old newsDecember 2007 The Mutter Slater Band played at the my brother John’s pub, the Royal Standard, Dorchester Road, Upwey, Weymouth, Dorset on Sunday 16th December. It was another chance to try out Mutter’s original material in a live setting. It was valuable for us as a band, and was well received by John’s discerning punters. The great thing about playing at John’s boozer is that you get it told exactly as it is – if they think it’s shite, they let you know. We seem to have got away with that one! Little Dixie performed its last gig at the Crown Inn, Bridport, Dorset on Saturday 22nd December. Mutter, Ady, Clive Ashley and I were joined by guitarist Rob Critchard. Rob did a splendid job, his playing suiting the band’s sound perfectly. It was a fine night – shame that we found a guitarist perfectly suited to the band’s sound on its last gig! So farewell Dixie, and onward with the Mutter Slater Band. Things are looking very promising on that front – the old superstition thing prevents me from giving details. 2008 January The year started off with another wonderful session with Robbie McIntosh’s Steamer Ducks at the Park Hotel in Weymouth. Robbie and myself were joined by Ady, Nick Gomer, Clive Ashley and Steve Mutter. The boy McIntosh was on blazing form, the place was absolutely rammed, and once again it was another New Year’s Day gig at the Park that leaves you wondering, “can it get any better than this?” Back Street Blues played at the Centenary Club in Weymouth on Saturday 5th January. It was great to catch up with Smudge, who guested on guitar, playing some lovely old blues guitar. Proper stuff. C Sharp Blues got together after a long lay-off at the Grand Hotel in Swanage on Saturday 12th. It was my first gig with drummer Padge in a long time, and that was another real treat. We’re aiming to get lots more C Sharp gigs in the book soon. Back Street Blues returned to Williton in deepest North Devon for another corking gig on 18th January, and the band made its début at the King Charles Tavern in Poole the following night. It’s an amazing venue, with parts of the building being the remains of a mediaeval church or monastery. On Sunday afternoon Ady and I joined up with jazz vocalist Zoe Schwarz and guitar virtuoso Rob Koral for a lovely afternoon of jazz and blues at the newly-refurbished Rock Hotel in Weymouth. Quite a weekend. On Thursday 24th January Mutter Slater, Ady and I headed for the BBC studios in Plymouth to record a session and an interview for Rob Wheeler’s radio show. We recorded three numbers and had a right laugh with the interview, which goes out Rob’s show on Monday 4th February, ahead of the Mutter Slater band’s début at the Seven Stars in Totnes, Devon. Friday 8th February sees the Steamer Ducks play at the Park Hotel, Grange Road, Weymouth, to mark Pete’s imminent departure from the pub he transformed from a grim den into a great live music venue. Best wishes to Pete on his new venture. On Saturday 9th Back Street Blues play at the Plume of Feathers in Sherborne, the following Saturday, 16th, BSB return to the Ropemakers, West Street, Bridport Chris Lonergan |
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