Here's the thing. Why do the whole acoustic singer songwriter thing at all? Performing in front of what are often unappreciative crowds, it cannot be the easiest or most enjoyable way to pass the time (nearly called it a job there but ain't nobody getting paid). Sometimes you get the bear, I suppose, and sometimes the bear gets you. Anyway, enough of the philosophical rambling and time for a beer and a Free Candy Session. On tonight's menu are Tiny Mouth, Roger the Bluesfather, Andrew Jackson and Mick Drain. Dining tonight are Handsome Bluesbunny and Bluesbunny from Montgomery. Two Bluesbunnies in one room? Something must be free and it isn't the beer.
Our entrée tonight introduces himself as Tiny Mouth. He has borrowed a guitar but makes it his own in short order with some quality picking. Modesty seems to overcome him and he feigns indifference to his talent by staring up at a corner of the room. That reminds us (or at least it reminds Bluesbunny from Montgomery) of the "Big Dog" anecdote about performers. It goes like this - some performers think of their audience as a big dog. They really want to reach out and stroke them but they are too scared to make eye contact. The point of the story is that the dog gets bored and goes off to eat some Winalot. Now, Tiny Mouth does a nice line in fey, acoustic folk but his most interesting tunes are the up-tempo ones such as the spirited "Take Your Teeth".
Tonight's Soup of the Day is Roger the Bluesfather. The recipe for this dish is white man's blues, a pinch of Richard Thompson, one of those coloured hankies that chefs wear on their head, a big scarf and a left handed guitar. Just out of interest, who was the best Doctor Who? In a poll round Bluesbunny Towers, the result was Tom Baker (who coincidentally had a big scarf that was just the thing for tripping up Cybermen). Its must be cold tonight as the Bluesfather keeps his scarf on for his set. He has been around a bit and his love songs are, accordingly, less than fluffy. "Venice", for example, contains the classic line "…"the oldest guy you ever had in your bed". If that is autobiographical, then you can see the attraction of this performing malarkey. "Black Heart" also deals with the joys of infidelity and - as you would expect given his maturity - redemption. Perhaps the Bluesfather would make an entertaining front man for a band. It's never too late.
Time for an aperitif prior to the main course. Tonight we have Andrew Jackson who has a difficult time as part of the audience have decided to make a determined attempt to not only ignore him but also to prevent anyone else from hearing him. Knocked off his stride, it takes him a few songs to get going but he shows a lightness of touch both lyrically and musically that reminded us of David Gray. Hopefully we will get to see him again under better circumstances.
The main course tonight turns out to be Mick Drain. Now here's a guy that has no deficiencies in the confidence department. When you know what you are doing, it does not take much to grab an audience. Aided only by some guitar support from Jim McAfferty, he slaps the audience back to attention. "Hold On" punches out into the room as if there were a full band performing. "The Millionaire" is a sledgehammer guaranteed to crack the nut of indifference. My God, we even get inter song banter and by the time we get to "Mickey Boy", he has even got the audience clapping along. Yes folks, this is a basement bar and not a stadium but you can see where Mick Drain is going. By the way, the word on the street is that the first steps to that destination have already been taken. Funnily enough, the Glasgow legend Alex Harvey came to mind as we listened (indeed enjoyed) his set. Tasty!
With the metaphorical meal finished, the Bluesbunnies finished their beer and headed out into the night for some real food and only chicken pakora would satisfy our hunger. When the man in the kebab shop asked what song we were humming, the answer was "Mickey Boy" by some guy called Mick Drain…