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Ridings Gig
27th March, 2025

To begin... another traumatic week on both the wider and domestic political front - firstly I think it's best that everyone is wary of mistakenly sharing classified information on this app as we don't want, as an example, those Houthis in Yemen finding out what our set list is for next Tuesday or, for that matter discovering how Mike S is currently out of action because of a bad cold. Meanwhile, close to home, Wakeylele arrived at the Ridings on a sunny March morning determined to make a Spring Statement of their own, with austerity not even a possibility.
Numbers were a little down on the norm due mainly to illness and holidays with the percussion section being in Torquay and the eye candy on the back row being thinner on the ground, (whilst not being entirely absent). I should mention at this point that Stuart had brought his friend Sooty along to swell the ranks, more of whom later.
With the band all present and correct in good time David was able to fire the starting pistol well before eleven and with no false starts we eased comfortably into the first set. However, immediately after the opener had finished Dave F nonchalantly decided that it was time for a tea break, unscrewing his flask and I believe also dunking a digestive biscuit into his tea, which rather unsettled us for a moment or two before we quickly recovered our equilibrium with polished performances of Chas and Dave's hit, followed by the ever-popular Bad Moon Rising and then the more technical Carolina in the Morning. We also answered a request from the floor below to sing Happy Birthday to 'Eileen' who was also enjoying a cup of tea and no doubt a piece of Battenburg as part of a Help the Aged function. Of the remaining numbers the powerful rhythm of High Noon rang out clearly and Billy Swan's I Can Help wasn't bad at all for a relative newbie to gigs.
Following an uneventful interval Pop blasted out his wake-up call which woke a few people from their slumbers although it may inadvertently have sent Chris into hyperactive mode as he eagerly jumped in before David at the beginning of one number, resulting in general ribbing from those around him albeit causing him considerably less pain than the real thing suffered by Rob's wife recently. Sooty also joined in soon after this general disturbance with a rude sign, although it could have been a v for victory gesture. (David had earlier weighed in with a pun about a character who could Sweep the floor with Sooty, further evidence that he might be turning his hand to comedy in September.)
Back to the real thing and Love Really Hurts was enhanced by Sue and Thelma's overlaying vocals before David caused temporary consternation and potential mutiny amongst the ranks by asking his wife to collect everyone's copy of On the Road Again. Fortunately for us she remained seated and thereby remained our favourite supporter of the whole gig. By now David was feeling the strain of keeping his unruly ranks in order and was looking for an opportunity to reduce the playlist but young Pop was having none of it and so the Wagon was rolled out enthusiastically as was Yellow River and the whole set ended with a real Zing once again.
In the absence of Mags, Val's contribution on bass was much appreciated and Rob's solo of On the Road Again added a bit of flair alongside David's expertise both on the uke and as leader. Joe was responsible for a band photo as well as offering his usual support and Jane returned from her shopping trip to take one or two videos. Thanks to all. Finally, to return to the issue of the release of classified information on the world stage, to paraphrase a remark by a U.S official: Good Job David and your team, the difference being that in this case we were delivering music rather than bombs! And... on the more domestic front as arguments rage over economic growth, prospects for future successes by Wakeylele are, in that one-man band Don Partridges words: Rosy, Oh Rosy - all being well!
Watch out for a set list from Chris for next Tuesday evening.

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