club. Until then stay safe, and keep listening to music.
Best regards
Gary 1
Sutton Coldfield Acoustic Guitar Club."