Last night we threw caution to the wind and actually ....wait for it... went out!
That may not seem a big deal to most people but from our hermit-like Norfolk existence it was several light years outside our comfort zone. Normally the attraction of curling up in front of a log fire with two dogs top-trumps the magnetic attractions of night life in our village. Even in July.
We were staying at Big Nana's in Lancaster and went to see this bloke at the Yorkshire House, an ancient hostelry and musical attic venue close to the River Lune. (Tempted to say "Lunatic" but thinks better of it). "A Free Man in Preston" was one of my all-time favourite blogs before the invention of smart-phones led to the gradual demise of regular blogging interaction in the late 1980's. His UBOW ("unique brand of whimsy") always stood out from all the ranting and wailing in the "Blogosphere" and I was ever ready to devour the next installment of Bill Surname, Stella, Rex and all the other bizarre inhabitants of his possibly mythical workplace. More recently he has transferred his UBOW very successfully in a musical direction with last night being the launch of his "difficult" second album. Very difficult to classify musically someone who is one minute crooning a delicate self-penned ballad to a lilting finger-picked guitar and the next banging out a unique version of "Born to Run" on the Korg. It was great.
We sat and sipped our halves and ate Seabrooks crisps and enjoyed the support act, Paul Levy, who has a promising cross between John Martyn guitar and Nick Drake voice. By the time Mr J. took the stage there was a great atmosphere in the purple painted attic and he led us through a versatile set of familiar and new material accompanying himself on guitar, mandolin and keyboards. It was a lovely evening which we sadly had to curtail prematurely to catch the last bus.
I think we may have to get out more.
9 comments:
Sounds like a top night.
Seabrooks' crisps, not had them for years, yum!!
We live a similar life (minus log fire and dogs - we have to pop up the road to our daughter's house for those things). But we are looking forward to seeing Great Expectations when Moviola next visits our village hall.
Most years we go and watch the Swaffham Bullbeck Gilbert and Sullivan Society perform one of the G.and S. comic operas. We usually go with friends. On the way home we always say that we must make the effort to get out and about a bit more. Can't think why we don't? We really must...........
£3...Each!?
How interesting - I remember his blog. Shame you didn't have time to say hello.
#1son went to Lancaster Uni. Great to be so close to the Lakes.
Liz: Yes, must REALLY get out more. But it's so much easier in the big city where you can walk and bus to places.
John: They were very nice - and didn't have added Lineker!
Martin: WE had that at the Village Hall last year. Do keep up Grandad!
Mike: "Swaffham Bullbeck" sounds like one of the great Edwardian Actor-Managers. I thought there were only two houses and a farm there last time I went.
Zig: I know.Caution to the Wind. Only once a year. But Glasto Tix (as we groovers say) cost more than my first house.
Pat: We can see the snow covered Langdale Pikes from round the corner - clear as a bell!
Sounds like a great evening.
I know there are only two houses and a barn in Swaffham Bullbeck; but the barn is where the G.and S. Comic Operetta is held annually (yes really)!
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