By Jean Brandon

IN THE BEST KEPT SECRET since Adam were a lad, the Britannia lads staged this free concert as “Britannia BG Band and Friends”, with free refreshments, etc.

Derek and I weren’t aware that we were included in the phrase “Special Guests” so we didn’t take our instruments. We didn’t even know there was a concert until Wednesday when we went to see Bluegrass Etc. at Rainford. Still the Britannia Bluegrass Band plus the Rainy City Bluegrass Band (who also didn’t know until Wednesday either!!) managed admirably without us!!

The Britannia Band kicked off the evening with The Boys are Back in Town and proceeded to fill the first set with old favourites e.g. Stone Wall All Around My Heart, Jimmy Brown, Gold Watch and Chain, Salty Dog etc. sharing the lead vocals and instruments around as this band often do. They do some nice old songs not often heard, e.g. Blue Blue Day by Don Gibson and My Baby’s Gone by Johnny Duncan and The Blue Sky Boys. I would like to hear them expand more on their introductions as I’m sure most people listening like to hear the stories that go with a lot of these old songs and how they came by them.

The Britannia Bluegrass Band: Ted, Pete, Barry & Pat
Band details, gig reports and more photos

After Ted Costello sang lead vocal on Cryin’ My Heart Out Over You, with Pat Linden on dobro, Pete Mackie did a great job with the lead vocal on that lovely Tim O’Brien song, Like I Used To Do, supported by another tasty dobro solo from Pat.

I think that their recent “Successful tour of the Manchester Pubs, i.e., a little pub in Shude Hill” had overwhelmed them a bit as after they had finished their first set with Old Home Place. Barry said “Sorry folks, we had all the right words in the wrong order for that one!”

The special guests for the evening, The Rainy City Bluegrass Band - “All the way from everywhere”, finished the first half in their own inimitable style. The band was on form and used the PA to good effect. They obtained good sound balance with Tom Degney’s high tenor harmonies ringing out, colouring old favourites likeWe Were Made For Each Other, Foggy Mountain Top, Autumn Leaves, Amelia Erhart and Heaven. A nice selection of material followed with good solid guitar from Billy Degney (you can hear his powerful ‘G’ run in the ladies!) and Tom playing his own-made mandolin. This was ably supported by Brian Waterhouse on lead vocals & rhythm guitar and Trevor Jones on electric bass. Trevor also sang lead vocal on Me and Bobby McGee and Jubilee Road. After I’ve Still Got A Crush On You with lead vocal and a pretty guitar break from Brian, they gave us Blue Bonnet Lane in high gear with Tom on lead vocal (a rarity this, a singing banjo player!). “Yeehaw!! that was Bluegrass!!” They finished this first set with a favourite of mine If I Be Lifted Up.

The Rainy City Bluegrass Band: Bill, Brian Trevor & Tom
Band details, more reports and photos

This was a relaxed evening with refreshments provided by the landlady after the first half. Unfortunately Derek and I couldn’t stay for all of the second half but we stayed long enough to catch another three or four numbers by the Britannia Bluegrass Band and a small argument (good natured, of course) about the loudness of Ted’s fiddle in Barry’s ear!

Jack Griffiths did a spot frailing banjo on Cindy, Cindy and Old Joe Clark (no one ever sings the words any more) and we left after The Rainy City gave us In The Blue Ridge Mountains Of Virginia (complete with little dance!) and Arab Bounce.

I’m sure the evening continued in the same relaxed style until late. Much more ofthe same required!

Jean Brandon, Chester | Write to Jean |

6th Sept 1999