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27 Dec 02 - 08:17 AM (#853988) Subject: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Mr Red Just heard on the BBC that Jake has died. It hasn't fully sunk-in yet. I first saw him on the "Braden Beat" with quirky songs even bought the "Lah De Dah" single. He will be much missed. |
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27 Dec 02 - 08:18 AM (#853989) Subject: Obit: Jake Thackray - RIP From: Fiolar The death has been announced of singer/songwriter Jake Thackray age 63. Born in Yorkshire, he spent some years as a teacher and began his career singing and playing the guitar in folk clubs. His first album was "Last Will and Testament" which contained such tracks as "Family Tree" and "Jumble Sale." He had nearly one thousand appearances on TV. He is survived by his wife and three sons. Farewell Jake - you are in the company of the greats. |
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27 Dec 02 - 08:27 AM (#853995) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Geoff the Duck Jake was a great performer. In his songs not a word was ever wasted. I loved his eccentric turn of phrase. I saw him live several times over the years, and was never disappointed. A sad loss. Geoff. |
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27 Dec 02 - 08:33 AM (#853998) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Jeanie Oh dear. How very sad. Brilliant songs that will live on... whenever I see a nun, I always wonder if it's Sister Josephine. He was a truly distinctive, memorable performer. - jeanie |
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27 Dec 02 - 08:34 AM (#853999) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: mooman Just heard "Sister Josephine" again the other day at a club. A truly talented man who will be much missed. May he R.I.P. moo |
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27 Dec 02 - 09:09 AM (#854017) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray - RIP From: GUEST,Matthew Edwards This is terrible news. We are losing too many wonderful people. He was a fantastic songwriter, with a lovely sense of humour which just bubbles up beautifully in his songs. He was a very clever and creative wordsmith - some of his songs still uncover secret plays on words after many performances. His songs will live on, but he will be badly missed. My condolences to his family. Matthew |
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27 Dec 02 - 09:23 AM (#854027) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray - RIP From: Tig I first met Jake when I was 7 and teaching at Intake with my Dad. He was a wonderful man with unique abilities. A lot of us will miss him. |
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27 Dec 02 - 09:24 AM (#854028) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Tig There seems to be two Jake threads on the go! A unique person who will be sorely missed. |
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27 Dec 02 - 09:42 AM (#854033) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: vectis A wordsmith that could make you weak with laughter. Another loss we could do without. |
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27 Dec 02 - 10:08 AM (#854045) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: banjomad (inactive) Jake will be sadly missed, he could also write serious songs, ie. 'Old Molly Metcalf '. What a genius with words. Sadly, Dave |
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27 Dec 02 - 10:28 AM (#854055) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Ed. The (Unofficial) Jake Thackray Homepage |
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27 Dec 02 - 12:52 PM (#854117) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: John MacKenzie I met Jake a few times over the years, he was in every sense unique. I am very sad to hear this news. I'm sure that he and Jacques Brel will be comparing notes as I write. Vaya con Dios. Giok |
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27 Dec 02 - 01:12 PM (#854126) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Micca Sad, sad news, I saw him a few times live and always considered him as a gentleman and a witty and warm person, who always seemed a bit taken aback by folks learning and singing his songs(or wanting to) . another good man gone |
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27 Dec 02 - 01:24 PM (#854135) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Leadfingers I booked Jake into the Load Of Hay in Uxbridge back in the good old days.He arrived late and aged me ten years I think, but still gave us a superb evening.As has been said he will be missed but his songs will live on. |
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27 Dec 02 - 01:54 PM (#854148) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST,Jim If Jake could read this thread, he'd hate it. Tough luck, Jake. Whether you liked it or not, you meant a lot to me. Rest in Peace Jim |
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27 Dec 02 - 01:59 PM (#854153) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST "I love a good bum on a woman It makes my day It is palpable proof of Gods existence a.....posterior and also I like breasts and thighs and ankles feet and knees but its the tongue the tongue the tongue on a woman that spoils the job for me" |
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27 Dec 02 - 02:01 PM (#854156) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray - RIP From: Cappuccino Brilliant user of words. RIP. -Ian B |
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27 Dec 02 - 02:03 PM (#854159) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: brid widder Jake did us the honour of writing his own epitaph Lyrics: The Last Will and Testament of Jake Thackray (Jake Thackray) I, the under-mentioned, by this document do declare my true intentions, My last will, my testament. when I turn up my toes, when I rattle my clack, when I agonise, I want no great wet weepings No tearing of hair, no wringing of hands No sighs, no lack-a-days No woe-is-me's and none of your sad adieus. Go go go and get the priest And then go get the booze, boys. Death, where is they victory? Grave, where is thy sting? When I snuff it bury me quickly then let carousels begin. But not a do with a few ham sandwiches A sausage roll or two And "a small port wine please". Roll the carpet right back Get cracking with your old Gay Gordons and your knees up, shake it up, live it up, sup it up Hell of a kind of a time. And if the coppers come around Well tell them the party's mine, boys. Let best beef be eaten, fill every empty glass, Let no breast be beaten let no tooth be gnashed. Don't bother with a fancy tombstone or A big-deal angel or a little copper flower pot Grow a dog rose in my eyes or a pussy willow But no forget-me-nots, no epitaphs no keepsakes You can let my memory slip. You can say a prayer or two for my soul then But make it quick, boys. Lady, if your bosom is heaving don't waste your bosom on me Let it heave for a man who's breathing A man who can feel, a man who can see. And to my cronies you can read my books You can drive around in my motor car And you can fish your trout with my fly and tackle You can play on my guitar, And sing my songs, wear my shirts You can even settle my debts. You can kiss my little missus if she's willing then but - no regrets, boys. Your rosebuds are numbered Gather them now for rosebuds'sake. And if your hands aren't too encumbered Gather a bud or two for Jake. A genius and a gentleman... and bloody funny!!! |
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27 Dec 02 - 02:05 PM (#854162) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST It might be best to post to this thread |
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27 Dec 02 - 02:09 PM (#854164) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST But this tread is worth posting to too |
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27 Dec 02 - 05:43 PM (#854241) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Liz the Squeak This I don't believe..... I spent many a happy evening with him in the guise of various folk clubs and festivals, a more foul mouthed and alcoholic man never walked this earth.... nor graced it with such licentious linguistic acrobatics... He was the world's hardest act to light, because every backlight made him look green. Hope the BBC do the right thing and show again his wonderful series. LTS |
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27 Dec 02 - 05:52 PM (#854244) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST,Josh Amblest 3rd "foul mouthed and alcoholic" Not much to celebrate, huh? Josh |
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27 Dec 02 - 05:56 PM (#854248) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Liz the Squeak Keep reading. LTS |
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27 Dec 02 - 06:10 PM (#854254) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Tig i understand that there will be a reading of 'Last Will and Testament' at the Black Swan, York on Bank Holiday Saturday. Watch out for more details. |
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27 Dec 02 - 06:20 PM (#854257) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Morticia I am so sad to lose yet another of my heroes. |
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27 Dec 02 - 07:24 PM (#854289) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Bernard Bugger. Bugger, bugger, bugger... |
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27 Dec 02 - 08:50 PM (#854323) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST,yum yum Very sorry to hear about Jake's death, Sister Josephine will be sadly missed, A joy to listen to! Time goes by too quick!! Yum Yum. |
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28 Dec 02 - 02:24 AM (#854421) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: mouldy I was at Stainsby festival in 1986, where he was booked as the main turn on the Saturday night. Unfortunately he had broken his wrist and had to cancel because he couldn't play his guitar... but he came in person to apologise, and did a 20 minute set without the guitar while he was at it! What a thoughtful man, and what a treat! (His "understudy" for the night turned out to be Martin Carthy!) Andrea |
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28 Dec 02 - 04:39 AM (#854434) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Lanfranc Milligan, Donegan, now Thackray. I shall sing his songs and do my best to keep his memory alive. I do hope they spell his name correctly on his memorial! Farewell, Jake, you were a unique voice and talent. Alan |
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28 Dec 02 - 06:10 AM (#854446) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: John MacKenzie I seem to remember that he was a school teacher in or around Walton on Thames, in the days when he used to be a regular guest at Surbiton Assembly rooms. Knowing him as the sort of rabelaisian[?] person described above, I always wondered what his pupils thought of him. I did think though that I would have enjoyed being taught by him. Still, as he requested, sing him no sad songs, but celebrate the man and his talent. Giok |
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28 Dec 02 - 06:39 AM (#854455) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Sir Roger de Beverley I saw him once in a folk club in Southwell, Nottinghamshire. However, can anyone remember a one off TV show several years ago - late night on one of the Northern ITV channels such as Yorkshire or Tyne Tees - in which Jake and American songwriter John D Loudermilk sat either side of a crate of brown ale and talked and swapped songs for about an hour. Priceless TV and I sometimnes think that I imagined it because I have never found anyone else who ever saw it. R |
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28 Dec 02 - 11:12 AM (#854531) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Harry Basnett Remember one night when Jake was appearing at Grange Arts in Oldham.A lovely, gentle, laid-back evening...when everyone went to the bar at the interval Jake said: "Don't rush your drinks...when you're all back I'll start the second-half.." A very nice, gentle man........ Good night, Jake... Harry Basnett. |
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28 Dec 02 - 11:39 AM (#854552) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: alanabit Without doubt one of the best comedy songwriters ever to come from our island. I'll always smile when I remember him - which is what he wanted. |
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28 Dec 02 - 01:52 PM (#854618) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Peter K (Fionn) Too bad. And he can't have been that old. (A folk club in Southwell Sir Roger? Where was that, then? |
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28 Dec 02 - 02:04 PM (#854623) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Sir Roger de Beverley Can't remember the name of the pub that it was in. I worked at the agricultural college there from '75 to '78 - the club was on a Sunday night and was run by Denis Sabey who had been involved with the Topic in its early years. R |
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29 Dec 02 - 02:45 AM (#854864) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: sed "Up My Family Tree, there hangs my curious pedigree, my long and lurid ancestry, the prancing phantoms and ghosts of my rude forefathers, nevertheless despite their sins, bless my kids and bless my kins, there they perch for all to see, up my, up my family tree." I found the lp that contained that song and lots of other classics in the $1. bin at Al Lawrence's Hi Fi Shop in Birmingham, AL about 1969 or 1970 and played it over and over for years. I never met anyone who had ever heard of Jake Thackery until recently but recognize his strong influence on my musical tastes. I paid attention to Jake before I really realized what Gilbert and Sullivan had written generations before. Jake's songs are like no others. He was a man who could touch serious social issues with great fun: Caroline Diggiby Pratt, for instance. Finger In A Hole, is another. He has some fraternal connection to Flanders and Swann and Tom Lehrer, at least in his sophisticated use of language, sound and humor, but there was none like this British JT! |
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29 Dec 02 - 12:14 PM (#855019) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: GUEST,David Harris, Producer, JT Project. Hi Team, Well, thats how I have greeted the members of the "Jake Thackray Project" at Topica and Yahoo since May 2002. We talked to Jake, we talked to EMI, and we talked to MCPS. We made the CD. We sold out of the CD. And now the silly bugger's gone and died without even hearing his own copy ! We have about 6 Promotional copies left if anyone would like to review or play it on their Radio Station though..... (as of 29 Dec 2002). Our own wake will also be at The Black Swan, York but on Saturday 19th April 2003, the same day that the play "Sister Josephine Kicks the Habit" was due to go on at York Theatre Royal. We were going to be an invited critical audience.... If it happens it happens, but the booze up will go on with or without the play. I would like to thank every Mudcatter who contributed to the Project with either LPs, Tapes, CDs or anecdotral stuff. Thank you all very much. We have a few obituaries coming up on the Yahoo site as the various papers give their permissions, plus a really beautiful tribute from Ralph McTell. More will follow I'm sure. We are also hoping that EMI will keep their word when they told us they were considering releasing a new compilation in the New Year, let us all hope that it is sooner rather than later. Stephen Woof is the man at EMI Music I am told :) We have also setup a small Book Of Condolences for Sheila and the lads at : http://www.g8ina.enta.net/JT-Condolences.htm These messages will be passed over to Jake's family. Best Wishes to all Jake Fans, everywhere..... David Harris Producer, The JT Project davidharris@jakethackray.com david@g8ina.enta.net Gordons Page : http://www.jakethackray.com Yahoo : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jake_thackray/ Topica : http://www.topica.com/lists/jakethackray Edmunds Page : http://www.soc.surrey.ac.uk/~scs1ec/jakethackray.html |
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29 Dec 02 - 12:18 PM (#855020) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: GUEST,David Harris Just wanted to correct the spelling of Jake's surname..... THACKRAY OK ? Should have done it before, sorry.... Ta, DH |
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29 Dec 02 - 01:52 PM (#855088) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: harvey andrews FADING VOICES Fading voices all around Still I hear their joyful sound Once they stood beside me when We were young and singing then Songs that came like shooting stars To shine their light on our guitars Words that set our souls aflame Thinking all our lives a game Fading voices all around Still I hear their joyful sound The road, the girls, the sun at dawn The tunes that in that hour were born Side by side we took the stage And never thought we'd reach this age Some just gave it all away And let the bottle win the day Some just watched their spotlight die 'Till darkness took them from our eye Fading voices all around Still I hear their joyful sound |
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30 Dec 02 - 10:03 AM (#855234) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackery From: Noreen Lovely, Harvey. Thank you. |
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30 Dec 02 - 01:30 PM (#855372) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Nigel Parsons With no apologies, I reproduce the 'Obit' from the Daily Telegraph in full "JAKE THACKRAY, who died on Christmas Eve aged 64, was a folk singer whose surreal and lugubrious songs made him a firm favourite on such television programmes as The Frost Report, The Braden Beat and That's Life with Esther Rantzen. His distinctive Yorkshire tones, gravelly voice and hangdog expression were combined with a reassuring mixture of classical and jazz chords. These were played on a nylon string guitar (which often needed re-tuning in large venues such as the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall). Although he never allowed himself to be restricted by the requirements of metre, or even rhyme, Thackray's subtle wit always made up for any defects. He was not above placing a rhyme which might be expected at the end of a sentence in the middle, or even within a multi-syllabic word, thus adding to the humorous effect. His subject matter was quirky, imaginative and often bawdy. But despite being described as the "North Country Noel Coward", he insisted that his strongest influences came from the French chansoniers, particularly Georges Brassens. Indeed, his compositions were unique in that they combined the tradition of English music-hall with French melodies. One of his best known numbers, the satirical love song Lah Di dah concerned a new fiancé's declaration to his love, repeating the refrain "Lah-di-dah" as he assured her that he would put up with all her boring relations: I'll be polite to your daddy! Frightfully lah-di-dah,/ Although he always bores me to my boots/I love you very much. Other numbers had a reassuring feel, even when, they dealt with risque subjects. The Castleford Ladies' Magic Circle recounted how its members liked to indulge in a satanic orgy, then "pop off home for cocoa and The Epilogue". Another concerned a young woman with the unusual ambition of making love on all the monuments in the National Trust Guide: "Isabel makes love upon national monuments With style and enthusiasm and anyone at all. She's done Stonehenge and the Houses of Parliament But so far little Isabel's never played the Albert Hall." The son of a policeman, Jake Thackray was born in Yorkshire on February 22 1938 and attended a Jesuit boarding school at Dolgelly, where he thought of becoming a priest, but instead went on to Durham University and trained as a teacher. Having spent four years teaching in France (where he wrote songs as a professional aid), Thackray returned to Leeds, where he continued to teach for another six years before his work in folk clubs led to an appearance on an early morning farming programme on local radio. From there he progressed to BBC Radio's Northcountryman show, on which he exuded the Yorkshireman's love of his pint and of rugby. In 1967 Thackray was given a recording contract at EMI. His debut album, The Last Will and Testament of Jake Thackray, was well received and resulted in numerous appearances on popular television shows. At one stage he was required to produce a topical song each week for 'That's Life'. "Some of the songs were duff," he later recalled, "absolutely bloody duff, and I blush to think about having sung them." His second album, Jake's Progress (1969), received popular and critical acclaim, and led to a live album recorded at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in London in 1972. Five years later he released "On Again! On Again!", followed in 1981 by Jake Thackray and Songs, a live album. He also published a book of lyrics, illustrated by the cartoonist Bill Tidy. Thackray recognised that, although he was much sought after to perform at large venues in Britain and abroad, his work was best suited to small clubs. He once confessed, however, that he "never liked the stage much". In later life Thackray and his wife Sheila settled at Monmouth; she survives him, with their three sons. In his song The Last Will and Testament of Jake Thackray, he left instructions as to what he expected from those whom he left behind: No tearing of hair, no wringing of hands, No sighs, no lack-a-days No woe-is-mes and none of your sad adieus. Go go go and get the priest And then go get the booze, boys." Good-night & God bless Jake! Nigel |
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30 Dec 02 - 05:39 PM (#855538) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Tig Can't remember Jake teaching around Surbiton - although I was only 7 when he was teaching with my Dad at Intake in Leeds. I remember having to help shove him on stage at that time to do Old Time Music Hall with our local Arts Guild. He had fretted all through tea that he wouldn't be good enough. As 'Last Will' got it's first airing that night he obviously planned well in advance!! |
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31 Dec 02 - 06:22 AM (#855824) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: GUEST,fogie sorry to hear T'owd buggers dead, I loved his songs. Apart from the above LPs there was Bantam Cock as well. I remember singing Isobel to an am-dram group in Stokenchurch at a party when we'd just put on an Alan Aykbourn play, and they all loved it. Soon after the car keys were thrown into a hat and the party went its separate ways! |
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31 Dec 02 - 08:36 AM (#855866) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: McGrath of Harlow God, it's been a year for deaths hasn't it? Some you expected, like Spike Milligan and even Lonnie Donegan, but this one came out of the blue. It's infuriating the way England - or rather the small bunch of timeservers who monopolise the media and are taken as speaking for England - fails to appreciate great writers and performers, and lavishes attention on rubbish instead. Jake Thackray, I'd say, was quite the most adroit wordsmith in song that we are ever likely to have in our lifetime. And that's just a small part of it. If you compare the attention and respect rightly paid in France to the songwriter who Jake emulated and admired, Georges Brassens, it's absurd, and shameful. It's impossible to get hold of most of Jake's songs. Maybe something can be done about that, retrospectively. |
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31 Dec 02 - 10:17 AM (#855924) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Greycap Nice one, Harvey, remember Belize '76? Buggered if I'll fade just yet. Roger Knowles |
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31 Dec 02 - 10:27 AM (#855927) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: harvey andrews I second McGrath as to media! Hi Roger, Who could forget Belize? Good to hear from you my mate. Didn't know it was you hiding under a pseudonym. Drop me an E mail on your life, universe etc. |
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01 Jan 03 - 06:53 AM (#856490) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: BusbitterfraeScotland I'm on holiday in Australia (boring) and I'm sad to read that Jake Thackray is no more. I'm just wished that I saw him in Concert, and also I would loved to have seen in Concert was Lonnie Donneigan. Two great perfomers sadly missed. Tom PS When I go back to COLD Scotland I'll be playing Sister Josephine. |
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01 Jan 03 - 01:38 PM (#856669) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Tig Didn't know until talking to my dad yesterday that when Jake did our Music Hall it was the first time he had ever had to deal with a live adult audience - no wonder he was terrified!!!! |
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01 Jan 03 - 06:19 PM (#856873) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: GUEST,Jake Shields "However, can anyone remember a one off TV show several years ago - late night on one of the Northern ITV channels such as Yorkshire or Tyne Tees - in which Jake and American songwriter John D Loudermilk sat either side of a crate of brown ale and talked and swapped songs for about an hour. Priceless TV and I sometimnes think that I imagined it because I have never found anyone else who ever saw it." I saw it - I'm pretty sure it was on BBC2 and it was called either 'Jake n John' or 'John n Jake'. They just sat there swapping songs - I remember it as a series of about 3 shows - so at least one of us is wrong. I'm trying to get BBC7 to play some of his stuff via their message board. http://www.bbc.co.uk/cgi-perl/h2/h2.cgi?thread=%3Cmod.1041113631-27112.42%40forum2.thdo.bbc.co.uk%3E&find=%3Cmod.1041113631-27112.42%40forum2.thdo.bbc.co.uk%3E&board=entertainment.bbc7&sort=Te |
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02 Jan 03 - 05:36 AM (#857096) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Dave Bryant Jake was a lovely guy. I always liked his mock gallic style, and love both his serious and comic songs. I wish I was a good enough guitarist to play some of his material myself and think that one of the reasons that his songs aren't performed more often, is because they need those wonderful accompaniments. Wherever he's gone there be a lot of people chuckling - goodbye Jake. |
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02 Jan 03 - 06:04 AM (#857102) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: John MacKenzie Yes, not enough mention is made of Jake's wonderful guitar style, it sort of got lost under the magic song lyrics. The only other person I can think of who can make a nylon strung guitar perform like that is Dave Goulder, who can really make a guitar jump. Giok |
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02 Jan 03 - 08:07 AM (#857155) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: GUEST,David Harris, JT Project Wonderful News Folks !! EMI, yes *THE* EMI, have agreed to release a new Jake Thackray CD in time for our Easter Wake at York. They have asked us to provide the sleeve notes and a title for the CD. The tracklist will be as our very own Disc One ! To say that I am chuffed and honoured is a very great understatement. Thanks again to HA for the beautiful tribute earlier in this thread, moved me to tears yet again ..... Look out for what might be called "The Jake Thackray Project, Volume One" (or some such similar title) from April 7th 2003. Thanks also for the beautiful tributes in the JT-Condolences.htm site. These will be printed off shortly and passed over to Sheila and the lads, hoefully in time for the funeral. The coroner has reported "natural causes" BTW. Best Regards, David Harris david(at)g8ina(dot)enta(dot)net |
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02 Jan 03 - 12:47 PM (#857306) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: GUEST,JohnB I will go home and have a pint in his honour tonight. Cheers Jake, JohnB |
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02 Jan 03 - 06:56 PM (#857509) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: McGrath of Harlow I'm not sure if anyone has given a link to this remarkable site - The (Unofficial) Jake Thackray Homepage, with a discography, and the lyrics. I suspect there could well be songs of his which never were recorded, in which case I hope someone can track them down. But there's an awful lot to be going on with here on that site. |
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03 Jan 03 - 03:18 AM (#857664) Subject: RE: Obit: Jake Thackray From: Steve Parkes I saw Jake at The Elms in Aldridge, way back in the 70s. He wouldn't stad on the stage as he thought it was too far away from the audience (and there weren't too many of us), so he sat on the edge of the apron and chatted between songs. It was just like having an old mate drop by, and as unlike a formal concert as you could imagine. What a smashing bloke! Steve |