Serenading us beforehand, with a dazzling array of musicianship, were (in sequence) Phil Briggs, Mark John, Phil Benson, Malc Gurnham and Gill Gilsenan with Dave Parr, Rob Armstrong, Dennis O'Sullivan and Bob Tibbetts. A couple of those requesting floor spots did not show-and to be honest, I don't know where we'd have put them if they had!
How to leave an impression on arrival.
BPS made a spectacular entrance, as Mick, our multi-instrumentalist, decided to make some technical adjustments to the very swanky window blinds in the Entrance Lobby. Mick has developed an annoying habit of carrying his mandola in a soft case, on his back. This does leave him free to carry other instruments with both hands, but it also causes many Laurel and Hardy moments when he turns round quickly and almost decapitates passers-by . We've tried to dissuade him from doing this , as our Insurance premiums are high -but I reckon he thinks it makes him look kinda cool, like a Busker or something. Anyway, he had a joust with those blinds even before we got to the room upstairs where we would be performing. This incident so excited the musical frog concealed in my travel suitcase that it spontaneously burst into song and began croaking a very hoarse version of "Jingle bells" from inside the case.
Our usual three- piece line-up was supplemented last night by Malc on acoustic bass and Dave Parr on guitar. Highlights of our set were yet more Happy Birthday songs: the argument over whether we were going to perform "Dirty Gertie" or not: (we didn't) the Singing Frog leading us into a debut version of " Lighten Up It's Christmas," and watching Phil Benson nodding off as we sang "Lakes of Ponchartrain."
Hinckley Act is a very special and very different setting. It's not actually in Hinckley, but on a Business Estate just off the A5. The facilities are first class, the place is run with a high degree of professionalism, and the artistes are treated with immense respect. It is always a pleasure to play there. Everything we did was recorded-so watch this space.
