review050709

FaBclub review
5th July 2009
written by
Clive Meggs

The food is arriving, as well as the performers, but most
importantly our birthday girl has just arrived. Liz has
been given time off to take in the atmosphere of the
celebrations, so I am writing the review this afternoon
and Dennis Homes has volunteered to be our compere,
for the first session at least. It is hot and sunny outside
and the men's final has just started at Wimbledon. As
the doors are open we must expect some competition
from those watching the tennis in the beer garden, but
we have the performers to beat any Wimbledon
Champion.

Dennis opens proceedings with a new song. He uses a
crib sheet as it is so new, and states that he is trying to
do songs he has written since he turned 60, because he
is fed up with performing all his old material. Well, I can
assure you Dennis that we are all far from fed up with
hearing them. The song is called Angel Wings, and is a
serious ballad written from the heart. Love Will
Overcome follows, another well written song beautifully
performed by Dennis.

Len is next, earlier than usual, and he starts with a Tim
Harding song made famous by Rod Stewart called
Reason to Believe, one of my favourite songs from the
70's. He follows with a second Tim Harding song - If I
Were a Carpenter. John joins in in the background with
his gobiron. Well done Len !!!

Joe is next with a song called Up To Now. He is playing
an unusual stringed instrument on his lap called an
appellation dulcimer - lovely sound. He dons a guitar for
his second song, Geronimo's Cadillac. I last heard this
song done by Roy Mette earlier this year, and Joe, you
did just as good a job.

Steve and Fiona are next with a song of unrequited love
called Haunt My Heart. Sung by Fiona in her excellent
voice. This was a song stolen by Steve from an American
CD performed by women singers. He apologises for the
next song which is one of his own - Make Mine a
Miracle. Nothing whatsoever to apologise for. It knocks
spots off the first one, with the exception of Fiona's
voice. Great Stuff !!!

Helen is next with a Sting song - Fields Of Gold. Better
sung by Eva Cassidy is the verdict of the audience.
Helen also makes a great job of it. She then does a Neil
Young song, at the request of our birthday girl, called
Sugar Mountain.

Liz is up next with a poem I have not heard before called
- Fiscal Advantages 2009. Very deep and serious. She
dedicates her next poem to Dennis - Do You Remember -
a piece she wrote about 2 years ago when Dennis had a
special birthday. A poem detailing memories from the
60's. Dennis certainly wasn't the only person in the room
around at that time.

Cathy is next, before the break, with 3 tunes on her
concertina. The first is called The Three Sea Captains.
The second Don Maggee and the third Davey Brae. We
are not certain about the names but we are certain that
Cathy should perform more often. She says she was very
nervous but I thought she played very well, and the
audience, I know, agreed.

We have a break, where we are introduced to the famous
FaBclub buffet, and have the opportunity to purchase
our raffle tickets and additional refreshment, and relieve
ourselves of the refreshment already consumed.

Bill Pardon takes over as compere for the second half. A
FaBclub virgin from the bar is introduced, Greg, who
came along to the pub thinking there was a jamming
session in the bar. He is very confident and plays a mean
guitar (borrowed from Len). His first song , I Shot The
Sheriff is loved by all. It is the first time the percussion
has been brought out in full force. John also does a
harmonica solo at Greg's request. The second song -
Hey Joe - is equally well performed by Greg, in his own
style. We hope he returns to the club in the near future.

Bill is next and sings a topical song about MP's and their
expenses. He apologises for singing from a crib sheet as
he says by the time he has learnt the words the meaning
is no longer topical. A very cleverly written song, Bill.

Dennis is next with a funny song, Mum Can I Have a
Packed Lunch. What talent this club has. He follows
with his library song, a song of passion ending with the
librarian being 3 weeks overdue. An ideal Homes
exhibition, as Bill wittily put it.

Len is on for his second performance of the afternoon,
starting with a Neil Young song The Needle and the
Damage Done. Sounds like the original performed by the
master. But Len is a bit slimmer apparently. He
continues with a Show of Hands song - Cousin Jack.
What a great version, thanks Len!

The raffle is drawn and we win a torch.

Rip 'Em Up Joe is next,written and performed by Joe
Migdal on the borrowed guitar(Len's). A lovely
traditional sounding song, played effortlessly by Joe .
Followed by a quicky (ooh err missus) Another Man's
Wife written by Jez Lowe. A slower version but again
very well performed by Joe.

Steve and Fiona are on next and start with a new chorus
song - rapidly named The Bling Song, by Steve.
Although this is new to our ears, it was written some
years ago, but has recently resurfaced. Steve tells me he
has well over 100 similar songs waiting to poke their
heads above the parapet. Fiona follows with her
stonking version of Solitary Hero, which always goes
down well.

Helen finishes the afternoon with Sweet Sir Galahad, a
sweet song indeed, and then the candles on two cakes
are lit, because we found out it is Helen's birthday on
Wednesday. So they blow out the candles, we eat some
cake and we finish off with a group chorus song - Swing
Low Sweet Chariot - Led by the one and only John
Stafford.