Life, the Universe and Everything!
Thanks to everyone who prised themselves and the relatives from their sherry in front of the TV repeats to come to the first Loudhailer Acoustic of 2015. It was brilliant to welcome so many new people in the audience who came to listen to the music for the first time, what a terrific start to the new year!
We had a great crowd already by 7.30 and Rich kicked off the evening with some spoken word poem-songs. Dexter joined in on some backing vocals and after thrashing my voice at last week’s Loudhailer Electric Co gig I could only croak like Marge Simpson’s sisters, so accompanied Rich and Dex on my favourite guitar of the season instead, half size, pink and nylon stringed.
Our first guest, Effie Bassett-Scott played a beautiful trio of songs, I loved her own City of Hurt. It was ace to welcome our previous hosts, Mike and Julia Poole back to Loudhailer Acoustic with their lovely easy style and feel good harmonies. Next up, I was mesmerised by Jim Orwin’s performance of three of his superb songs again.
The closing performance of the first half was Dex and Becks’ second collaboration at Loudhailer Acoustic. This time Dexter introduced his song ‘Everything about Stanley’ written a couple years ago about Stanley, his cute money-box dog. Graham’s cool piano and Dex and Becks’ harmonies were brill. Stanley joined them on the stage to show off his ‘smiley face but he looks just like the Evil Prime Minister’. Well, that Stanley, he might be a dog, but he’s really good. Almost as good as the Whole Wide World in fact…
Halftime chat and drinks and then Graham Graham Beck took to the stage with Sue, his glamorous assistant, and an amazing headgear themed set. I looked around at the groups of people in the audience who haven’t had the GG Beck experience before and yes there were great big grins all around the room and some great chuckles from Scarlet on my right.
Only one way to follow that…with the odd poet! Yes, a big welcome back to Roy, Gifford and Joan. First up Roy (used to be Roy Kibbler from West Yorkshire and without batting an eyelid he is now Johnny Depp from East Yorkshire…how can that be?) Roy performed a fantastic set in his funny/grumpy/ranting/ highly entertaining style, culminating in his 42nd different poem at Loudhailer Acoustic…and you know what that means? Yes, the meaning of life, the universe and everything else. Can’t be bad for the first day of the year. Gifford Rolfe treated us to his fabulous Americana style songwriting and was joined by Joan Foye who sang like Neil Young, ace. The grand finale of the evening came from Brian Williams, whose stunning blues harp had everyone stomping along and how better to end the night than a rocking blues collaboration with our host at The Back Room – The Prof – on guitar.
Rich & Dexter took these photos, just click on one and scroll on…
We thoroughly enjoyed the whole evening and it will be great to see you next time, first Thursday of the month as usual, so Thursday 5th February at The Back Room in Cottingham. Doors 7.00 music from 7.30 pm, £2 on the door.
See you then! Rich and Lou