The Buffalo Gals

Phil Davidson, the reknown luthier of Wick, had his open birthday bash last weekend. We played and gave a square dance, and it was big fun.  To our delight, the guests were enthusiastic about dancing, and, when we were asked for an encore, it was specified that the encore should be a square dance.  Rather unusual.  Maybe some of Phil’s Vietnamese coffee was making the rounds. 

Guest appearances on stage made the evening even more interesting and fun.  Woody Lissauer performed for half an hour, singing some of his own songs and a few covers, none of them anachronistic enough to be known by the crowd, but nevertheless very well received.  Tom Bailey did a gorgeous set of fiddle tunes.  Jackie Kempton played extra dance fiddler for the square dances, with a great solid rhythm, and we had Woody and Tom in the dance band for awhile too.

It was a great crowd of people, anda pleasure to be able to entertain in honour of Phil’s day.

It was great fun to play for friends and neighbours, and the Olive Tree was packed.  We haven’t played in Frome for a long time, and it felt wonderful to see and remember that we have fans in our home town.  The Wednesday night music at the Olive Tree is of a high quality, and the place is becoming known as a music venue.  And they seem to feature, as a real bonus, sound men who are also highly regarded musicians.  Such luxury!

Songwriter Woody Lissauer, brother of BGs fiddler Kate, played there this past Wednesday, and we had another great night.  Woody was joined by Kate on a few of the older numbers that they like to sing together, and there was a spontaneous appearance by singer Katrianne Lissauer in a wonderful duet version of John Barleycorn.

This venue is worth keeping in mind for a good mid-week musical experience.

They played at Tacchi-Morris Arts Centre near Taunton last night. Gollywhoppers are new, and they are a lovely old-time duo, who play a delightfully varied set of duets on twin fiddle, fiddle and banjo, banjo and guitar, fiddle and… etc. (You can see them again at the FOAOTMAD Festival in February.) They played the opening performance for Thunderbridge Bluegrass Boys, who were in top form. This is the fourth year that Tacchi-Morris have hosted a Bluegrass night, and Thunderbridge are regulars at this event. Their energy is infectious and their singing superb. Very dynamic and entertaining.