CRUSH UK @ The REDWING
So Friday evening came around and due to our new geographical arrangements; I loaded the gear into the car in readiness for the gig across the river later, meanwhile Rick and Dave drove down from London - some 180 miles.
It was odd because we normally play at least a couple of gigs over the weekend, but this just it was just a one night stand (or not in Dave's case, but more of that later).
As I beautified myself in readiness for my fan club, I noticed that the back tyre on my truck was going down - oh shit, an hour to lift off and I needed the AA (an extremely worthwhile investment). The guy turned up in good time, replaced my wheel and we were all set.
So, off we went, the Captain and Mrs Black on the 22 mile trip to the other side of the River Exe. Mrs B dropped off at our friends, Robin and Sara's place (Sara sings with us live and appears on the latest album). Meanwhile I headed down to the Redwing.
Surprise, surprise, Rick and Dave were already there.
Uh, oh. Dave was walking with a crutch due to his dodgy pins. This left Rick and me to do all the unloading and setting up. Dave's pre gig role is to take care of some the 'wiring' necessary to get the show on the road, so we had to cover his work too which was an extra bonus - not.
So, there we were, ready to kick off, but with Dave perched on a stool and under Doctors orders not to drink!
The Redwing, as you probably know by now, has been a regular gig for us for nearly 8 years. We have received a consistently good response form the loyal audience throughout all of our incarnations.
Friday was no exception.
We played a range of songs from 'Thing' and of course plundered the back catalogue for the old favs.
The place isn't that big and when the audience get into dance mode it gets a little tight in there.
There was a great atmosphere and time flew by.
At around 11pm the guvnor, Dave came up and sang the classic ‘Summertime blues’ with us. This has become tradition over the years and always goes down a storm. Dave was a successful singer in his heyday and still loves to raise the roof.
Then, despite her bad cold, Sara ‘Shania’ Corser joined us for the classic ‘Man I feel like a woman’.
We finished up around 11.30 having played numerous encores.
Then came the tedious task of breaking it all down.
We don’t have roadies.
By the way, did you know that Santana don’t have roadies either?
They have little helpers instead – groan!!
I digress. While Rick chatted up the female contingent in the pub, I got on with the breakdown.
I must admit to feeling rather knackered by the end and uncharacteristically for me was going to bow out of the after show party!!!
Common sense prevailed and Mrs Black talked me round.
Since the rearrangement of the band we don’t get to rehearse as often as we’d like. I thought our performance might have suffered for this on Friday night, but to my surprise and delight, the compliments were flowing thick and fast. It’s such a great feeling when you get such a positive reaction – it really makes it all worthwhile.
We partied on until the wee hours, listening to more Crush and Frampton Weller – as chosen by the host and not us.
So, despite a few hiccups, all went well and long may we all rock.
We’ll be back to do it all again in May at the Barrel, Exmouth and Bishops Blaize in Exeter.
Hopefully Dave the bass holder will be back to full fitness by then.
It don’t get better than this……