My afternoon at a blues jam. Or, "Crow's life becomes a little more surreal, pt.2"
Many of you will remember the recent account of how Poppet and I got to Brussels just before christmas. I thought that was quite enough peculiarity to be going on with, but something wonderfully strange happened to me yesterday as well.

So, a question for the musicians: have you ever sat at a gig and thought, "Wouldn't it be awesome if one of the members of the band couldn't make it, for whatever reason? How great would it be if one of them went into the crowd and asked, 'Can anyone here play bass/guitar/harmonica/noseflute/sousaphone/triangle?', so you could step up proudly and announce, 'Fear not! I can do that!'"

Common sense would suggest this only happens in cheesy scenes in Hollywood films. However, based on yesterday afternoon's events, I can assure you: It happens. It fucking happens.

Lengthy and self-indulgent story in replies.
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:44, 16 replies, latest was 15 years ago)

Lengthy and self-indulgent story
As my friend's Sunday afternoon jam was not running as normal, I decided to head up to the blues bar just off Regent Street - I do love the place, even despite how crowded it gets, and the idea of getting a chance to play at their jam did excite me somewhat. So I turned up, got myself a pint, put my name down and enjoyed some music.

Initially, the afternoon took a turn for the worse: I got a text message after about half an hour from a drummer in my one of my bands. I had a sneaking suspicion that the singer and guitarist had decided to replace him, and from his text I got the impression he'd only just found out. I gritted my teeth and resolved to give him a call after the jam.

Things picked up: I got up and played bass for a couple of sets, and then BrianHequator turned up and we indulged in that popular pastime of drinking beer.

After the jam, the venue had a band booked to go on. I thought, I won't overdo it tonight. I'll nip outside and call this drummer, then maybe I'll have another pint with Brian...possibly two...and see what the band are like.

Made the phonecall. Turned out my suspicions were correct: the singer or guitarist didn't have the decency to tell him he was being replaced until he phoned them up that day to ask what the plan was for the gig this weekend. Thankfully he wasn't angry with me; I resolved to have words with the rest of the band about their manners - are they not British?

The pint that Brian pushed into my hand as I wandered back in was very welcome. It was then that I noticed a few of the guys from the jam, including the guy who ran it, and word eventually got round to me that the band who were booked had completely forgotten to turn up. I tutted and mentioned to Brian that someone like me would have given their right arm to play this place, and this guy can't even remember to turn up?

The contingency plan dawned when one of them pointed at me and said,
"Well, he can play bass."
Suddenly I was at great pains to retract any statements I had made pertaining to the sacrifice of my limbs.

Half an hour later, I was back on the stage, tuning up Brenda and knowing that I was actually here to play a gig. Not just the jam. A gig. It was difficult to try and keep a slightly bewildered grin under control.

It was great. I could barely hear what I was playing, but people told me I did well. And they kept bringing booze over to the stage for us. After the singer announced it would be his birthday after midnight, they even bought up a bottle of champagne.

I had a quiet drink with them after the punters had all been thrown out and even got paid for my troubles. Possibly the most peculiar gig I've ever played. Certainly the shortest notice, emphasised by the singer occasionally saying,
"Can we hear it for the band? These guys have never actually played together as a band before," and pointing over to me,
"...and I only just met this guy."
And possibly the longest wait I've had for a night bus in quite some time, but I won't let that put a damper on things. I shall take my croissant in the drawing room now.
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:45, Reply)

Fucking brilliant!
This also means there's still a chance I'll be on Top Of The Pops one day...
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:51, Reply)

Don't stop believing, Roots
This is clear evidence that such things are still within the realm of possibility!
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:54, Reply)

Hell, didn't Lulu appear with Take That?
And you can't be as old as her, can you?
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:04, Reply)

I'm even younger bthan Chrissie Hynde
but there's no TOTP any more :(
( Roota zweeeeeoooooowm, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:15, Reply)

this sounds like a dream
well done
( Citizen Cavy Admires your passion for conformity, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:57, Reply)

Brilliant.
The night bus turned up!
( JeffTheDogFucker Can you dig it?, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:12, Reply)

Did you play "Johnny B Goode" and tell the bemused audience that their kids will love it?
WHAT THE HELL'S A GIGAWATT?!
( Colonel Dracula Two manky hookers and a racist dwarf, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:52, Reply)

Haha! That idea did occur to me
But I think if I'd done it, I'd have ended up singing 'Smokestack Lightning' and telling the bemused audience that their parents will love it...
(LongJohnBaldry, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:54, Reply)

That sounds like a great evening, it certainly makes my evening of chatting to a young lady via text message while enjoying ale and watching zombie flicks look pointless

( Maximinimus you stick around I'll make it worth your while, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:57, Reply)

Glad it went so well!
Proves the oddest things do happen sometimes.
( Amberl was stripey and dominated Europe, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 11:59, Reply)

In answer to the question, ABSOLUTELY NOT.
There were points in my singing career (using that word loosely) where the alto soloist couldn't make rehearsals, and I had to stand in. It's horrible. That's possibly because I can only sing "chorus" though, not having a particularly strong or pleasant voice.

I have stepped in to play bass at school, though.
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:01, Reply)

fucking ace story right here. :P
YAY FOR PECULIAR EVENTS!
(Poppet some assembly required., Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:07, Reply)

One word.
Acemans.
(Barry from Eastenders is, despite the words written above, not a woman, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 12:26, Reply)

That's awesome
I think I would comprehensively shat myself in fear though. You'll have to let me know one time when you're playing and I'll see if I can get down for it - I think Amberl was up for this also?
(berk, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 15:22, Reply)

It's the first time I've ever seen that (i.e., no band, improptu gig) happen, and I've been going down there for much, much longer than I'd like to admit.
Also, I must say, sterling work on the four-string by the Boy Crow. The place was absolutely rammed, much busier than I'd have expected, so possibly more than a little daunting!

(Apologies for my flit while you were still on, but I'm too damn old [and lazy] for blasted nightbuses ... )

So - same time next week, then? :-)
(BrianHequator was stretching owls, on, or around, Mon 3 Jan 2011, 16:24, Reply)