FAB CLUB REVIEW 11TH DECEMBER
By Steve O’Kane
“Sacre bleu!” “Mon dieu!” and even “tout alors!” (whatever that means.)
Given the honour of writing the review for the first Fab Club Christmas Extravaganza, I put calloused finger to keyboard, hoping to do justice to what proved to be an excellent afternoons entertainment. What an astonishingly memorable and rich atmosphere………………………………………. but enough about the brussels sprouts. As Shakespeare once said, “Ah, how the events of the past come back to haunt us.” I believe he said it on Boxing Day.
Nonetheless……..I think I can safely say that everybody was in good spirits, or drinking good spirits, and frequently both; whatever, I am sure you will agree that the pictures speak for themselves!
(as indeed, did the brussel …………..)
Seriously though, folks, it is all too often that a folk club becomes a place of performers who “pass in the night” (no, this isn’t a reference to our more incontinent members) ….. and the sit-down meal provided a great opportunity to socialise with people at the dinner table, and to hear and learn something more of their stories.
More importantly still, and, on a higher intellectual level, we also get to wear little paper hats and pull crackers.
Anyway, my remit wasn’t to review the meal, (where was the wine?) so I will now consult my scribblings of the day, having first cleansed them of gravy stains.
Our compere was Liz, who did a fine job all through the session. Resplendent in her Christmas sweater, (and trousers!) , she welcomed us all to an already relaxed atmosphere by reciting the introduction to the West Wittering version of the Sussex equivalent of a Mummers play. A short but sweet promise of entertainment to come.
We were then treated to Debbie-Ann's truly excellent recital of Joyce Grenfells’ “The Nativity Play”, very amusing, and very skilfully delivered. “George………wise men never do that!!”
Next up was Gordon, sporting a keyboard tie, who introduced himself as senior financier for Newham Council…………………………….but somebody let him in anyway. He delivered a fine self-penned parody of George Formby's classic “When I’m Cleaning Windows”…. but in Gordon's version the windows in question were the ubiquitous Microsoft windows; a common curse judging by the amount of the applause.
After taming her guitar, Helen then played and sang Chris De burgh's seasonal “A Spaceman Came Travelling”, which had the added benefit of enticing the audience to join in for the first time, as they sang along with the “La la la” chorus.
Brian and Barbara, on only their second visit, then gave us their nicely harmonised
“Ditchling Carol”, to much applause. Brian spent some time as an actor, and the evident vocal skills he acquired there were nicely complimented by Barbara's softer tones. Lets hope they become regulars. Keep coming back!
Mike Parrott bravely chose to perform a song he had never performed live before….
…….despite the fact he had written it 21 years ago! (and he doesn’t look a day over 18!) . The song extolled the virtues of staying in the office until xmas was over, and emerging only when all the stress was over. Very amusing, …….and actually quite an appealing concept.! Ding Dong!!
A smartly dressed “Rocking Bob”, wearing colour co-ordinated tie and guitar, then subtly re-arranged the stage by picking up the music stand bodily and moving it forwards into the light by about 6 feet…… but I don’t think anybody noticed. He then sang a song with a tune from the 1800s, with words from about 1950……(.that’s ten to eight in new money, folks! ) telling the story of an entertainer. Sweetly done, and with a certain pathos that I found quite moving………or was that just me?
Rocking Bob was followed by Mark Reed. Now we’ve all heard of people who are one can short of six pack; Mark was one string short of a twelve string! (well, his guitar was) Despite what many would find an obstacle, he successfully sang one of his own songs, which was a fine tribute to the great John Lennon. It showed how a heart felt song can transcend the lack of a G string (!) oee er missus, …well done.
Claudine then joined forces with her friend Cheryl, and performed an impressive dance routine to the backing track of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”……..truly a pot of gold, and an original addition to the variety of the evening. I had no idea of Claudine's dancing ability, so was quite mesmerised!
This was followed by another dance, but this was done to a loud “Clubbing”-type soundtrack, ……………………but unfortunately I didn’t have a club handy!
(that’s the last time she lets me do the review!!!)
This was followed by the break, which the dancers were no doubt glad to take.
The second half began with a nice letter read on behalf of Simon Oliver, who couldn’t attend, and then Fiona and I did our version of Silent Night.
Maureen was next on, and read the highly amusing story of a man who mistakenly sent a pair of panties to his beloved, instead of a pair of gloves, accompanied by a letter that exploited just about every possible double entendre that you could connect
with such an event. A laugh in every line.
Tone Deaf Leopard were next up, armed only with flashing bunny ears, furry animals, guitar, drums, tinsel, and a unique concept of rhythm(!) …and some very funny lyrics to the tune of “Wild Rover” all about a lab. Rabbit…………(a “Labbit…….?”)
I could, of course, have written that song myself, but I can’t hold the pen after consuming that amount of drugs………………..
Big Bob then rose to the occasion by reading out a series of initially grateful ( but rapidly deteriorating!) letters based on “The Twelve Days of Christmas”, and the consequences of actually having to deal with the reality behind the verses.
On an evening of predominantly humorous performances, this was up there with the best!
Margaret then took the floor with a tinsel adorned banjo, (ooh , matron!) and sang “When a Child is Born”, whilst simultaneously and at the same time plucking at her instrument, ……………………………………which prompted us all to join in.
Joe Migdal then played “The Boxing Day Blues”, with his modulated voice, enviable picking, and beautiful delivery. I didn’t know the song, but it didn’t matter, as anything Joe does is music to my, and surely everybody elses, ears.
O.K, O.K, I’m a fan! Great stuff.
Next to entertain us were Linda and Clive, with the Gloucestershire Wassaill.
Strangely enough, Fiona and I had planned to sing this prior to “Silent Night”, before the excellent attendance levels reduced everybody to one song only. I am glad we chose to drop this one, as it was great to then hear it sung by somebody else, being a slightly different version, with verses that I wasn’t aware of.
Good traditional stuff.
Claudine then introduced us to Ron, a musician who she had met locally, and had recruited to come along to the FabClub . They performed a love song, with Claudine's nice picking and sweetly accented voice enhanced by Ron's sympathetic guitar accompaniment.
“The ever popular Mick and Nora” was the accurate description of the next act.
Mick played a flat backed mandolin, which I thought complimented his new hair cut nicely, and Nora accompanied on guitar with the last vocal of the night; a well chosen chorus song about sailor boys, which Nora dedicated to Claudine.. (can’t imagine why!)
Finally Bernard played the session to a close by demonstrating the end result of what must have been many hours of skill and craftsmanship in the creation of his Hurdy Gurdy. Wonderful that such skill not only exists, but that it can also give pleasure to so many people!
So there we have it; the last review of 2005! It has perhaps been a bit longer than some previous reviews, but it was a special occasion, and hopefully next years Christmas gathering will be as good a time. As one of my heroes once said, “If you have enjoyed reading it half as much as I have writing it……then I have enjoyed it twice as much as you.
Happy Christmas to you all, may your throssocks never dangle, and may the new year be filled with music and happiness.
Steve O’kane 