(Stella) Jem, to answer your question "Are the Pizza Express shows going well?
(Jem) THANX for responding Stella, I hoped that it might happen from someone (“…anyone”…sorry for the Harley lyrical pun…I love that song [Dino]). Glad it was you and your reply is (like Harley) from the heart.
(Stella) In the words of Mary, my dear late Mother-in- law my reply is "I should coco!"
(Jem) I wonder, if your late Mother-in-law, was Welsh? Sorry if she wasn’t, but that phrase just reminds me of my weekdays stay in South Wales (1992-1994), when my landlady used to use the phrase in that beautiful valley way. Totally musical.
(Stella) I have attended both nights, so far, and having been quick off the mark (as well as a privileged retired, bored housewife with not much else to do) was able to secure the best seat (exactly the same seat) both nights running right in front of Steve.
(Jem) That’s great Stella. Steve must know you then. I know how long you’ve been a fan and how loyal you remain, to the man and his work. The closest I’ve been to Steve was on three occasions (but we’ve never introduced). In 1998, I was with my (late) 6’ 4” ½ East End friend (we met on the JLEP at London Bridge in 1995 – we were both quantity surveyors (QS) - and he died at only 46, in 2015) at the Jazz Café (Camden) and Rob and I were very close to Steve’s legs! Again, in 2000, in Oxford at the smallest venue, The Old Fire Station, Sasha, two friends, and I, were right at the front, and the most recent was my (lone) glorious December 2022 (19th) gig in Cheltenham, when during the encore, Steve looked right at me just for a few moments (I don’t know whether it was the bowler hat, the waistcoat, the pinstripes, or just, who’s this old geezer then! Lol)
(Stella) I don't know if you're familiar with the Pizza Express format but basically the audience arrives at 6.30pm.(later at your peril) and we're seating in order of booking. It's so efficiently done it staggers me. Then we must order our food. If you're late there won't be time to eat your pizza and woe betide anyone who is heard making any cutlery sounds during the performance. We are pre-warned by Matt, who tunes the guitars, taps the mikes and runs the "shop" to eat up quickly or use fingers about five minutes before the band come on. They're prompt, arriving on stage at 8pm, The crowd have stopped eating and the band begin to play. From the off the feeling is relaxed: These musicians are tight. Their timing is perfect and we're warmed by the looks and smiles, cues and signals between them. Such superb musicianship is magical. I watch their fingers fly up and down the frets and wish I could play. Dave has brought so much with his flamenco and gypsy styles and sometimes Barry and Dave, it has to be said, steal the stage with their playing. It's like "duelling banjos" but not. Oli add so much with that Double bass too. He seems so serious when he plays and I just think about Tom (from Tom and Jerry) playing that "Is you is, or is you ain't my baby?" My mind wanders a lot!
(Jem) I’m not familiar with it Stella, so thanks for putting me ‘in the know’. I may have walked close by, back in 2001, when I had another (QS) contract, in the area. We both think that Pizza Express are amongst the best pizza’s available as an eating out brand and I’d expect THAT branch to be quite sizeable. It’s an interesting concept, the band playing there, and handy for access and everything, in and around London! My mind wanders too!
(Stella) These three nights, Steve tells us are devoted to the memory of dear Kuma (who passed away this week) and Alan Darby wo died, I think last month. For the first few songs Steve seems emotional and I felt very moved too. We can all identify with loss. Surely at our ages we have all lost someone dear, and the sincerity in the expression of the words in a few of the opening songs was raw and plain to see.Steve moved us all, I think but he is never mawkish and didn't bring the mood down. From then on we enjoyed the usual mix of stories and songs which, from memory (I'm hopeless) were a mix of new and old all through.
(Jem) I’m sorry for the loss of Kuma and Alan. You’re so right Stella about identifying with loss. I’ve already mentioned Rob H. West Ham supporter. Born in East Ham. One of the few male friends I’ve kept for two decades. Very soon it will be Mum’s fourth anniversary of death and it is just over ten years since we lost Dad. They both did well though (95 and 89 respectively), for most of their lives. Sasha’s Mum is terminally ill, but remains amazingly positive (like Steve, she’s a massive Beatle’s and Dylan fan).
(Stella) I'm not giving the set-list out. It ruins the anticipation of any surprise. I'm happy whatever they play. So all in all, a solid two and a half hour set with a small break in the middle. We laughed, we almost cried but overall uplifted. At one point, during the gypsy jazz version of Mr. Soft I felt like I was in one of those small Flamenco clubs in the backstreets of Seville. The playing was frenzied, Steve broke a guitar string and I swear the temperature went up in the room by a few degrees.
If you've never been you've got to go. The seats at the front are terrific but I have sat at the back before and it's still great.
I think tonight will be better. In fact I am sure it will be.
I'll be back in May for the Saturday lunchtime spot. We're bringing some Harley "virgins" with us.
Can't wait already!
(Jem) STELLA I’m responding (almost) straightaway, (only) because I’d like you to receive my very best, before the event (again). I’d prefer that you, had the last word (maybe again, if not here and now) I’m a bit of an oddball. I’m not sure whether I’d feel too restrained in such a venue (just being honest), but I’m not sure. I certainly love gigs AND meals out! We’ll see. Now that ‘I’m back in the saddle’ with Steve, Cockney Rebel / the Acoustic band, it’s likely that I’ll see/hear them AGAIN. I think I know what it is besides the thing that their performance does to us physiologically and emotionally, it’s the freedom of TIME not mattering, in the moment…In the words of one of Steve’s lesser known songs, together with Dino (we) can be anyone, someone. WE ARE and we matter to Steve, et al. Have the best time, you deserve it. Jem.
