Another Splendid AllStyles Singers’ Night

Sixteen singers plus another twenty-two who had come along to enjoy the music, meant the function room at The Feathers was comfortably full on what promised to be another splendid AllStyles Singers’ Night.

And it was a promise fulfilled, with a wide variety of styles by musicians who joined us from as far as Llandudno, Rhos-on-Sea, Abergele, Denbigh and Rhyl to the north-west; and from Birkenhead, Ellesmere Port and Malpas to the north-east. They came to share in, and contribute to, a wonderful evening of live music.

No ‘new faces’ as such tonight, but it was good to see Colin Campbell and Mike Whitaker back at the club, Mike having added to his repertoire of self-penned songs since we saw him last.

Over the past few weeks, we have heard Linda Griffiths adding beautiful harmonies to the (mainly Ryan Adams) songs sung by her brother Alan Thompson. This week she did a spot in her own right, starting with a rendition of Janis Joplin’s “Mercedes Benz”, sung a cappella, as intended, with a powerful voice that fair knocked our socks off. Then she spiced things up with “Hesitation Blues”, accompanied by Alan on guitar.

The evening had been kick-started by the maestro John Williams on his cello mandolin with Richard Thompson’s “Lawrence, Kansas” followed by the American folk song written by Ray Lamontagne, “Roadhouse Girl”. Later in the evening we also heard one of John’s own songs, “Red Door”.

The finale spot this week fell to Neil Martin who, in melancholic mood, treated us first to a Don Mclean’s Crossroads, followed by an autobiographical blues number, “Walking”.

For an encore, Neil acceded to a request (from me) for a Leonard Cohen song. He chose “Famous Blue Raincoat”, which happens to be one of my favourite Cohen songs. (Click the ► above to listen in).

And so another exceptional evening of music drew to a close.

From the striking of the first chord to switching off the mics had been three hours, three minutes and fifty seconds (the length of the WAV file on the mixing desk) and the full list of contributors were: Richard Davies, Colin Campbell, Richard and Wendy Eastwood , Glyn Hudson, Lynda and Tom Degney, Cath Bryan, Chris Birchall, John Williams, Linda Griffiths, Penni Neale, Mike Whitaker, Alan Thompson, Neil Martin and Joe Lyon. (Click ► below to hear Joe’s “Long and Winding Road)

Don’t forget folks…
There is no club night at The Feathers next week (August 16th).
We are back on the 23rd with a Showcase by Fuchsia Jones – plus floor spots, so bring your instruments as usual.