ACOUSTIC SHOWCASE 06

The Dog and Partridge was the venue for this year's Acoustic Showcase on 5th August. Landlords Neil and Terry (with some help from host Dan Lever) had drawn up a long list of invited participants and for nearly twelve hours a succession of performers stepped up to the mic.... a small selection of their performances, in order of appearance, is featured below alongside live (where possible) pictures. There's more work to do on identifying all the songs, there were about 140 of them - so be patient if you spot a wrong title.....all errors should be corrected.... eventually... any hints would be much appreciated. Also the choice of samples for each performer is down to me.. so any requests for change from performers will be happily complied with. Great show.

Lisa Forrest

Lisa has only recently started singing in public but agreed to take on the tough task of opening the show - and was relieved that the early audience was a small one (a bit of confusion about the actual start-time!). Later-comers missed a treat though: "Calling Jesus" , "Summertime" , "C'mon Billy" , "Star bright"

Rob Young

Rob's an experienced acoustic performer renowned for his nifty finger-picking. An injury to his hand cramped his style a bit for this performance, though you'd hardly notice it, and he's since made a good recovery.  "Ramblin on my mind" , "City Girl" , "Memphis" , "Love in vain" .

Daniel Lever

Dan was hosting the day (assisted by dad, Eric) and playing again (ten hours later ! ) with Van Diddley but took this chance to feature some old (mainly solo) favourites. "My baby just cares for me"   " Please don't go"  "Atlantic City"   "Unfinished sympathy"

Paul Dean

Paul, who mainly features in Out of the Grey these days, had been helping with the admin side of the event but made an unscheduled appearance to sing just one song  "Falling down" (and no time for a picture - the pixelated thumbnail is pinched from Out of the Grey website)

Eric Lever

Another unscheduled appearance (whilst waiting for Elvis). The old one took his chance to sing solo a couple of cheesy ditties that are frowned on by his more discriminating acoustic partner. "Take it to the limit"  "Sunshine superman"

Elvis Vordeman (aka Chris)

Elvis excelled as expected doing a convincing Led Zep imitation (Plant and Page) amongst other energetic stuff. "It's come to this"    "Beaches"  " My gerbil is a retard"   "The immigrant song"

Chris Evans

Chris gave an intense performance (especially for this time on a Saturday afternoon) with impressive 12-string work on a couple of songs. "Gets better"  "Astley Bridge"    "Prequel"    "I want to change the world"

James Donnelly

Another experienced and popular musician, James mixed his own songs with covers in a thoughtful set. "Now or never"   "Okey dokey"  "That's entertainment"  "Tie my wrists"

Cleetus and the Moonshine

C and M (first group of the day) kept things moving beautifully with Loudon Wainwright, Neil Young and Whiskey in the Jar. "So dogged down"    "Someone in the mirror"   "Strong winds"   "Whiskey in the jar"

Russ

Forceful and troubled as ever Russ was next on, in fine form with  "Witchcraft"   "No-one cares"   "Closer to the grave"   "Gonna get myself a gun"

Emily Cook, Daniel and Eric Lever

Before Emily got to do her own spot she did a couple of songs in trio.  "Evangeline"    "Oh sister"

Emily Cook

Wearing the first hat of the day Emily showed her songwriting as well as performing talent with  "I will not apologise"   "Welcome to my circus"   "Better things"   "Thankyou"

John Smethurst

Unlike some of us John doesn't need to look at his hands when he plays (as the picture seems to suggest) it's just that he's so animated and this was the only blur-free shot. His own songs were strongly featured in this set.  "Hocus Pocus"   "She throws a glass"    "Not wishing on a star"   "In France"

Tony Ray

A typical Tony mix of energetic covers (Bowie and Reed of course) and his own mini-epics.   "Mellow"   "Fistful of hate"   "Brainwashed"    "Strange town"

Kris Weatherall

Kris had a strong blend of old pop and his own material (see later as Nero)  "I just wanna fly"   "I think we're alone now"   "Scent of violence"   "Be my baby"

Star

Star is an accomplished regular at local acoustic nights and the set featured some of her best songs   "C'mon Billy"   "Help"   "Shush"   "Sing a hallelujah"

Pancho Ballard

The second (and biggest) hat of the day and an entertaining show from Pancho, his amigo and his Fender Jaguar. "Stay away"   The burro.."   "Oh no senor"   "Mexican Elvis"

Kev Bates

Kev was on later with Van Diddley but this solo spot showed what good songs he writes. "Northern soul"   "Dropped my biscuit"   "Break free"  "Quiksave"

Leaf

This was actually two-thirds of Leaf (and also one-quarter of Minions of Jeffrey)....whatever, it was a powerful set with harmonies and a (very) muted trumpet. "Every time"   "Grim as Ken"  "We are but flies"   "What's the difference"

Inbred Quarter

Two-thirds of Inbred quarter (making one-sixth?) gave 100% acoustic value - great guitar, great bongoes, great singing. " Taste you"  "Only a kiss"  "Only want me when you need me"  "Crossroads"

Nero

This was Nero's last gig and showed just what future audiences will be missing out on  "Skin"   "I'm allergic"   "Confused"   "Last song"

Minions of Jeffrey

By no means as tired and emotional as the picture suggests Minions pluckily overcame issues with guitar-tuning and  seven men round three microphones  to wow the crowd round midnight. "Carnage"   "Dole for T"    "Me no wanna"   "Mr Riff"

Van Diddley

On behalf of Van Diddley I can say we were proud to play out the night/morning with help from "Inbred bongoes" and Don on swanee whistle. Audience (and Terry's) demand turned the half-hour set into more than an hour so I've slipped an extra tune into the sample (No picture as I was busy singing - any jpeg donation gratefully received)  "Run through the jungle"   "Your feet's too big"    "Just like Tom Thumb's blues"   "Groove is in the heart"  "My girl"

Go back to boltonacoustics.com or contact Eric at vandiddley@yahoo.co.uk with any help re title errors or comment re sample choice