Archived Reviews

It was a very quiet night at Cramlington with many of the regulars either unwell or away but the audience that were there were treated to a great night of fun and entertainment.

The support was ably provided by Allan Savage (accompanied by Jimmy on double bass in the first half and on guitar in the second), and also Jimmy & Carol who were joined by Allan Savage, John Redpath and Peter Cook. There was a good selection of Scottish, Irish and American songs.

And what can we say about The Amazing Mr Smith?

With a collection of home made instruments we were given an insight into the very strange world of Mr Smith as he played condom bagpipes, condom harp, cardboard tube double bass, Buddy's xylophone (with the stick attached to a pair of glasses and the xylophone around his neck like a harmonica), and shown a selection of funny masks and faces! We even got to meet the 'backing group' as they sang 'Da Do Ron Ron'.

He interspersed all of this with some very deft guitar work encompassing jazz, classical, blues (and the occasional avant garde chords/notes). Mr Smith is a very gifted musician and he managed to weave this into a truly amazing array of comical interpretation and background to well known classical music and popular song.

With propeller nose he finished with the Dam Busters March and invited Val (of jiva) to ensure the propeller did not stop turning! There was much amusement for the audience as she kept missing the blades.

After great applause and shouts for more he ended the evening with a short serious piece - Bach's Toccata followed by 'Georgia On My Mind' and then back to comedy with 'Johnny Remember Me'.

A great night, a great laugh, great fun.

jiva