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Merseycats Jam Night - 4/11/04
photos here£285! £285!! That’s how much was raised at Merseycats’ Jam Night last night. £285 – fantastic. And when you put that alongside the rising tide of Christmas gifts that keep turning up every week after Jamo’s appeal to use Merseycats as a collection point for gifts for disadvantaged children, then you can clearly see how Merseycats is fulfilling its purpose as a Rock’n’roll charity dedicated to helping youngsters across Merseyside.
Incidentally, there was lots of good rocking music to be had too; and all this for £1!
The Malkin Lackeys kicked us off as usual – Norm, Mike, Artie and the rest - with their usual exuberance and modesty, and a liberal dose of Chuck Berry.
It was good to see at Merseycats for the first time The Spidermen performing wonderful old material such as The Coasters’ I’m a hog for you baby. It is the first time that I’ve seen a young woman playing bass since I saw Suzie Quattro yonks ago. Perhaps they have such an attractive player to draw attention away from the rest of the band, who are excellent players and smashing blokes, but lovely? Perhaps not in the widely accepted sense!
Another occasional band stood up next featuring Paul on vocals, but I’m sorry to say I didn’t get the others’ names, an error I’ll rectify next time. Bobby Scott sat in on drums for them. My own favourite was a lovely harmonised Beatles’ song
A youngster featured in the set from 40 Years Too Late.
John’s first two numbers (with Bernie, Frank and Wally) were drummed by Colin, the regular drummer, but when Beryl stepped up for her songs – including a knockout version of Doctor, Doctor – Colin stepped down to put Young Paul behind the drum-kit. Paul’s just a few weeks short of his 15th birthday but what he lacks in years he makes up for in natural skill. Throughout Beryl’s spot and the follow-up with Alan Taylor he never missed a beat and looked supremely composed and confident, as if born to the job. We’ll surely see and hear lots more of him but remember that you saw him first at Merseycats!
Bobby Scott’s Clayton Squares had an air of The Gypsy Kings with a stage full of extras - 5 guitars, bass and keyboards plus Rhoma as a vocalist - fetched in to give us some of the songs they performed at the Clifford T Ward Festival in Kidderminster not long ago. George’s vocal was skilfully and harmoniously supported by Rhoma, especially on Oooee Baby, Rachael and No Money Down.
A most unusual and calming end the night came in the form of Chris Wilson giving us some lovely solo guitar work on the lines of Les Paul in the 60’s. Mr Sandman, Mack the Knife and I’ll see you in my dreams all prompted nostalgic memories of Jimmy Gretty in Hessy’s days of glory.
Remember Hessys’? How many of you, like me, spent more than you could afford in that shop? And remember when the lust for a Strat (or whatever it was you most admired) almost eclipsed the lust for that dark-haired girl in the sticky-out skirt from New Heys School who always got the bus at the same time as me every morning? Oh, what it was to be fourteen! I’m off for a cold shower!
Remember, £285! A wonderful figure - but I’m back to the girl from New Heys now.
See you next week.