Bob’s Open Mic – Avante Garde - 23rd January 2014

 This evening ended up being an all-female guest evening!!

 Bob Leslie started the evening off as usual with a few old favourites including “My old friend the blues”, “Heatwave”, “The letter”

 Then he got Elspeth Durkin up to sing their favourites “After the Goldrush”, “Autumn Leaves” and “Will you still love me tomorrow” 

Bernadette Collier was up next and was joined on the guitar by Bob when they performed “I am no mermaid” and then the Simon Dupree & the big band number “Kites”.  Then they sang one of Bob’s numbers – “Me and Kenny”, as Bob said afterwards it is just because it has the line “It’s just my age”!

Laura Caldwell had also arrived for the evening and Bob got her up next.  She sang a lovely Chris Isaac song [but no-one could remember the title].  Then she did a Rock and roll medley [with Bob joining in from the side with harmony on the guitar] including several Elvis songs such as “That’s alright” and “Hounddog”.

Bob then sang a few more songs including the Walkers Brothers song “No regrets” after asking Elspeth and Bernadette to act as his backing singers ‘The Chicken Supremes’!  Then he sang the Beatles classic ‘Norwegian Wood’.  Then Bob, Bernadette and Elspeth sang the Dylan song “I shall be released. This was followed by a duet with Elspeth of “Love hurts” and then the Little Feat song “Willin’”.

Laura got back up then and did Fulsom Prison Blues/ The Joker/ Jailhouse Rock/ and Walk the Line.

Bob then performed with Laura jamming with him on “Ikoikoanay”/ The thrill has gone/ Dock of the Bay

 The evening finished off with Elspeth joining Bob and Laura on stage and singing “Dixie Chicken”, “The Boxer”, “California Dreaming” and then “Gloria” and finally finishing with the Peter Cook and Dudley Moore number “Goodnight”!!

 

We would also like to remind readers that on Friday 25th  at Avante Garde there will be a benefit Gig by Clutha Vaults Players in support of the Clutha fund.  No entry fee but a collection will be taken and Avante Garde will be giving 10% of the proceeds towards the fund as well.  Starts at 7pm as SO MANY musicians wished to take part and give their services.  Hope to see you there!

Bob's Open Mic at Avante Garde Wednesday 15th January 2014

Well this evening started quietly enough with host Bob Leslie starting the night off with the songs "My old friend the blues", "No Regrets",  "Norwegian Wood", " Heatwave", "Mr Beaujangles" and finally one of his own "Me & Kenny".
First guest of the evening was John Morrison with his mandolin.  He sang his usual satirical balance - "Dead Horse", then a Flanders and Swann song "Twas on a Monday morning!" and then another of his own "The Banker's" song. 
Next up was John's brother Bob Morrison, [all the way from near Falkirk] who played an electric guitar  and sang "Jumping at shadows", "Before you accuse me" and "Midnight Blues".
Bob then got Elspeth Durkin up to sing "Autumn Leaves", "After the Goldrush" and then a duet with Bob of "Love Hurts". 
Next to the stage was Gerry 'Stringology' McHugh - He started off with a moving rendition of "Brother can you spare a dime", followed by "Gingerbread and Dynamite" with audience participation, and finally, as it is nearing Burns Night "My love is like a Red Red Rose."
Next up was Laura Hamilton.  She played a great rock & roll medley including "That's alright" and "Blue Suede Shoes".  Bob couldn't help but join in with "twiddly bits"!  Laura then asked her friend Shennara up to sing a couple of songs - "She's got a ticket" by Tracy Chapman, then "Sitting on the dock of the bay" and then finally "This is a man's world". 
Bob then returned to the stage to sing "Tracks of my Tears", "Baby please don't go" and a Burns song "Green grow the Rashes Oh"
Next up was Dougie Strong who was all the way from Edinburgh!  He gave us "Back to Black", a Kinks song "Set me free little girl" and finally a Billy Joel song "Piano Man".
Gerry had left by this time so Bob got Laura back up for "Get a little bit closer", "Love minus zero" and finally "Reaper Man".
Alastair Halcrow had arrived by this time and Bob got him up on stage.  He sang his own songs "Glasgow, Glasgow" [without microphone or guitar amp!] then "Turn of the blind side" and finally "Holiest of never-ending songs",
Bob then got Shennara back up, with Laura obviously [in fact they joked about changing that to her stage name Laura Obviously!!]  They sang "Stay together" and then another Tracy Chapman song "Gimme a reason". 
The session was out of time then which meant that Elspeth never got her 'second'  songs or her final duet with Bob!
We look forward to return visits from everyone as it was a very enjoyable evening!

Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so no photos of tonight's session!