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A pretty unusual start to the night with a scratch band consisting of Little Charlie on tambourine, Denis, Mike and John on guitars with the bass player from Riff Raff whose name I do know but can’t at the instant of writing recall - it’s an age thing - featuring the return of Phil, after a few months’ absence, on vocals giving us Kansas City and Three Steps to Heaven, among others. This line-up was then augmented by Rhoma and Nick, with his harmonica in good working order, doing some neat harmony singing.
Next up was Riff Raff, the genial crew from Rainford with a pleasing blend of varied material, ranging from the bluesy Summertime via 1958’s Running Bear (actions next time, please!) to the rarely heard Susan Maugham (I think) hit Bobby’s Girl. The enjoyment that they get from their work is self-evident and highly infectious, so their set was thoroughly pleasing to listen to. They seem to me to have their finger on the pulse of what will go down well with an audience, and at the same time give them pleasure to play. Great fun!
The ever-reliable Delrenas produced some excellent stuff, including some great harmony work on Buddy Holly’s Peggy Sue Got Married and It’s So Easy. No Speedy Gonzales this time but you can’t have everything, now, can you?
Then, as it was the third Thursday in the month, Jamo had organised a 40-minute spot from The Lackies. They started life, if you can remember that far back, as a scratch band led by Denis whose great contribution was to have the courage to start the night off, and which had an ever-varying line-up. Over the last few months the line-up has solidified, they have practised hard and have as a result become a tight and entertaining outfit more than capable of holding their own anywhere on a bill. No longer The Lackies for openers.
Starting adventurously with a skilful version of Chris Rea’s Road to Hell, they – that’s Denis on guitar and vocals, Norman and Vic on guitar, Bob on drums and vocals, except when he and Denis swap places (versatile or what?), Alan on bass and Frank on keyboard – took us from Chuck Berry (Bye-bye Johnny, Roll Over Beethoven) and Elvis (All Shook Up, Lordie Miss Claudie) through Bill Haley (Shake Rattle & Roll) to The Eagles (Tequila Sunrise) then back to Chuck Berry (You Never Can Tell). Despite the occasional glitch they produced a tight and organised set, solidly driven by the drums and bass, which was certainly crowd-pleasing. Some of the harmony work was outstanding, particularly the blend of Denis and Bob in the Everley Brothers’ Lucille, but for me the pick of the crop was the straightforward Rock’n’Roll that got the dancers up and moving and which built a lovely rocking atmosphere around the room.
It was hard to follow The Lackies as they’d been such a crowd-pleasing act but Wally, Dave and Frank, superbly supported by Young Paul on the drums, were up to the job. Mike Montrose got up with them to do Whole Lotta Shaking and Rock Around the Clock. Jean Myers was suitably embarrassed as Dave announced it was her birthday, following which Lee Curtis, back from Germany, came up to sing her Happy Birthday, followed by yet another example of why this man is still going strong, still wowing audiences. Kansas City, Mess of Blues and his trademark It’s Only Make-believe were superbly, professionally performed by a true showman. The band behind him - same line-up as above - were just excellent in providing exactly the right support and drive for Lee’s performance. Great stuff all round!
The night ended with a depleted Bobby Scott’s Clayton Squares taking adventurous stabs at The Beatles’ Till There was You, and Ray Charles’ I can’t Stop Loving You. Rhoma and Nick popped up again to do a cheerful version of the old Bill Monroe Bluegrass classic Blue Moon of Kentucky and the night raised yet again over £200 for charity. A successful night in all respects.
See you next time!