An Oscar for The Osca?

       What a very cosy friendly and practical set up it is at The Osca Centre in Atherstone where Steve and and Ann Beeson and company  continue to host lovely shows. This time,under the auspices  of John Harris,who had decided he wanted to do something to raise money to help support Dementia.  We had a very pleasant night. 

         On Saturday 19th October it was a pleasure to be back there again. Previously I'd helped out with another Charity night there and after winning the prize draw I had walked off with £221 which I then donated to The George Eliot Hospital Radio,Anker Radio. This time people had paid a fiver a head to come and enjoy a night of music featuring Dragonhead, Pete McParland Finger in The Jar and Drunk Monkey. All local:all good friends,and it showed,both from the stage and across the auditorium. 

        Dragonhead kicked the evening off with a set encompassing Rock and Roll,Cajun and even Pop with a cover of The Maverick's biggest hit warming the audience up for a night of singing. In a night where personnel swapped with a dizzying speed at times,our own Paul Moore (known affectionately as Pedro Fivebands) took over the brushes on the cajon to provide percussive accompaniment. With Anne leaving her duties on the mixing desk to providence and playing along,it was a very cheerful sound.

       That old Lounge Lizard Pete McParland then smooched peerlessly up onto the stage in his best waistcoat and then demonstrated what the event was all about by forgetting the words of "Sweet 16" before he began it. Prompted by the audience he was soon under way however,delivering the vocal with the same panache as "Where do you go to my Lovely." This Peter Sardstedt classic once again got everyone crooning along enthusiastically. 

       At times it was unclear where the line between Pete solo and Finger In The Jar taking over the baton was. Anne Beeson had already joined him for the Furey's song and Pete took the lead vocal on "It Never Rains in California," but eventually out came the shepherds crook to ease him off.

        FITJ did one of the best sets I've ever seen them do. They introduced a whole raft of Beatles and 1960's pop. "Girl" was a highlight as was "Waterloo Sunset." Their version of "Californian Dreaming" featured half a dozen harmonies from the floor besides those coming through the P.A. Some great harmonies from FITJ and lovely flute playing from Anne,too.

         The interval came before we realised just how much we were enjoying ourselves. After a prolonged raffle draw(didn't win this time-missed the tickets!),it was time to wheel Drunk Monkey onto the stage. I have to say we had an absolute blast and felt we'd played one of the best sets ever. A nice mix ofsome  blues,a few ballads and contemporary stuff also got the audience singing. Their contribution on "Knocking on Heavens Door" was magnificent. They must have heard it as far away as the Railway Station.

         All in all £220 was raised,which will be donated to a local Altzheimers Support Group.A worthy cause and a fitting conclusion to a most enjoyable evening.