Crossbow

A phone call from my brother Colin and it’s away to see his mates band at Gt Waltham. It’s a nice way to spend a Saturday night, listening to a bit of music with a few beers with your brother. A lot better than X factor. We first tried the local hostelry, the Beehive, a very nice pint of old Hooky from Hook Norton Brewery, then a short walk to the Legion. It’s strange, Great Waltham is apparently Essex’s village of the year, so walking through the dark streets of the village; it can only remind you of a scene from Hot Fuzz. I think the British Legion there is on of the smallest ones I have been to. It might be a small one but we certainly got a big warm welcome there. A decent pint of Spitfire was available here.

There were 2 bands playing that night, all for £2. The first one we saw was Crossbow. A 5 piece heavy rock covers band. They were very accomplished as musicians and also were great fun to watch. They certainly looked as though they enjoyed themselves playing Thin Lizzy (including my favourite Lizzy songs “don’t believe a word), Ozzie Osborn, Zepplin, UFO songs. The lead guitarist was very talented but the rest of the band was not far behind him. They played there set and said they would come back on later.

Next on, was the Blues part of the show? These are Colin’s friends who go by the name of Dirty Work. I have seen them before at the Fleece and enjoyed them then. They played a mixture of Covers from Creams, Clapton, Dr Feelgood, Fleetwood Mac (before they got poncey), BB King and probably more but my memory is awful. They are a 5 piece with Keith Davis on vocals and harmonica and Colin’s mate Pete on lead guitar. I must say Pete is a very good guitarist and well suited to Rhythm and Blues. The rest of the band are good as well but I do not know there names. The best ones they done were “Roxette” “I can tell” and “Help me”. The only gripe I had was they weren’t on long enough as they play the kind of music that I love.

When Dirty Work finished Crossbow came on for another rocking set, but the beer was taking effect now and my mind has gone blank. I do remember a storming “Whole lotta Rosie” as an encore though.

This was a top night, music near enough from start to finish and if you get a chance to see either of these bands, I would highly recommend them. My ears are ringing even more after the Heavy Metal Kids Thursday night. I think that I’m a celebrity is now starting on a Sunday night so we might have to find some venues for Sundays now.