newsblog on wakeylele website at bit.ly/4g7PHV1

Sub - zero temperatures, snow and black ice, covid rates increasing, energy bills rising, ringworm outbreaks in men using dodgy barbers, (not to mention Storm Bert looming ominously over the Atlantic) - looks like the British winter has arrived earlier than usual. As Frankie Howerd might have opined, "Woe, woe and thrice woe!" But not to worry as Wakeylele were back at the Ridings to banish any feelings of gloom and bring back memories of lazing on beaches in Bridlington, Barbados or Blackpool.
As the band arrived in the Ridings they found it was already dazzling its customers with bold Christmas displays - indeed there was a festive golden reindeer set - up behind us but the Wakeylele CEO had decided to keep the glitter material on hold until December thereby trusting that the punters will be champing at the reins as the big day approaches.
As the title of this report implies there was no shortage of drama before the gig with treacherous overnight black ice resulting in numerous cases of falls or narrow escapes with Linda's expensive uke taking the brunt, but better wood than bone splintering; Chris’s new hip will also be grateful that he decided to stay put in his house.
With everyone in place in good time David was ready to start 10 minutes before the scheduled time of 11 a.m, beginning with birthday greetings to Beryl and Barbara and it soon became obvious that the band were in tip - top form with encouraging support from the rapidly swelling numbers of shoppers whose smiles and keen faces reflected the feeling that the season of goodwill had arrived, reinforced by the regular sound of coins dropping into the buckets of our Yorkshire Air Ambulance partners. The only blemish was a slight hesitation during the Blackpool Belle song with David testing our ability to adapt quickly to unexpected variations but such is the breadth of experience within the band that this was shrugged off as if nothing was amiss (see video). As with all live performances in shopping centres footfall varies all the time and so following a near perfect performance of Come Up and See Me, Dave F commented that we had stunned them into silence whereas other numbers such as From a Jack to a King was received with whooping from the floor above.
Having seemingly zoomed through to the break, we had time for a generous break and for those who partook of cafe refreshments one advantage of the usual below par indoor temperatures was that hot drinks cooled down quickly enough to return to the action without the need to apply savlon to blistered lips.
At the resumption of the second half Pop announced our presence to those shoppers in M &S who may have been pondering whether to buy Uncle Basil a tin of shortbread or a box of Belgium Truffles for Christmas and so we were back at full throttle and that's how it remained through to the end. Melvyn enjoyed playing Wagon Wheel so much that he wanted to do it again and glancing round at the commitment etched onto the band's faces during this classic I could see why and if further endorsement was needed, I even spotted Mike S picking on his banjo to the words ' I pick a banjo now!'
As the end approached two ladies stayed to watch and listen with obvious enthusiasm and before departing double - checked on our December date in the Ridings and we even had a black labrador guide dog wagging its tail like a windmill as we tore through the Old Time Medley to wrap up proceedings and leave a warm glow to replace the previous arctic air although Maria as well prepared as ever had earlier issued hand warmers to those of us suffering with white or blue fingers.( She also has some footwarmers which is a bit hush hush so no forming a queue at the next gig as they are in short supply.)
There was the usual masterly performance from our leader together with an appreciative dipping of his hat at the end, a great show from Mags with Linda's support on percussion and Val on bass and a good showing of support from family and friends too. Lastly, a big thank you to Mike H who kindly took an extra trip into town to sort out free parking passes and thus avoid the prospect of the need to download an app for the new-fangled pay machines.
Next up is the Wentbridge House Hotel on 13th December, details to follow. ... See MoreSee Less

2nd visit to Xscape Castleford this Autumn

bit.ly/4fS3sY2 ... See MoreSee Less

wakeylele at xscape Oct 2024
by Phil Barr

News Blog bit.ly/3zVVeyJ

The band arrived at X-Scape looking in fine fettle on a glorious October morning although what the poet Keats would have made of this massive concrete jungle is another matter – maybe he could have thought of a suitable rap to capture the frenetic scene which greeted us with huge numbers of shoppers arriving in cars to indulge in retail and leisure therapy. Still, better to be seen and heard in a throbbing shopping mall than not at all, especially with the aid of our recent hi – tech equipment and expert team of sound engineers with Joe, David and Rob lending expert ears to the sound checks with Sue providing the vocal samples. As for what Roy calls eye candy, there was plenty of that on show too with the welcome return to live performances of Pop, looking resplendent in a pink scarf and sitting (comfortably it is to be hoped) on the front row, along with cool waistcoats and / or hats from the likes of Mike S, John, Stuart, Dave Blackburn and Dave F, both Daves also having kindly volunteered to be roadies/pack horses for the day. Val, meanwhile sported her fetching music motifs tie while Thelma settled for a white flower in her hair just in case Honolulu Baby was added as an encore.

With such a feast for the eyes, Joe’s grandson James had no trouble inviting the band to pose for a group photo before David took command of his now primed for battle musical troops and we were away. Another Saturday Night was one of the successes of the first set, helped greatly by David taking charge of the key change with his lusty strumming allied to He Man style body language to counter any white noise of which there was plenty. Daydream Believer also went well as did Hey Good Looking which needless to say could be addressed to every member of the band on their good days. The only temporary blip came unusually with the opening chords of I’m into Something Good but this was the exception with the much more demanding Doo Be Doo Doo Medley rightly receiving enthusiastic applause from one discerning group of spectators.

The interval arrived which gave Stan the chance to belatedly set up for the second half as he showed his commitment to the group having first filled in as a taxi service to his wife who is currently unable to drive as she recovers from a recent cataract op, Stan being wise enough to know his place in the domestic pecking order.

Before the second half resumed Maria was seen to double check with Joe that the sound system was still switched on as multitudes of mainly relaxed looking families approached, some on their way to various indoor sporting pursuits. These including the huge climbing walls just behind us and as Pop’s multi – decibel cry announced the second half had arrived I reckon that at least three climbers were suddenly left dangling helpessly in mid -air. Fortunately, though these individuals were able to regain their footing as they enjoyed hearing two songs about love and one featuring the dream maker in the sky, with David again guiding us expertly through the undulating tones of No Hopers, Jokers and Rogues a recent addition to our repertoire. And so, we continued in good voice with amongst more familiar songs, the Kinks appropriately titled Sunny Afternoon so that by the next number we were indeed feeling On Top of the World before concluding with a double flourish: The Union of … and the thumping rhythms of We’re Gonna Play.

Another gig in the bag, happy faces, satisfied customers, and according to an independent (ah-em) review just in, we were amazing!

A great effort today from David in another challenging environment, from the sound and video team already mentioned and thanks also to Mike Hindley once again, the YAA stall this time being adjacent to us with an enthusiastic young woman being in sole charge.

Next up for those who are available is a return to the same venue on Friday, 1st November. ... See MoreSee Less