This time last night I was playing at the Piano Bar to what you might call an intimate audience. I think the numbers may have struggled into double figures at one point. It's a shame as all the musician's and organisers put a lot into the night and those that were there were hugely entertained. Nevertheless it is not my intention to use my news blog to pretend that everything is always peachy and so it's true that a few more through the door would have been nice.


I got there early partly because I have am still in the rush of eagerness regarding playing live but also because I wanted the chance to play the piano there. Last time I played the piano without every seeing it before and this time I wanted to get a chance to bed in a bit. It's a Yamaha electric baby grand and it must have cost the landlord Alan an arm and a leg. Last time I wasn't altogether happy with the tone but this time it sounded superb and after 20 mins or so of tinkering I was ready. Anna arrived and set up the PA and while enjoying a bite to eat courtesy of Alan so to arrived one of the other acts for the night, Jack Bird. By the time 8.30 came the 3rd of the trio of acts Lara and Harry had not arrived and Jack and I were just discussing dividing up the night between us when another guitarist arrived with his mates. George insisted he had been booked to play that night and whatever the circumstances it was a happy accident as Lara and Harry failed to show at all.


Jack Bird stepped up first with his dark, bluesy, country music. Bluegrass grunge with an aching heart doused in Jack Daniels sentiment. It's a rare form of southern states heartache that Jack puts across and I admire the way he has claimed a niche genre for himself. I later stated over the microphone that I had been aware of Jack from his myspace page and videos and I that I had been excited to be on the line-up with him. It's not easy being enthusiastic about the acts that you are playing with and not sound like it's made up for the moment or you are stalking them! I hope Jack realised my genuine feeling for his material and I wasn't disappointed when I heard him live.


I took to the piano after Jack and played Waiting For You, Binary Flag (a new song), Make Me Feeling I Belong and amazing. I didn't feel too nervous. The sparsity of the crowd gave the night a more homely feel anyway.


Once I was done George steeped up an amazed us all with his virtuosity on acoustic guitar. He could not have been older than about 19 and after playing for only 5 years his level of expertise was remarkable. He favours jazz of the Chet Atkins and Django Reinhardt style and celtic folk. He included a lot of percussive hammering of the guitar strings and it was amazing that he didn't break one after the beating he gave it. Unfortunately I know no more of George than this. I have no name and no idea if he has a web presence. He is already at a very high standard, if he improves even further he could turn out to be a pretty remarkable musician. A good example of viruosity was the way he retuned the guitar between tracks. This isn't a rare thing, I've seen it a few times before but couple this with the speed at which he was plucking, strumming and hammering and it displayed his prowess admirably.


I am a bit tired now. I'll call this article part 1 and come back to you with a follow up soon.