| Posted: 21 November 2010 at 10:50pm | IP Logged
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Friday Nov 19 2010
Wafted “By the Power of Easy Jet,” (almost as entertaining as the almost eponymous song,) the royal residence of Mersea Island, not to mention Westcliffe and Southend on Sea, the (last) resort of busking musicians eking out a living, passed all but unnoticed, miles beneath, as the plane commenced the descent into Gatwick. On the port side, the “Garden of England” was laid out in it’s entirety below us, the sporadic fog lying like patches of ruffled melting snow below a clear, sunny sky. Despite promises of fog and near-freezing temperatures at our destination, it was warming sun that greeted us upon disembarkation. The welcome became warmer still once, after two faultless changes on the rail network, I arrived at the sweeping drive of “Lockwood Villas”, that was to be my place of hospitality for the night.
Auspiciously, the visiting Dutch, South African Ambassador to Swaziland, L.B. had just arrived, and with the further unexpected arrival shortly after, of a jobbing drummer looking for a gig, calling himself T.T., the party was complete. Ms Z clothed us in fine linen (T shirts), emblazoned with strange and wonderful designs, then banished us to the comfort of the guest lounge, where we were lovingly applied with coffee and Earl Grey Tea, and smoked chicken sandwiches which we greatly appreciated, whilst silken cats rubbed past our knees.
We were made to watch a film of ethnic (ethnic to somewhere) music of an extravagant nature, from a band that, it turned out, were playing that evening in the vicinity. Due to a minor misunderstanding on the part of the Dutch Ambassador, L.B., there was a “sticky” moment when the aforementioned asked T.T. if he attended all of this bands concerts. Inspired by this notion, however, T.T. resolved to set off immediately for neighbouring Kingston to see if he could indeed offer his services, and kindly offered to take L.B. and myself along as well, for moral support and free roadie service.
Well, not only did he get his gig, but what an evening it was! Songs with a romping energy were occasionally interspersed with quieter numbers, to rest tired limbs and fingers. At times, the lead singer appeared quite agitated, even departing the stage on occasions, possibly feeling threatened by the lively antics going on in the front of the audience, which at times looked like developing into a surge onto the stage. T:T: certainly proved his own worth on the sticks, underpinning the whomping bass, the tightly fluid guitar, and the cosmic synthesizer tones that earmarked many of the numbers played. As a sign of appreciation, he was duly sent to Coventry by the band.
It turns out, the band were something big thirty years ago, even seminal in the 70’s (although some look suspiciously young for that…). They certainly still went down well in Kingston on the 19th , judging by audience enthusiasm before and after the show
It was great to be there, to make friendships more real, as well as enjoying the music first hand. Thank you to all who inspired it, welcomed us, or who were just nice. J Oh, the band’s name..? You know it! Its on the tip of your tongue! Just open your mouth and let the words come: “We are ….. … …. !”
Edited by Seagull - 21 November 2010 at 10:51pm
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... need some time to think.
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After The Fire Forums : ATF Gigs
Topic: Kinsmeadow Gig
