Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200

Subject: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 06:37 AM

This just in from Reuters:
A large party were enjoying a pleasant meal at Jagz in Ascot last night, with music from Sonny Black and the Dukes when the band was joined on stage by the guest of honour who took advantage of his new status as a senior citizen to perpetrate several hideous "musical" numbers on the stunned audience. Firstly he destroyed the Bessie Smith classic "Send me to the 'lectric chair" accompanying himself on washboard, and kazoo and then, having no shame, followed it up with Ledbelly's "Midnight Special", complete with train whistle. Ignoring the screams and moans from the poor victims, he then went into "Coney Island washboard". Throughout, the gallant members of the Dukes tried valiantly to accompany him. Keyboard player Bob Hadrell thought the key of "A" was the best guess at what he was singing in, and drummer Damon Sawyer tried to work out what tempo he was searching for. Bassist George Pearson valiantly plugged away in the background and leader Sonny Black had to sit down on his amp. to recover from the shock but brave trouper that he is, took solos on slide guitar. Just as the shocked assembly thought there was a respite he did an a capella version of Steve Goodman's "Ain't never heard you play no blues".
        After which he mercifully sat down and guests were able to finish their meals- if they had any appetite left. His appearance on the dance floor with his long suffering wife was an equally gruesome spectacle.
        If that wasn't enough, at the end of the evening, under the pretext of thanking the Jagz staff and the band, he launched into a terrible shaggy dog story that served only as an excuse to burst into "Blue Suede Shoes" which the band again valiantly tried to accompany. This ensured the room and carpark was cleared in record time.
        Ascot's Heatherwood Hospital spokesman reported that most of the guests had been allowed home today though some would need counselling for some time to come and there were some catatonic patients still in intensive care.
        The band were reported to be considering a tour of Germany (or Japan or anywhere) to avoid the possibility of a repeat performance.

RtS
(Who can now die a happy man….strangely, no agents have been on the phone today offering me gigs!)
For the ghoulishly inclined, I've sent a few photos (mercifully dark) to Pene Azul for the Mudcat Events page.

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Leadfingers
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:03 AM

The way some of these young whippersnappers behave when they go out for a night!!!! Late Birthday greetings Rog

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:08 AM

Roger, it must be realy wonderfuil to have reached an age when you can get away with that kind of thing!

Steve

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 07:17 AM

Late breaking news:
The hospital spokesperson added that there was also one person treated for a head wound. He said the surgeons had never heard of a washboard being used as an offensive weapon before.
The doctor says my stitches can come out next week, and my wife is almost speaking to me again.
In mitigation I can blame three other people!
Sonny Black for actually inviting me to perform with them when we were discussing the evening (of course he hadn't heard me at that stage!)
One of my former work colleagues who had seen a photo of me at the Stoney Stratford Mudcat meet and said he was looking forward to hearing the washboard.
My sister-in-law, who, for some warped reason, likes me to do "Blue Suede Shoes", despite having heard me do it many times!

RtS
(Still no calls from agents- but at least none from lawyers representing the club management, the band or the guests either!)

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 08:58 AM

You're lucky itwas your head, Roger!

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: GutBucketeer
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 09:14 AM

Roger:

I haven't seen you around much lately so Welcome Back, and Happy Birthday!

Sounds like a rousing good time was had by all!

Gutbucketeer
JAB

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 09:31 AM

I'm going back to the club tonight (if they'll let me in!)strictly as an audience member this time. Gotta retrieve the enlarged incriminating photo with the insulting caption one of my "friends" posted on the notice board above the table plan (which no-one lookd at of course!). Also one thimble flew off into the wide blue yonder during "Coney Island Washboard", need to see if the cleaners found it!

RtS

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: alanabit
Date: 29 Oct 03 - 09:34 AM

Happy birthday Roger. Here's to the next sixty!

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 04:00 AM

Jeff has now put the photos up, he's lightened them so they're more viewable (is that a good thing?!).
I went back last night,but didn't stay late, got a bit of joshing from the regular staff but I did find my missing thimble on the stage so I'm rattling with six fingers again.
Sonny and the boys are playing the Maltings, Farnham, Surrey, 27th Nov (doors 8.15, band 9pm, £7) and back at Jagz, Ascot, 13th january 2004 (doors 8, band 8.45, £5).
RtS

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 30 Oct 03 - 08:52 AM

Perhaps this is the place to post a little ditty I "wrote" that I've only shared with Amos. If I'd thought, or been more sober, I could have done it on Tuesday:

SINGIN' IN THE TRASHCAN BLUES
(To the usual tune!)

Woke up this morning; heard a noise out in the yard
Woke up this morning; heard a noise out in the yard
There's a hobo in my trashcan and he's skifflin' mighty hard.

He's a-rattlin' and a hootin' on a washboard and kazoo
He's a-rattlin' and a-hootin' on a washboard and kazoo
The garbage men won't take him, whatever shall I do?

His wife put out his washboard and kazoo in a garbage sack
His wife put out his washboard and kazoo in a garbage sack
But those good ole garbage men just kept bringin' the suckers back.

So in the end his woman really canned this man
So in the end his woman really canned this man
To end his noisy skifflin' she put HIM in my garbage can

RtS

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Roger the Skiffler
Date: 03 Nov 03 - 09:47 AM

Just had an e-mail from Sonny saying he enjoyed the evening! The man's a star (and a tactful liar!)!
BTW my sis-in-law naively asked how much rehearsal I'd had with the band!!! Rehearsal???? We don't need no stinkin' rehearsal (and it shows!).

RtS
(Back in my box now until allowed out to sing in Kalymnos next June!)

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Julie B
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 08:15 AM

...a belated happy birthday Roger.
Julie

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: catspaw49
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 09:01 AM

Skiff, I always knew there was more to you than cleaning bedpans! Not much of course, but something........I'm sure the recording companies are simply taking their time as I am sure they want "to make you an offer you can't refuse." You don't own a horse do you?

while you're waiting could you take care of #4 Ward here at the NYCFTTS? Just to keep your hand in......uh, so to speak.............

Spaw

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Amos
Date: 04 Nov 03 - 09:14 AM

Skiffle on, good buddy -- nothing I love better than the sound of a bright kazoo and washboard combo at sunrise, when the rest of the world is still asleep. Not for long, though...


A

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 06:23 AM

Happy Birthday Roger, I've got about 8 months to go before I'm 60.

Do remember though that you'll have leave clubs a little earlier now if you want to use your bus pass to get home - add a bit more time still if you've got the zimmer frame with you !

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: PoppaGator
Date: 05 Nov 03 - 05:07 PM

Roger -

Congratulations, Happy Birthday, etc. -- I checked out the photos, and it certainly looks like you had yourself a great time!

That's just the kind of pub action I had hoped to find on my recent trip across the Atlantic. There were a few interesting evenings, but nothing *that* outrageous or memorable. Too bad I didn't time my trip better and schedule around your 60th!

I'm still a couple of years behind you -- I turn 56 on Saturday -- but I fully intend to catch up!

Pops

Subject: RE: Skiffler at 60 gigs with Sonny 28.10.200
From: Joan from Wigan
Date: 06 Nov 03 - 03:35 AM

I read the title as meaning you had a tour of 60 gigs - that's an impressive tour! LOL!

Happy birthday, Roger.

Joan