Partick Folk Club was certainly the place to be for an alternative Burns Night (on January 29th). As usual Mick West got the evening off to a fine start with his spectacular singing. He was followed by Fergus Muirhead who treated the audience to a very rousing and irreverent recitation of 'Tam O'Shanter'.
Gavin Livingstone, a multi-talented man (who takes care of the sounds and the lighting,often joined by Claire when they perform as The Icing) played guitar and treated us to a couple of songs with his brother Peter. Peter, a composer lives in Denmark, had hardly stepped off the plane when he found himself in St Peter's Hall. The Livingstone brothers were certainly a big hit with the audience and it was especially enjoyable to hear "The Mission Hall" one of Peter's compositions. He told me later that he was thrilled when people joined in the song.
Peter certainly impressed the young RSAMD students, also on the bill. Colin Greeves, whom we've seen play his small pipes at the Club before, did well to bring his band of students together, and very talented they were too.
Ainsley Hamill's stirring voice could compete with anyone at Celtic Connections and with Eddie Seaman on whistle, Alastair Iain Paterson on keyboards and Danny Drever on guitar, the group were a class act. The audience responded well to their varied set including some lovely Burns' songs. Colin's banter also went down well.
Mick, Irene, Barbara and Angela worked their socks off to make sure everyone had their haggis, neeps and tatties - delicious! They then entertained everyone with their humorous exchanges while organising the raffle.
The evening was nicely rounded off with Mick West and Ainsley singing 'Auld Lang Syne', so what could we do but link arms and join in. A braw nicht.
Pat Byrne, 2nd February, 2010
Catch Mick West at The Star Club, St Andrew's in the Square, 4th February, when he launches his latest album 'Sark a Snaw'