LidldiAldi, LidldiAldi, LidldiAldi, Lidldidee
Since the re-launch of the guitar club in November 2021, we’ve gradually been
building the numbers and the July meeting showed how far we’ve come with a
really good turnout of both players and audience members. It’s very rewarding to
see our efforts paying off and so many people getting out and enjoying themselves.
As is customary, Vince started proceedings with a rendition of the classical piece,
‘Romanza’ followed by an instrumental version of ‘The Way We Were’, originally
sung by Barbara Streisand in the 1973 film of the same name. Graham moved up
the order to play two Ralph McTell songs: ‘Nana’s Song’ from 1966 and ‘Take it
Easy’ from the 1974 album Easy (I’m not sure I’ve got this right. If not, perhaps
someone can correct me).
Steve then treated us to two original songs: firstly, ‘Asking the Earth’, concerned
with issues of climate change and environmental destruction. According to
Wikipedia, Pete Seeger released what is considered the first environmentalist
album, entitled God Bless the Grass in 1966. Nearly 60 years later, as Europe,
China and the USA burn, songs like this are still relevant, if not more so. Steve then
played a love song called ‘Best of Days’.
Gary 1’s two songs included ‘I’m in the Mood for Love’ by Frances Langford, which reached
number 5 in the US chart in 1936. This featured in the movie, Every Night at Eight.
Bravely, Gary then fitted his kazoo into a harmonica holder and performed Don Partridge’s ‘Blue Eyes’ – next
time we are hoping to see a bass drum on Gary’s back and cymbals between his
knees! (We know you can do it!)
Next, we welcomed Andy to the club for the first time and he performed 2 classical
pieces, including a Brazilian romance by the Spanish composer Bartolme Catalayud.
It’s great to have new members and we hope to see Andy regularly. As it was 4 th
July, Ian went with an American theme with Woody Guthrie’s song 'Going Down the
Road Feeling Bad', all about the great depression in the USA and the drought that
turned Oklahoma and some other parts into a dust bowl. Keeping the theme going,
Ian, accompanied by Bryan on bass, then played ‘Kansas City’, a Leiber and Stoller
song from 1952, first recorded by Little Willie Littlefield and turned into a hit in
1959 by Wilbert Harrison.
Bryan then stayed out front to perform ‘Come Tomorrow’, the best-known version of which
was recorded by Manfred Mann, who took it to the top-ten in the UK in 1965.
This was followed by the Bob Dylan song from 1964, ‘If You’ve Got to Go, Go Now’.
This was a UK no. 2 hit in 1965, with the French version by Fairport Convention reaching the charts in 1969.
The first half of the evening was concluded with Vic and Howard playing ‘Days’, the
Kinks song which reached number 12 in the UK charts in 1968. Coincidentally,
Kirsty McColl’s version in 1989 also reached the same chart placing. Vic and
Howard also performed their version of ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling’, followed by Erica
who played ‘If You Go Away’ which is an adaptation of the 1959 Jacques Brel song
‘Ne me quitte pas’ with English lyrics by Rod McKuen. Well-known artists who
recorded this song include Shirley Bassey and Terry Jacks. Erica then played ‘To
Make You Feel My Love’, written by Bob Dylan and turned into a million selling hit
by Adele. Thanks again to Sandra for providing transport for Erica following her
knee surgery.
To start the second half of the evening, Gary 2 returned to the July 4th theme with
Tom Petty and the Heartbreaker’s ‘American Girl’ from their 1976 debut album.
There have been rumours that the song was written about a college student who
committed suicide by jumping from the Beaty Towers residence hall at the
University of Florida but Petty denied this. Gary followed this with another song
from the mid-‘70s, ‘Young Americans’ by David Bowie, which Bowie described as
‘plastic soul’ and featured the then unknown Luther Vandross on backing vocals.
Tim then played 2 instrumentals, firstly, ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ from 1936.
Written by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields and sung by Fred Astaire in the film,
Swing Time’, this won an Academy Award for best original song in 1936. Next Tim
performed ‘The Things We Said Today’, the B-side of the Beatles’ ‘Hard Day’s Night’
in 1964.
Next onstage was John Farmer with ‘Some of Shelly’s Blues’, a Mike Nesmith song
originally written for the Monkees but never released by them (hoping I’ve got this
right…). This was followed by ‘Hobo’s Lullaby’, written by Goebel Reeves and
recorded by numerous artists including Woody Guthrie and his son Arlo. Sandra,
inspired by Elton John’s performance at Glastonbury, performed her version of
‘Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word’ and then an instrumental version of a Sky
song – it’s not everyone who’s been out for a meal with the artists whose song they
play (in this case, Sky not Elton!)
We welcomed the second new performer of the night with Sketch playing his
homemade box guitar. The song ‘Rollin’ and Tumblin’’ was first recorded in 1929 by
Hambone Willie Newbern and has been played by many artists, notably Muddy
Waters and Cream. This was followed by another blues piece by Doc Watson.
Welcome to the club, Sketch, we hope to hear more from you. John F. kept the
blues theme going with an instrumental, after which he played ‘Spanish Harlem’, a
1960 Ben E. King song which Aretha Franklin took to number 2 in the US charts in
1971. John R. then performed 2 songs in the country genre.
Chris, appearing for the second time at the re-formed club, played Damien Rice’s
2002 song, ‘Cannonball’ which was followed by a self-composed love song called
‘When I First’. Then it was great to see Peter Lawler making a return to the club for
the first time since the re-launch. His first song, ‘The Ballad of Lidl and Aldi’
summed up what we’ve missed from him. We were still laughing and missed the
title of the second song. We really hope to see more of Peter in future; his
contributions are always memorable.
The Eclectic Band brought the evening to a
close, as has become customary, with a Sea Shanty by the Spinners and the
Beatles’ ‘I Feel Fine’, a number 1 in both the UK and the USA. How could we feel
anything but fine after another varied evening of musical entertainment. The next
meeting is on Tuesday 1st August.
Best regards,
Gary2 (research supplied by Garypedia TM )
Apologies for any omissions/inaccuracies/misspelt names etc.