It's amazing what Mavin can do...

Last night was loads of fun - thanks to everyone who turned up at the Andrew Mavin and Friends gig at Newbiggin's Black Pearl pub.

What was originally going to be a very small solo gig by Mr Mavin turned out to be a one evening music festival. Andrew Mavin played 2 sets of covers and some original tunes (including Weather With You, Just the Two of Us, I'm a Believer, America, Pinball Wizard, Substitute, Hard to Handle, Signed Sealed Delivered and others), and Andy Curtis played keyboards. I played drums and congas, and helped out a bit with backing vocals on songs I knew the words to. Sorry Andrew - I'll learn the words to Midnight Hour for next time! I'm rubbish with words.

We kicked off at about 8pm, and although the place wasn't full at the start, by the end there were a fair number of punters who really seemed to have a good evening (especially Tom - ask Simon and Rebecca about their new best friend).

In the second set, we were joined by the amazing Ali Reay, guitarist extraordinaire. It's always great to play with Ali, and I'm sure he had a fun time too - wonderful stuff.

Later on, after Mavin had done his main sets, there were contributions from some others. Christine Curry sand California Dreaming, The Look of Love and Don't Know Why. After this, a chap called Ben (second name and full details please anyone) sang a few songs, and he was great. Good singer, and accompanied by Ali and me for the first couple - I know one of them was Subterranean Homesick Blues, and one was his own composition.

Later still, another friend of Andrew's (Mungo?) sang a song of hate directed mainly at the work of Bob Dylan, and he was then joined by a friend who sang Have a Nice Day - which we were already having thanks. Hey and even the barman got to sing a song bless him - a Green Day number. At this point my ego got the better of me and I sang The Water is Wide, with musical twiddlings by Ali, Mavin and Curtis. Thanks lads.

The evening's musical endeavours were brought to a close with a performance of Englishman in New York - at one point the whole pub was singing "I'm an alien" etc. which was a lovely sound, and for some of them was literally true, I fear.

So rain didn't stop play - sorry we didn't have time for everyone's musical contributions (next time Brenda - and we'll get your band involved?) and we hope to do this all again later in the year.

Please feel free to submit your own memories of the evening if you were there, or an abusive review if you prefer. Thanks to Ian for taking the photos!

Comments

[Rebecca]

Great night, arranged to meet Tom on Saturday ;)

[Tim the Enchanter]

His name is Ben Blance and his site is at http://www.benblance.com/ I thought he was brilliant. Perhaps you could invite him next time too, for free, obviously. I despised the man who sang the Eric Bogle slur about Dylan. It was childish and crap for this song to even get written in the first place, but to perform (I use that term lightly) it straight after such a brilliant version of Sub Homesick Blues was purile to say the least. Yours, 'annoyed' of Cramlington.

[Tim the Enchanter]

Sorry, got a bit carried away there Jason. It was a great night and you were best, apart from Andy, who might read this, obviously.

[Ian]

I thought the photographer got in the way a bit, but apart from that a most wonderful evening.
I noticed you got to sample to food Tim, any good?

[Tim the Enchanter]

Quite good actually Ian. I was a bit cautious, and it was only a burger, but the bread was fresh and the side sald reasonable....and the beef was...er....cooked. What more can you ask eh?

[Mr .Mavin]

Sorry this post is a bit late, but thanks to all those who cheered / jeered and sang during the evening. IT was great to meet a host of new people and of course to meet old friends. I will be back soon ..... sorry!