Archived Reviews

Trouble with the stage lighting didn't prevent us from having a good view of the performers and Mike's fine array of guitars.

Ken Cross got the night underway and immediately had the ‘Cramlington choir’ in full swing with the Woody Guthrie song ‘This Land Is Your Land’. Then he switched to quieter mode for ‘Winters Tale’ and finished with the lovely Brian Bedford song ‘What’s The Use Of Wings’. Dave Anderson, proudly debuting his new Taylor guitar, followed. He sang 3 of his own songs 'Love Is Just As Crazy‘, 'Not Enough Falling In Love', and ‘Take A Little Time’. Great stuff.

Then it was time for the guest - Mike Silver is always a firm favourite at Cramlington, and he had the ‘Cramlington choir’ immediately in their element as he started off with ‘Fragile Peace’. He treated us to well known songs and also a few new ones including a humorous blues song entitled ‘The 10-15 Year Olds Festival Blues’ which was inspired by his observations at festivals. He also had a new guitar with him, a David Oddy, which looked and sounded great.

There was a short break and the raffle – 2 prizes, a copy of Mike Silver’s new CD and a bottle of wine.

No time for the support for the second half of the evening, so Mike Silver came straight back on and sang a mixture of his own songs and some covers interspersed with a few jokes and tales of his travels. The ‘Cramlington Choir’ were so enthusiastic that the rafters were just about lifted on many occasions and he even joked “You don’t have to sing all the time you know, I’m the one being paid”! But, joking aside he reminded us that he always loves playing at Cramlington and hearing the hearty singing from our audience.

All too soon the evening ended, but to enthusiastic whistles and shouts of ‘More! More!!’ he encored with 'Love Potion Number 9’.

jiva