Rudi

1969

☺️ No John. Just found it among many during a web search.

A couple of times up to around 500.One was open air with a bunch of other bands. The other was a football club charity fundraiser.

If we we are going to assess any music at all, it has to be subjectively. Who wrote and played it shouldn't be that critical to the process.

I think we can know. I know. Preference doesn't matter. Only the inability to appreciate a genre can rule our opinion out. But we dont write in those genres ourselves. I have confidence in assessing how good a song is. A good song speaks directly & bypasses technical details. BTW, I have no intention of critiquing on demand or outside of the designated areas.

Never looked back when selling on or trading any gear. 70's Fender Strat (23 years of use). I dont miss it. It sounded great but it was a pig to play.

Present Arms - UB40 a little bit of a challenge

hi Sam, I have not played any of these, but I am intrigued. I think I would go for the classical looking Cordoba (on looks only). I was think of getting a uke for recording (and fun) but I never thought about a 6 string!

Whisky Trail - Los Lobos

Oh the downsides are a constant. Moving gear from vehicles into venues, setting up, breaking down etc. No one likes that, though my son did carry my heaviest gear back to the car. He packed it surprisingly well too.

Your very kind. Thanks All went fine. My son & his fiance came. My ex and her husband came. My aunt & uncle came. My friends Mel & Mike came. I am sure Mel & Mike experienced culture shock. Not from the band, but from the pub which was extremely raucous. I stashed them off into an alcove at the side of the band. They stayed for the 1st set only. People were dancing as best they could, but the bars were very packed. A drunk fell at my feet disconnecting my guitar from the signal processor. So I had to reconnect mid song. I rescued my mic which would have toppled also. My sound and volume were 'wrong' (aforementioned equipment probs) for 1st set. Somehow it came good for 2nd set. Before we commenced the 2nd set, another drunk had commandeered my mic and was using it to amplify his incoherent ramblings. Once I had wrested from him, we began a very much better 2nd set. I didnt get many solos because the Baritone sax was calling the songs for his friend who was celebrating her 40th birthday. We finished with a highly changed 'Hey Ya' using a fair bit of improvisation and energy. Everyone I spoke to enjoyed themselves, so that is mission accomplished AFAIAC. We played 10 minutes over time, and would have played more encores but weren't allowed to (local regs). Next gig is in one weeks time at Ben & Beth's engagement party. I will be calling songs so will give myself a few solos. Our bassist will be absent so a friend will be standing in for him. He will be just fine; -very good probably.

Songstuff. Give it a try.

I had equipment probs 1st set, but 2nd set was just fine. Here is a snippet of Leave Your Hat On from a few months back...