Last week culminated in a show: I performed a mini-set of songs in two venues on Friday night with Joe, who plays electric guitar - wow, just like an up-and-coming band! With the aftershow party, we must have finished around 3a.m.
We started off with LIttle Wing, originally by Jimi Hendrix, You Do Something To Me, originally by Paul Weller, Summertime, and a tribute to Amy Winehouse, a song of hers, called Stronger Than Me. She had died so suddenly Friday before last, that we felt it was appropriate. I was pretty nervous but as I warmed up singing it got better.
I think my version of Summertime went down well, someone started playing harmonica along with us, people were joining in the chorus, that song got the most applause.
"Stronger Than Me" is from Amy Winehouse's first release in 2004, an album called "Frank" which was kind of an introduction to her for the general public, lots of explicit lyrics and her typical no-punches-pulled take on life. It took until around 2008 for her to meet and start working with producer Mark Ronson and they went on to release "Valerie", "Back to Black" and her other hits that everyone knows. Even my next-door-neighbour knows "Back to Black" and "Rehab"!
As I sang I remembered Amy the way I wanted to remember her: as a fun, friendly, North London Jewish lass who would go out of her way to help and stick up for her friends and family. Her own father's musical career took off as a result of her encouragement. Also from London myself, I can identify with her. Her early songs show a strong jazz, hip-hop, rap and blues influence, plus an absolutely mega- songwriting ability. She knew exactly what she wanted musically and would stop at nothing to get it. The results on her records highlight her astonishing talent. She not only sang impeccably, she played guitar, bass and drums herself. "Stronger Than Me" is about her relationship with a rather wimpy guy and has lines like "You should be stronger than me/But instead you're longer than frozen turk-ey". Go, girl! I was practically falling about laughing learning those words.
I got a lot of compliments on my own voice and singing, plus Joe is 21st century Brentford's answer to Jeff Beck, so I think we done good. Next step is doing my own songs as part of that set. I don't have a lot of live experience, so I have everything to learn but I'm willing to give it a try.
Tomorrow is the dress rehearsal for the stand-up comedy show I'm in on Wednesday. Rock n' roll eh! Hope I can remember my lines ....
