" thats why they call it the blues"

Me and the band at the Half Moon, Bishops Stortford

My First Gig

Have you ever thought it would be a good idea to do something and then wished you had not even got out of bed that day? That is how I felt yesterday evening. I went along to a blues jam session at the Half Moon PH, Bishops Stortford. I originally meant to go and just listen with a view to deciding whether to play at a later date but after a little encouragement from others on the Breakfast Room Forum (http://www.breakfastroom.co.uk/) I thought, what the hell lets have a go. It turned out to be a bad decision.

When I got there I quickly realised that this was not what I had expected. You see I did not think it through properly. This was an electric blues club. People come here to play electric guitar and as loud as they can. They were experienced semi-professionals. Not amateurs like me who was looking to gain experience after a one week jazz course. I knew none of the songs, I knew none of the chord progressions and I was bricking it. By the time I was called up, nearly two hours into the night, my ears were bursting and my mind was a complete blank. I had prepared a little list of blues scales that I intended to refer to when I needed it but the sound coming out of my sax bore no resemblance to what the other guys were playing. Indeed most of the time I could not even hear the sound coming out of my sax. I stood next to a very loud drummer and in front of an enormous guitar amp. There were so many distractions I could not even remember my own name.

Should I have just abandoned the idea and not got up to play? I did consider it for a long while. The biggest problem I had was that I did not know enough about the style of blues being played. Because of all the guitars this was more blues/rock than shuffle. I stood on stage with Led Zeppelin and went down like a lead balloon. Any small number of jazz licks I had learnt were absolutely no use at all. The rhythm and blues I had played at the improvising course was no use at all. I was out of my depth.

So, would I go back? Not on your life. Was it worth it? Yes. I got a great deal of experience out of it. Not in playing terms but knowing what it is like to play on stage in that type of atmosphere. And anyway I am 53 years of age and for fifteen minutes I was in a rock band, which alone was worth the £3 entrance fee. I gave myself 10 out of 10 for courage but nil point for musical content. I got home and had a very large scotch before going to bed with my ears ringing like a church on a Sunday morning. I felt embarrassed about my performance but proud I did not chicken out.

Next Wednesday I will go back to my nice quiet concert band with pages of notes telling me what to play. I can’t wait.

Funkydory

Last night we went to the Half Moon PH in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. The pub hold a blues club every Wednesday entitled Bluesalive. Most weeks they hold a jam session which I intend to go along to very soon. However, last night they had a gig with a band called Funkydory. As can be seen from other entries to this blog, my preferred listening pleasure is jazz rather than funk but I do enjoy live music and am willing to give anything a try. I am so glad I did. From the outset I knew this was going to be a great night. The four band members were clearly competent musicians which made me sit up and study them very closely.

At the front was vocalist Lorna Reilly. The Funkydory web site (www.funckydory.com) describes her as being “blessed with the voice of an angel”. I don’t know whether angels ever sang this type of music but if they did the gods were no doubt tapping their feet. Lorna’s voice is extremely powerful. Her style of delivery is energetic. Both these attributes give a great presence to the band and ensure that the listener’s attention is on the band and nowhere else.

Lead guitarist is Jules Fothergill. This guy can play. Oh boy can he play. His rhythm was spot on and not too repetitive with each number. His solos were fantastic and I could not help thinking that he would be just as comfortable playing in a jazz band. With each song he varied his sounds and riffs so that we were never sure what was coming next. Music should have a little predictability but not too much. If you get the chance go see this man play.

On the bass was Ian “Lillian” Maurico. Maurico is a left handed player but could not be described in the derisory sense as a south paw. His support play was of the highest quality and kept the funky feel going throughout the night. I was particularly impressed when he and Fothergill played in unison it was a very good sound.

On the skins was a visiting drummer. Unfortunately I did not catch his name but he was great to watch and was clearly enjoying himself as deputy to regular Hayden Doyle. There were a couple of times when I noticed he went out of sync with the band but this can be expected with any substitute. He did give us a treat though when he played out a tremendous drum solo at the end of the evening. He included a lot of variation including playing the rims of his drums quite extensively.

Finally, the one lasting impression I got from this band was that they had fun. They played with smiles on their faces (something we don’t always see at the jazz club) and judging by the long encore did not want the gig to finish. The audience agreed.