’tis The Season

…to be jolly. Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la ♫♪

“Don’t forget to learn a Christmas song”, I said. “For the party on the 15th” I said. …But you couldn’t wait, could you? 😉

Following a smattering of seasonal songs last week, tonight saw us launching full speed ahead into the spirit of Chrimblemas, with at least one yuletide offering each from Robin, Joe, Cath, and Tom and Linda. The Ryders, John and Ros, served up four Christmas songs between them.

Dawn and Alan Hesford paid tribute to the Emerson, Lake and Palmer front man with “I Believe in Father Christmas”. Greg Lake, who sadly died today, wrote the song in the seventies in protest at the commercialisation of Christmas. The Hesfords brought the first half of the evening to a close with “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”.

Then, just when it was ‘beginning to look a lot like Christmas, we began a second half in which the ‘C’ word got hardly a mention.

Ian, from the Conwy Mountain Bluegrass Band, opened up with some mighty fine calypso style mandolin playing,  singing “Jamaica Farewell”.

Chris saluted the late John Lennon on the 36th anniversary of the ex Beatle’s murder, with “Imagine” and “Hard Day’s Night”. And Stephen Croft gave us all a good time with “All in Good Time” before saying “Goodnight Irene”.

Next up were the Eastwoods: Richard informed us that “Roses are Red” before saying “Adios Amigo”. Wendy told us that was “Crazy” before saying adios at the “Speed Of The Sound Of Loneliness” which she informed us was her version of Edwina Heyes’ version of the song made famous by Nanci Griffith and written by John Prine.  Phew!

Then we had a fine set from young Jack Eagle, who last visited us back in March 2014 when we were up at the Cross Keys. Jack had already opened the evening for us in fine style with Bonnie Raitt’s “Can’t Make You Love Me” and John Martyn’s “May You Never”. In this second set he sang the classic Sam Cooke number “Hit the Road Jack” followed by one of his own songs, which had a gospel feel to it, called “Open Up”.

With just Richard Davies and Harry Robertson left to perform, the finale spot effectively comprised a four song set from the Tom, Dick and Harry band that included “Sea of Heartaches”, Walking Cane” and “Dimming of the Day”. John Bass accompanied them throughout and for an encore they sent us home with feet a-tapping, to Harry’s self-penned lively R&B number, “Gonna Get High, High, High”.

More fun next week with our Members Christmas Party. It’s going to be a Singers’ Night – with mince pies and silly hats, so bring instruments as usual.

Note: The club is providing sandwiches and mince pies. Admission is the usual £1.50 – plus a small ‘bring and share’ donation of something for the buffet. It can be sweet or savoury, but please… anything except mince pies 😉

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