As you might expect, the concert was very moving, and the place was packed out (one head count suggested that over 250 people were there, at one point, who knows who came in and out, in a room for 150). People started gathering at 4, Inobu arrived in black and white, with his camera (black and white pictures?), then MMArio, Tinker, Valerie, Jeri, Tony Burns, all kinds of Mudcatters swarming the place, and a myriad others. By 9 o'clock we were only an hour behind, which was pretty good, and the formal performances stopped at 11:30 -- certainly when I left at midnight, Mudcatter Marion was only starting to jam.

Hard to pick out highlights. So many of Rick's friends and colleagues came (see the list above), played, sang songs he would have liked to hear (Tony Quarrington played a particularly fine classicalish suite of Rick's favourite songs. Mudcatter Jeri did herself proud, following the Puffins (you try and follow a five piece band!). La Swanna (p.j.) did her bodhran/mouth music spectacular, blew the place away.   

The highlight of the evening for me was the eulogy given by Mose Scarlett. It was the best eulogy I have ever heard -- the audience was alternatively in tears and laughing, which is the best way to go.

Reference was made during the evening more than once to the extraordinary response that Mudcatters flooded the place with during the CD release event a couple of months ago; and it was a great source of pride to those of who knew, and still know, what this community is capable of.

yours,

Peter T.