Due to lack of remaining time before Canada looms, I must condense the remaining memories of the week in Bonnie Wee to bitesize bullet points...
Tuesday
- Afternoon off, so use only chacne to see RHUL's 'A Misummer Night's Dream' Production. Stunningly slick, Steve as the Donkey was absolutely hilarious, and 'filled the room' as Joff put it. Chris (hypnotised!) could've projected his voice better throughout, but altogether a great effort.
- See the 'Antonio Forcione Quartet' - a stunning hour of musical genius from some remarkable musicians. Other than Antonio, the Brazilian percussionist stands out, adding huge energy levels to each number. The duet with him on tambourine carefully builds up simple grooves, whereby the two of them start slapping each others instruments in time. AF keeps it funny through his miming, such as scratching his stubble and making an appropriate sound effect! Plays on specially constructed 10-string beast, occasionally just raking up or down the top 5 strings, creating a beautiful harp-like effect. Also has a fretless acoustic, which he uses specifically for an Indian sitar effect - a novel idea, but tastefully pulled off.
Antonio Forcione Quartet
'London-based Italian Antonio Forcione is one of the capital’s favourite guitarists, a regular on Jazz FM and at the Edinburgh festival where he has won ‘Best Spirit of Edinburgh Fringe’ award. He is ‘one of the great acoustic guitarists’ (the Guardian), who ‘plays unstringed parts other players can’t hope to reach’ (the Independent). Delighting audiences around the world with his virtuoso yet heartfelt playing, ‘he imbues his bright but intense themes with passion grace and fire’ (The Times). This concert sees the London launch of his long-awaited new CD Touch Wood (Naim) - an album that is inspired as much by Italian folk music and Pat Metheny as it is by Brazilian, Spanish and Cuban music. With fellow Italian guitar virtuoso Giorgio Serci, Nigerian cellist Jenny Adejayan, and Brazilian percussionist Adriano Pinto, you can expect fireworks. Check out www.antonioforcione.com'
For more superlatives check out
http://www.bluesonthefarm.co.uk/archive/botf2004/bands/antonio_forcione_quartet.htm
Must buy the new cd....
- The Spiegel Tent: student tunes and atmosphere, one chick hits on Mike by pretending to lose her ring!
Wednesday
After rehearsals, I suffer immense pain as me and Dave somehow find ourselves in the middle of an immense laughing fit! The thing about Dave's laugh is, it resembles Mozart's in Amadeus in an uncanny way, except the falsetto shriek gets higher each time it returns! Introverted violinist Jason had to leave the room as tears of laughter were flooding down his face 
- Havana Rumba - rated *, we go on recommendation and are slightly disappointed. the musicians are top notch, but the dancing gets repetative, and the old man narrator doesn't mould well into the scenery (yeah right it was his 60th birthday THAT day!). Still great fun though, and we all get up and boogie in the final act!
- BBC standup comedy night:
'Why doesn't beer have disclaimers on it like fags do, such as "Makes your arse explode"' !!
Beer: its good for everyone (There was actually a man in the audience who was a professional voiceover man, with v. rich, deep voice- a pot of gold for the comedian to work with for his entire set!)
Final guy Jimeoin's impression of moth as it struggles to reach the moon. He was so spot on with audience manipulation, and predicted the moment we'd stop laughing, then calls out 'Ride with me on this one' as the giggling starts up again - immensely funny! (The changing eyebrows, finding the funniest part of the stage + party trick where you carry 2 glasses to get out of a tricky conversation!)