Thursday June 2 - A day after my first full-out failure of hearing music everyday, I was a bit demotivated. So, sitting on my bed at around 9 at night, strumming my guitar, a song came to me. Then, I thought, I had to test it out on an audience and see how it actually sounded. So I ventured up to everyone's favorite local pub, The Dignity in Finchley, for Open Mic night - as Russell Cotton. My song went over well, it is a pretty basic blues song, and someone named Dan-o (i think?) joined in on harmonica. A nice part was also hearing some of the other acts. One girl really killed Adele's 'Someone Like You' and another woman, celebrating her birthday, sang a capella a few songs, ending with '[damnit, I will have to remember this song title later]' which got the whole crowd singing.
Friday June 3 - Didnt get to a live show :(
But I did see some quality street musicians. One man playing bag pipes on the bridge between Southbank and Westminster (not the same guy in the photo, but this is basically what it looked like). Then a quartet or quintet playing on the street. Nothing particularly memorable, but a lovely adventure into the soundscapes of London.
Saturday June 4 - Spent the afternoon at the London Green Fair, which had live music, for some reason all themed as gypsy-balkan music, which is certainly a guilty pleasure of mine. The music was pumping, more and more people were dancing as the second to last band got further into their set. Some of the men were dressed as gypsy-cum-Mexican women, with wigs and very colorful dresses. Then, the last band really rocked the house, getting the crowd up and dancing even more than the previous band. The names of both these bands escape me, but none of them were called the Gypsy Kings, that is for sure. The music was great and it was the nicest day in London all year, sunny and warm, and spending in Regent's Park was a delight.
Sunday June 5 - Back to my favorite The Blues Kitchen for the Blues Jam, which is kind of like an open-mic night, but with people playing blues songs. I did not get up to sing or play or anything, but some of the acts were truly incredible. Considering I had seen some real bands in the past week, some of these acts could have passed for real bands. The talent was great and guitar solos were many to be had. I have never been a fan of drum solos - is anyone? - and there were definitely a few too many, but that did not kill the flavor of the night. The Blues Kitchen is becoming a reliable live music venue for me...
Monday June 6 - ...unlike Proud Camden, where I ventured tonight and left within ten minutes. Oy! I think I hit it on the wrong night, as the whole scene was a bit depressing, but I guess thats what you get on a Monday night. It was early and I do think that if I had stayed later, there would have been better music, but because I left so early, I only got the less magical bands. Shame. Also shameworthy - Hanson performed in London tonight - maybe I should have gone to that...
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