May 2007
Review of The Swan 3/5/07
13/05/07 10:17
Review of The Swan 3/5/07
THURSDAY 3rd MAY 2007
The Swan, Leek, Staffordshire.
What a journey! a bit stressful being stuck on the M6 for ages.
We finally arrived at Leek, found a car park straight away, a free one a that! We walked out of the car park and asked someone where we could find the Swan. It turned out to be just along from where we were.
Venturing inside we found it to be friendly and inviting, but at first we couldn't see anywhere to go for the entertainment. We decided to go powder our noses! Then as we came out and were heading for the bar, we noticed a door at the back of the pub was now open revealing another room with chairs set out, and a stage at the front! We handed out tickets over, and were told we could sit anywhere, so we sat at the back!( only joking!) straight to the front. It was very cosy, front row was right in front of the stage.We were a bit worried about the large speakers being close by, but hoped as it was a small venue they would not be so loud! There was only us and three others on the front row, every one else seemed to be staying further back for some reason. We did wonder was there something we should know about!
People were coming in behind us slowly, but it gradually started to fill up. The sound man came in and stuck the running order down on the stage, that gave us something to look at for a while! The stage was quite small, and there was a light fitting right above where Dave would stand, this would be interesting!
8.30 passed, we had bought our raffle tickets, for a bottle of wine we were told! Suppose it was for a good cause.
Finally the lights went down, we could see the Cruisers waiting to come on. They were announced and took the stage. Dave arrived from the other side, from a door leading from outside. No curtain to
appear from behind, but still making a Grand entrance!
As always Dave gave us a varied show, many other artists you go to see will do a similar show each time, and you have a good idea what they will do, but with Dave each show is different and varied.
Together with the usual classics 'Crying Game' 'Little things' 'Route 66' 'Memphis Tennessee' and more, there was his lovely rendition of the Dusty classic 'Going Back' and we were also treated to both Beatles and Rolling Stones songs, plenty of rock and roll and his Fav Rhythm and Blues.
The Cruisers were introduced as always, John's son Chris was on Guitar tonight, Dave playfully asked if we could tell which one was John's son, as if you couldn't tell! Johnny Machetta took the usual stick about his age! Ah!!
There was the usual banter with the audience which always goes down well, happy to be anywhere at his age! and bed early with mug of Horlicks! Dave always seems to enjoy this part.
Coming to the end of the show, Dave left the stage several times coming back to do one more, much to our enjoyment. At one point he was joining in with the Cruisers playing two steel trays he had picked up!( always the joker!) At this stage the jacket came off (slowly!) revealing the shirt! It was the Hands this time! One more! Yes we all shouted! There was a worrying moment as the microphone went up and over, pretty close to that light fitting!
Finally it was the end, again thanking us for coming, the applause getting louder all the time, he finally left the stage picking up the 'Mannequin' and jacket and leaving through the outside door for the final time.
Once again, Dave, thank you for a wonderful entertaining show, that left us on a high for the next few hours.
Bring on the next show!!
Anng
THURSDAY 3rd MAY 2007
The Swan, Leek, Staffordshire.
What a journey! a bit stressful being stuck on the M6 for ages.
We finally arrived at Leek, found a car park straight away, a free one a that! We walked out of the car park and asked someone where we could find the Swan. It turned out to be just along from where we were.
Venturing inside we found it to be friendly and inviting, but at first we couldn't see anywhere to go for the entertainment. We decided to go powder our noses! Then as we came out and were heading for the bar, we noticed a door at the back of the pub was now open revealing another room with chairs set out, and a stage at the front! We handed out tickets over, and were told we could sit anywhere, so we sat at the back!( only joking!) straight to the front. It was very cosy, front row was right in front of the stage.We were a bit worried about the large speakers being close by, but hoped as it was a small venue they would not be so loud! There was only us and three others on the front row, every one else seemed to be staying further back for some reason. We did wonder was there something we should know about!
People were coming in behind us slowly, but it gradually started to fill up. The sound man came in and stuck the running order down on the stage, that gave us something to look at for a while! The stage was quite small, and there was a light fitting right above where Dave would stand, this would be interesting!
8.30 passed, we had bought our raffle tickets, for a bottle of wine we were told! Suppose it was for a good cause.
Finally the lights went down, we could see the Cruisers waiting to come on. They were announced and took the stage. Dave arrived from the other side, from a door leading from outside. No curtain to
appear from behind, but still making a Grand entrance!
As always Dave gave us a varied show, many other artists you go to see will do a similar show each time, and you have a good idea what they will do, but with Dave each show is different and varied.
Together with the usual classics 'Crying Game' 'Little things' 'Route 66' 'Memphis Tennessee' and more, there was his lovely rendition of the Dusty classic 'Going Back' and we were also treated to both Beatles and Rolling Stones songs, plenty of rock and roll and his Fav Rhythm and Blues.
The Cruisers were introduced as always, John's son Chris was on Guitar tonight, Dave playfully asked if we could tell which one was John's son, as if you couldn't tell! Johnny Machetta took the usual stick about his age! Ah!!
There was the usual banter with the audience which always goes down well, happy to be anywhere at his age! and bed early with mug of Horlicks! Dave always seems to enjoy this part.
Coming to the end of the show, Dave left the stage several times coming back to do one more, much to our enjoyment. At one point he was joining in with the Cruisers playing two steel trays he had picked up!( always the joker!) At this stage the jacket came off (slowly!) revealing the shirt! It was the Hands this time! One more! Yes we all shouted! There was a worrying moment as the microphone went up and over, pretty close to that light fitting!
Finally it was the end, again thanking us for coming, the applause getting louder all the time, he finally left the stage picking up the 'Mannequin' and jacket and leaving through the outside door for the final time.
Once again, Dave, thank you for a wonderful entertaining show, that left us on a high for the next few hours.
Bring on the next show!!
Anng