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 at Avante Garde Wednesday 15th January 2014

Well this evening started quietly enough with host Bob Leslie starting the night off with the songs "My old friend the blues", "No Regrets",  "Norwegian Wood", " Heatwave", "Mr Beaujangles" and finally one of his own "Me & Kenny".
First guest of the evening was John Morrison with his mandolin.  He sang his usual satirical balance - "Dead Horse", then a Flanders and Swann song "Twas on a Monday morning!" and then another of his own "The Banker's" song. 
Next up was John's brother Bob Morrison, [all the way from near Falkirk] who played an electric guitar  and sang "Jumping at shadows", "Before you accuse me" and "Midnight Blues".
Bob then got Elspeth Durkin up to sing "Autumn Leaves", "After the Goldrush" and then a duet with Bob of "Love Hurts". 
Next to the stage was Gerry 'Stringology' McHugh - He started off with a moving rendition of "Brother can you spare a dime", followed by "Gingerbread and Dynamite" with audience participation, and finally, as it is nearing Burns Night "My love is like a Red Red Rose."
Next up was Laura Hamilton.  She played a great rock & roll medley including "That's alright" and "Blue Suede Shoes".  Bob couldn't help but join in with "twiddly bits"!  Laura then asked her friend Shennara up to sing a couple of songs - "She's got a ticket" by Tracy Chapman, then "Sitting on the dock of the bay" and then finally "This is a man's world". 
Bob then returned to the stage to sing "Tracks of my Tears", "Baby please don't go" and a Burns song "Green grow the Rashes Oh"
Next up was Dougie Strong who was all the way from Edinburgh!  He gave us "Back to Black", a Kinks song "Set me free little girl" and finally a Billy Joel song "Piano Man".
Gerry had left by this time so Bob got Laura back up for "Get a little bit closer", "Love minus zero" and finally "Reaper Man".
Alastair Halcrow had arrived by this time and Bob got him up on stage.  He sang his own songs "Glasgow, Glasgow" [without microphone or guitar amp!] then "Turn of the blind side" and finally "Holiest of never-ending songs",
Bob then got Shennara back up, with Laura obviously [in fact they joked about changing that to her stage name Laura Obviously!!]  They sang "Stay together" and then another Tracy Chapman song "Gimme a reason". 
The session was out of time then which meant that Elspeth never got her 'second'  songs or her final duet with Bob!
We look forward to return visits from everyone as it was a very enjoyable evening!

Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera so no photos of tonight's session!

Bob Leslie's Open Mic night, Avante Garde, Wednesday 11/12/13 !!!

Bob started the night with a good variety of songs.  His first guest was Elspeth Durkin whom he accompanied. when she sang, 'Autumn Leaves', 'After the Goldrush' and then dueted with on 'Love Hurts'. 
Next up were Marie and Alan Sinclair who gave some excellent renditions of some old songs. 
 


Gerry McHugh with a change of style - beautiful guitar playing and ballads.









 John Morrison was then asked up and he gave us a few of his topical ditties!! 


They were followed by New face Ken Wilkins [visiting from Exeter] then came up to the stage with a mandocello [ I think that is how it is spelt] and he sang a few of his own songs which were very well received. It was halfway through the evening by this time, so it was time for a second rounds! 




Ken had left before he had a second chance, but another singer, Alastair Halcrow had arrived and came onstage to sing a couple of his own songs, using an electric guitar.  He gave a nice rendition of Amazing Grace which quite a few folk joined in on [ and Gerry & Bob got up on the second mic to harmonise with him!]

He had written a song called Glasgow, and, I think, was quite surprised when some of the audience started to harmonise with his chorus even although they had never heard it before!  Then Bob joined in to harmonise with his acoustic guitar!  A good night was had by all!

Clutha Vaults tragedy 29th November 2013

Our hearts go out to the bereaved, and to the injured and traumatised folk  after the horrific tragedy last night at the Clutha Vaults bar. 

I'm afraid that words fail me at this time. 

We hope that those who survive will recover swiftly.

13th December 2012

Avante Garde, King Street

A small number of performers this evening - but the weather WAS atrocious!
Bob Leslie; Elspeth Durkin; Ryan Morecombe; and Allan Stewart all performed during the evening.

Bob's Open Mic - 22nd November 2012

Avante Garde, King Street, Glasgow  =  8.30 - late

Host Bob Leslie started the evening with the ballad "Mr Beaujangles" then a John Morris song "Empire"  then "Me & Kenny" followed by two of his own songs "Rogues" and then "One size don't fit all".
Bob then got Alan and Marie Sinclair from the group Penny Black who started with a Joan Armatrading song "Love and Affection" followed by a John Pride song "Sam Stone" and then they finished with a Credence Clearwater Revival song "As long as I can see the light".
Elspeth Durkin was asked up next and she sang "Come by the hills" then "Will you still love me tomorrow" and finishing with a duet with Bob of "Love Hurts".
Next up was Ryan Morecombe who sang one of his own songs then a Joan Baez song "Donna Donna" finishing with "Closer".
Arge was the next performer - giving us a performance of a couple of his own songs on his electric guitar.
Next up was Bernadette Collier, with Bob joining in on "Angel from Montgomery", then "Dance me to the end of Love" and finishing with a Hazel O'Connor song "Will you".
Our next performer comes all the way from Graamsay in Orkney, Andrew Mowat who performed "Thw town I love so well" then "Scapa flow" and finally "Ring of Fire".
John Morrison had arrived by this time and he got up to perform three songs including "I never really wrote this song" and "Bourbon".
Bob then sang some one of his newest songs "Don't go climbing Everest" [aka the Mousie song], then "Stand up Caledonia" finally a Steve Earle song "(I can't remember) If we said goodbye".
 Andrew then gave us a shetland tune called "Margaret" then a song "Kirkwall Bay" and finishing with "The Gambler".
Bob then asked Elspeth back up to sing "Autumn Leaves" and "After the Goldrush", 
The evening finished off with Bob and Bernadette performing "White Flag".

29th November 2012

Avante Garde, King Street
Another pleasant evening, when I again did not record what songs were sung however the performers were Bob Leslie; Ryan Morecombe; Elspeth Durkin; Bernadette Collier; George Martin and Gordon.

8th October 2012

Avante Garde
Present : Bob Leslie; Ryan Morecambe;Elspeth Durkin;  Linda and Peter [keyboards] Alan & Marie [of Penny Black].

A pleasant evening, but I was enjoying it so much that I didn't record who sang what!

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".

Bob’s Open Mic at Avante Garde 15th November 2012

Bob’s Open Mic at Avante Garde

15th November 2012

Bob and Bernadette were just finishing off a small set when I arrived.

Bob then got Clare and guitarist Craig up.  Clare has an excellent voice and sang three songs beautifully. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Morrison was next up on stage and had decided to do a seasonal song because Avante Garde already have their Christmas tree up in the corner!! However it turned out to be a very, very humorous song about Hogmanay!!

Elspeth Durkin was next up, accompanied by Bob on guitar, and they started with a duet of ‘Love Hurts’ and then Autumn Leaves [one of Bob’s favourites] and finishing with ‘After the Goldrush’.  Bob then sang ‘ Tracks of my Tears’  and his own song ‘Cowboy in the heart of Glasgow’

Next up was Joseph Quinn for a few songs.  Joseph plays in a professional band, but had been out on the town with family.  He did ‘Sally; free and easy’, his own song ‘The Ligger’ and finally ‘Deil finds work for idle hands’.

John Morrison then joined John Condron and Mags Peters  and they performed ‘Ride On’, ‘Rocks off’ and finished with a mashup of  ‘Only Fools and Horses/Proud Mary’.

Mickey Reid was up next singing ‘Promised land’; ‘Stand by your man’ and  ‘Angry’.

Bob and Bernadette did one duet before she had to leave – ‘I can’t remember if we said goodbye?’.

Roddy McLachlan was up next and did a couple of his own songs.  He was a ‘quiet’ singer, but he had a good voice and sang very well. [just needs some more practise with a microphone].

John, John and Mags got back up again and performed ‘Hallelulia’ and then ‘Caledonia’ which Bob ended up joining in with [backing vocals and small drum].

Last up was Elspeth again, who did a new song [never done before] ‘Come by the hills’ with Bob picking it up on the guitar after the first verse. She finished with ‘Will you still love me tomorrow’.  Bob and Elspeth finished off with ‘Dixie Chicken’ before Bob finished the evening off.

18th October 2012 : Avante Garde, King Street, Glasgow

Bob's Open Mic Night [every Thursday night]

 

It was an EXTREMELY wet night outside which would put most people off going outdoors if they could help it, however there were quite a few souls who had braved the weather this evening!

Bob Leslie opened the evening with a few songs and then got newcomer Ryan Morcombe up to start.  He sang a song of his own and then did his own version of a Lady Gaga song 'Born this way'.






Next up was George Martin, and excellent guitar player who performed a David Gray song ' Sailawya' and then an Oasis song 'Stop crying your heart out' and finished with 'Never meant to cause you trouble'



John Morrison was next up to the stage, with a classic 'What have you done to the rain?' followed by an old Mungo Jerry song 'In the summertime' and finishing with the amusing little song 'You can never do a tango with an eskimo'!!




Bob then asked Elspeth Durkin to the stage and he played while she sang 'Autumn Leaves' and then 'After the goldrush' finishing with a duet with Bob to 'Love hurts'.

Bernadette Collier then took to the stage, with some extra accompaniment from Bob, where she performed a Hazel O'Connor song 'Will you....'; this was followed by 'Chasing Cars'.  She then asked George to go up and play guitar for her for the song 'Make you feel my love'.

Bernadette and Bob

Bernadette and George

Carmella and Jess

Next up was another new face Carmella [stage name], and her friend Jess who brought some drums.  She sang her own song 'Rocket Girl', and then her own version of a David Bowie classic 'Major Tom', and then another song of her own [sorry - missed the title]. 

After Carmella finished Bob had been going to get Andy Logan up on stage - but he had had to leave during Carmella's performance.   SO Bob asked Bernadette and George up to do some harmonies when he sang 'If we said goodbye'

Andy' the candy' Logan

Ryan then came back up doing one song of his own before he too had to leave.
John Morrison came back to the stage to sing , as HE put it an "Archie pelican" song by Matt McGinn - 'heidrum hodrum'!![?] Quite funny actually.

George Martin was next up again to sing a few songs 'Old Man; 'Something fine'; 'Wild horses' and then 'Santiago de Cuna'.
Bob then got up and sang 'Lonesome Blues' and then 'You're gonna miss me when I'm gone'.  He then got Elspeth back up on stage with him to do some harmonies  especially on 'Dixie Chicken' and then 'Tracks of my tears', 'Love the one you're with', and 'Who do you love' before finishing the evening off.

Thursday 11th October 2012 at Avante Garde

Bob'S Open Mic Night at Avante Garde, King Street, Glasgow.

Bob started the night off as usual with a a round of good songs :- 'My old friend the Blues'; 'It'll last another day'; 'One size don't fit all'; ' The ballad of Pancho Villa' [a Townes Van Zandt song]; another blues song;  'Harmonise'; 'Willin' [a Little Feat song]; and then 'Handjive'

First up was John Morrison  with his 12 string dobro mandolin singing 'Black is black', 'Sunday morning sidewalk' .
Bob then got Elspeth Durkin up to sing 'After the Goldruch [a Neil Young song], and then 'Autumn Leaves'  [ dedicated to her late husband Joseph Durkin] accompanied by Bob on guitar.  She and Bob then sang a duet of one of Bob's song 'Different World'.

Bob then sang 'Beans and Beer'; 'Ruby'; and another of his songs 'The Devil ain't a friend of mine'
Bob then got Andy Craig up on stage.  He sang 'It's what you do with what you've got; 'Pink flow'; and finally 'Bright Star'

Bob then sang 'She's a lady' and then 'Love the one you're with' before getting John Morrison back up on stage again.  This time John wanted to try using an occarrina linked to a microphone.  He plaayed 'Dirty old town', and then a couple of scots airs.

Bob then sang  a few more songs 'Ring of fire'; 'Don't start the revolution in the morning'; ' Life's too short to wait for the miracle' and finally 'Hook your train up to my wagon'
Bob then got Elspeth back up to sing a couple of duets with him - 'Dixie Chicken' and 'Love hurts' and then to add some backing vocals on 'Tears of a clown'; .....'If we said goodbye'
Bob then sang ' Heartbreak hotel', and a lowden wainwright song 'Nobody loves you when you're down and out'.  At this point Michael Fagin came into the room, so Bob sang 'Big dead Bob' which was about a rumour that michael had started about Bob dying and the shock everyone got when Bob walked into the next music session!
Bob then persuaded Michael to get up and play a couple of songs - 'Down by the schoolyard' and 'Perigor'
Bob finished off the evening with a couple more songs and finishing on 'Gloria'.

Avante Garde Open Mic night - 23rd August 2012

 

Finally got back to Bob's Open Mic held in Avante Garde, in King Street Glasgow, on thursday evenings.

 It was quite a quiet evening with many people away on holiday I believe.  I was a bit late arriving anyway however.  There was the group "Tighnamara" [gaelic for 'House by the sea'], who were up a couple of times playing a variety of songs including Tambourine man.  Unfortunately my slightly drunken brother had grabbed my tambourine and was 'joining in' badly!!]

  

 

 

Bob then went up to sing again and got Elspeth Durkin up to 'help' him with some harmonies. 

Then she sang a couple of songs herself, before joining Bob in a couple of duets again, by which time it was the end of the evening.

Come along on a thursday night if you fancy getting up and performing, or just come along and enjoy some good live music!

 

Sad Losses

I was very saddened in March to hear of the death of three former regulars of the Open Mic nights at the Clutha Vaults.
Willie Mathews died in January,

{Willie and Fraser Lindsay]
His death was closely followed by that of  Johnny T Miller, who often brought his bass along to the Open Mic and played along with lots of the artists, as well as singing a few of his own!

Playing with Joe Kidd

Playing with Bob Leslie, Fraser Lindsay and Elspeth Durkin

Playing with Fraser Lindsay and WIllie Mathews

and in February Pamela Nicols a regular audience member also died.

Pamela was alway cheery and willing to get up and dance when the mood took her!

All of them will be missed in their own ways,

and the music world will be a little poorer for their passing

 - but I'll bet they are having a rocking time in the afterlife!!!

Sandy returns

Good news........Sandy is back at the Clutha Vaults for a few weeks - cover for Kevin. More to follow.............

Happy New Year 2011

I am afraid that I have not been attending any Open mics since my last blog in May 2010........ finances mainly - couldn't afford to travel into Glasgow just for the Open Mics!

Hopefully I shall become gainfully employed once again in 2011 and be able to attend some more Open Mics this year!

Happy New Year to us all!!

19th May 2010 - Clutha Vaults

Sorry to say I missed this evenings Open Mic - hope it went well - will report back next week!

12th May Open Mic - Clutha Vaults

This was a "Farewell to Sandy" evening, as well as being an Open Mic night.

Sandy and a few of his friends.

Kevin started the evening off with a Guy Clarke song 'Broken Hearted People' followed by 'Me and You'.

Bob Leslie had once again brought his electric guitar from the recording studio, and played along with many of the performers throughout the evening.

First up was Joe MacAtamany who gave us 'Jock Stewart' and then 'Ride On'.

Kevin then sang 'I can do better than that' and then got

Martin up onto the stage for a couple of numbers.

Gordon the took the mic to thank everyone who had come for Sandy's evening - and then Sandy gave a small thank you speech, saying he had felt it was a time to change some of the things in his life, but that he would still turn up occasionally, and keep in touch!

He then gave us a song, accompanied by Stuart on acoustic and Bob on electric, 'Start over again' - very appropriate!

Stuart Workman then gave us a Neil Young classic 'Harvest Moon'.
Kevin then did a short burst of a Bob Dylan song - 'It ain't me Babe' before getting the two guys

who called themselves Minor Detail up to sing - they did their own songs 'St. Andrew' and then 'Humdrum days'.

Andy Logan then got up to perform 'The Games people play' and then 'Fulsom Prison Blues'.

Sandy then came up to sing a happy song for some of the girls and started singing a John Denver classic 'Country Roads' but had trouble about half way through as he looked over to the audience ........to see a sea of his own faces staring back at him!!! He did manage to finish the song, and then made the comment - he never knew he was so handsome!!!

Kevin then got Duncan Adams up to sing 'Lay down Sally' and then 'Where am I gonna live?'

Jerry MacAtamany then sang a jaunty version of the Eagles 'Peaceful Easy Feeling' and then a Bob Dylan song 'Positively 4th street'

Gary [Light ?] then sang 'The Gambler' and then tried to give us a Pink Floyd song.

Next up was a chap who called himself Fly Glider sang a couple of songs whose titles I didn't catch.

Enjoying the music!

Jer McDade then gave us a couple of his own story songs, and managed to break a string towards the end of the second song, so whilst Stuart changed the string,

Kevin took the electric guitar and sang 'Hoochy Coochy Man'.

Stuart Workman then performed 'King of the Swingers' specially for Sandy, and then 'Manhatten'.

Bob Leslie then took the acoustic guitar and performed 'Heatwave' , and then

Elspeth Durkin joined him on stage and they sang the Little Feat number 'Dixie Chicken'.

Elspeth stayed on stage to sing backing vocals with Sandy [and Bob] on 'Glory glory' which finished off the main part of the evening, just as the bar closed.

There was a very short jam session before the staff moved everyone out.