Son et lumière

21:00

Because of the building work going on at TJ's, we got to play in the bar this week. This meant some moving around of furniture, but we managed to create a convivial space that was perfect for the 15 or so of us there. Even better - the lights worked! The staff behind the bar didn't mind having the TV in silent mode. It did seem strange not to have a pillar in the middle of proceedings. So, with light, space and refreshment, we had no excuse not to make good music - and we (mostly) did that.

It was good that Sara Daniels was able to come along (after a hard day at Wisley). Her lovely voice and distinctive concertina playing are always very welcome.

Richard was not accompanied by Andy this time, and gave us "50 Years Ago". This had words of local extraction with his own tune, the setting of the words made especially difficult by the verses having differing numbers of lines. Excellent.

John's contributions included Les Barker's poignant 'History Man' - seldom more relevant than now. Flanders' and Swan's 'Hippopotamus Song' was an interesting contrast that had everyone singing, even if they couldn't reach the low notes.

Steve's fingers worked overtime on his own blues number that we haven't heard for ages. He also dug out Mary Chapin Carpenter's 'Family Hands'. We look forward to hearing both again soon.

Dick's Innocent Stoat made a return with even more words - its death is now toasted in vodka and lager.

Near the beginning, we had an Irish sequence, with some original tunes from Richard, sets of polkas and jigs from Rosie and Alan, Dave's 'Connemara Horse Trade Fair' song and more jigs from Sara.

Rosie sang 'Bang Bang'. Bonus points are available for anyone spotting the connection with "Love is a Red Dress" - the song she sang two weeks ago. Family members are ineligible for this competition.

By request, Bob sang his distinctive version of Cole Porter's 'Miss Otis Regrets', which was timely, given that Martin wasn't with us because of the dress rehearsal for Kiss Me Kate, this year's Wycombe Swan Youth Theatre Project.

Karen reminded us about 'Towersey' John Wilson's get-together to mark his imminent move to Winchester. Dick "wouldn't miss it for Thatcher's funeral".

Here's to next week, when the building work might find us in yet another part of the pub.

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