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FaBclub review 17th January 2010 written by Sue Tuckey Here we all are, gathered for the first CITP of the new decade. There are a good few here, and some of them will be performing I think. Everyone has turned out in support of Steve and Fiona, and Joe. Bill has been nominated compere, and is being very efficient as usual. I was silly enough to volunteer for this job, and have had to borrow Clive's glasses again. Can I remind you, dear readers that anyone can write a review? Committee membership is not a requirement! Bill kicks off with a very clever song introducing people to our guests. I can't believe he didn't know in advance that he was hosting, until he couldn't finish the song off. Loud cheers from the audience throughout. Margaret is the first floor performer, giving us "When The Saints " on her uke banjo. Her second song is "This train". There's a lot of percussion from the audience on both songs. There were some rather crude jokes from Bill before he introduces Tone Deaf Leopard. We launch into 4x4, when, Trevor loses the plot, and we have to get back into gear. All goes well on the restart, and the second song is suitably appropriate, "PlayingFootie". More iffy jokes from Bill precede our first guest spot. Are we in church? No, it's Joe Migdal on his massive organ. The first song is called "Glimpse of Heaven". Very suitable for a Sunday, Joe. There's a short pause whilst Joe sorts out his guitar. The second song is one by Robin Dransfield,"Fair Maids of February". The song is about snowdrops. Joe is a dedicated fan of the Dransfields, who are excellent song writers. Joe gives a sensitive rendition with excellent accompaniment. It could almost be spring. "Nature's Wonderland" is the next song, one of our favourites, and written by Joe about summer in the Scilly Isles. Another change of instrument, Joe switches to his twelve-string for the next song. This is anew song called "It's A Long Road That I'm Travelling." A well constructed song that certainly did not go on and on and on. Towards the end, the choir get the refrain and join in with gusto. Back to the six string for another self-penned number. "Rip It Up Joe" is what one might call a "critique". Laid back Joe tells himself to get livelier, I think he's listening. I think the next song is one about ageing, to which most of us can relate. I love it, but is it called "Let your Dreams Unfold", or "Turn silver Into Gold"? Either will do fine, it's a lovely song. Bill has now shocked us all, by putting 2 fingers up to Joe. Thankfully the right way round! Joe now has his mandolin for a song called "Cligger Mine". Not sure of the spelling, but it's Cornish. Joe really is a nature lover; this is another one about looking at plants and flowers. Could be worse, he could be a naturist! Staying with the mando for his last song, which just had to be "Big Fat Sexy Man." - A Naturists Anthem if ever I heard one! - A very popular choice to end with. Seems to go down well with the regular drinkers too! Bill ends the set with a poem about the excesses of the Festive season, from a woman's point of view, of course. It mentions dieting and chewing carrots. There are several more performers to come after the break. People are still singing "Big Fat sexy Man", especially the men. Ken and Co are up after the break - He's roped in two ladies to have a threesome on stage! - They are attempting "Silence is Golden" - Quite Loudly! - It's like a vocal version of a hurdy-gurdy! He then reads a poem about going through the carwash in a sometimes dubious transatlantic accent. We have another Formby-alike next, Norman sings "Andy The Handyman." Norman's second song isn't one of George's; it's a jolly little song called "I'm with my Baby", complete with an instrumental on mouth trumpet. That got applause from the main bar too. Gags about fruit and veg lead us neatly into the next act - "Ploughman's Lunch", give us a bit of info on hedging before their first song, Charlie Yarwood's "I'd sooner Lay Blackthorn." The next song has lots of elements of "The Fox", but must be a West Country version. It has lots of fala fala fereros. Thankfully, no Ferero Roches. Trevor is informed by Linda that they were taught the song by The Witches Of Elswick We have another short break for refreshments and the raffle. We Leopards win the last prize, which was what Trevor was wanting, so he's a happy Leopard. Steve and Fiona start the final spasm with a request from the floor, "A Couple Of Thieves." Lovely harmonies from Fiona. "A Star In The East". A song debuted at Fab Club; it was played at midnight on Christmas Eve on the local Radio Station, Link F.M. This is a lilting ballad, which, I think reminiscent of some of the Irish ballads in both composition and delivery. Building up the ire now, Fiona sings "I'm gonna Haunt your Heart." The legendary White Hart ghost had better watch out! She then grabs her bodhran, and, finding it slack, borrows Sue's for "Blowin' In The Wind", I thought that was Bob on harmonica, but it was the multi- talented Steve. Their next song is "The wind and The Rain"; this has a melodic tune supported by a strong drone on guitar. Fiona sings with her hands as well as her voice, only she knows what they say. Comments from the floor on the quality of the chorus. Next on the menu is a solo from Steve. One of his best songs is "You Make It Easy." Did the words flow as easily from the pen as from Steve's mouth? Fiona rejoins Steve for "Buffalo Soldiers", delivered with so much conviction that you'd believe her to be singing the song from experience! Another Steve solo next; "Hero In Retreat" brings out the percussionists once more. More Dylanesque harmonica, Bob will sue! Hope you've got plenty of dosh Stevo. Another new song to try out on the captive audience. The working title is "The Bling Song." Bling is a throwaway however, it's really a song in praise of all of us who go out and sing and play, and sometimes entertain, and the joy we get from doing so. Fiona plays the bodhran again on Steve's "Spiritual", Wukantunka". I had to write this title last time I reviewed Steve's performance. Have I got it right this time? Blame Trevor, if not. We all need to slow down after that, and the soulful "Make Mine a Miracle does just that. Clever lyrics with lots of internal rhymes. The song ends with the phrase "One more for The Road", a natural link to the encore. We are asked to raise the roof with another Dylan song, "The Mighty Quinn." Guaranteed to get the choir singing! Sue Tuckey |