Night Date: 02/12/2009

Performers:
Bob Cairns - Jason - John Pape & Steve Lealand - The Three Pauls - Mark Jones - Chris Greenwood - Sam Harrison - Laura - El Fonsbrook & the Dead Baby Parade

Comments:

Act One
Nethergate Old Growler and Rudgate Dutch Courage are the guest beers tonight and there's another good turn-out of performers and punters alike as Bob leads the way with "The Following Blues" and "Melancholy Woman".

Our first guest is a new face, Jason from Newark, who proclaims to be a little nervous although it hardly shows. In fact he possesses a good voice and diction to match which he amply illustrates on Bob Seger's "I Want To Get Lost In Your Rock And Roll" and Stevie Wonder's "Superstition".

Next we have the welcome return of John Pape and his good friend Steve Lealand. John has brought along his national steel guitar whereas Steve is armed with his new cajon. They treat us to a couple of instrumentals although John's unusual changes of tempo and rythmn cause Steve to raise an occasional eyebrow.

The 3 Pauls have two new compositions for us tonight. The first, possibly entitled "Breach Of Trust", represents rather a change of direction for the band, being more melodic and catchy than their previous offerings. The second, "Asinine", is more in the usual vein beginning as if they're going to break into "Pinball Wizard" before developing into a sound that wouldn't have seemed out of place at Max's Kansas City in the late sixties. All in all, an interesting performance from a band who have a style of their own and who continue to progress sweetly.

Popular Mark Jones returns from a noticeable absence to treat us to two of his familiar compositions, "Travelling Round" and "Helium Three", the song which, of course, lent its name to Mark's band who will, incidentally, be appearing in the garden at the New Year Bash.

Chris Greenwood's "Words" is a good enough song but it is over long. By following up with another lengthy number accompanied by Sam Harrison, Chris rather outstays his welcome and sends Bob's schedule into some disarray.

Laura follows with two worthy tunes on keyboards and vocals which take us to a belated break.