MOTF SWITCHBOARD Gig Reviews

THE SOUND OF SIMON & GARFUNKEL & The Freewheelin' Bob Dylon at Plinston Hall

By RAY CORDELL

 We arrive just before 8, already having been texted by Bill to say he will be on stage at 8.15, the doors had opened at 7.30, and already the place was very busy, we managed to find some seats, minus a table, and settled down to what turned out to be a great night of live music.

First up, Bob Dylan, the look was great, and the sound even better, it could have been Bob himself back in his heyday. Starting off solo, then gradually introducing band members, it built and built, all the classics, "Blowin' In The Wind", "I Want You", "Just Like A Woman", "Mr Tambourine Man", "Rainy Day Women", and finishing with "Like A Rolling Stone", you do find yourself forgetting sometimes what memorable music Bob Dylan has brought to the world, a fantastic start to the evening.

 Performing songs from Sounds Of Silence right through to You Can Call Me Al, The Sounds of Simon & Garfunkel is without doubt the outstanding tribute to America's greatest pop duo.

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THE  WONDERFULS KEEP GOING

By Pete & Nikki 

That morning (Friday 27th May) , we had been on BBC Three Counties Radio, being interviewed by Jason Dealey,  so it was great having a pint and a glass of wine at The Peartree pub in Stevenage, and being entertained by THE MIGHTY WONDERFULS.

We hadn't seen the MWs for a while, and as The Peartree is only round the corner from us, we thought we'd go and show our faces.

As ever, the lads put in a great
performance, and got everyone up and dancing, playing 60s, 70s and 80s music, with the odd modern tune thrown in for good measure.

As good as they are however, we had to leave before the end of their second set, to get ready for an early start next morning for 'Pete Perry's Book Event' at Susie's Bookstore in Letchworth.

However, we would both recommend The Mighty Wonderfuls for your function or party, to make the evening go with a swing.

Love and Peace

PETE & NIKKI XXX

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Full of PIZAZZ!

By Pete & Nikki Perry

We had been invited by DAVE BARBER to see his new band PIZAZZ at The Residents Club in Welwyn Garden City. We were originally going to meet up with film maker RICH SMYTH, who was to film the band for a documentary, but poor old Rich had been to the dentist and had a tooth extracted, so we went on our own, and had a fabulous night.

We were met warmly by Dave's wife Nicole, who then introduced us to her friend Suzi, who, coincidentally, had previously worked with Nikki as a nurse at QE2 hospital.

The band certainly lived up to their name, with plenty of pizazz, treating us to cover versions of songs from Fifties Rock 'n' Roll, through the Sixties and Seventies classics, right up to date with covers from Kylie and other modern icons.

It certainly got everyone going, including Nikki, myself, Nicole and Suzi. (Nikki & Suzi pictured top left strutting their stuff). 

Mention should be made here of a 13-year-old guy,
 Reese, who suffers dwarfism, who was the life and soul of the party. ( See picture Right). I discovered from his granddad that he has had to endure several operations throughout his young life, and yet he rises at 6am every morning, and bounces through the day with amazing gusto and energy.

He was up there on the dancefloor, moving amazingly to almost every song, and even doing cartwheels!

REESE WAS AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL!

Pictured above: Pete & Nikki  Pictured Left: Dave & Nicole

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PIZZAZ consists of: ELAINE: Lead vocals, SPIKE: vocals and sax, RONNIE: keyboards, ROB: lead guitar, MATT: drums and DAVE: bass guitar. 

FOR MORE INFO ON THE BAND CLICK HERE

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ELVIS LIVE AT THE POACHERS!

By Deborah Johnston

Bill and I had seen Gary Roman, Elvis Tribute Artiste, before and had such a good evening I thought it would be good to get, Dad, Nikki, Viv and Del out as he was appearing at the Poachers, Stevenage again.

Elvis was on stage as we walked in and I must say he had a very impressive suit on and he really made an effort to look the part. We all tapped along and Dad was impressed as well, poor Nikki didn't feel that great but done her best to join in and Del and Bill were there usually clowning about singing " Love me tender " to each other while Viv and I rolled our eyes at each other.