OMS No 263 was a laid back event with an easy atmosphere, plenty of space, great music & the opportunity to play several times for those who wanted to. Mand & Craig compered, so Craig & Mark H kicked off tonight’s music with an old favourite of Mark’s, We Can’t Make It Here Any More’ (but I think they can… great to hear Craig up & playing from the stage at last!) Next Jonathan played the blues with one of those metal slidey things (that is the correct technical musical term) on his finger, & a very dusty guitar. Then Gloria took us along Canal Street ‘...I’m lost & now I’m found’. Cayn treated us to three of his excellent poems, including Trapped In a Porn Shop, (after he wondered in looking for M&S but found S&M. At least, that’s his story…) Next, Mandy & Liz with Mandy’s Time. Alice Jane played a familiar song, renamed from the dodgy-sounding Pawn (not wanting to follow in Cayn’s footsteps…) to Arrows. Jay gave us Crazy, by request, then Mark was back with Nobody Here. Keeping it in the family, Alice Jane was next with a song of great beauty… ‘I can’t breathe, let me go, let me be…’ my favourite of her songs, I think, but how do you choose? Liz & Andy next, with Printemps, a work in progress. Next Gloria again,with her own take on the ultimate powerful feel-good song (is there a theme here Gloria?) Feeling Good. One of my personal all-time favourite songs, but I’ve never heard it played as a folk song before – brilliant!

After the beer break, Craig put his hat on the floor to collect for himself & Bex playing Bex’ new song, ‘All I’ve Got To Spend Is Time’ (the cleaned up version with references to ‘doing it in a toilet’ removed at Andy’s request…) It’s true too, poor girl couldn’t afford to buy herself a beer… Next we had newcomer Fiona on flute, a mellow sound, slow and melodic. Hope to hear more from her soon. Jay returned with an emotional rendition of Tracy Chapman’s Fast Car, Then Mandy with another old favourite Oh Boy. Bex, Liz & Andy had a laugh with California Dreaming (literally – forgot the words & got the giggles – back to the drawing board!) then Tom Cleary got up and read the moving In My Craft Or Sullen Art – a first I think from this OMS old-timer. Gloria returned to the stage with a collaboration between herself and Will Shakespeare – her version of Sonnet No.91. Jonathan again on his now dust-free sparkling silver guitar then the Amazing dancing fingers of Andy Weatherhead, crying in his beer. Great end to a great evening.

Upcoming events –

Cayn is performing at a Charity Fundraiser at the Shay in Halifax, Jan 26th 1 pm till late.

Alice Jane has a gig & CD launch at the Trades Club Dec 23rd, with Scott Olgarde

And don’t miss the OMS Xmas Party in two weeks, Dec 19th. Big raffle, free food, & a free drink for performers.

Liz