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Menu Hors d’oeuvre: Andrea Ferguson Main Course: John Ecob, Richard Bircumshaw, Tom Taylor Mike Steele, Bob “Easy” Reid, The Shantymen Dessert: Steve Jackson
Fresh – or rather not so fresh – from her very successful role as compère of last weekend’s Ecofest, Andrea gets the night off to a good start with a lovely rendition of John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery”. Andrea is also, of course, a dab hand at interpreting Gillian Welch’s tunes. Tonight she chooses that bloody murderous killing song “Caleb Meyer” which she follows with “Mercedes Benz”.
John Ecob’s always an entertaining “turn” so it’s good to see him back here once again. He begins with his familiar “I’ve Found My Love At Last” before following with a fine cover of Faith No More’s “Take This Bottle”. John then finishes his spot with another original, “You Think We’re Running For Fun”.
Richard’s up next with his own composition, “Taylor’s Revenge”. John on bottleneck guitar and Steve on snare then join Richard to form an interesting combination and give their first airing of “Eagles On The Half” before they round off with the trad Irish tune, “Dingles Regatta”.
The Irish theme continues, for our next performer originates from County Tyrone. Every Open Mic requires fresh blood now and again to help it survive and thrive, so it’s good to be able to welcome Tom Taylor for the first time. Tom doesn’t carry songs in his head but he’s brought along a rather comprehensive looking songbook and is soon under way with the well known trad Scottish ballad, “Black Is The Colour”. In contrast, Tom switches to a more modern vogue with Paul Weller’s “You Do Something For Me” before finishing with a worthy rendition of John Connolly’s classic “Fiddler’s Green”. All in all an interesting and enjoyable debut from Tom. Hopefully he’ll be back.
Our final act of the first half is Mike Steele who begins with the popular sing-along, “She Never Spoke Spanish To Me”. Mike then has a decent bash at Felice and Boudeleaux Bryant’s “Love Hurts” before taking us to the break on a lighter note with Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves Of London”.
Having already served a couple of aces in the first half, Andrea kicks off the second by serving another. She’s always interpreted Mick Hanly’s “Past The Point Of Rescue” really well but tonight she actually manages to remember all the words. Give yourself a pat on the back, sweetheart! Andrea then invites Easy to join her for their sublime version of “Summertime”.
Easy continues solo with an upbeat romp of Albert King’s “My Babe” and follows up with the familiar “I Need Your Love So Bad” before finishing a super little spot with John Lee Hooker’s “Dimples”.
The Shantymen accompanied Richard in the first half so now Richard returns the compliment as the boys treat us to “Mighty Storm” and “John Knacknacka”.
Our last act is the talented Steve Jackson. Opening with “Silver Machine”, he then encourages the usual sing-along to “Ring Of Fire”. Steve continues with his own “Old Crow” before rounding off another good night with Lou Reed’s “Walk On The Wild Side” with the audience providing a nice “do-di-do” chorus.
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