Before you know it, as they say, it’s nearly over; our traditional Gerry’s Night Off was a delight, with the fabulous Brendan Day occupying Gerry’s chair; a totally different style of playing, plenty of showing off - “Rainy Day Women #s 12 & 35” (or “Everybody Must Get Stoned” to give it its unofficial but more logical title) being given the full Boys’ Brigade treatment (Brendan Day Women #s 12 & 35?).
I have a significant memory of a bitterly cold morning walk along the shingle beach eastwards from Southsea the morning after the Eastney Cellars gig – the landlord Steve did us proud and despite the tiny, cramped stage the show rolled on like Symphony Hall – thanks to all who came (hello Max, Steve and Team Gosport) and particular thanks to our fantastic opening act – monster harmonies and great playing! A memorable night and some lovely beer called Invincible or similar.
By now we were back in our own vehicles, dashing through the snow, Part Two; I made it back home from Winchester with about ten minutes to spare. We’d heard about Heathrow being closed at the gig, but somehow stayed west of the snow cloud until Warwickshire.
Which leaves only our last, our home gig - Banbury’s Mill Theatre, formerly FolkRock Central. I have had so many corking nights at the Mill, both onstage and as a punter, that it’s always a joy; from the early Fairport Cropredy warmups with Richard Thompson, to more recent times (some of our own dear Little Johnny England shows, great Steve Gibbons Band gigs there – Martyn Joseph, Chis & Julie - the list goes on). I think, despite the appalling travelling conditions and very sub-zero temperatures, that in a half-full house we warmed the place up suitably and I hope we didn’t disappoint. I certainly had a desperately fab time – it was the end-of-tour go-for-it show and to Tony & friend, who’d already seen us in Winchester and come all the bloody way up to OX16 – Rob Wooldridge, Andy Leonard, many more, all together in a lovely bubble of Bob Dylan, Steve Gibbons, Fairport’s rhythm section, Phil Bond and me banging quotes back and forth…. A lovely experience to be part of – that’s why we keep doing it - thanks for your time. Please come back next year, if we’re spared. God bless the Proj, thank you and good night.
Happy New Year –
P.J.
