1 October 2012
A wonderful positive weekend and great karma all round.
After a short rehearsal in the afternoon the 3 F’s reconvened in the church at night in front of a healthy turn out made up of fans and friends, strangers with good hearts and all well meaning people.
We tripped through a fine Somebody Special, 52, a rollicking Punch and Judy, Jumpsuit City, a passionate Pilgrims Address, a moving Gentleman’s, moody Torch Song and Slainthe to rattle the beams with Lucky closing the set and a Company to encore where yours truly forgot the words. It was a relatively tight little set considering we hadn’t played in this format for a while and a few blunders in the ranks were excusable! :-)As always there was no plan when we hit the stage and I probably forgot a couple of numbers in the list above. I don’t really know what happened in the hour and 45 mins up there :-)))The crowd were hugely supportive and there were quite a few magic moments in the performance which were amplified by the environment of St Mary’s which I love playing in.
Calum Malcolm and son Cameron recorded the set which had a few gems that will make the “Lamp of Lothian” live CD set that I’d like to get out for Christmas.
Dave Barras and Gregor Firth filmed the show so once again we have something to add to the developing library on the Fishheads Club YouTube site which will only be accessible through the new website that will be going live on the Leamington Spa convention weekend.
After the show I’d wanted to go to the Tyneside for a post show swallie but it was packed out and I was told by a couple of fans we met in the street on the way over not to bother as they couldn’t get served. It was a shame that only the bar was open and the lounge that could have catered or us all was shut.
We ended up hitting the Plough with a bunch of other fans who were beer seeking refugees and took there staff by surprise as they didn’t expect the crowd from the church.
A fun time was had before homeward bound and an assault on the wine rack.
I’d intended to head down to the Plough for the BBQ but hangovers, long lie in and time with my girlfriend stole the hours and by the time I got there around 4 the crowd had dispersed. Yatta stood in for me as he walked down to town earlier. Apologies to those who were waiting on my arrival but I’m sure you understand that other things took precedence 🙂
Quiet night in and then Sunday was convention battle plans with Yatta and we think we have put together a pretty good entertainment programme for the weekend.
Roast lamb Sunday dinner as Steve arrived for this weeks rehearsals and we said farewell to Yatta.
Today was dropping Simone at the airport after too short a weekend for us both before coming back to prepare the studio for live rehearsals which will take us through the next 3 weeks.
It’s going to be a run and a half.
I just want to thank all of you who made the effort to attend the benefit gig and especially those who came from as far away as Germany to be part of it all.
Paul and Ann were genuinely touched at your support and as always you made a tremendous impact on the locals.
It was a tough call for everyone being so close to the convention weekend and I sincerely appreciate your contributions.
Now I refocus on the Leamington sets and the intimidating prospect of getting some new material in shape as well as the musical mountain of Grendel! 🙂
Game on!