A balmy Chester evening saw the Doghouse assemble to entertain the bright young things that frequent this popular night spot. Not being due to start until 10:30pm, there was plenty of time for a few pre-show drinks and socialising while we celebrated Gilly's 50th birthday - I wish I could say this had been specially arranged, but it hadn't so I won't- but it was a good excuse for an impromptu party with our favourite skiffle trio from Hull.
At the appointed hour then we gathered in front of the small stage in a low ceilinged room to the side of a packed but noisy bar, and witnessed the DSG in another mode altogether. Unable to communicate directly with most of the audience, many of whom were still in the bar, Garry was forced to leave out much of the between song banter and let the music do the talking. Reviving the old favourites and applying their own peculiar style of skifflisation to modern classics, the band played their hearts out and pretty soon the room was full, as the crowd came over to see what on earth was going on. At the front meantime, we were dancing the night away in a whirl of bright lights, very loud music and lots of gyrating bodies - and all in a very confined, very hot space! "Sixteen Tons", "Rock Island Line", "Train, Train", "Fulsome Prison" all churned out one after the other, Alan became the local hero for the several young men dancing away in front of him, as the crowd grew, Garry was able to work in a few quipps and got a few laughs. Soon the place was bouncing and "A day in the life" was rolled out, but the crowd was in for yet more treats when they got into the "The Legend of Jesse James", complete with held breath, reverse singing and the amazing "Bohemian Rhapsody" mid-section. "Cigarettes, Whisky and wild wild women" piled on the fun (complete with gigantic drum stick - my favourite bit - "You'll hear the bugger now!") and then ....
It was all over in a flash - the set ending with "Goodnight Irene", the traditional "Tigers!" chant being replaced by a topical "England!" at the end, a gesture which seems to have upset the management, but never mind eh? Once again the Doghouse had triumphed over adversity, a great show under difficult conditions.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment