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Menu Hors d’oeuvre Andrea Ferguson Main Course Sam Harrison, Arnie Dessert The Shantymen with Steve Lealand
Due to a variety of personal commitments, there are an unusual number of absentees tonight, which leaves us with just the valiant trio of Andrea, Sam, and the Shantymen, plus the relative newcomer, Arnie. However given that the first three mentioned artists are more than capable of performing a set of their own, we’re hardly likely to be lacking in entertainment. The quality and the beauty of Andrea’s own songwriting has already been deservedly well documented in these columns, but perhaps a mention of her other work is long overdue. For such is her love of music, Andrea’s phenomenally rich catalogue of covers embraces virtually the whole spectrum of musical genres, from traditional folk to rock and roll, from country ballads to airy George Gershwin jazz classics. Sporting an attractive black tifter and wearing a brave smile, she kick-starts the evening with her first public airing of Concrete Blonde’s rock ballad, “Joey”. Graciously fulfilling a request, Andrea follows up with her heavenly but deeply poignant, “You Forgot To Say Goodbye”, which, despite an easily forgivable blip, sounds as beautiful as ever. Sensing that a shift of mood might be appropriate, Andrea ups the tempo with Gillian Welch’s ‘bloody murderous killing song’, “Caleb Meyer”, before concluding her first spot with her classic “Passing Through”. Sam is usually reliable for a good variety and he’s not going to disappoint us tonight. Starting out with Robert Johnson’s blues classic, “Crossroads”, he follows up with “Whistle For The Choir” by Fratellis. Sam continues with Bob Dylan’s sing-along, “The Mighty Quinn”, before rounding off his first spot with Gerry Goffin and Carole King’s “Halfway To Paradise”. Steve Allen hasn’t made his ‘entrance’ yet so John ploughs ahead solo with “Early One Evening”, a humorous ditty about a plastic pub with plastic food and pasteurised piddle. Tracy smiles on contentedly, safe in the knowledge that she runs a real pub, serving quality real ales and dishing up good wholesome food. John then tries to conjure up some early festive spirit with the irreverent and equally comical “Turkey Song”. Andrea returns with three of her own compositions, “Destiny Calling”, “Dangerous Woman” and the aptly entitled “Something Beautiful”, before finishing off with David Bowie’s “Five Years”. Sam’s back with a cover of Pink Floyd’s ubiquitously popular “Wish You Were Here” and then he invites Andrea to join him on harmonies as he takes us to the break with “Knocking On Heaven’s Door”.
Tracy is busy behind the bar tonight so her right hand girl, Emma, has been assigned to catering duties and what a delicious spread she’s prepared for us too! Meanwhile, beer connoisseurs will have noticed that amongst the five guest beers gracing the Real Ale Menu tonight are two brews from Oxfordshire brewers White Horse, the dark, rich Black Horse Porter and the fruity, golden Village Idiot. We’re certainly seeing plenty of Andrea tonight but there definitely won’t any complaints about that! She opens the second half with the Indigo Girls’ “Closer To Fine” before continuing with Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz” which arouses a typical GEOM sing-along. Andrea then slows the tempo with a lovely slow rendition of Carole King’s “Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?” Sam begins his third spot with Hal David and Burt Bacharach’s “I Just Don’t Know What To Do With Myself” which those of you of a certain age will no doubt remember as a big hit for Dusty Springfield. Sam follows up with “Kiddo”. It’s good to be able to welcome Arnie back again. Understandably, Andrea somewhat nervously hands him her treasured guitar but it’s in safe hands as Arnie treats us to a couple of his own promising compositions. The bar has been steadily filling up as the night has progressed and there’s quite a room full by the time the Shantymen come to take their turn. John plumps for his bouzouki for an instrumental with a percussion ensemble consisting of Steve A. on bodrhan, Steve L. on laptop, Toby on tambourine and Sam on spoons. The boys follow up with the boisterous shanty, “South Australia” and then John chooses his 8 string mandolin and Steve A. his magic spoons for a lively Irish tune with Steve L. adding a cymbal to his laptop and Toby also helping out on spoons. Steve and John continue with the crowd pleasers, “Hell’s Angels” and “Drunken Sailor” before they really step on the gas as John reverts back to his bouzouki and Steve A. to his magic spoons for a foot-stomping jig accompanied by Steve L. on laptop, Toby on tambourine and Sam on his songbook! To bring a cracking little set to a rousing finale, Steve chooses his party piece and the pub’s favourite, “The Barley Mow”. Arnie’s made a worthy contribution tonight with two original works but surely special plaudits must be reserved for Sam, John and Steve and especially Andrea who between them have entertained us with a variety of no less than 28 numbers with surely something to suit everyone’s tastes. Bravo!
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