Hallowe'en Spooktacular at the Clutha Open Mic

31 october 2007 and strange things were going on in the Clutha Vaults........ Pirates were seen lurking in a corner, Gouls and strange creatures in another, and the Blues Brothers wandering about talking to one and all!!!!

Yes it was the Clutha Hallowe'en Spooktacular. Anyone who arrived in fancy dress got a free drink at the bar, and there were quite a few who had made the effort to get into the spirit of the evening.

Unfortunately, SOMEONE [I.A.] had forgotten to bring Sandy's outfit - so he went on stage as a rock and roll singer!!! However the music as usual was great, with Sandy sarting off with the Teenage Fan Club song 'Its all in my mind' followed by a request - 'The Ballad of Pat Garret and Billy the Kid'.

First musician up on stage was John Fleming who performed a Steve Earle song and also a love song'Baby its you'.

Kevin Young was next up [ or as Sandy put it - the Dorian Gray of the Clutha - as he is always Young!!] and he performed two of his own songs 'Down and Out' and 'Between you and me' - both terrific ballads, deserving to be heard by more people.

Frank and Anna were up next singing 'Mother Glasgow' and then the Mammas and Papas song 'California Dreaming'

Sandy then got Elspeth [the Pirate]Durkin up [despite her protests that she hadn't sung for over 8 weeks - due to a bad throat] and he accompanied her on a version of 'Wild Mountain Thyme'.

Ger McDade then gave us 'The Sixties never existed'

Alan Stewart was next on stage to perform 'Walkin in the rain' and then a little ditty about getting a new computer... 'PC Problems'.

The next person called up was Brendan McLaughlin the former owner of the Clutha Vaults - and as he approached the stage, he tripped on the edge. His first comments were 'Who put that there??' However after finishing laughing, he gave us 'Drift Away', and another ballad.

Sandy then got Graham up to do an Elvis Song 'Teddy Bear' - seemed very surreal - Dracula singing about wanting a teddy bear!!

Katrina then got to the stage, and after sorting the seating arrangements, gave us a Blondie montage.

THEN Jake Blues[a.k.a. Ian Adie]

got up onstage to announce a small change in the proceedings. It was now time for the Clutha Dookers - which in reality meant - 'dookin' for apples from a kneeling position on a bar stool over a basin filled with apples - some of which had little flags with prizes such as -a free pint; a free spirit; £10; £20; Sweet F..k all!! Many lined up to take part!

They then judged the Fancy Dress costumes and decided that the Debbie Harry lookalike - Katrina was the winner - she won a bottle of wine.

Then it was back to the normal entertainment, with Joe Kidd giving us a Neil Diamond song - 'Suleman' folowed by his own popular song 'Good Day'.

Frank was next on stage giving us his rendition of 'lived on dreams'

followed by Joe MacAtamy with his tribute to Tam O'Shanter's horse Maggie - who lost her tail to the Witches of Alloway Kirk ... 'Ride On' followed by 'Fancy Free'.

Joe as we had never seen him before!!!
Willie Mathews then took to the stage and got everyone singing along with him to 'Mini the Moocher' and then 'Let the good times roll'.

Finally Ian Adie got back up on stage and rather than performing a Blues brothers song he sang 'Stand by Me'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMkEF_rBMNM

That was officially the end

but then Pauline, who admitted she had had a few drinks, got up and sang a Billy Joel song -'New York State of mind' unaccompanied, whilst Sandy was putting some of the equipment away.

30th May 2007 Clutha Vaults, Glasgow

Sandy opened the evening as usual, followed by Stu singing his version of the Nina Simone classic"I just want to make love to you"

He was followed by Fraser Lindsay who sang one of his own songs "Play right from the heart" and then an instrumental version of "Stairway to heaven"

Bob Leslie was next up and he also played a couple of his own songs the gentle ballad "Harmonise" and the more upbeat "Adios to Rock and Roll"

Sandy then got Elspeth Durkin up to sing "Autumn Leaves" with Bob accompanying on guitar.

Next up was a visitor from Falkirk who got rather carried away and sang two Beatles songs including" Ticket to ride" and then an adapted version of "Scotland the Brave" as well!

Sandy then got up to perform himself giving us the John Lennon song "Its only Love" before getting Kirtsy up to perform. She has been missed since her last visit in December and was welcomed back with open arms by everyone. She sang an american protest song "Dirty Pennies" followed by a Gillian Welsh song, "I am an orphan"

Gavin Watt was next up with his version of "Have you ever seen the rain"

followed by Stu again singing "Love in Vain"

Joe MacAtamy was next with three songs "coorie doon", "Haul Away" and "Galloway Hills"

Then Jer McDade gave us two of his compositions "For the modern world" and "sing Song"

Joe Kidd was next with "If you were my girl" [with some accomanyment from Bob Leslie],
and the popular "Good Day.

Scott was next with a lovely instrumental, very well played.

Gerry McHugh then performed a couple of songs including "Drift Away" with accomapnying chorus from the audience!

Sandy then got up and sang a Teenage Fan Club song "One new rose"

before handing over to Ian Adie who sang "Aurora Borealis" and the classic country song "Take the ribbons from your hair"


Gavin Watt then got back up with his older son Ryan and they performed "Here comes the night" together.

Final performer of the evening was George Campbell who performed three songs "Don't walk away", "16 Tons" and by request "Cod Liver oil and the Orange juice"

There was no time left for a jam session but before wrapping up Sandy pointed out Brendan O'Hare, member of Teenage Fan Club had been present this evening.
Sandy and Brendan

Brendan acting as a roadie for Sandy!!