Well! If the first Open Mic of 2007 is anything to go by, we are looking forward to a fantastic year of quality entertainment! It was a real mix-match of high-quality musical tastes, styles and presentation. The rule-of-thumb is…did everyone enjoy themselves and have fun…the answer?...YES! They did!
Jeff and Mike have a combined age of over 130! As they kept reminding us (I don’t know if they were going for the sympathy vote – or were just surprised to be on stage as old as they were!). They last played in public 30 years ago and at that time they were a well-known professional act. You could tell from their slick presentation and timing that they knew what they were doing…and more to the point…enjoyed it! Not many acts manage to get the Open Mic audience singing along…but they did! Well done guys…when will you be back??
Geraldine Gould sang all her numbers unaccompanied…no mean feat when you’re faced with an audience and you’re standing alone at the mic! Geraldine always surprises us, last time it was songs of a political theme, this time all the songs had trains as a theme and Geraldine was the second act who challenged the Open Mic audience to join in….and they took up the gauntlet! Way to go Geraldine..guts or what? Geraldine sang with her usual confidence and strength enthralling all and in reality, giving the audience little option but to join in.
Richard Cobb proved himself to be a true professional in the making. His first time at the Open Mic he overcame his nerves and soldiered on producing an entertaining set which promises much to come in the future. Next time he’ll know what to expect at the Open Mic (those of you who’ve been there, done that, know what I mean), and will let us hear more of his talent.
Sean Conky approached his performance with ease and assuredness despite the noticeable lack of any of his other band members! We were treated to a thoughtful solo act where Sean demonstrated his growing stagecraft. He treated his mic like an instrument and showed it the same level of respect as he did his guitar…not all performers learn this lesson. Having heard him play and sing some fantastic blues at the soundcheck we were stunned with his gentle and thoughtful ballads…Go Sean!
Phil and Jenny, what can we say….Phil took our breath away when after two false starts he launched into something completely different and had the room silent…just listening. It’s important to note that Phil was giving all the others a lesson in professionalism…he is a well-known and respected musician…performed thousands of times, at ease with an audience…and he showed that even then, you can make a mistake…and …hey presto! It’s OK, you’re allowed. What an inspiration to the others on the bill. Then of course Jenny joined him on stage and father and daughter provided an amazing 15 minutes of sheer bliss…Jenny’s clear and simple voice complimented by Phil’s delicate accompaniement. KT Tunstall…watchout!
Kieran and Finn Begbie they just get better and better. Kieran started the set with a few Americana numbers and was joined by Finn on harmonica and backing vocals for 3 or 4 numbers. Finn has the uncanny knack of the blues harpist to add weight and gravitas to a song by blowing into a tin sandwich! The knack extends to his ability to provide a counterpoint in his backing vocals without detracting from the singer’s performance. Consumate performer that he is, Keiran remained on stage to do another 5, 6, 7 numbers, most of them his own compositions, rounding up a brilliant evening’s entertainment.
Wednesday night saw the Eastgate host its first Stooriefit Bluegrass event...The Stairwell Sisters.
Five girls from the San Fransisco Bay area singing and playing old-time music. The girls loved the atmosphere of the Eastgate and soon settled in to give us an evening to remember. Their personalities shone through, helped by their easy-going repartee with all of us in the audience. It was interesting to watch from the balcony as more and more feet started to twitch and knees jiggled into action as the girls brought the audience into performance. Martha commented during soundcheck that 'The sign of a good double bass is that you don't notice it until it stops' Boy did you notice when she stopped! The bass was played to compliment a great line up of songs and perfromers. Stephanie's almost 'High Rant' fiddle came clear across the top adding a wonderful energy to the pieces. Being an expert banjo player is just one of many talents Evie brought to the evening..her quick-fire wit and her amazing Buck-dancing had us all breathless. Much of the laughter in the band seemed to centre around Sue, tall and elegant yet able to show her enthusiasm and humour through her lovely smile and stripey stockings...and what a guitarist! Lisa stopped playing her slide dobro long enough to give a fantastic rendition of 'Oh Death', a slow melancholic dirge that drives a coach and horses through your soul, the Sisters didn't wait for applause but went seamlessly into their next number before we had time to ponder too long...what a superb mix!
It seemed to be symptomatic of the whole evening, the girls said it themselves...when women talk about music they talk of their families, relationships, feelings...when men talk of their music... they talk about the music! Well the girls brought that care and sensitivity to their performance, I only wish the audience could have heard the soundcheck as well, the girls showed just how professional they were. It was fascinating to watch them choreograph their set and delegate space and approach to each song. That it sounded so good was also due to their excellent sound engineer Gerald Roach..a big thank you! ...can't wait to see them here again! As allways our thanks go to Joanna and all the unpaid volunteer duty staff that keep the Eastgate running, and of course our Stooriefit troops Fendath, Bill and Isobel. Watch this space