SINGER'S REVIEW blog.

Saturday 10th July. Destination – The Rebar, Shepherds Bush. Mission - to host the Singer’s Review.

I must admit, I was a little nervous as I set off for the bar. After a wardrobe malfunction (the dress I’d planned to wear had prompted a ‘does my bum look big in this’ moment so I decided to opt for roomey over the tight fitting number). Off I went, I knew it would be a good show because I know how good the singers are and how much the musicians had worked on the songs.

The first time we did this gig it was so well received, I was asked by almost everyone to stage it again. Some of you even wanted the singers to sing the exact same songs, it was that good! The line up of singers changed slightly this time along with two thirds of the band. Preparations were going well until one of the singers, Elly Wilson, lost his voice. Sorry Elly, you got no sympathy from Sebastian (guitar) who, on receiving the news, said “but I just learned his songs,” and threw down his pick in disgust. Standing in for Elly was a fab vocalist, Keely Johnson, so Elly’s fans were not disappointed. Keith Poulter, even more on form than the last time if that were possible. It was a bit of a family affair with sister Josie Bannis and neice, Keme McKnight, doing it for the girls, in style I might add. Sadly, singer Kojo Rigault, was unable to join us for reasons beyond his control and in true Kojo style, he turned up fashionably late. So late, in fact, the landlady handed him a broom and asked him to help with the clearing up.

I did have a moment, or should I say, a half hour of panic when two 7 foot men in matching outfits turned up wanting to see the landlady’s license to put on live music - and she didn’t have one! Apparently the man from upstairs had called Environmental Health to complain about the noise from the bar. I’m guessing this gentleman has E. H. on speed dial as I’m told he complains about everything, even people walking back from the shops. If the items in their shopping bag clink together too loudly they are likely to have them seized with a stern warning that they must not carry loud shopping in his earshot. To my horror I was to learn from these giants that we couldn’t continue with the second set if we were going to use amplification. Help! Panic set in until the musicians rallied around and we decided to carry on a capella and Pete (band leader and bass guitar) sped off home to get the acoustic guitar that he and Sebastian played in turn. Josh (drums) did a sterling job on drums, dialling down the volume with ease for the acoustic numbers.

With thanks to the audience for their patience and the musicians and singers for their talent, we were able to carry on with the second half. Not quite what we rehearsed but everyone said how intimate it all was and how involved they became because of it.

Stay involved, tell all your friends about it and come down next time. Next date to be announced soon, a new venue will be announced too.

See you all soon

Fran