The Music Appreciation Group

Leader:  Mike Stow - musicapp@ashbyu3a.co.uk - 01530 469152

6th March

This month we were at Nev’s house.

Neil kicked off with Beautiful South and 'A little time'. The band always wrote songs with clever often wry lyrics.

Margaret was in full Welsh mode with Catherine Jenkins singing the beautiful traditional song 'David of the White Rock' or more correctly 'Dafydd y Garreg Wen'

Dorothy changed the mood with the strange but very funny singing of the 'Highway Code' by the Master Singers. This reached the charts in 1966.

Brenda brought us back to classic pop with Carly Simon and 'You're so vain'. Mike followed this with another classic, Dusty Springfield and 'Just a little loving'

Yogi took us off in yet another direction, this time with a video of a flashmob performance of Ravel's 'Bolero' performed by the Saarländisches Staatsorchester in a shopping mall in Saarbrücken. The snare drummer keeps up a steady but complex rhythm throughout the whole piece whilst the other members of the orchestra gradually join in.

Steve, like Margaret, was in Welsh mood today with Bryn Terfel singing 'Ely Jenkins Prayer'

Janet's choice was more pop with Mel Tormé singing 'Send in the Clowns' as was Heather's with The Carpenters 'Top of the World'

Nev had found another interesting group, The Fendertones, a group of musicians who get together to make their own versions of Beach Boys songs. Their YouTube video rendition of 'Sloop John B' with the vocal harmonies and the layered instrumentals would do the Beach Boys proud.

Neil now played us one of his favourite artists, Ray Charles singing 'Busted' first released in 1963.

We now had two classical pieces. Margaret had chosen the 'Kyrie' from the Titanic Requiem written by Robin Gibb and his son Robin-John. It was written to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic disaster. A very moving piece.

Dorothy followed that with the more uplifting Chopin 'Waltz #7'. It is so fast in places that I don’t know how anyone could actually waltz to it! But it is still a lovely piece.

Next we had a song chosen by Brenda – Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra playing Glen Miller's 'Tuxedo Junction'.
Mike followed this with 'House of the Rising Sun' by The Animals. A 60's classic.

Yogi took us back in time with a comedy video of Sid Millward and The Nitwits "playing" various tunes. This recording was from 1970, but the band started in 1937 and continued in various forms into the 80's. Completely mad, and very un-PC!

Steve brought us down to reality with Donovan and his biggest hit 'Catch the Wind'

Janet introduced some real class with Francis Albert Sinatra singing 'I get a kick out of you'. We don’t play enough Sinatra.

Heather followed with a very good local folk band called Carillion singing the Bob Dylon song 'Make you feel my love' which was a big hit for Billy Joel.

Nev closed the show with another folk duo, The Bygones, singing the Beatles song 'Honey Pie'. A lovely way to finish.

Next month we meet at Mike’s house on the 3rd.