FaB Club’s first anniversary
Review
This was a very special week, in that it marked
the first anniversary of the Fab Club
(or the Flab Cub as Jo Jo calls it…!) Claudine had made it clear that this was to be a birthday party, and everyone had rallied to the call and brought food to share. There were so many people there, that soon it became obvious that it was going to be difficult to get a seat and a floor spot!
Bernard added to the atmosphere with his amazing barrel organ, and
John New,
the compere for the afternoon,
set the scene by telling us of the phone calls he had a year ago from a “nutty French woman” about a new club in a theatre in Grays, no – not there but in a pub…not at that pub either…but
at the Orsett Cock….remembering Claudine’s perseverance in the face of the difficulties she had in finding a venue.
Simon Oliver had the first floor spot and sang two traditional numbers. To hear the Nightingale Sing is a beautiful song and a favourite of many, which was obvious by the way people were soon joining in. When a man is in love was the second song with another refrain to join in with – thus starting what was to be a really good afternoon singing choruses and refrains.
Claudine came next, and welcomed Vic that had come all the way from the Isle of White for the occasion! We were also sorry to hear that Gordon and Debbie are both unwell. It was thoughtful of them to send a message. Hope you’re feeling better! It was very fitting that Claudine should sing in her native tongue…as she does so well. Her first song was called To the End of my Dreams and it had significance for her, as running a music club had been one of her many dreams come true. The Calling, her second song, has become something of an anthem for her, I think, and it was, again, very appropriate that on this special day she should sing of all the places where she has lived and worked since she first came to this country.
Alison and Chas, from
When you see Maureen get up to do a monologue, you wonder what’s coming…! Won’t try and describe the first one called The Demon Ethel – suffice it say it was a little naughty!! The second one was called God and Man . Mick’s notes say that it was ..”anti-male propaganda”…. Nora thought it was rather good, actually!
Margaret had to get over a bit of stage freight today to play her ukulele, and sang two well known songs so that everyone could sing with her - Black Velvet Band and Streets of London. The first was the same song she sang on 6th February last year during the very first session of the Club, and as it has such a rousing chorus, we all sang heartily. Well done Lady Formby!
Big Bob also sang “joining in” songs, as it was becoming obvious that we were all in good voice and in the mood for singing… Never Mention Aunt Clare has an easy chorus to remember, but When I First Came to this Land takes a bit of remembering….but we could at least ….”do what we could”….
Bernard made this particular barrel organ three years ago, and it is a beauty! It has 70 pipes, 4 stops, and a “glockenspiel” – whatever that is…. Clever stuff or what!? He normally makes the rolls of music as well, although not the one he played today . It had various tunes, the last one being The Sheik of Araby during which John New decided to burst into song. Told you it was a “join in” sort of day!!
After the interval
Margaret and Barbara came out and …”drove the men wild with their antics”….. well, that’s what Mick wrote down to describe the very graceful belly dancing that we all enjoyed, men or women!
Jo Jo knows how to make life easier for the reviewers….she came ready with a piece of paper with the title of her song as well as the author! Take note, everybody, for the next time we are doing the review.. Jo sang Walk on By written by Hal David. With her clear and emotive voice she quietened the place down beautifully….You could have heard a pin drop.
Len and Bill had had a request from Margaret to sing “Fields of Gold”, a Sting number. By the sound of the applause it was a really popular request all round (It is one of Nora’s favourite songs, also). They combine really well, especially when Len is getting that very rounded sound from the 12 string guitar and Bill is adding lead. Their second number was You Have to Hide your Love Away and, again, everyone enjoyed it by the sound of the singing.
Bill Pardon was described as a “virgin”. Well, you get all sorts here at the “Fab”. He is a regular at the Hoy at Anchor Club, though, and brought us two unaccompanied chorus songs. The first one was called Old Mother Moore, and although not very sure whether this is a traditional song or not, it was certainly suitable to be sung in a folk club, in that Mother Moore is eventually found dead at the harbour in Leigh…proper cheerful folk song! For the second song Bill needed help with a steady rhythm. He asked for participation (clapping, footwork and the like) and it worked really well. The song was the Essex Boy Medley. Did Bill write that one himself? He didn’t admit to it…
Our very own Mike Parrot came next and sang the two songs that he’s been asked to repeat during the past year – the Fab Club song and the Missing in Acton one. The first one turned out to be a new version, now entitled Fab Club Birthday 2006. It has some added lyrics (including some good lines like “buy us a beer”) and a few changes here and there to bring it right up to date. The second one (alternatively called “without Trace”!) is a humorous one about
Cheryl and Claudine got up to dance next, and warned everyone to be ready to join in! At that point Nora started writing furiously, and Mick left the room!
Jo Jo decided to read what Nora was writing looking intently down.. However, some brave people got up including some hunky men who obviously knew how to move.. By this time John New had lost the plot..(his words, not ours…!)
However, he soon found the plot again and restored order by introducing Dennis, who showed us a set of four CDs that have just been released called Anthems in Eden - a compilation of songs in chronological order, from 1955 to 1978 by a host of well known names, including Dennis himself with the band he started in the 60s! (there was everything that afternoon – including commercials). Apparently they have been reviewed in the national press. A “dope addled” Dennis?!! We obviously know him better than the reviewer that wrote that without even bothering to contact him. Dennis went on to sing The other Side of Morning and a song about his beloved Ford Anglia 105E. This last one accompanied by a 12 string guitar (“my latest toy”).
After another break, it was time to start again, but time we didn’t have enough of, so we had to go on to do one song each…..shame, really!
Anyway, Mikanora had noticed that everyone was in good voice, so, after changing our minds several times, we sang an old favourite that usually gets everyone singing heartily – a sea song called The Mermaid.
Joe and Cathy took us to
The mental trip to charming
Liz, our resident poet, excelled herself by composing a poem in French and adding the English translation verse by verse (or was it the other way around?). She called it Le Ballad de Salon Fab and had beautiful lines in it such as “turn around, turn around, life passes too quickly”. Quite an emotional poem.
Helen announced that she was going to do a song that was “serene and ordinary”. Serene it was, but not sure about it being ordinary. Sweet Sir Galahad is a good song, and Helen plays the guitar in a finger picking style that suits the song well.
What can we say about Tone Deaf Leopard that hasn’t been said already? While they were getting ready Claudine surprised everybody by doing a stripping act, to reveal a leopard top. Mick has written in his notes that John New had to restrain several men. Really?!
They then sang a song in their inimitable style called “I’m a rebel with no bladder control” incorporating an amazing bongo solo and a bit of rock and roll.. Enough said..
Next came another visitor to the Club from “south of the river”. Chris sang an unaccompanied “pump shanty” and told a story about the risks of singing with your eyes closed. Always a good policy, say us..
Mo from Orpington brought us another unaccompanied song, and another chance for everyone to join in, because Rare ol’ Times is a favourite of many and has lovely lyrics that are a joy to sing.
At this stage Margaret took control of the proceedings and called Claudine out to present her with a card, a bunch of flowers and two framed photographs of significant moments in the Club’s short life.
It looked as though this was a big surprise, and Claudine thanked everyone for coming, because that’s what keeps the whole thing going. We all felt that it was most appropriate that some credit should go to Claudine for all the hard work that she has put in during the past year.
Finally we were into the last two acts, as
Fiona sang an unaccompanied traditional song that showed off her sweet clear voice, and then went on to sing a well known Beatles number, Let it Be. For this latter one Steve accompanied her on his guitar and we all joined in, as by then we were in truly good voice and well rehearsed.
Twenty four acts in one afternoon….! Something of a marathon, which John New described as ….”a wonderful afternoon”……
Review written by
Mick Turner and Nora Kelson...
