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 25th October 2012

I arrived late, so missed som of the artists.  When I got in Bob and Bernadette were performing "The devil's right hand"
Next up was Jim Morrison on his mandolin.  He sang a song called "The Dundee Ghost" - a comedic song with a little tale!  He also sang a Matt McGinn song "Camp Grenada" finishing with a satirical political song to the Gilbert & Sullivan song tune 'A modern major general'. 
Bob then sang a couple of songs " Hello Marylou, goodbye heart" and then "the weight song" [take a load off Annie!]  .
Next up on the stage was |Ryan Morecombe who gave us an amazing rendition of a Lady Gaga song "Born this way", one of his own songs, and then 'Mellow Yellow'.
Bob then asked Elspeth Durkin up to sing "After the Goldrush", then "Autumn Leaves" and then a duet with Bob of "Love hurts".
Next up was George Martin who sang "Days" by the Kinks in his own inimicable style followed by a Crowded House song "Fall at your feet" .  He finished with a request of  a Don Henley song "My wedding day".
John Morrison then got back up on stage and gave us a Mandolin version of "Light my fire" by the Doors, this was followed by a Canadian song "Saturday night in Bien Fait", and finishing with "It's a mad world".
Bernadette and her friend Pat then gave us a performance  of the Pogues song "Christmas in New York".  Bernadette and Bob then performed two songs together - "Only You" and then "Dance me to the end of Love"; she finished with "Bas me mucho"
Bob then sang "No regrets" with Bernadette doing some backing vocals.  Bob then asked Elspeth up to duet on a Little Feat song "Willin'", then he sang " Lonesome Blues before finishing the evening with a duet with Elspeth of anothe Little Feat song " Dixie Chicken".

Clutha Open Mic - 7th April 2010

Sandy was away this week and had asked Big Bob Leslie to take the Open Mic session for him.
Bob started the evening off along with Bernadette, singing 'My old friend the Blues' then Bernadette sang 'I am an Orphan Girl', followed by
Bob with 'My Girl' and then
Bernadette again with 'Tougher than the rest' and then Bob with 'Tears of a Clown. First guest to the stage was
Eddie with a couple of his own songs....The first was called 'West Highland Way' but although he was singing no-one could make out any words.... and his song went on for about fifteen minutes. Bob had told him he had two songs, so when he had finished the first, he started again - and to be honest the second song sounded exactly like the first, and was just as long..............!
Stevie Osbourne was back at the Clutha and Bob got hime up to sing 'East End Blues' which was well received.
Andy Lindsay then took the stage and gave us a couple of ausing little ditties - the first a Peter Nardini song 'A dog called Billy, a cat called Pat', and then 'Sam the skull' - aka the Glasgow Cat!! - which had audience participation during the choruses.
Joe MacAtamany then got up and sang 'Fancy Free' and then 'Eldorado'.
Elspeth Durkin was next and sang accapello for the first song - 'Our wedding day' and followed that with a duet with Bob of 'Love Hurts'.
Chris McLean then got on stage and sang 'The town of Kiandra'.
Next up was Brian McDade singing 'Burk' and then 'The night you lit up the Blues'.
Jerry MacAtamany then followed with an Eagles song 'Peaceful, Easy feeling' and then 'What made Milwaukee famous'.
Stevie O got back up for a second time and sang 'Good to be alive' and then 'Don't take any more away from me'.
George then got on stage and performed 'LA woman' and then the U2 song 'Heroes' [most of it in German!!].
Bob then asked Elspeth back up to duet with him on 'Dixie Chicken' and then with Bernadette too on 'Take another piece of my heart'.
Brian got back up and sang 'Songs from the port' and was followed by
Stevie O again with an Elvis song 'Hound-dog'.
Joe MacAtamany then sang 'Coorie Doon' before Bob and Bernie finished the evening with 'Sloop John B' with lots of audience participation.
A good evening enjoyed by all.

10th March 2010 - Clutha Vaults

This evening started quietly with a small audience in the bar. Sandy started with a couple of gentle ballads "Deportees" a Woody Guthrie song and then "Oh No" by Billy Connelly. Bob joined in with some lovely guitar harmonies.
John Alexander was in the bar and got up to perform "The train that carried Jimmy Rogers home" followed by "Further on up the road".
Bob Leslie then performed a new song he had written at the weekend whilst suffereing from food poisioning - although the song bore no relation to that fact whatsoever!! It was called"Can't wait another day". He followed that with an older song of his which he had not sung for a while "Mara".
Andy Lindsay then went on stage and sang a Jake Thackery song "On again,on again,on again" and then a Harry Hagan song "Sam the skull" - which is about a Glasgow cat, and includes then lines '.. the kind that can strangle a rat and even the occasional Dug!' Many of the audience were joining in with the chorus for this one!
Sandy then got back up and sang another Billy Connelly song "Seargeant, Where's mine?".
Martin from Manchester then got on stage, and after apologising for being English [not his fault!] said he had learnt a Glasgow song and he then sang a Paolo Nutini song "Tricks of the Trade" - and was a little non-plussed when we told him Paolo was from Paisley!!
Elspeth then got on stage and Bob played "Autumn Leaves" and then "After the goldrush" for her.
Blair McGinley then went onstage and sang his own songs "Ain't got the love" and "Coming home again".
Andy Logan then got onstage looking like a lumberjack, and performed "Two for a penny" into "Good-hearted Woman" with a little guitar harmony from Bob.
Sandy once again performed "Livin alright" in order to introduce Robbie from Sunderland who then sang a Tom Petty song"You're so bad" and then "Crazy".
George then got up and sang a couple of David Bowie songs "Star" and then "I'm only dreaming". Sandy then got Dennis to play "Another Saturday night" which he joined in with harmonies for - along with most of the audience. Andy Lindsay then got back up with a Bob Dylan song "Love minus zero" and Andy Logan with a request for "Games people play".
Final performer of the evening was Duncan Adams with "Little Runaway", "Where am I gonna live?" and "Let me be there".
There then followed a rather riotous jam session with lots of harmonising, guitars, mandolin [Blair], hand drum and tambourine!! It only finished when they started putting the lights out and 'turned us out on the street'. An extremely enjoyable evening!

17th February 2010

Andy was just finishing on stage as I arrived, but he was followed by Ashley [accompanied by Sandy] who gave us a brave rendition of Valerie followed by Summertime. She said she had needed a few vodkas to get up and sing, but she need not have worried as she had a great voice.
Bert then took the stage and played 'Me and the Devil' followed by a slide version of 'Falling of a rock' [with some accompanyment by Bob Leslie].
Bob then took the stage himself and sang a new song of his 'Just another Story Monday' followed by one for Joe Kidd [who was NOT present] 'The Devil ain't a friend of mine'.
Joe MacAtamany was then up and he sang 'Eldorado' and then 'Ride On' depite some "noise from the gallery". Billy and Sandy then sang 'Another Saturday Night' before the welcome return of

Stretch Dawson from the Isle of Mull. A fantastic player he gave us three songs 'She ain't Rose' , a syncopated jazz version of 'Falling Leaves' and then 'It's all your fault'.

Elspeth Durkin then went on stage and sang 'After the Goldrush' and then 'Will you still love me tomorrow?'
Duncan Adams had arrived by this time and he got up and performed 'Here comes my baby' and then the ever popular 'Where am I gonna Live' before handing over to

Ger McDade who performed 'Getaway' and then Man. City Blues'.
Andy [the Dandy] Logan with a little help from Bob, played 'On the Road again' segwayed into 'Good-hearted Woman'
Stuart Workman then sang a Steve Earle song 'If you fall' and then a request, 'Manhatten' before getting

Jenny up to join him and sing 'Eirie Canal'. He finished off with 'Reflections' - with Bob Leslie.
We had run over time so there was no jam session afterwards. Another great evening of music.

Wednesday 25th March 2009

Sandy’s Open Mic at the Clutha Vaults, Glasgow

After another lovely spring, blue-sky day, musicians headed for the Clutha Vaults for Sandy's Open Mic.

Sandy started with ‘Must be loved’ followed by ‘Dancing for the Beast’.

First up was Jim with ‘I shall be release’ and then the Leonard Cohen song ‘Manhattan’.

Elspeth Durkin was next up singing ‘Autumn Leaves’ and then ‘After the Goldrush’.

Sandy then sang ‘I’m looking through you’ He then mentioned that he has a new band called Lucky Jim and sang one of the new songs he wrote with them called ‘Ode to blue’. Bob Leslie then sang ‘It’ll last another day’ followed by ‘Her eyes’.

New face Heather then asked Bob if he could play along with ‘Both sides the Tweed’ and then she played and sang ‘Caledonia’.

Duncan then played ‘Hum Drum Days ‘ followed by his own song about St. Andrew’s day - after an inordinate amount of tuning his own guitar!.

Sandy then asked Big Ronnie Simpson to come up and sing ‘The Green fields of France’.

Kate McGee was in the audience and she got up to sing ‘Valerie’ followed by ‘Ain’t no sunshine’. Kate is hosting a new Monday evening Open Mic in the Clutha as from the 30th March.

Sandy then asked Catriona up to sing ‘Can’t explain’ and then she tried ‘Louis louis’.

The incomparable Willie ‘Jukebox’ Mathews was then asked up to the stage - He performed ‘The lady is a tramp’ followed by ‘Flip, flop & fly’ and then ‘How blue can you get’.

George then got up and sang ‘Back to black’ and then ‘Wheels on fire’. Final act of the evening was Bob, Willie and Kate performing ‘Love the one you’re with’.

A very short jam session followed before everyone was being asked to leave the pub at midnight.

Sandy's Open Mic 11th March 2009 Clutha Vaults

Sandy started off with a Gram Parsons song ‘Gold-plated door’ with a little help from Bob on second guitar, followed by a Townes Van Zandt song ‘Early in the morning’. Niall was back after several months absence and he did his own songs ‘Millie and Me’, ‘Still I miss you’ and the ‘Take my time’. Bob Leslie then sang a couple of his own songs ‘It’ll last another day’ - inspired by his cat sleeping in the dirty linen basket! And then ‘The cultural imperialists have got me’. Sandy then got back on stage and sang ‘Love Hurts’ and then ‘The games people play’. Alan Stewar then got up with his mandolin and performed a Rory Gallager song ‘Goin to my home town’ and then with Bob and Fraser on other guitars, his version of the Who’s ‘Magic Bus’. Fraser Lindsay then sang his own song ‘LA status quo’ and then another Who song , with Bob on second guitar, ‘The seeker’. A new couple Ally and Mariea then got up and sang a couple of duets with some nice harmonies - ‘I can’t make you love me’, ‘Waiting for the train to come’ and after Sandy’s insistence that they do a third, ‘Why don’t you stay’. [after which they left!!]. Joe MacAtamany then sang ‘Eldorado’ and ‘The broom of the Cowdenknowes’. Elspeth Durkin was next , accompanied by Bob and she sang ‘Autumn Leaves’ and then she and Bob sang the Little Feat number ‘Dixie Chicken’. Gavin Watt then took to the stage and performed a Rolling Stones tune ‘Love in vain’ followed by ‘You don’t dance the techno anymore’. Duncan Adams was the penultimate performer singing ‘Lay down Sally’ and his ever popular ‘Where am I gonna live’. Final performance of the evening was a bit sad as Sandy announced that our good friend Stuart Nugent was emigrating to Australia soon and this would be his last performance at the Open Mic. We are sad to see him go but wish him well in his new country - and hope he fulfils his wishes. He and John - his partner from their duo Figure 8, then performed part of a song ‘Joni Mitchell’ unfortunately John had borrowed Bob’s guitar which had a duff 13th fret - and this particular song called for a lot of finger picking using the 13th Fret!! So they gave up and did the Springstein song ‘Dancing in the Dark’. There was a short Jam session after the Open Mic whilst Sandy put the equipment away, and folk finished their last drinks.

Sandy's Open Mic 4th March 2009 - Clutha Vaults

We arrived to find that Sandy had managed to ‘blow-up’ the PA system and was also having trouble with the old back-up system - it was because there were new ‘powered’ speakers - but we got it sorted out and started the evening a little bit later than normal. First up was John Alexander, and he was followed by Bob Leslie with his songs ‘The Star Harmonica Band’ and ‘Her Eyes’ Sandy then got Elspeth to join Bob and she sang ‘Summertime’ and then joined Bob in a duet of ‘Dixie Chicken’. Clare was back singing ‘Nothing left to live for’ and then ‘Light up my life’. Brian, a left-hander who had brought his own guitar along, then sang ‘Honky-tonk woman ‘ followed by ‘Fulsom Prison Blues’. Sandy and Bob once again performed ‘Carolina’ by Townes Van Zandt. Eddie was then up singing ‘In the Jailhouse now’ and ‘Fallin’. John was next singing’ a John Pryde song ‘Hello in there’ and then ‘Mr Tambourine Man’. Duncan [who was more than a little drunk by this time] then attempted the Eagles song ‘Take it easy’ and followed it with ‘Hum Drum Days’. John Alexander was then back up and with Bob accompanying, performed a Byrds song ‘Tomorrow ‘s the day my Brides’ gonna come’.
We then had a couple up who were just back from Venezuela - she was Spanish and he was from Glasgow but I am afraid I did not catch their names, however they performed a couple of Flamenco songs -’Fandango de Huelva’ followed by ‘Alegrias’ . Joe MacAtamany had the task of following then and in his own inimitable style he sang ‘Tae buckle my shoes’ and then ‘Lay ye doon love’. Stevie Osbourne with Bob then performed ‘The Eastender Blues’. Duncan Adams and Bob then sang ‘Lay down Sally’ and his ever popular ‘Where am I gonna live?’. Final performer of the evening was Andy the candy Logan singing ‘Good -hearted woman’, ‘St. James’ Infirmary Blues’ and finally the David Bowie hit ‘Sorrow’.

Sandy's Open Mic - 18th February 2009

Sandy - ‘Flying skies’ followed by ‘Snow on Route one’ and then ‘Two Girls‘. First up was Bob Leslie singing a couple of his own tunes - ‘Her Eyes’ and then ‘It’ll last another day’. Stuart Workman was next ,with Bob accompanying him, performing ‘My old friend the blues’ and then the Leonard Cohen song ‘Manhattan’. Sandy then got back on stage and sang a Tim Hardy song ‘Red Balloon’ Andy Logan was next - singing his version of ‘The St. James’ Infirmary Blues’ followed by his popular rendition of ‘The Games people play’. Newcomer Claire was up next, singing and playing an unplugged acoustic version of ‘Nothing left to live for’ and then ‘Light up my life’ which was very well received by the audience. Elspeth Was up next, accompanied by Bob, and she sang ‘Autumn Leaves’ followed by ‘After the Goldrush’. Stevie Osbourne then got up with Bob to perform ‘The Eastender Blues’. Peter then took to the stage and sang a couple of his own songs ‘I’m a livewire’ and then ‘At the bottom of everything’. Alan Stewart then took his mandolin to the stage and ,accompanied by Bob, did a version of the Who song ‘Magic Bus’ followed by a James Taylor song ‘’Steamroller Man’. Willie Mathews had appeared by this time and he took to the stage and performed ‘Over the Rainbow/What a wonderful world’ also on a mandolin, and he followed this with a George Formby song ‘Leaning on a lampost’ which of course EVERYONE joined in with! Sandy let him do another song with Bob - a rendition of a J J Cale song ‘The Breeze’. Sandy and Bob then played a Townes Van Zandt song ‘Carolina’ with Sandy singing the ballad beautifully. Johnny T was next up also asking Bob to join him in two songs ‘Walking the Dog’ followed by ‘Don’t know what you want to do’ Joe MacAtamany then stepped up to sing ‘Eldorado’ and then You picked a fine time to leave me Yvonne’ -{a Glasgow version of the famous tune}. Bob Leslie then got back on stage in his own right and performed ‘Who do you love’ and then Stevie Osbourne was back with Bob, singing his song ‘Good to be alive’. Newcomer Chris then took a seat and sang an Eagles song for his friend - Jill. ‘Peaceful, Easy Feeling’ which finished off the evening.

Big Bob Is Back!! 19th January 2009

Big Bob Leslie is back with an Open Mic at the Clutha Vaults on Mondays, as from this evening.

Unfortunately, as it was only decided after the Open Mic on the 14th, there was not a lot of time to 'Spread the word!'

However Bob did a wide selection of ballads, and invited a few people who had turned up onto the stage to perform.

[Patch making friends with the audience!]

Elspeth sang a few songs and provided some backing vocals for Bob later on in the evening. Her dog, Patch, even joined in when she sang 'How much is that doggy in the window?' to him - he answered with barks in the appropriate pauses!!

George popped in and stayed to sing a few songs as well. A quiet start but I am sure it will pick up quite quickly once word gets around!

Sandy’s Open Mic 17th December 2008

Sandy started the ball rolling with a couple of songs - ‘Dollar Bill Blues’ and then ‘Snow on Route one’

First up to the stage this evening was Bert with his dobro guitar with a blues song ‘Fallin’ off a rock’ followed by a slide blues song ‘Walkin’ blues’.

Davy was next on stage with the Beatles song 'Hide your love away’.
Sandy then asked Elspeth Durkin up to the stage with Bob Leslie on acoustic and Johnny T Miller on Bass. Not having had any practise together at all she sang ‘Santa Baby’ [slightly marred by Bob and Johnny missing the Bridge and key change!!] followed by ‘Have a Merry little Christmas’ which none of them had done before either!! Still it was definitely in the spirit of the evening, especially with Elspeth dressed in red and white!

Bob and JT then performed Bob’s song ‘It wasn’t down in Texas’ then a Leapy Lee song ‘Don’t’ let me go’ merging into ‘Run,Hide’.

Jo then took to the stage singing ‘2 more measures’ and then ‘Love cats’ along with Bob and JT.
Alexander White then came to the stage and sang ‘Whisky Town’ and then ‘Come pick me up’ with some backing vocals from Sandy.

Martin was next with a couple of songs including ‘Someone like me’.

Joe Kidd was in the house and he performed ‘Good Day’ with Bob, JT and Sandy on harmonies. Joe MacAtamany then got on stage to sing ‘A Powerful Song’ and then ‘Lily of the west’ in his own inimitable style. Stevie Osbourne along with Bob on acoustic, Carl Bridgeman on Bass, Pam on small drum, Elspeth on Tambourine and Sandy on harmonies then sang ‘Eastender Blues’ and then his own song ‘Good to be Alive’. Jer McDade was present and he decided to sing his songs ‘Bob Treetop’ which had everyone singing along on the chorus, and ‘On that Day’.







LP George then got to the stage to sing his own unique version of ‘Sunday, Bloody Sunday’ followed by ‘Oh, oh when I’m dead and gone’

Duncan Adams had joined the throng by this time and was invited up to sing his anthem ‘Where am I gonna Live?’.

Carl Bridgeman then took to the stage with his friend Miguel on tom toms singing his own songs ‘Things I’ve Seen’ and then ‘This could never happen’.

Willie Mathews then joined them on stage along with Bob and performed ‘Everyday I’ve got the Blues’ and a Bob Marley classic ‘No woman no cry’.

Final act of the evening was Ian Adie (the landlord) who, after giving a little speech about good the Open Mic evenings are [ I think the term he used was “the best in Glasgow” ] and how Sandy made the evenings so good and what a fine job he did, he invited everyone to the Christmas Eve and Hogmany evenings with JT and his band, at which there may be a few Open Mic performers invited up to the stage during the evening. He then performed an Eagles song ‘Take it easy’ along with Sandy, Bob and Carl to finish the late night off [ It was a 1.00 a.m. licence].