24th January 2007

Sandy's Open Mic has been running, very successfully, in the Clutha Vaults for over three years now, [and before that in the Scotia Bar for a year] and it is definately going from strenght to strength. I believe that this has to do with not only Sandy's 'charisma' as a host, but also with the strength of talent and camaradarie which has formed among most of the group of assorted musicians and singers, making them more like a family. There are the talented teenagers, the favourite Uncles and Aunts, and of course the perpetual Grandparents! [Decide for yourselves who is who!!] I would just like to congratulate everyone for making it such a successful and enjoyable evening for everyone who attends.
Sandy started the evening off in his inimitable style with a couple of beautiful songs, and then almost couldn't decide which talented person to get up first to perform!
He decided on Willie 'Jukebox' Mathews, who gave us his version of the Bobby Darren song 'Beyond the Sea'.
Next up was Willie Hitchell [front man for the band Earnest], who certainly blasted away any cobwebs from everyone with his rendition of 'A Change is going to come'.

Next were Fraser Lindsay on accoustic guitar and Marek Fencher (fromPoland)on an American Bass [5 strings!]who gave us a lovely melodic number followed by their version of 'Shakin' all over'
Andy Lindsay [Fraser's dad] then gave us his melodic tribute to Rabbie Burns, by giving us 'Jacky Mackay' which sounded like a modern version of Tam O'Shanter - with a twist. Very enjoyable.
Jer MacDade then gave us his composition 'Mom and Dad'.
Joe Kidd and Johnny T Miller had both arrived by this time, and gave us a couple of Joe's compositions 'Simplicity' and 'Good Day'.

'Irish Ways and Irish laws' was then sung unacompanied by Sean

- an occasional visitor to the bar.

Edinburgh man, Stuart Workman, then gave us a rendition of 'Alll through the night'.
Arthur then gave us the ballad 'Sam Stone', and then his friend Steven then got up to sing a blues song, accompanied on guitar by Bob Leslie.

Bob carried on, with Johnny T on Bass, to sing a great rock and roll classic 'Take another little bit of my heart'

and then they were joined by Elspeth Durkin, who sang the Eagles song'Lyin' Eyes' - however, the key was slightly high, so it turned into a very 'soprano' version, rather than stopping and changing down a key or three!! Bob and Johnny carried on as Sandy seemed to have disappeared for a short break, and played one of Bob's songs 'It wasn't down in Texas'.
Sandy arrived back then and asked Davie Ritchie [Cobramaics] to perform and he gave us a lovely song called 'Debris Rose'.

Sarah Hunter then came to the microphone, and gave us a stunning performance of her poem 'Therapy' about the perils of physco therapy in this day and age!!
Izzy, Andy the Candy Logan and Johnny T then gave us 'A Dixie Melodie'
followed by Stuart and Jenny from Edinburgh, singing about the 'Eire Canal'

As usual Joe Macatamy, brought us all back to Scotland with the fishing ballad 'Haul Away'.
Ian Adie had arrived in the bar by the end of the evening and got up to give us 'Out on the weekend'

Sandy then asked the two performers who had started the evening if they would like to finish it off, so Willie Hitchell got up, and with JT on Bass, gave us a rollicking version of 'Long Tall Sally'

Willie Jukebox Mathews was the finale, with assistance from, JT on Bass, Fraser on an electric guitar, and Andy L on small drum, [and Elspeth on tambourine]. He finished off with the ever popular Hooker song 'Mojo Working', getting everyone to join in with the refrain lines, and getting everyone into an excellent mood, so much so that no-one wanted to go home - despte the bar staff asking if we didn't have homes to go to!!
Yet another successful and enjoyable evening.

17th January 2007

Unfortunately I was unable to attend the Clutha Vaults Open Mic this evening, However I did hear that it was quite busy and enjoyable!

Fareweel tae a 'Worthy'

On a sad note,

we say goodbye to a weel kent face at the Clutha Vaults
John McTaggart died just before Christmas.

John McTaggart
June 1940 - December 2006

Clutha Vaults 10th January Open Mic

A quiet start to the year, apparently, there were only a few people in last week as well.
Sandy started with a nice medley of six songs including ‘Diamond’ ,’Forever Road’ and ‘
If I were a carpenter’.

First up were Stuart Workman and Johnny T Miller [on Bass guitar], who gave us ‘My old friend the blues’ and the popular ‘Manhattan/Berlin’.

Stuart Maguire was next with his own composition ‘When we were faultless’ followed by another with Johnny T accompanying him ‘I ain’ ever satisfied’.

Johnny T then did a couple of acoustic songs himself - a Booker T song ‘Share what you’ve got’ followed by ‘Mystic Guy’.

The ever popular Jer McDade then got up and sang his own songs ‘Modern World’ and Universal Grace’ which had people tapping their feet.

Robert Walser had arrived by then and was next up on stage. He sang his own composition ‘Storm’ followed by the song, ‘Ramona’

A couple of musicians from the Urban Gypsies had dropped in, and John got up and gave us ‘Bright lights tonight’.

Sandy then got back up and sang a couple including ‘Texas Eagle’.

Steve Maguire was back up with ‘What Love is’ followed by Jer giving in to a request to do his popular song ‘Bob Treetop’
Andy the Candy Logan was called up next and he gave us ‘As time slips away’ in his usual laid back cheeky style. He followed that with ‘Crossroads’ accompanied by Johnny T on the Bass.

JT then gave us another couple of songs ‘ Ain’t no love in the heart of the city’ and the Eagles classic ‘Peaceful easy feeling’ which was joined in with by the audience singing the chorus and harmonies.
Sandy then gave us the classic ‘Fire and Rain’ followed by Robert with a Bob Dylan song ‘Seven curses’.

Joe Mac as ever brought us all back to Scotland, with a fine folk song, then the evening was rounded off by Stuart and Johnny with Andy giving us their unique version of ‘Copperhead Road’.

It may have been quiet to start but it was a very enjoyable evening indeed.

2007

"A guid new year tae yin an' aw,
and lang may yer lum reek!!"

For those of you who have never heard this before.....no, your computer has not been scrambled, it is a broad scots greeting oftimes heard at this time of year.
In the Queen's English it means
' A good New Year to one and all,
and may you always have a fire in your hearth.'
[lang=long, lum = chimney, reek=smoke]

I'm sure all the musicians who attend Open mic sessions all over the world will convey the same message, and all be hoping for a good New Year in 2007 themselves.

Perhaps we'll meet some of you in the Clutha Vaults
on Wednesday evenings between 9.00 pm and midnight!

Unfortunately the outdoor Hogmanay celebrations here in Scotland were cancelled due to the very severe weather conditions - for safety reasons - I admit I would not like to be on an outdoor stage in gale force winds and driving rain - pure madness, so the authorities were right this time. However, I believe that many people still went into the towns - and I am sure that many of the city hostelries which were pen had a roaring trade!

I was out last evening [New Years Day evening] at a gig where the Vagabonds were playing and everyone had a superb evening - lots of dancing and singing along!! Unfortunately I forgot my camera again, so sorry no photos.

Clutha Vaults, 27th December 2006

This was a very unusual wednesday evening, in that the Vagabonds were playing for part of the evening, and then jammed along with some of the singers and musicians from the Open mic nights. The Vagabonds (Brian McLachlan on electric guitar, Stevie Westwater on Bass, Gavin Smith on Drums& harmonies, and Sandy on acoustic & vocals) opened with about 6 songs before getting Annie up to sing her favourite country song of the moment 'Ramona'.

Next their good friend Barry Campbell sang his version of the John Lennon Classic 'Working Class Hero'.

Barry Campbell with the Vagabonds

Next to be called over was Arthur
who covered the classic song 'The Gambler'.

Stuart and Jenny Workman were next giving us one of their favourites 'Pharoh's army' [with some harmonies coming from the audience. Sandy then got Steve who did a blues song, followed by 'Please help me' from Gavin.

The old rascal, Andy the Candy Logan, was up next, to give us 'The Games people play'.

This was quickly followed by Willie Mathews, with Fraser Lindsay on Electric guitar, giving us the Ry Cooder classic 'The Breeze'.

Jer McDade was next with his popular song 'Bob Treetop'.

Annie and Marlene were then up to sing 'I will fly away' harmonising with extra vocals from Sandy.

To give some of the Vagabonds a rest then, Johnny T Miller took over Bass, Fraser Lindsay on the Electric guitar, (but with Gavin still on drums) with Andy Lindsay singing 'All day, & all of the night'.

Joe Kidd was the next performer,with Johnny T and Gavin.
Then the Workmans(Stuart & Jenny) gave us 'The Erie Canal', accompanied on saxaphone by Frank Moony [an ex-original Vagabond player, back over on holiday from California!),Fraser on Electric guitar and Gavin on Drums.

Then Jukebox Willie Mathews was next to play with the ensemble - giving us 'Everyday'
the phrase "Welcome back to Scotland", heralded Joe Macatamy's singing of the scottish folk song 'The Broom of the Cowdenknowes'.

Next ensemble was John Fleming,Johnny T, Fraser and Frank giving us a bluesy little number.
Andy the Candy and Izzy were then called up by Sandy and Izzy sang her most popular ditty -'I want a hug' which was joined in with during the refrain, by all the regulars in the audience.


Last Open mic song of the evening was Elspeth Durkin, who sang an old Julie London classic 'What are you doing New Year's Eve?' a song which can really only be sung at this particular time of year. Unfortunately for Elspeth, Bob Leslie who normally plays guitar with her, was not present this evening, so she had to sing accapella - to a rather noisy audience - which did quieten down a little.

The Vagabonds with Frank Moony, then finished of the evening with some rousing rock & roll which had quite a lot of people out of their seats and up on the floor dancing!! A great end to the evening.