Clive Packs the House

 Tuesday April 4th

At last, British Summertime has arrived, and we can get to The Six Bells  before the sun goes down and we can enjoy the daylight delights of East Sussex, and find the village of Chiddingly, nestling in the middle of nowhere.    -- -- Somewhere, though,  that is worth finding.      The evening begins as soon as you walk through the door.   Everyone is welcome.

Having made sure I had got my pint from the bar ( plus a no- alcohol bottle for desert), I began my duty as host for the night with a couple of songs to start up.      Earlier, I had seen that Stewart from Bexhill was here with his very fine looking electric upright bass, and he was offering to play bass for any of us who  liked the idea.      - I liked the idea.   So he kindly joined me in doing  'Diamond Avenue' - one of my own songs, about the girl next door who goes off with a rich man,- but is she happy?     We followed this with a song done by Lonnie Donnegan (years ago)  - 'Seven Golden Daffodils' .    It's a bit mean and miserly to only bring seven daffodils, isn't it ?    That's not even a bunch.

Chris Liddiard  had arrived early, so we thought it a good idea for him to play next, rather than wait longer for his usual later spot.   He gave us  two songs, including 'Loch Lomond' with an invitation to join in the choruses, which he split between the male voices and the female voices.   We need to practice our Scottish accents.    Thanks Chris.

Next up was Simon Watt, one of the mainstays of the club, who always gives a cool,calm, carefully crafted  performance.    His two songs were  Lindisfarne's  'Meet me on the Corner' and  Heart of Saturday Night by Tom Waites.  Good stuff.

Tonight we had a visit from Vanessa, Kevin ,and Neale who gave us  two  fine folk songs - 'Sheep crook and black dog' , and 'As I rode out'.   Vanessa sang the lead, with Kelvin and Neale giving some fine guitar backing.   Very nice.

After this, Chris Martin left his position as sound desk controller, and came up with his very nice (Red) electric guitar.  Chris always, except on rare occasions, showcases his own songs, and tonight he gave us the electric versions of 'The Future's so vague',  and  then  'Sanity'.     I'm glad someone can give us  Sanity.   Thanks for doing the sound as well tonight Chris.  There is always a lot of microphone re- positioning and  sound level adjustments to be made through the evening.   It's an important job.

At number six on the list was Neale again, on guitar, but this time joined by Charlie, on Ukulele.  The two instruments together made a great sound, and the lads made a real blues sound with 'St James's Infirmary Blues', and 'Death Letter.'

When they told me the title I said - " Pardon" ?  " Did you say Deaf Letter?"    -- "No- 'Death Letter."  - "Pardon"?
It was at about this point when my running order list went a bit haywire, and I began to lose track of who should be on next.  Some players had arrived early  and were put on the list, and some were a bit later, and by this time, I was beginning to run out of brain function.   So I apologise to those  players who had to wait longer than they thought for their turn!    

I think Manus was next, and he very nicely played us a couple of his own songs-'Cloud Atlas', followed by 'The Porsche and Ponytail'. - I want to know who owns the Porsche, and who owns the ponytail?    Manus puts in some nice Jazz sounds to his songs.   Cool.   

It's good to see Chris Mansell around again, and he was joined by John Oddie, and also by Stewart on bass, and Martin on saxophone, ( he also played flute later on) and they made a great sound together.    Chris also gave a tribute to the late Chuck Berry - by playing a Bob Dylan song!    -- 'You ain't going nowhere'.     If the Grammar Vigilante gets to hear of this he would not approve of the double negative.       As has been said before, if you ain't going nowhere, you must be going somewhere.

Lisa Jackson had been very patient, and as always, played in her distinctive finger picking style and sang her own version of The Everley Brothers'  'Let it be me', and then  her nicely re-worked take on Stephen Stills'  'Love the one you're with'.    Always nice.  Thank you Lisa.

Another 'Female' voice came after Lisa, in the shape of Caroline Mary.   She was joined by Martin on sax and Stewart was there with bass, and she brought us two of her own songs- 'Open Mic Song' and 'Do you love me still?'   - Yes I think we do.   Very nice songs.

Then came Mark, on guitar and singing, with backing from tonight's House Band, and we heard two of his own compositions: 'Midnight Train' and  'Won't be back again'.   - I'm sure he will be back again.

Mike Aldridge was waiting in the 'Dark side of the room' and emerged from the shadows to play us his tantalising 'Masochism Tango'.  -Ouch!      In a senior moment, I've forgotten what his other song was. -- Sorry!  --  But thank you anyway Mike.

John Oddie had been busy with backing some of the earlier players, and now he came back to do his own two numbers, with some of the others backing him this time!           He did his great version of 'Angel from Montgomery', and a Howlin'Wolf song,' Howlin for my darling'.

Last but not least was Mike's brother,Bob who finished the night with a great song, and followed with  the lovely instrumental 'La Paloma'.        It made us feel as though we want to fly off to Spain.     -- Adios!

For now, it's more like Hasta la vista than Adios, -- but  just time to say thanks to everyone who came tonight, we hope everyone always enjoys coming.     Also, sorry to those who couldn't get a turn, especially Jason, James , and Sylvia.

Better luck next time maybe.


Clive Woodman

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