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.