Songsmith Sessions at The Alma (Canjo) - My first time playing in a pub!! - Videos

The Songsmith Sessions are held every Weds in The Alma in Cambridge.I'd been along to watch a few times to see if I could imagine playing there, but was a bit daunted by the really high standard of musicians!!As it's getting so cold busking though, I thought I'd brave playing in a nice warm pub.Getting my little Canjo out, when people had been playing their super duper instruments was pretty scary, but it went down really well!A slightly surreal experience having people join in and dance : -)Tom was saying "Harold" as when I started it reminded him of the music from Steptoe and Son https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRaiiT3ZnJwI did three songs as well with a Cigar Box Guitar which I'll post some clips of soon.A really enjoyable evening, and good to feel it was ok to make mistakes - I forgot to put my capo on on one song, forgot to switch a pedal on on another...in fact I think I made some kind of false start on all of them, but it was OK!!The guy joining in is Tom Dalpra, one of the guys running it. Check this vid of him a few decades ago, brilliant!!! (he's the lead singer in the orange top) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEEYRdoLtUE

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Comments

bemuzic December 14, 2011 at 4:50am

lol!
Ice Bob December 13, 2011 at 9:45pm

we always say (the more you drink the better we sound) and the sooner we get rehired
bemuzic December 9, 2011 at 5:58pm

@ Pyno, thanks, I'm amazed that people haven't danced to your stuff!!!

@ Andomando thanks, yeah feels good doesn't it?!
ANDOMANDO,,also known as ANDY December 9, 2011 at 5:22pm

Well done,i know the feeling too well having played pubs for years..keep it up.
Pyno December 9, 2011 at 2:46pm

Blimey well done, don't recall us ever getting people to dance, great stuff
bemuzic December 9, 2011 at 12:34pm

thanks all! Yeah Keni it's weird, I was very nervous as the other people played really great and complicated stuff and mine was very simple, but as you say complicated is not always what gets people. Rhythm seems to have a lot to do with it I think? .... and making a connection. The novelty of having instruments that people hadn't seen before helped. (won't be able to rely on that next time though!)
Craig bluesbox williams December 9, 2011 at 11:57am

i second Keni Lee's statement!
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw December 9, 2011 at 11:53am

I think that getting people to dance spontaneously in a British pub is a really achievement (unless you had plied them all with free drinks first). Really brave. Well done.
Keni Lee Burgess December 9, 2011 at 10:37am

Nice. Playing guitar as performance art is certainly a lot more than the music. A song can be simple and easy, but if it engages the audience, it can be more powerful than any intricate or complex arrangement. I like the street and festivals much more than the stage. Being able to be up close and personal with my listeners, it a lot more fun for both of us. Judging by the applause, you did it right. Enjoy, Keni Lee
T C Blues December 9, 2011 at 7:26am

nice

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