DIANE TREMARCO IN AWE OF …
DIANE TREMARCO IN AWE OF …
GARY MURPHY BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS
I have always greatly admired fellow musicians and creatives and I am thrilled to be able to tell you about those I know well and those I have recently discovered . Please take a look at my Instagram profile for more of the artists I am in awe of .
Attending Gary Murphy ’ s 60th birthday celebrations a few weeks ago was both a pleasure and a privilege . Gary is a multi-talented guitarist and songwriter and we have been friends for many years , watching the same bands and playing on the same circuit . I have also performed with him at the Floral Pavilion several times . It is rare for Gary not to play at such a gathering , but that is exactly what happened . Instead , he hired two party bands and enjoyed the show like the rest of us .
DANCE INC . First up was Dance Inc . Many of you will recognise the lineup : Paul Bell , a seasoned pro on keyboards and backing vocals , whom I met via Mark Lacey , if I recall . Paul has been around the block with the likes of Kid Creole and Herby-Pops-Out , plus a host of session jobs , including working with Clannad .
Carl Daniel was on guitar . I first saw Carl in a band called Now Here This many moons ago ; He has also seen success with Bassheads , including recording Is There Anybody Out There , one of the biggest dance hits of the 90 ' s , reaching number 5 in the UK charts .
Lastly , my old friend Amanda Dillion . You may remember Amanda from a band called Crush with Brian Cummings . Her vocals are powerful , and her range is amazing , lending itself perfectly to this genre .
Apart from the song choice , which included classics from the 1970s and 1980 ’ s chart toppers from Earth , Wind and Fire , Chic , Michael Jackson and Shalamar to dance classics from M-people , Robin-S , Corona and K-klass , their exceptional delivery delighted everyone and filled the dance floor .
I really enjoyed Carl and Amanda ’ s interaction . They are like a modern-day Jack and Vera ( but better looking ). They sniped in between numbers providing some great moments . Very funny . All in all , they are a great dance band , extremely professional , and I would recommend them to anyone without hesitation .
INSANITY BEACH
SOUL JAM Next up is a band that I have wanted to see forever . Soul Jam . They are Jay Curtis , Jo Ryan , and James Franklin . A wonderful trio who love to sing the very best in classic soul , R & B , and Motown music . For me , they epitomise great entertainment . Their individual voices are sublime , and each one deserves to be on a national if not international stage . I could certainly listen to the guys all day . Jo , on the other hand … what can I say ? I could listen to her vocals all day too , but that isn ’ t what makes this lady so special . I haven ’ t laughed as much as I did that night for many years , and Jo was the main reason . She is a complete nutter . It began during the first song , yes during , when she put one of her legs on the shoulder of a former Mayor ! He was sitting down , but my word , she is flexible ! It was totally unexpected ( well , for me , anyway ). The antics never stopped . Her patter in between songs was hilarious , and her energy was ridiculous . The most incredible part of it all was that she never dropped a single note - unbelievable ! I urge you to go and see Soul Jam at your earliest convenience . They won ’ t disappoint !
PAULINE DANIELS I said Jo was the main reason for the laughter , but there was another . I sat next to Comedienne Pauline Daniels and her husband Frank all night , and we did giggle .
I first met Pauline Daniels at a gig in a small place near Ellesmere Port called Elton . It is tucked away near Stanlow , if I remember correctly . Anyway , this comedienne was top of the bill , and I was the support . To call her just a comedienne was unfair . If you heard the voice that belted out Lilac Wine and Send in the Clowns , you would not have thought she had a joke in her . I was in awe and have been ever since .
PAULINE DAVIES , JADE THUNDER
Over the years , I stole her jokes and admired her from the side , never dreaming that we would become friends . This talented lady has added yet another string to her bow ; she has written a play ! Is there no end to her talents ? I will let you have all the details in next month ’ s edition as the show is in July . Be sure to check back ; it will be worth it !
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