Week 43 - Part 3

John Mayall

“Wake me up before you leave.”

Although the second half of Sŵn covered our Gigaweek requirements for Week 43, Sandro and I were far from finished. The odd couple themselves, Her Margesty and His Pargesty, had just returned from a trip to the states equipped with dozens of hard rock café T-shirts, and on the Thursday after Sŵn, we were invited to join them at St David’s Hall, to see legendary 77 year old bluesman John Mayall.

Sometimes, OAPs can really amaze you with their energy. To fly back from America and go to a concert the next day was inspiring stuff. Multi-instrumentalist John Mayall was pretty impressive too. He’s been doing this kind of thing for over fifty years, and was still able to find the energy to break out of his retirement home and put on a show. 

Most of the audience were either grey haired, balding or both, which left me as one of the few spring chickens present. Where’s a pop music lecturer when you need one?

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Support came from an even younger whippersnapper called Oli Brown and his band (named inventively, The Oli Brown Band). Parge and I nipped inside in time to hear a few of his songs, including one in which he asked us to sing the words ‘no diggity!’ evoking more memories of Brother Steve.

After a short break and a swift drink, Sandro and Marge joined us inside to see the main man himself.

John Mayall seems to have worked with almost everyone in the Blues world throughout his illustrious career, and tonight he was accompanied by three accomplished musicians from the US who are relative youngsters. Guitarist Rocky Athas, drummer Jay Davenport and bassist Greg Rzab are all in their fifties (Rzab even dresses like a teenager).

The first of many instruments Mayall used was a harmonica, but he spent most of the night singing and playing the keyboard. It’s no stretch to say that he was comfortably the finest 77 year old multi-instrumentalist I have ever seen perform in my entire life.

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Sandro meanwhile, was slightly underwhelmed.

St David’s was pretty full, but Mayall himself commented about the quiet, respectful nature of the audience. 

“Clearly, he’d prefer a rowdier atmosphere,” Sandro said.

“Even at his age,” I added patronisingly. 

Sandro certainly would’ve preferred a rowdier atmosphere, and felt the venue was to blame, making an unfavourable comparison with the superb show from Larry Miller at The Globe.

“The fact that everyone’s seated creates a dull atmosphere among the audience,” he said, as I mentally scribbled notes. “It’s like we’re at a play, and people are scared to drop a pin. But we’re not, we’re at a gig, and gigs are meant to be loud. Pins are meant to be dropped!”

“Quite. In the same fashion, the atmosphere at all-seater football stadiums doesn’t compare to that of the terraces,” I added sagely, before puffing an imaginary pipe in self-satisfaction.

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We’d been to the same venue previously to see Gruff Rhys of course, and were also seated at The Gate where we saw Willy Mason. At The Gate we were able to take our drinks to our seats which had been a plus. I can’t think of a time when I’d personally prefer to be seated than to stand at a gig, but then I’m a spring chicken and my drumsticks are fine and dandy.

As I mentioned so crudely earlier on, most of the seats were populated by older folk, but Sandro argued that even they (generally) would prefer to stand. I’ve never been old so I’m not fully qualified to comment, Marge and Parge however, are almost as old as time itself, so where did they stand? (Or sit, as it were.)

I put the question to them, and their answers were most enlightening. So enlightening in fact, that if I could remember what they’d said, I’d mention it now. 

I was impressed that they’d even managed to stay awake throughout considering their age. And the jet-lag of course.

Afterwards, Parge claimed a signed John Mayall CD. 

Sandro however, did not. He can probably still be found dozing in his seat.

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October

1-7 – Pete & The Pirates + Gruff Rhys - ✓
8-14 – Emmy The Great - ✓
15-21 – Sŵn - ✓
22-28 – Sŵn + John Mayall - ✓