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FaBclub review 17th May 2009 written by Clive Meggs We are back at the White Hart after a gap of two weeks, and it appears that some of our audience are missing, we are quite light on the ground. But never mind, I am sure we are going to have a great time. Our floor singers will have to work a little harder that's all. Our guest today is Andy Caven. I am quite impressed with what I have heard during his warm up. Sue Tuckey is our compere today. She brings the audience to order with an impromptu rumble on her bongo's, and calls upon Trevor to join her on stage. Tone Deaf Leopard start with an old favourite, The camera never lies. This is followed by another old favourite, 4 by 4, dedicated to all the Chelsea Tractor drivers in the audience (Liz). Norman is called up next with his George Formby banjo. He starts with Andy the Handyman and continues with Our Sergeant Major, both George Formby numbers. Norman is sounding more like George Formby by the day. A toe tapping session. Pardon me Bill is next, and apologises to the landlady for his first song (she happens to be in the bar at the time) which he calls Nicotine Ceiling. The lyrics are a description of a far from appealing place. Bill then follows bravely with a new song wot 'e rote this week about the recent scandal with the MP's expenses. Very cleverly composed to a number of different tunes. Our guest, Andy Caven is next. He tells us that he started off by singing in a rock band in the 60's, and begins with one of the songs that he regularly sang - Come On Everybody, made famous by Eddy Cochran I believe. He follows with another song from the same era, Sitting In The Back Seat With Fred. The audience are asked to join in and make a reasonable attempt. Another well known chorus song next - The Games People Play. Sue is going to fall off that chair soon if she keeps swaying back and forth. The next song written by Michael Murphy is preceeded by a little story about the person in the title, Geronimo and his Cadillac. I wasn't aware that Geronimo invested all the money he made from giving people rides in his Cadillac in alcohol. This resulted in him consuming too much one day and falling over and drowning in a puddle - fancy that! John Stafford is then invited to join Andy on the stage in a blues number, and is in his element playing his mouth organ. He stays for a second blues number ( I wonder if we will be able to get him off) written by a certain Higginbottom person who is famous for writing High Heel Sneakers - great stuff! John is still there during the following rock and roll number - Too Much Pressure. Another chorus song follows - Heartbeat - written by Bob Montgomery ( no relation I am told). This seamlessly runs into Peggy Sue and after deserved applause the tempo is dropped to a medley of ballads called I Think It's Going To Work Out Fine and Let It Be Me. Those sent off to sleep during the last medley (I'm not mentioning any names) are seriously woken up with a loud rock and roll number called What A Happy Ending. This appropriately finishes an excellent first half by Andy, who leaves to change the batteries on his pacemaker. I anticipate more great stuff in the second half. We have a short break, both to buy raffle tickets and refresh our glasses. The second spasm is started by Tone Deaf Leopard, and would you believe it, John Stafford has found his way to the stage again. They sing a Led Zeppelin song - In My Time Of Dying, with John on the mouth organ. Totally different to the original but very enjoyable. Joe Migdal takes the shortest route from the sound desk to the stage (about 6 feet if that) and gives us a traditional folk number accompanied on the omnichord called The Three Poachmen. What a sound ! His second number, a song he hasn't performed for ages, is Big Fat Sexy Man. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx You really are Joe. Len is on his third pint, so he is declared fit to perform. Unfortunately the mike could do with some viagra as it droops when Len sings the words Let me take you down during his version of Strawberry Fields. He follows with You Don't Know What It's Like and a Neil Young song, Old Man. Yes, he is allowed to do three songs - because we love him. Thanks Len. Norman comes back to the stage to sing a Lonnie Donnigan song - Dum dumma dingy dingy dum (or something like that) and Bill returns for one number Cakehole Presley Is My Friend. The raffle is drawn and most of the prizes are won in the bar, but we win a lovely candle so I can't complain this week. Andy Caven is next, back for his second session and he starts with what I think is a Neil Young song called Helpless. He must have been influenced by our Len. What a great version. This is followed by something completely different as they say, a slow ballad There's Not Enough Love to Go Round from the 70's. Mr Bojangles is next, it's strange how you are able to recognise some songs from just the first two chords. This is one of those and it was most enjoyable. Changing the tempo completely the next song is Saving The Last Dance For You, a country and western number. My, we have had a variety of songs this afternoon. A hippy song next - Stardust - originally sung and written by Joni Mitchell. It takes the audience back to their younger days. Bob Marley is next from his vast repertoire of songs and genres with a song called Mr Mr Marley. Motown follows in the form of My Girl. A song especially for the percussion is next - Hey Bo Diddley and similar songs in a medley - and boy, did the percussion perform. Andy is asked to do an encore and finishes with an extremely lively version of Money, and he has certainly earned his this afternoon. We have all had a fantastic time, thank you Andy. We are back in the function room on Sunday 31st May for a get a floor spot session, so I hope to see you there! |