Now there is a strange sight. Taking over a corner of that fine horseshoe bar in MacSorleys night are what seem to be a bunch of Americans. Well, Glasgow does attract tourists after all so why the comment? Because they have their pretty little laptops out and are doing the wireless networking to connect to the Internet thingy. Bluesbunny wonders what the world is coming too. Drinking is one of the few pastimes that does not require the use of technology. At least not until tonight apparently. Perhaps these particular Americans need instructions on how to drink beer out of proper glasses.
First on tonight is Salon Society. Appearing tonight as a trio consisting of Roxy, Dorothee and Luci, they represent one of the more dramatic bands playing on the Glasgow live music scene. As the play through their set lead singer Roxy gets more and more animated. With swooping arms, she takes us back to the days of over the top stage antics like we used to get from a certain Mr Bowie or Mr Ferry. Attitude aplenty then but matched with some effective song writing in "Eulogy for Innocence" and "Don't Die Inside". Whilst they certainly have arthouse sensibilities, there is a harder edge to them that suggests that they would find themselves at home on a much larger stage than we have tonight.
Next up is Christine Bovill. A new voice to the ears of Bluesbunny and a very impressive one at that. She apologises for her voice. It has suffered as she is a schoolteacher and has had to use much in the way of shouting that day. We kind of like that - mild mannered schoolteacher by day and siren of the soul by night but oh, that voice! Like a sonic combination of dark chocolate and cigarettes, she even steals our attention away from our beloved Guinness and that is no mean feat. With the technical skills of a jazz singer and the passion of a torch singer, she never puts a foot wrong. Her cover of "Your Cheating Heart" seems way too classy for a joint like this but never mind. Quality is quality and these days you take it wherever you can get it. Christine Bovill is, to put it simply, quality.
Our third contender tonight is another well kent face, Woodenbox. Bluesbunny has seen him previously and if we remember correctly, he has a different hat on tonight. It has a red chequered pattern and he looks more country than folk. But he is truly a folk singer. There is that spiritual quality to his music that we associate with the finer examples of the genre. Simple and straightforward, he also has that that honesty that is rare in the fame obsessed world that we live in. Our favourite song remains "Oban" which was performed tonight but we also took a liking to what he described as his happiest song "Situations". No doubt we shall see him again on our travels and he also has an album out and that is good news for those of you who do not have the opportunity to hear him perform live.
John Deery is bringing up the rear tonight. He definitely seems to have drawn the short straw. A rather inebriated Glasgow drunk insists on asking for requests whilst he is trying to tune his guitar. Some people at the back of the bar even shout out requests for Neil Young covers. Apparently there is a poster on the wall advertising such an event on another night and these misguided souls have got a bit confused. Bluesbunny supposes that it is better to have any audience than none at all and despite these interruptions, he provides us with a convincing and professional set. The subtlety of "Control Yourself" appears to be lost on his new fan club. "Stars" is a delight as always but the up-tempo songs go over best. It must be a thankless task being the last act on a relatively quite acoustic night. Just one man and his songs. We think he did well.
Bluesbunny heads out into the night with thoughts of buying some chicken pakora. And a Christine Bovill album. And a Woodenbox album. And…