I’ve had an eventful few days recently. Last Saturday was a birthday party at the Inn on the Green for Tina the manageress. Gigi and I went and stayed till one o’clock and then walked home. We had almost arrived and were walking along the pavement arm in arm when a cyclist approached us from the other direction. For those who like stereotyping people, he was black and wearing a hood. For the more enlightened among you, read on… Continue reading →

It’s some time since I wrote anything here and I have to admit to being busy doing other things, but I won’t say too much about that as it could make some people jealous especially if they’ve given up on sex, or worse still, sex has given up on them. If this sounds like I’m boasting, I am, live with it. OK, that’s the fantasy bit done with, back to reality. Continue reading →

The gig at the Inn, on the third Sunday in July, was cancelled at the last moment because of a break-in overnight. The police were  there all day, so the club remained closed. I tried to warn the band to save them a journey, but wasn’t too successful. I managed to get hold of the drummer before he left home, just after he’d finished loading his car, of course. The bassist was just about to load his car, so I had some success, but unfortunately I couldn’t get in touch with the guitarist until he was almost at the venue. He turned around and went back home but I had to wait for Chris Youlden at the venue because I couldn’t get hold of him, as he’d already left also. Continue reading →

I did a trio gig last Sunday with Alan Vincent and Tony Bell on guitars. Having persuaded Al to bring along his PA, I arrived to find that there was in fact a house PA . The playing area could be described as small but beautifully formed, but as it wasn’t beautifully formed, just small, I won’t say it was. In fact we set up behind the piano and I managed to stand in the doorway. Luckily there was no fire so I couldn’t be accused of blocking the fire exit. Continue reading →

The Windsor Castle has been sold off to developers depite manager Tony’s great effort to put it back on the music map. So that’s one gig I won’t be doing next month. One gig I won’t be doing this month is the Inn on the Green as there is a lot going on there or thereabouts this weekend. However we’re due back there next month. Continue reading →

We had another fine gig at the Oval Tavern in East Croydon. Chris Youlden was in better voice than ever, according to Graeme, the bar manager. I agreed with him as I’ve always thought that Chris was the best blues singer to come out of Britain. I know from the continuing emails I get from Europe and the States that I’m not alone in that assessment. Continue reading →