Overhead the albatross
Hangs motionless upon the air
And deep beneath the rolling waves
In labyrinths of coral caves
An echo of a distant time
Comes willowing across the sand
And everything is green and submarine.
Deep beneath Cellar 88 is a hidden gem
of a keeping cellar which lends itself superbly to acoustic music. So this month I took the decision to use this
setting for my open mic and provide nothing more than a space in which to enjoy
music among the company of others – not so much an open mic, more an open space. I was knocked out by the result, with a range
of quality performances that entertained and enthralled. This is something we will do again before my
tenure is up at the cellar.
But first of all that reference above,
the lyrics from Echoes by 70’s prog rockers Pink Floyd, and those words
appeared on this night tattooed to the back of a lovely audience member who came along
to listen with friends. It made me
appreciate that the acoustic angle brings in a whole new crowd, people who have
never been to my night before and are switched on to listening or playing
without the aid of ‘electrification’.
There was Jess (pictured right), who played some of her
own songs that had the audience melting in the August warmth. There was Martin (pictured below - people say he looks like
Jesus) who played a song about looking like Jesus in the style of the Bee Gees
(because he also looks like a Bee Gee). This
random excellence went down a storm. And
there was Rich, on his way to work in Spain via New Mill, who played jazz
tinged pieces from the heart.
Fishing for Compliments also made a
welcome return with three country tinged pieces including the very awesome
Murky Waters. Eileen from Fishing for
Compliments has a lovely voice. Mick
and Alan (also in a country vein) provided harmonica, guitar and some fine
harmonies on Constant Sorrow. And there
was heartfelt song writing from Lucy Roberts.
I also have to give a shout out to some
of my wonderful regulars including James, Linda and Andy, Tim, Jim and
Terry. In fact, Tim played a challenging
piece by Steve Howe which takes us back to that 70’s prog rock theme. Steve Howe used to be in the 70’s band
Yes and played intricate and complex pieces because that was what the world was
into in the land before punk rock coming along and sweeping it all away.
The good thing about an acoustic night
is that the audience will generally give the performers the attention they
deserve and the audience here did just that.
In these settings, seasoned performers can enjoy themselves and new
performers can also have a go in a safe environment. Liam joined us to play a song and this was
the first time he’d ever played in public and I very much hoped it wouldn't be
his last because people genuinely enjoyed his contribution.
The next open mic will see a return to ‘electrification’ at Cellar 88 and a
night of collaboration with the Holmfirth Arts Festival on 26 September 2013. There will be music, comedy, theatre spoken
word and art all under one roof - please come down and take part in my ninth
beautiful open mic.
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