Tuesday l6th December 1997 saw The Britannia Band back in Chester Bluegrass Club for a Showcase Evening which, being the last before the New Year, doubled as our Christmas Party. I’d watched the weather forecast at lunchtime with alarm as a warning of severe weather was given for later in the day - a year to the day previously, when the Britannia did a Showcase, there had been a snow storm of mighty proportions that threatened to cancel the performance. At the last minute we learned that parking also threatened to be a problem - it was Late Night Christmas Shopping in the City and some of the streets we depend on were closed until 8.30 p.m. Fate was kind to us however and our little room was full of bodies and atmosphere for the pre-Showcase pick. The session started with a bang when a gang of young revellers put £5 in the kitty for a performance of Duelling Banjos with Chris Wilson on guitar and Pat Lyndon on banjo assisted by the rest of us, including Tony Keysell and John Prytherch from Abergele, Jeff Blythin, Ian Brittain, the rest of the Britannia Band plus several fans and supporters.

Ted, Pete, Barry and Pat

The pick was in full swing when Julie Cross and her young daughter Eleanor (who plays fiddle) arrived from Crewe - all the Bluegrass instruments were now represented! I have to say that although the room was full I was a bit disappointed with the lack of local support for our last Show case evening despite Derek and I doing an extensive PR operation beforehand. I can only say that whatever the reason they missed some cracking Bluegrass and a very enjoyable social occasion with sandwiches and goodies provided by John and Pauline (the management) and Almost Bluegrass

After the break the band cracked off in great style - their first number was the appropriately titled The Boys are Back. This was followed by a varied programme of material including something from the “country-side”, for example Stone Wall All Around Your Heartand I’m Goin’ To Love You Like There’s No Tomorrowand a varied selection of ballads which included On my Mind, My Baby’s Gone, Waltz Across Texas and the instrumentals Rag Time Annie and Orange Blossom Special, to name but two.

The Britannia is one of those bands with great instrumental variety - Ted Costello sang and played fiddle and mandolin; Pete Mackie sang and played bass; Pat Lindon amazed on Banjo and Dobro while Barry Flynn swapped banjo and guitar. They managed fifteen numbers in their one hour set and all were performed with verve and their own blend of harmony and bluegrass style. The Britannia were in a great mood and seemed to enjoy themselves immensely, finishing off on I Saw the Light, with the OBS as an encore.

A special thank-you to Fred Allott (our biggest supporter and "Guardian of the 'No Smoking' Sign") for not only doing the Raffle but also for providing the prize - a bottle of Brandy! A Super evening and a fitting end to our 1998 Season.

Jean Brandon. Chester. [ Previous gig report | Band page ]

Updated 23rd Jan 1999