Saturday the 23rd January saw a magical coming together of musicians and bands, and audience in the basement of Blackfriars Bar in Glasgow, to honour and raise some funds for their friend and co-musician, Davie Ritchie, who has suffered from Cancer, and has undergone some very 'heavy' medical treatment over the past year or so.
First up was Waldo - street musician, with an accompaniement on bass, which got the evening started. Next up was 'new' band "The Scimitars" who got the audience into a great mood with some excellent tunes and songs.
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Next was a bit of a change - but nothing unexpected in the Glasgow music scene - Gus and Fin gave a good range of rock/blues songs accompanied on their ukelele's!!! Yes Ukelele's! They were excellent especially their rendition of a Gary Numan classic 'Aren't friends electric'!!
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The Frank O'Hagan Band then took the stage area and performed some excellent music - getting several people in the mood for dancing, and singing along.
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Sandy Watson, who has to be thanked for being the main organiser of the whole occasion, with help from several other people whom he did thank [- but I did not have enough paper to write down any names!!], then announced the winners of the raffle prizes - all of which were enthusiastically collected. They then auctioned off a football, signed by the present Celtic team - which raised £115, and was then re-donated to be auctioned again, raising a further £105!! A slide guitar and case was donated by one of the barstaff, and it raised £115 as well.
After the auction, Donna Ritchie to thank everyone on behalf of Davie [who had managed to attend the gig], before the Vagabonds took to the stage and rocked the evening into the morning, with classic Who, Rolling Stones, and Beatles covers
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Many of the musicians from the Clutha Vaults Open Mics attended the gig, including, Bob Leslie, Elspeth Durkin, Suart & Jenny Workman, Jer McDade, Waldo, and Johnny T Miller were spotted in the crowd.
The audience started to disapate a little after the Vagabonds had finished their set. They were followed by the Bottleneckers, with their usual flair, but I am afraid that this was the point when I had to leave with my group of friends.
It was an excellent evening, with a great mix of cover bands, giving a very entertaining evening and raising money for a very worth person - Davie Ritchie.
