It's one of those rare moments when I'm actually glad that I washed up on the dubious shore that is f***book.
No sooner had I become friends with my old mate, I found myself; along with a few other like minded old friends & miscreants, on the bus to the Gypsy Hotel with his down 'n' dirty Rock'n'roll band THE ROCKETEERS.
From the moment we walked into the Lexington & ordered a large stiff one, (matron please!) I could sense that Mr P.R. Angel & his merry cohorts had created something with a real unique vibe.
From the chintzy velvet broccaded drapes to the 'er' healthily priced rare bourbon list on the wall, the place was aglow with an ambience like I haven't known for a long while.
Where better to start than with Paul Ronny Angel & Slim Cyder who treated us to a handful of songs. Most noticeably, the hilarious 'pipe & slippers man', the funky cha cha of 'Carmelita' & 'Down by the river' from the UVM.
Oh baby! what a start to the evening.
Before I go any further I feel I must apologise to the acts that I missed, for I was outside giving my lungs the much needed workout that they deserve. All thanks to Mr Lambert & Mr Butler. Not to worry folks these particular cigarettes are full of vitamin c & other such nutrients.
Onto The ROCKETEERS!
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| Whooosh! |
The ROCKETEERS wowed us with their high octane rush of old school rock'n'roll. Macca; you always did have a sense of the dynamic. Only one minor quibble & that is the Rocketeers weren't on for long enough, 'Twas no fault of thine own though my dears.
Boys & germs! if these cats are playing a neighbourhood near you, 'twould be a sin & a crying shame to pass 'em by. If dirty arsed, sweat soaked, stripped down rock'n'roll is your kinda thing, then the Rocketeers fit that bill like a pair of finely hand crafted Jefferey West shoes.
Next up was MISS MIRANDA the voodoo priestess, (it's all bloody go innit, hardly a moment to grab a beer & a crafty pasha). For no show at the Gypsy Hotel would be complete without it's performance artistes/ burlesque performers.
Now I have seen many of these performers down the years, some good, some bad & some positively crude, but this young lady oozes class from every pore.
Hey don't just take my word for it check out my ropey snaps!
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| Love this one! |
Entertainment comes from all corners at the Gypsy Hotel, even outside in the fag smoking bay. For I did indeed become involved in a wager with Mr P. Ronny Angel, as to whether his fellow Norwegian compatriot Mr 'Casino Steel' had in fact toured with the legendary 'Johnny Cash'. Yay said I, nay sayeth he! Well there was only one way to sort out this little conundrum. Mr P.R.Angel got out his blower & sent a text message to the great Mr Steel himself. Result? in the shake of a weasels tail Mr Casino Steel responded in fine fashion, verifying that yours truly, Mr Flash Tightpocket was indeed the winner.
I'll collect next time we meet Mr Angel!
Onwards & upwards; the beautiful retro swinging blue sound of
FLORENCE JOELLE'S KISS OF FIRE.
Aaahhhh, what a great sound, what a great voice, I've just ordered the album on the strength of it.
As you can see my fluffy little cherubs, the pictures were getting lesser in quantity as the evening wore on. What's that I hear you say 'thank god? Nothing whatsoever to do with the consumption of varied liquid refreshments!
KATY PRADO & THE MAMBOLEROS provided us with; in their own words 'Latino Rockabilly cha cha Bizzness.
By this time yours truly was seriously flagging. Red bull on an intravenous drip being the only option.
I only managed to catch the back end of EMPRESS STAH & maybe I should have worded that better.
I just can't help but wonder what the shooting of cream & silly string is supposed to represent!!??!!
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| I say; what sorcery is this? |
What a thoroughly bloody great evening we had, bumping into friends old & new, drinking like it was gonna be outlawed tomorrow & witnessing some absolutely bloody fantastic live performances. All held together at the seams by the man spinning the tunes 'Scratchy' & what a sterling job he did.
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| Macca & Scratchy |
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| Doesn't anybody want to go home? |
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| It appears not! |
You could not have worded that any better if you tried!
Boys & girls, if you ain't yet been to the Gypsy Hotel. You ain't lived!!!!
CHIN CHIN.
