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FaBclub review 5th October 2008 written by Clive Meggs We arrived early today, for a change, and the weather outside was wet and gloomy. We were therefore hoping for brighter things to happen inside, and they certainly did. I took on all three hats for the first session, writing the review, compering and taking photos. Ron is volunteered to go on first with his famous Gibson guitar. He starts with a George Jones song - Walk Through This World With Me. His second number, by Van Morrison, is called Into the Mist. Ron has a unique voice, which I love. The sound coming from his Gibson is exquisite. Put these together and…..Wow! Next we welcome Trevor ( Bloke in a Hat) back for the first time since getting married to Michelle in June. They are both now resident and settled in this country. He starts with an old favourite that we haven't heard for some time - Sun Shines over Romford. He follows with a brand new song - Thames Estuary, which everyone enjoys. We have missed Trevor and Michelle. They hope to celebrate their marriage at the Fabclub with a buffet in the near future. Len is called up next and gives us a Neil Young song - I Believe in You. I love this song. How does he reach those notes. He follows with a second song called Happiness, which he dedicates to his wife Barbara who is celebrating her birthday today. Happy birthday Barbara! The invincible Tone Deaf Leopard are on next and start with a serious traditional song from Scotts Ministreley they believe is called Nora's Val. Next one of their parody songs called Folk Music Star. Fantastic. Sue made it known that she is properly dressed this week. She also kindly volunteers to take over the compering duties, thanks Sue! We have the first break to refresh our glasses and empty our bodies, and to buy lots and lots of raffle tickets. Steve O'Kane and Fiona Mc Bane, having made a welcome appearance on route to Norfolk just before the break are next to entertain us. They start with a very rhythmic self-penned song, Fiona on the bodrhan and Steve on the loud guitar (choice of plectrum). A song about an American Indian god called Wokarmpunka. Not sure about the spelling but that's how it sounds phonetically. The second song, a quiet ballad about a love affair that finishes as a result of someone suffering from alcohol abuse was brilliantly sung by Steve without the assistance of Fiona. Perhaps the balance will be addressed later on. It is called Goodbye and unusually is not written by Steve. An excellent performance. Ron comes up next for his second appearance. He sings a Joe Brown song entitled Bouncing Over a White Cloud (I think). I have never heard this song before. This is followed by a song made famous by REO Speedwagon - I'm Gonna Keep on Loving You. It has a very familiar chorus and Ron makes a great job of both songs. Trevor the hat is back on next. He sings two familiar songs, both self penned, called Guiding Star and All Lovers are Young. Again, because we haven't heard Trevor for a while it his great to hear his work again. It is nice to see that marriage hasn't dulled him, the reverse in fact. John and Margaret are on next with a self written song called Just the Ticket - a song about library and books under the counter (you know what I mean). The second song they sing they say they first heard sung by the Acid Sisters. It is called Fare Thee Well my Dearest Dear. John informed us that they discovered it in the Penguin book of folk songs and joked there were not many lyrics just squawks. Just the ticket. Paul Steele is next and gives us two songs in his own unique style, neither of which I had heard before. The first is called Something There is About You and is followed by Jan Jones. I hope I have got that right. Paul is one of my favourite performers. Len comes on next and sings a song requested by Barbara to balance the rain outside. It is one we always like to hear - Here Comes The Sun written by George Harrison. He follows with a Beatles song Hey, You've Got To Hide Your Love Away. Nice one Len.!!!! We then have what Sue refers to as a BBB, a beer and bladder break. ToneDeaf Leopard start the last session with a song commonly known as Silver Dagger, but Trevor calls Don't Sing Love Songs. A very different version of the song I have heard sung by Steve Tilston, but nevertheless very enjoyable. For all those cat lovers they follow with a humerous song by Leon Rosslestone called The Neighbour's Cat. Quite a few titters are heard from the audience. Margaret and John are then introduced after the raffle and start with a song written by Margaret called Waiting. Beautifully sung with an excellent accompaniment by John on his small guitar that was described as having been put in the wash. Their second song is a transportation song called Old England, originally a traditional song but brought into the 50's when £10 pommies were emigrating to Australia. Again, written by John. Sheppy's greatest export, Paul Steele, is on next, and sings his unique arrangement of Let It Be Me. He follows with an equally unique arrangement of a Slaid Cleaves song called Broke Down. I love the way Paul can take any song and just turn it into his own, sometimes unrecognisable version. Please keep it up Paul. Fiona comes on by herself because Steve has escaped. She sings a beautiful song called When I Was in My Prime. The audience are entranced with the beauty of her voice. Steve returns and sings a song that doesn't get an airing too often called Ballad of Montague Street. Excellently penned and as usual well sung. Fiona returns to join him in his last number, a rock and roll song called Piggy in the Middle. Just the song to finish another great afternoon at the FaBclub. |